Overcoming Evil: What's Wrong With America and How To Fix it.

What in the world is wrong with America? In the last couple of months we have seen attacks from an unknown virus, attacks against the constitution, attacks against unarmed black men, and attacks against our cities! Certainly there is a major problem. Many folks have an answer, but few are articulating THE answer. Democrats blame Republicans. Libertarians blame both. Protesters blame the the cops, cops blame the protesters, and the Anarchists want to burn it all down.

Not only are Americans divided over this issue, believers are too. This morning we are going to look into the perfect Word of God for guidance.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, not only explained in detail how to get saved, but also how to act once you are saved. Our Passage this morning rings true through the corridors of time. This morning we will discover what is wrong with America and How to Fix it.

Identify the Problem

Romans 13:1–4 KJV

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

The Problem is Evil

Evil = in the sense of what is injurious or baneful -

E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 48–49.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.106 κακός, ή, όν; κακῶς

κακῶςa: pertaining to being bad, with the implication of harmful and damaging

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Evil

b: causing discomfort or repulsion: OFFENSIVE 〈an evil odor〉

c: DISAGREEABLE 〈woke late and in an evil temper〉

3 a: causing harm

“Last week it was George Floyd, who died while restrained by a police officer in the middle of a Minneapolis street in daylight, though he posed no physical threat. His alleged offense? Passing a counterfeit bill to buy a pack of cigarettes. Before him it was Breonna Taylor, an emergency room technician in Louisville, Ky., shot dead in her own apartment by officers who used a battering ram to burst through her front door.

Before Ms. Taylor it was Laquan McDonald. And Eric Garner. And Michael Brown. And Sandra Bland. And Tamir Rice. And Walter Scott. And Alton Sterling. And Philando Castile. And Botham Jean. And Amadou Diallo.

The list goes on and on, and on and on. Black Americans brutalized or killed by law enforcement officers, who rarely if ever face consequences for their actions. Derek Chauvin, the officer accused of kneeling on Mr. Floyd’s neck until he was dead, had 18 prior complaints filed against him.”

-NY TIMES

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A black sedan sped through an intersection in the Bronx early Tuesday and slammed into a New York City police officer standing in the road, leaving him with serious injuries, authorities said. In Buffalo, two police officers were hit by a car during a violent confrontation between authorities and protesters outside a police station on Monday night.

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The family of 22-year-old Italia Kelly, who was fatally shot Monday while leaving a protest in Iowa, made an emotional plea Friday, calling for an end to the violence that they say overshadows the "voice of the protesters who are seeking change."

FOX NEWS

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A New York City police officer tore a protective mask off of a young black man and assaulted him with pepper spray while the victim peacefully stood with his hands up.

New York City police officers, in two separate vehicles, rammed a crowd in a street. Separately, an officer in a moving police vehicle slammed someone with a car door and drove away.

Security forces in Minneapolis marched down a quiet residential street and shot paint canisters at residents who were watching from their private porch.

Police in Louisville raided a public square, confiscating and destroying water and milk, which is used to counter irritants like pepper spray.

Atlanta police stopped two black people, inexplicably shooting them with tasers and tearing them out of their car.

A New York City officer used two hands to throw a woman to the ground, reportedly calling her a “stupid fucking bitch”San Antonio Police used tear gas against people.

So did Dallas police.

So did Los Angeles police.

So did DC police.

The list goes on.Many people reported being shot by rubber bullets. MSNBC host Ali Velshi says he was shot after state police fired unprovoked into a peaceful rally.

A freelance photographer in Minneapolis says she went permanently blind in her left eye after being shot by police.

Police have brutalized lawmakers participating in demonstrations, including New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie

Police and the national guard troops trying to clear a crowd Monday heard gunshots and returned fire, killing David McAtee, the owner of a barbecue restaurant.

The mayor fired the police chief after finding out officers had not turned on their body-worn cameras.

McAtee was a 53-year-old African American man known for offering free meals to officers who stopped by his restaurant.

On Saturday, the names of several police officers allegedly seen perpetrating violence in different cities began trending on Twitter as people worked to cross-reference faces from videos with personal information on the web.

Evil is on both sides of the Law.

A 77-year-old retired St Louis police captain who served 38 years on the force was shot and killed by looters at a pawn shop early Tuesday, authorities said.

Oakland, California

A federal officer was providing security at a US courthouse during a protest when someone fired shots from a vehicle. Dave Patrick Underwood, 53, died and another officer was critically wounded.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Two people were killed this past weekend amid unrest, including 38-year-old Chris Beaty, a former offensive lineman for Indiana University.

Davenport, Iowa

Police are investigating the deaths of 22-year-old Italia Kelly, who was shot Monday while leaving a protest outside a Walmart, and of a man found near where suspects exchanged gunfire with police.

The Problem is Those Charged with Dealing With Evil Doers Have Not.

Romans 13:3 KJV

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

The government is supposed to not be a terror to good works.

The government has been too busy closing churches and businesses pushing masks and prohibiting soda pop… while not dealing with perpetrators of evil be it from the left or from the right.

Evil cops are not being charged

Evil demonstrators are not being restricted.

Evil politicians are not being removed from office.

THE REASON FOR THE VIOLENCE IN AMERICA IS UNCHECKED EVIL.

It is easy to blame one side… the looters, the cops… the right… the left.

All evil is bad! All evil corrupts… All evil will destroy this Country.

The same passage that tells us that the government was ordained by God to deal with evil doers also tells us how we can deal with evil doers

Fix The Problem

Abandon the Thought of Payback.

Romans 12:17 KJV

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

The natural impulse is to return injury for injury. But retaliation for personal injury is not for those who claim to follow the one who told his disciples to turn the other cheek and go the second mile (Matt 5:39, 41; cf. Gal 6:10; 1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9). Instead, believers are to be careful to do what is honorable in the sight of everyone57 (cf. Prov 3:4). The early church understood the necessity of having a good reputation with outsiders (1 Tim 3:7).

Mounce, R. H. (1995). Romans

Matthew 5:39 KJV

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Live Peaceably If Possible

Romans 12:18 KJV

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

James 3:18 KJV

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

The last thing America needs is arrogant believers spouting off on Twitter or Facebook with caustic ignorant rants.

Those folks who drove their trucks flying the rebel flag and the blue lives matter flag past the crowd of Torrington demonstrators were not going to help.

Gassing protesters in order to take a photo op holding a Bible (an RSV btw) and shouting LOOTERS GET SHOOTERS does nothing to combat evil, but rather promote it.

Let God Do The Vengeance, Not You.

Romans 12:19 KJV

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Proverbs 24:29 KJV

Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Overcome Evil With Good.

Romans 12:20–21 KJV

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Aggressively do good to those who least deserve it.

This is true Grace living

Torrington PD like others across the nation have united with the protesters, hearing their side and sharing their outrage. Some have shared water.. some turned an outdoor protest into a combined barbecue and picnic with LE and BLM!

What’s Wrong with America? Evil is going on unchecked by those that have the power and commission by God to do so.

How can it be fixed? When good people stand together and do good things even to those who do not deserve it. America will be healed when we learn to overcome evil with good.