Real-Life Evil – A Murder for Your Thoughts?
Last night at about 11 pm, a gunman arrived at a FedEx facility in Indiana and opened fire, killing eight and critically injuring four others. It is rumored that this man used to work at FedEx and had shown up specifically to kill his ex-manager. However, the manager wasn’t there last night. The gunman proceeded to fire an estimated 21 shots from his AR15 anyway.
One man was seen running out of the building to his truck and returning with his gun in an attempt to stop the killer. He was instead killed for it.
What Makes a Person Do Such Evil?
Some may try and blame this on the access of guns, but this is an act of demons. Let’s look at how these evil entities managed to work through a human to do their bidding and destruction on earth.
In order to use a human for their evil works, demonic entities always start with thought seeds. They cannot work in anyone’s life without permission. God’s spiritual laws related to free will require that permission be granted first.
Demons will take any kind of permission that they can get, even if it’s a subtle agreement to a thought seed. Every evil act always starts with a thought seed spoken into a person’s heart (mind). What we choose to do with that seed is the key.
“You are of your father the devil, and it is your will to practice the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar and the father of lies and half-truths.” John 8:44 AMP
If you let the thought in and latch on to it, you’ve given the evil ones the permission they need. You’ve opened the door and allowed them to get a foothold in your mind. They will continue the onslaught of planting, cementing, and growing seeds.
When a person ruminates on a negative thought, it receives power. Just like watering a seed to make a tree grow, the thought grows. At this point, a crack is created to allow more thoughts in from other demons… “Hey, the door is open – come on in! Bet we can get this sucker to do our will.”
Demons run in gangs. You will notice the same patterns of thought which produce similar outcomes over and over again because of it.
In the case of the FedEx gunman, the demon gang looked something like this:
- Spirit of Rejection (the initial wound and seed planted).
- Spirit of Heaviness (the hurt).
- Spirit of Bitterness/Resentment/Unforgiveness (caused by ruminating and giving power to the thoughts).
- Spirit of Pride (he made himself his god).
- Spirit of Rebellion (evil justice).
- Spirit of Hatred (shutting down the conscious).
- Spirit of Death (murder of others and self).
Without the Holy Spirit guiding our thought life, we don’t have a chance of standing up to this onslaught or even noticing it to begin with. This pattern brings a total lack of inner peace. Really take a look at areas where you are lacking peace. These are things that need dealing with.
How Could This Have Turned Out Differently?
Let’s consider how this situation could have turned out differently by doing it God’s way instead.
First, this gunman received some kind of wound to his inner self (his heart, feelings, and soul). The details haven’t been revealed yet, but for Satan to have a chance at gaining access to a soul, he has to first cause a wound – some kind of trauma. We can’t just ignore hurts and think they’ll go away because they won’t – they fester that way.
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19.
But, instead of coming into agreement with the hurt and negative thoughts, he could have turned to God with them. By taking things like this into our hands, we are, in essence, making ourselves our own god – that’s idolatry on top of everything.
It’s a vicious cycle that looks like this:
- I feel…
- I react…
- I take things into my own hands…
- I suffer the consequences, as do others.
Because of this…
- I feel.
- I react.
- I take things into my own hands.
- I suffer the consequences, as do others.
No matter how much we try, man is not able to be a god, not even close. We are just not equipped for such a monumental task.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.
All you have to do is look at what happened throughout history when pride stepped up to the plate and tried to rule. This is the same trick that Satan has been pulling on humankind since the beginning when he told Eve, “If you eat that fruit, you can be like God.” Yet, we continually keep falling for this lie. No wonder demons keep using this war tactic against humans; it works over and over again.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18.
Step One: Turn to God, Ask for Help, and Have Faith that He is Able
The gunman could have gone to Jesus in prayer and asked for help. Help to heal the wounds, help for provisions, help for inner peace, and to handle the situation he was in.
Next, he could have cooperated with God and the Holy Spirit’s promptings for his inner healing. He could have had faith that everything would be alright because God was in charge and cared for him. He should have forgiven those that hurt him and moved on.
To most, that may seem like a tall order. But God can heal the brokenhearted and bind up inner hurts. We just have to ask and come into agreement with Him.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:6-8.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30.
“Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;” Isaiah 61:3.
You can see that this way of handling things is the complete opposite of what actually happened in this situation.
By giving the situation to the Lord and trusting HIM to handle it, it frees up the heaviness of carrying and handling it ourselves.
- No one loves us more than God.
- No one is as wise as God.
- No one has the insight and knowing like God.
- No one has power like God.
- No one has the resources to make things happen like God.
- No one knows every single person intimately but God.
Let’s look at it from a natural viewpoint – If a man were standing before you possessing all of these qualities, offering to take care of things for you, would you not accept? Then why not God?
“My God is able to abundantly supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.
Step Two: Cast Away Negative Thoughts
When Satan came at him with negative thoughts, he could have refuted them by speaking the Word against the thoughts and replacing them with God’s thoughts.
This wouldn’t be a one-time deal, though. Satan doesn’t give up that easily. He keeps coming. You have to put on your armor and stand – keep speaking the word and refusing evil seeds.
“The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:11.
Step Three: Actions Based on Conscience
This man could have listened to his conscience when it told him that doing evil – killing; was wrong.
The human conscience was placed inside every person by God when he formed them. It doesn’t make a difference if they don’t follow or believe in him; it’s still there. It is a direct connection to God and an in-built protective safeguard.
By listening to it, we steer clear of disaster. When quieting or ignoring it, demons can worm their way into the mind and life of a person – at that point, the guard walls are down, and access can be had.
“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.” Romans 2:14-15.
Final Thoughts
The shooting of innocent lives and the suicide of the shooter himself are sad and tragic events – such a waste of precious lives, and for what? Because of a petty grudge that wouldn’t even matter five years down the road?
I see how demons used this man to do their dirty work and then afterward, did away with him too. He was used by evil and discarded for an eternity.
In all probability, the culmination of events that took place in this man’s life has not earned him a place in heaven, just as Satan would have it. And what about the other people that died?
Evil took him further than he initially wanted to go, as it always does. Watch and control your thoughts carefully, my friends; they are spiritual seeds that alter the course of your lives – for good or evil.
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23