When Evil Breaks Our Hearts

 

Photo Source: Artificially Generated 

There are moments when the world seems to stop — moments when news breaks that shakes us to the core. The assassination of Charlie Kirk this past week has been one of those moments. Many are grieving, many are angry, and many are asking, "Where is God when something like this happens?"

It’s okay to ask that question. God isn’t afraid of our heartbreak. The Bible tells us He is “near the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). When evil feels like it’s winning, God invites us to bring our pain, confusion, and anger to Him.

Murder Is Evil — And God Condemns It
Let’s be very clear: what happened to Charlie Kirk was murder — a premeditated, deliberate, cold-blooded act of evil.  The Bible leaves no ambiguity about murder:

• “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) is one of the Ten Commandments.
• Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans his blood will be shed, for God made humans in his image.”
• Murder is an assault on the image of God in another person — it is never justified, no matter how much we may disagree with someone’s beliefs or words.
• Assassination is condemned because it is:
  • Premeditated, targeted killing outside lawful authority.
  • Usually motivated by hatred, revenge, financial or political gain, not justice that conforms with biblical teachings.
  • Always outside the moral framework that  God gives governments and individuals.
• Biblically, assassination is closer to the actions of Cain killing Abel (Genesis 4) or King David’s murder of Uriah (2 Samuel 11) — a wrongful taking of life that brings God’s judgment.

This act must be condemned, and justice must be pursued. As Romans 13 reminds us, God gives governments the sword to punish those who do evil. Justice matters to God.

Murder vs. Killing: Understanding the Commandment
The Sixth Commandment, “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), uses the Hebrew word רָצַח (ratsach), which means intentional, premeditated, unlawful killing. It does not prohibit all forms of killing, but specifically wrongful killing — that is, taking innocent life outside of God’s moral boundaries.  In Scripture, there is a difference between:

• Murder — forbidden, condemned, deserving judgment.
• A justice-related killing — allowed or commanded under certain circumstances (self-defense, Governmental justice, a nation at war).

The Bible allows for the protection of innocent life — including your own.

• Exodus 22:2 — “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking in, and he is struck and dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed.”
  • This shows that lethal force in the immediate protection of life or home is not considered murder. 
• Luke 22:36 — Jesus tells His disciples to buy a sword if they do not have one, implying there is a place for defense.
• The key is that self-defense is reactive, not premeditated; it seeks to stop harm, not commit vengeance.
• Scripture repeatedly shows God commanding His people to go to war in defense or judgment (see Joshua, Judges, 1 Samuel). Soldiers are not condemned for their role — in fact:
  • Romans 13:4 — The governing authority “does not bear the sword in vain” — the sword symbolizes the state’s God-given right to use lethal force to punish evil. The government is God’s servant, “an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.” The death penalty is seen not as revenge, but as justice — protecting the value of life by showing that taking innocent life is a capital offense. 
  • Luke 3:14 — When soldiers asked John the Baptist how to live righteously, he didn’t tell them to stop being soldiers. Instead, he told them not to abuse power, to be content, and to act justly.
• The difference between a soldier in war and a murderer is authority and justice: a soldier acts under lawful authority to restrain evil and protect life, not to take life for personal gain.
• Romans 13 also applies to law enforcement. Police are ministers of God’s justice when they act righteously to restrain evil. If deadly force is necessary to stop a murderer or violent criminal, Scripture does not call this murder but rather an extension of God’s justice.
  • The key principle: The force used must be just, proportionate, and aimed at preserving life and order, not out of malice.

Evil Is Real — But It Doesn’t Get the Last Word
Charlie’s death is a painful reminder that evil is not just an abstract idea — it’s real, personal, and destructive. Scripture does not shy away from this truth. The Bible says the world is fallen, broken by sin, and that the enemy comes “to steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10). But the same verse also says that Jesus came so that we “may have life and have it in abundance.” Evil’s goal is death, but God’s goal is life. Evil seeks to silence, but God speaks a better word — a word of hope, healing, and redemption.

God Can Redeem What Looks Unredeemable
The cross of Jesus Christ is proof that God can take the ugliest act in history — the crucifixion of the Son of God — and turn it into the most beautiful act of salvation. The world thought Good Friday was the end. Darkness covered the earth. The disciples ran away in fear. Evil seemed to win. But three days later, the tomb was empty. What Satan meant for destruction, God used for eternal good (Genesis 50:20).

If God could do that at the cross, He can bring beauty out of this tragic event involving Charlie Kirk. It doesn’t mean Christians do not grieve. It means they may grieve with hope, knowing that in Christ, death will not have the last word in this world.

A Call to Examine Our Hearts
When something like this happens, it’s not just a news headline — it’s a wake-up call. Jesus once suggested that when tragedy strikes (and this is my simplification of the parable), the question we should ask is not “Why them?” but “Am I ready?” (Luke 13:1-5).

Friend, are you at peace with God? 
Have you trusted in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins? 

This tragedy reminds us that life is short and eternity is long. The Bible says, “It is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). But there is good news — the same Jesus who conquered the grave offers eternal life to anyone who will trust Him.

Comfort for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
For those who are mourning today:

• God sees your tears and keeps track of every one of them (Psalm 56:8).
• He promises to be close to you, to sustain you when you have no strength left.
• And one day — for those who belong to Christ — He will wipe away every tear and death will be no more (Revelation 21:4).
• We especially lift up Charlie’s wife and family in prayer. Their world has been shattered, their hearts are aching, and their loss is immeasurable. May God surround them with His comfort, give them strength to face each day, and remind them that He is close to the brokenhearted. Let us commit to pray for them regularly — that their faith would not falter, that their hope would remain anchored in Christ, and that they would experience the peace that surpasses all understanding which only a Christian can know (Phil. 4:7).

For those who are wrestling with anger:

• “Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:26–27, CSB) 
• Righteous anger at sin is not wrong — God Himself is angry at evil.  But we must not allow it to turn into unrighteous anger or bitterness. It means that some anger is legitimate (for example, anger at evil or injustice), but it must be expressed without sin — no malice, no revenge, no bitterness. 
• “Do not let the sun go down on your anger” — This is a metaphorical way of saying, don’t nurse your anger or hold onto it indefinitely. Address it quickly, reconcile if possible, and release it to God before it festers into resentment.
• “Don’t give the devil an opportunity” — Unresolved anger opens the door for Satan to stir up division, bitterness, and sin.
• Some wrongs do not get resolved before sundown. In cases of great injustice — murder, abuse, systemic evil — righteous anger may persist. Biblically, that is not necessarily sinful if:
  • It drives us to God (lament, prayer, intercession).
  • It fuels constructive action (pursuing justice, speaking truth, protecting the vulnerable).
  • It does not turn into bitterness or vengeance (Romans 12:19 — leave ultimate vengeance to God).
• Paul’s command is not telling believers to never wake up angry about evil — but to not let anger harden into hatred, unforgiveness, or corrosive resentment.
• God calls us to leave ultimate vengeance to Him: “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
• Trust that He will hold every evil deed accountable — either at the cross, or on judgment day. Pray honestly: Lament to God. Turn anger into intercession (see the imprecatory Psalms as a model). 

The Invitation
If you’ve never trusted Christ, I pray that today would be the day you decide you want forgiveness for your sins. God offers forgiveness, peace, and the assurance that nothing — not even death — can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Pray to God today. Tell Him you believe Jesus Christ died for you, that you need His forgiveness, and that you want Jesus to be Lord of your life. He promises that anyone who calls on His name will be saved (Romans 10:13).

A Final Word of Hope
This tragedy reminds us that our world is broken, but it also reminds us that this world is not our final home. For those who belong to Christ, death does not get the last word. There is a day coming when wars will cease, when hatred will be silenced, when murder will never again take another life — because the Prince of Peace Himself will reign.

Until that day, we weep with those who weep, we work for justice, and we hold fast to the gospel that can transform even the hardest heart. And we look forward — with longing — to the day when all of us who trust Christ will meet again in His presence, with no more tears, no more fear, and no more death.

Until we meet in heaven and see the Prince of Peace face to face, may the God of peace fill your hearts in Christ Jesus.  Amen!

"Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”   -- John 3:3

Have you been born again?  The Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and that the wages of sin is death.  However, there is Good News!  The Bible also says that the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 3:23 and 6:23).  Is Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior?  If not, why not?