The manifestation of conflict among humans is an interplay of opposing forces emanating from God and Satan. When properly implemented, the justice system seeks to restore goodness, perceived as coming from God, and to eliminate evil, perceived as coming from Satan. However, in a corrupt society, what is good can be labelled as bad and vice versa. Since the time of Adam, justice has been necessary in a sinful environment where goodness is expected to prevail.
In primitive societies, goodness is often judged according to the whims of the ruler, resulting in a society that may be perceived as evil. In a considered civilized society, however, goodness is regarded as independent of any individual. This necessitates a standard by which justice can be evaluated. Considered just, the principle of the greatest good for the majority is expected to be applied.
The only challenge with this system is that the majority could prefer what would be incorrect. For instance, it was the consideration of the considered greatest good for the majority that led to the anointing of Saul as their King (1 Samuel 8:4-22). God had intended to rule them according to His laws. The Israelites were given the Ten Commandments, which advocated repaying evil with evil. However, the Ten Commandments could not be effectively administered on the physical plane.
On a physical plane, this principle causes individuals to repay evil with evil, thereby also facing the consequences of evil. For instance, if one individual kills another, justice would demand that the killer be killed as well. This principle results in two deaths instead of one and applies to a community without hope. Both the killer and the victim share in death, rendering justice ineffectively executed. The loser would be the one who created both the killer and the victim.
Under such circumstances, true justice would be unattainable, as the ultimate victor would be Satan. This illustrates the hopelessness that humanity has been trapped in. Although the idea of executing killers appears noble, the person killing those killers would also be assuming the role of a killer. The relatives of the murderer may also seek revenge against the one who executed the killer, in the name of justice. This renders justice inapplicable in the physical universe.
The time of justice will come once humanity has evolved and attained a divine character. For now, Satan is permitted to reign on Earth to develop the character of humanity to reach the Godly standard. Jesus came specifically to demonstrate the principle of justice that does not allow Satan to prevail. At one point, Jesus confronted the demons, who responded by saying, “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (Matthew 8:29-31). Satan and his demons are conscious of the temporary nature of their existence.
The Ten Commandments, being spiritual, were imposed on the physical Israelites as the initial step in preparing humanity for the principle of God’s love. In their ignorance, the Israelites desired justice against those living a lawless life, without understanding the origins of sin. It is unjust to vilify humanity, created in God’s image, for the sins committed under the influence of the chief architect of sin, Satan. Aware of the origin of sin, Jesus did not come to judge humanity before the appointed time.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:38-48 NKJV).
Observed on a human level, this can be adjudged as an obscure justice. Otherwise, a person who does evil against another deserves to be punished. This is how physical humans expect justice to be executed. However, they do so out of their ignorance of the actual origin of sin. Satan is happy to observe humans murdering each other. The wrongness with this eye for an eye principle is that it leaves everyone a sinner. The first offender deserves justice to be meted against him or her, but so does the one meting justice against the offender. Both become guilty.
Satan aims to lure as many people to his side; hence, he is referred to as the accuser of the brethren, as if not wanting sin to be committed (Revelation 12:10). This scenario is akin to a ruling party instigating and fueling factionalism within an opposition party. The ruling party relishes observing the opposition mauling each other and doing the dirty work on their behalf. This does not necessarily imply approval of the views held by the one causing discord. Similarly, Satan, whose role is to deceive as many people as possible for their destruction, may appear as a champion of justice. He is, in fact, an opponent of God, who seeks to save humanity.
“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:9-11 NKJV).
Satan abhors and finds the services of Jesus deplorable. For instance, he disapproves of a repentant murderer. When some believers disapproved of Saul’s conversion, they may have been inspired by Satan. The instinct may have been that he should face justice for his actions against the brethren. Those accusers would, therefore, at that time be the servants of Satan, whose aim is to destroy as many brethren as possible. Others, unaware of being influenced by Satan, may even drop out of the fellowship, assuming justice would not have been adequately met.
Believers should remain committed to Christ rather than letting their own conscience take control. In matters not fully understood, it is best to focus on Jesus’ teachings until God provides clarity. This is why Jesus advised His disciples not to judge; in judging, one can easily be manipulated by the chief deceiver. All humans are affected and should not be seen as the cause of bad things in the environment. They merely serve as instruments of Satan, often unaware that Satan is the true culprit.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matthew 7:1-6 NKJV).
The most significant aspect to consider in the above passage is the plank, as compared to the speck. The speck is an effect of the actual thing, like the chips that come out of the log when impacted by an axe or a saw. Rather than be bothered about the chips that come out as an impact of knocking the plank, Jesus is showing the significance of the cause, rather than the effect. It is impossible to handle the problem when dealing with the effect, rather than the cause.
In the final section of that Scripture, Jesus makes a statement that may seem offensive. “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matthew 7:6 NKJV). Jesus emphasizes the impossibility of humans being the originators of sin. Having done Satan’s work, the one who casts the first stone will find himself deeper in the mire. For anyone devoted to the teachings of Jesus, it is impossible to entertain such folly without presuming oneself to be more righteous than others. The term “dogs” refers to nonbelievers, as commonly used by the Jews at that time when referring to the Gentiles.
Conflicts are inevitable among the people of this world. Marital problems are a greater cause for concern, as societies begin with marital relationships. Such issues should be attributed to spiritual forces, rather than assuming either party physically instigates them. This is why, in a divorce, one cannot solely assign the blame to one person. As long as one of the spouses adheres to Christianity according to Jesus’ teachings, it is unlikely that a divorce will occur. A nonbeliever can walk away, making it impossible to reach a divorce agreement with a God-fearing person.
A believer may tactfully withdraw when violence is a concern, without consenting to divorce. However, a true Christian is not afraid of death, while earnestly pursuing peace. Therefore, Christianity should never be assumed to be an easy journey. Dying in fulfilling God’s requirements should commonly be what grants true pleasure to such Christians. God, who promises not to give more than what is bearable to those who trust Him, can also effectively change a wayward spouse, as implied by Peter.
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror” (1 Peter 3:1-6 NKJV).
While the above addresses women of faith, men are also admonished to treat their wives according to God’s requirements. God deals with His own, according to His will, depending on what He intends to accomplish with such a person. The above Scripture was not designed to be abused by men who seek to dominate their wives. A husband who is a believer treats his non-believing wife in such a manner that she cannot find a better spouse. As God promises, such problems cannot be overwhelming to a child of God, whether leading to death or not. They are meant to Christen the believer.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV).
While Peter addresses women of faith, men are also admonished to treat their wives according to God’s requirements. God deals with His own according to His will, depending on what He intends to accomplish with such a person. Peter’s admonition was not designed to be abused by men who seek to dominate their wives. A husband who is a believer treats his non-believing wife in such a manner that she cannot find a better spouse. As God promises, such problems cannot be overwhelming to a child of God, whether leading to death or not. They are meant to strengthen the believer.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:2-8 NKJV).
God is in control, so there is no need to engage in battles or be easily antagonized by anyone. Some battles may seem overwhelming by worldly standards, but Christ has overcome them all. We must be confidently on the path set before us, having been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. While most people fear death; for a Child of God, death is the only route to freedom. This world is a battleground between two spiritual forces, but God uses it to produce well-christened Children of God. Let us zealously remain confident as we eagerly anticipate our Lord’s arrival.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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