The Lord said that we must not go up to fight against our kindred (2 Chr. 11:4). “Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak they are for war” (Ps. 120:6-7 NRSV). He however silenced the roaring of the seas and waves, also the tumult of peoples (Ps. 65:7).

The 34^th President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 – 1969), five-star general during World War 11, remarked, “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.” Good people realize war is disaster and the epitome of stupidity.

Control Our Nature

Gary Zukav (b. 1942), spiritual teacher and author, said, “We are becoming able to see the pursuit of external power for what it is and the futility of trying to escape the pain of powerlessness by changing the world. When we look inward, not outward, we can dismantle the parts of our personalities that have controlled us for so long – such as anger, jealousy, vindictiveness, superiority, inferiority.” Finding answers to war should start with a self-examination. We have to know our strengths and weaknesses to have a balance in life. This goes not only for individuals, but for presidents and prime ministers who govern nations.

Underlying conflicts are the presence of our sinful natures. A founder and teacher of desiringgod.org and Chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, John Piper (b. 1946) wrote, “God created a good world that was subjected to futility because of the sinful, treasonous choice of the first human beings.” This legacy passed down through the ages has shaped our behavior. We should embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ to change our bad choices for the betterment of humanity.

War & Words

Christians hope words are enough to subdue and enlighten those who are opposed to the light. A Chinese general, military strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu (544 BC – 496 BC) said, “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Tzu must have been thinking about winning wars through words but not by physical force. Wars of words can be just as devastating like the use of weapons. Psychological warfare may well damage our enemies for generations to come.

A Russian writer – regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time, Leo Tolstoy (1828 – 1910) wrote, “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time.” These two gifts are part of the basic framework in ensuring peace. Such an alliance isn’t be rushed into and forged without understanding. The 35^th U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) stated, “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.” People are aware what a confrontation of superpowers may mean with the use of nuclear weapons.

Today however, nations wage war against nations. Herbert Hoover (1874 – 1964), the 31st President of the United States, wrote, “Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.” Such a lesson should be emphasized for those leaders who are on a war path. This question must be asked, “Who will die for their leaders’ causes?” The answer is always, “Our sons and daughters who are the innocent ones.”