Like I Said...

...there is just something evil about this whole deal.

Where do I begin?  Well, let's start here, because, even without a crazy evil shooter, are you freaking kidding me?

Officials with Children's Hospital Colorado said six victims, ages 6 to 31 years old, have arrived at the hospital. Updates on their conditions were not available.

Somebody brought a 6-year-old to this movie?  Seriously?  That right there is cause for Child Protective Services to get involved, as far as I'm concerned.  Congrats, your kid is going to be scarred for life.  Physically and emotionally and spiritually.

Second, and this is the real issue here: There is evil in this world and we ignore it at our peril.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.  ~ 1 Peter 5:8

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  ~ Ephesians 6:12

We saw this with The Dark Knight, and Heath Ledger's suicide.  We see it now, with the deaths of at least 14 people in Colorado.  To be clear: I don't think that the directors, producers, actors, etc of these movies are themselves evil, or possessed by demonic forces, or whatever.  But I think that the storyline they have created and they way they've chosen to portray it provides a foothold for Satan to work his evil.  Did the dude who shot up the theater have other problems?  No doubt.  Did Heath Ledger have a lot working against him?  Definitely.  But I think when you combine "normal problems" (i.e., the known generic effects of sin, death, and the power of the devil) with specific, intentional engagement of evil, the outcome is multiplied way beyond anything we expect.  And it's horrifying.

As Christians, our job is to engage the enemy when she picks a fight, and then do so only with the intent of conquering her with the Blood of the Lamb.  That is all.  No other times, no other reasons.  Yes, Jesus already won.  Without a doubt.  But that victory has yet to be fully executed in this world.  We have no business mucking around in the evil and darkness, simply for the sake of morbid curiosity.  The evil one does still have power, and it is real, and it is dangerous.  There are consequences to playing with it. 

But take heart, Christians!  "In this world you will have trouble."  But Christ has overcome the world!  We know who gets the last word, and it is not the Evil One.  Be sober, be vigilant, but know this:

...the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  ~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

And this is that victory:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  ~ Revelation 21:4

 Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.