A World Seeking God in the Face of Evil

Why would someone kill another person just because he did not like their ideas? - Clint Decker

“What do think about what happened to Charlie Kirk?”, I asked an employee of the venue where I had just spoken. And to my surprise, his eyes immediately began to swell up with tears as he quietly spoke, “How could someone do that? He was a husband and father. Just because they disagreed with him?” (Photo by Kevin Luke on Unsplash)

Charlie was a globally known figure whose death happened before an audience of thousands of college students that was also live-streamed and video recorded. Rarely, if ever, has a person been killed in cold blood as millions watched. Even as time has passed since his tragic death, it does not remove the questions. Why would someone kill another person because he did not like their ideas? Why would multitudes celebrate his death? How could this be done to someone so young, just 31, and married a few years with young children? A husband and a father. It has left millions shocked, horrified, grieved and angered, leading to genuine soul-searching. What does someone’s atheism, agnosticism or lukewarm Christianity have to say about this? The gruesome tragedy has left people searching for answers.

God declares murder a violation of His holy law. He also states that, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil.” (1 John 3:8) The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a sinful evil act that was of the devil.

Death, suffering, unexplainable tragedy and appalling evil, there is a mystery to it all where we are left with unanswered questions. In light of this God says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:6-9)

This is what scores of people are doing following Charlie’s death. In the face of incomprehensible evil, they are turning to seek the Lord while He may be found. One taxi driver told a passenger, “After learning about what happened to Charlie Kirk, it was a wake-up call. I’m getting baptized this Sunday.” Today, come to Jesus and turn from your disobedient ways. Put away the pornography, alcohol and drugs. Put away the pursuit of riches and success at the expense of your family. Put away selfishness and pride. Then turn to Christ with all your heart. For He died a sacrificial death for you. He took all your failures and destructive choices upon Himself. Then He triumphantly rose from the dead, defeating death, sin and evil. Because of that, you can be pardoned and set free from chains that have entangled you. Jesus is ready to have compassion on you. He is ready to show you grace and mercy. Come to Him by faith!

When you do, He has a mission awaiting. He changes you to send you. He says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15) Why was Charlie on the Utah campus when he was killed? Doing just that. He was sent by God to share His glorious gospel with those precious college students through debating ideas. Do you know what his first question was about? Christianity versus another religion. Before he was killed on the second question, he shared the good news of Jesus Christ on the first.

Be courageous like Charlie. Go and share the truth of God’s Word. Stand for what is wise, right and good at school, work, in the church, in government and among friends and family.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for those who are left searching for answers following Charlie’s death. Help them to forsake their ways and come to the foot of Jesus’ cross for your forgiveness.

Charlie Kirk’s Death: Will The Church Rise Up?

Church leaders, Charlie Kirk's death has affected your congregation and community. Will you rise up to capture this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? – Clint Decker

Experts say on average, approximately 150,000 people die daily across the world. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was just one of those thousands that were lost. However, the evidence is overwhelming that the impact of his death rises to monumental levels like that of 9/11 or the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert F. Kennedy or Martin Luther King, Jr. Before I began my message on Sunday I asked the church, “How many of you have heard of Charlie Kirk?” Nearly every hand went up. However, prior to September 10th, just a few in the church knew who he was. Pastors, this current event has affected your congregation and community. Are you capturing this moment for the furtherance of the gospel? Are you providing a pastoral and biblical response to the tragedy? (image from Charlie Kirk's funeral where the gospel was preached)

When Jesus began His public ministry, every day He worked at getting His message out through preaching, teaching and doing signs and wonders that people might believe and follow Him. However, as He went about each day, there always seemed to be interruptions.

On one occasion we see where Jesus was given the news about a terrible event, “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’” (Luke. 13:1-5) Jesus did not ignore the event, but directly addressed it, along with a second one. Look at how He did it. He rose above the politics, which they may have been trying to draw Him into, and spoke to the spiritual side, using it as an opportunity to preach the gospel. We see this repeatedly in Jesus’ ministry.

Church leaders, prayerfully observe the impact of Charlie Kirk’s death. Take some time. When you do, you will see the hot embers of revival and awakening are there. Do not miss this moment to preach the gospel and strengthen the church through it.

Yes, Charlie was deeply involved in politics. Yes, he took strong positions on a number of moral, cultural and political issues. For that alone, some church leaders may steer clear of him, but please do not be among those. He was also a committed Christian that publicly and privately lived for Christ and openly talked about Him before college students and powerful politicians.

Read these comments from just a few people, which are all over social media by the thousands, “I am 40 years old, and have five kids ages 20 to two and haven’t been to church in six years. This past Sunday we all went and will be going every Sunday from now on.” “I'm a 14-year-old girl and Charlie changed my life.” “I came off my faith, but the day he died I turned to Jesus.” “I think Jesus is knocking at my heart after Charlie's death.” “God has not been spoken so much in my house before Charlie died. His sacrifice has re-ignited in our household a love for God.”

Sarah Holliday, from The Washington Stand, succinctly wrote about Charlie’s death, “Across social media and news outlets, a groundswell is emerging. People are confessing ‘I’ve never been to church, but I’m feeling a pull to attend a Sunday service.’ Friends and family have shared with me that their churches were overflowing…a phenomenon echoed nationwide. Alongside this, lifelong atheists and skeptics are turning to prayer and seeking out Bibles…” Additionally, over 200,000 people attended Charlie’s funeral with over 100 million watching around the world, where the gospel message was given repeatedly with a call to Christ.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray for church leaders that you would open their eyes to see how the fields of people’s souls are ripe for harvest. May you give them wisdom and courage to embrace this moment for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I Doubt You REALLY Believe in God

If 83% of people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? Shouldn’t their belief impact their behavior and communities? – Clint Decker

83% of U.S. adults believe in God, according to a Pew Research article published this year. Despite numbers declining over the decades, it is still very high. During 30+ years of ministry in rural areas throughout the Great Plains, I have met many people who are a part of the 83%. Regulars at the local bar, businessmen, county jail inmates, greeters at the church, friendly neighbors across the street and politicians - they all believe in God. (Image by Freepik)

I have an honest question. If that many people believe in God, then why do we have so much crime and immorality? I think I have a point. Should not this belief make a difference in people’s lives, impacting their behavior and thereby their communities?

If I am right, then we are left to conclude one thing. There must be a misunderstanding about what it really means to believe in God.

The Bible is the original source for understanding the whole idea of belief in God. It did not originate from a pollster or rise from philosophical thought. A casual reading of the Bible reveals where it came from. The famous John 3:16 states this idea, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Additionally, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (Jn. 6:35) Then in another place, a man is told to, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31)

When we look at what the Bible says on the subject of belief, five truths surface. 1) Believing in God is synonymous with a belief in Jesus. Since He is God’s Son, to refuse to belief in Jesus becomes a pointless belief, for Jesus said, “And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.” (Jn. 12:45) 2) Believing in God is the recognition of Jesus, and accepting by faith His deity, virgin birth, death and resurrection, though you may not understand it all. 3) Believing in God is to trust in Jesus, meaning you are willing to entrust your whole life into His care and come under His authority. 4) Believing in God is to follow Jesus, meaning you are willing to do what Jesus and His Word says, no matter the cost—even unto death. 5) Believing in God is union with Jesus, meaning Christ is in you and you are in Him.

Too often when someone says, “I believe in God”, they are talking about an intellectual belief, or more accurately, it could be called an “acknowledgement.” They acknowledge God’s existence, and some details about who He is. And the same could be said about Jesus. This type of strange belief is far away from the Bible’s correct understanding of it.

People like the 83% were directly addressed in the Bible, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder.” (James 2:19) The Devil himself and the demons of hell acknowledge the existence of God, but they go no further. They refuse to accept the supreme authority of Christ and come under His Lordship. They refuse to turn from their sin and place their full trust in Jesus. They refuse to reorder their life according to the ways of God.

The belief most have is a mere acknowledgement which does not lead to a changed life and a moral transformation, where the old has gone, the new has come because of the Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Today, move past a mere acknowledgement of Jesus and embrace a full-on, radical belief in Christ. Go beyond the superficial words of religion, and by faith, yield yourself totally to Him.

A prayer for you – Lord God, I pray you will bring people to move past the acknowledgements of Christ, and to a true biblical belief in you. May they humble themselves and come under your Lordship and follow you as their supreme authority in all areas of their life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.