Are humans a violent species? If you look at a report on the ‘Vivid Maps’ website you would certainly think so. According to them, there have been as many as 10,624 wars in the history of mankind!

‘Vivid Maps’ even published a list of the ten countries that had won the most battles:

1) France.

2) UK/England.

3) US

4) Russia.

5) Germany.

6) Spain.

7) Poland.

8) Rome/Italy.

9) China.

10) Turkey.

This is is a list of the countries that won the most battles, not wars. In a war, a country can win many times but ultimately still lose the war. Look at Nazi Germany they looked unstoppable, but in the end, they were crushed. Look at the Philistines in the Bible – they were a mighty military power but came unstuck against ancient Israel.

What causes wars? Wars can start for a number of reasons, but at the end of the day, it all turns out the same. There is mass death and destruction and this has been the case ever since our early ancestors fought with whatever was to hand. Later on, we developed swords, spears, clubs, shields, etc, and after that war became mechanized. The first real instance of this was WW I where thousands of men on all sides were mown down by machine guns. The ultimate weapon man developed was dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. As of now, these horrible nuclear devices have kept the peace because the thought of using them is untenable. Now in Ukraine Putin threatens to use nuclear weapons to turn the war in his favour. But if Putin were to do that he would be gambling. Not only with his nation’s future but the future of the whole world. Let us hope and pray that even Putin has a conscience and will never resort to such force.

Are other species violent? Well, chimpanzees (who scientists regard as our closest relatives) are very territorial and resort to violence and war. So to say that nature is ‘red n tooth and claw’ is true. ‘Survival of the fittest’ to quote Charles Darwin seems to be the order of the day and even we seem to be subject to this.

If you have a dispute with a neighbour, a friend, your spouse, your boss, etc, this can be a form of warfare. And just as in military conflict people get hurt though hopefully not killed or injured.

The matter of war causes division in the Christian community. Some Christians support the concept of a just war governed by the concept of the Jus Ad Bellum (right to war):

1) The justice of war.

2) War as a last resort.

3) Proper declaration.

4) Right intention.

5) Success.

6) Being proportionate.

While others may be entirely pacifists, not even wishing to harm an ant or any living being. And they are just as justified in their belief as those that support the idea of a just war. Many are surprised by how violent the Old Testament is – then we come to Christ’s message of peace, love, and harmony with one another. What many forget is that both the Old and New Testaments were the will of God. Even if violence and war happen in the end, God knows what he is doing and permitting. Peace will be the ultimate goal, and as Christians, we should know and realize this,

Of course, conflict for the Christian is not just a physical thing. It is a very real spiritual conflict too as we wear God’s armour described in the New Testament book of Galatians chapter 6. Scripture tells us we are in a daily struggle with powers and principalities from dark realms. Their Commander is Satan with his legions of demons he uses to attack us on every front. Yet, we have a greater Commander in the form of God the Creator of the Universe. He has an army of angels to send for our defence and protection. We already have victory in Jesus Christ and Satan knows this.

Of course, we have had various figures Christian and otherwise – that have preached peace. At the end of the day, however, only God and his Son Jesus Christ can bring true peace that can be in your life and on the world stage. That peace is free and can be found with like-minded Christians or in your private meditation with God. That promise for all who repent and believe in Christ is extended into the next life where that sanctuary and refuge are eternal.

As per usual here are some relevant scripture I hope blesses you and speaks to you:

James 4-1-2-2: “What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not, that your passions are at war with you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do have because you do not ask”.

Proverbs 15.3: “The horse is ready for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord”.

Romans 23.18: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”.

God bless you

Nick x.