Lessons from Malevolence

In the early twentieth century, the Soviet Union instituted a system of isolated forced-labor camps which infamously became known as Gulags. Dubiously intended to house criminals and recidivists, these concentration prisons indiscriminately destroyed the lives of over fourteen million citizens and plunged three generations into a catastrophic abyss. As an inherit byproduct of the demented communist world view, thousands lost their lives and were tortured in an effort to impose control over the population of Russia and its occupied territories. When speaking of the Gulag camps, Vladimir Bukovsky, a convicted dissident and longtime inmate once stated, “In our camps, you were expected not only to be a slave laborer, but to sing and smile while you worked as well. They didn’t just want to oppress us; they wanted us to thank them for it.” (Gulag: A History by Anne Applebaum)

Ever since the dawn of civilization, mankind has pursued the base primal instinct to dominate and climb the hierarchical social ladder (Genesis 6:5-11). From the moment Cain slaughtered his brother Abel, the compulsion to supersede the consequences of individual responsibility at the expense of another has occupied the narrative of history (Genesis 4:9). Monarchs and empires have crushed the very souls of entire countries to achieve a kind of vacuous superiority complex. From dictators to kings, presidents and preachers, insanity continues to bind us to an asylum of our own making. No matter how disgusting the abuse or morally bankrupt the oppression, the task masters will always demand praise for their depravity while they gloat on the bodies of the innocent.

Our modern judicial systems and constitutions seek to restrain these primeval instincts. In word, if not in practice, most western societies attempt to disincentivize its leaders from enslaving the populous through regulatory infrastructure and oversight. However, from the ten commandments to the constitution of the United States, those crowned in the halls of power never tire of contriving new inventive means of skirting around the rule of law. As a result, the people groan under the weight of disillusionment and demand unhindered transparency of their leaders (Proverbs 29:2). But no reprieve will ever come. Once power is stolen and loopholes are exploited, all leaders refuse to relent. They simply will not rest until they have destroyed everything around them.

Perhaps no oppression is more keenly harmful than that experienced at the hands of those closest to us. It’s one thing for governmental leaders to abuse their power, remove our freedom, and steal our livelihoods. It’s another betrayal altogether when loved ones and those intimately connected to us seek to purposefully or irresponsibly harm. Fathers who abuse, mothers who manipulate, rival siblings who attempt to dominate, or friends who abandon, all seeking to fill the vacuum of quenchless desire (Ephesians 6:4, James 4:1). There is also abuse by authority figures such as teachers who humiliate pupils and spiritual leaders who deceive entire congregations to feed an insatiable egoistic appetite. No matter where we look, there is always the oppressor and oppressed, taskmaster and slave. From the same individuals God Himself created to bless and protect spews the filth of human waste which annihilates the most vulnerable among us (James 3:7-10). We raise our hands and mourn for all generations, “this ought not be so!” 

If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

Luke 6:32-33 (ESV)

Over two centuries ago, our Lord beautifully expressed the fundamental tenants of the “golden rule.” It has become the hallmark of every Sunday school credo and is tritely trodden out to reprove wayward children or encourage general civil behavior. However, the simple reminder to “treat others as we would wish to be treated” is often cheapened in an attempt to avoid the true message our Savior wished to proclaim. Take a good look some time at the full passage of scripture Luke expertly recorded in his sixth chapter. Here we read much more than a rudimentary memory verse recited to children. Rather, we discover an extremely detailed list of profound tenants of Godly behavior Christ Himself outlined for our reconciliation. We learn how to love and bless those who curse and even hate our very being for the sake of Jesus (Luke 6:27-31). The passage outlines principles to clothe and shelter those in need without expectation of repayment or reward (Luke 6:35). We are further encouraged to realize the wickedness of our hearts and low station among our fellow man. Christ additionally reproves us for simply being “nice” to those who are in return cordial to us stating “…even sinners do the same.” We are to love our enemies, expect nothing in exchange for kindness, suffer for others’ well being and pour out our lives for the sake of love Himself.

This is all well and good in principle and generally quite easy to implement in normal day to day living. However, what happens when we encounter someone truly malevolent or even sociopathic? Someone who purposefully and methodically seeks to do us harm (Psalm 42:3). This is where the rubber meets the road. No reciting of the golden rule will subdue our natural impulse to strike back. All our deep understanding of biblical truths won’t spare us from the anger seeded in our fallen hearts. We must come to the end of ourselves to find Christ’s irrational love (Isaiah 55:8).

While imprisoned in Ravensbruk concentration camp, Corrie Ten Boom recounted a conversation she once had with her sister in which she stated, “Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.” She further recalled how our Lord made her eat those words and taught her not only to forgive her persecutors but rejoice in the torment they inflicted. The fleas she detested kept the guards from interrupting their secret Bible studies. The horror of Nazi atrocities ravaged the heart of this devout servant of God yet brought her to a much deeper understanding of the mind of Christ.

Sometimes it takes extreme circumstances and suffering for us to finally realize the true nature of love. In our modern comfy culture, most of us are spared the anguish truly demented individuals are capable of inflicting. We sometimes meet up with vindictive employers or a conniving ex-spouse but find means and therapeutic methods for coping or dealing with tough circumstances. However, there are those who impose such suffering and torment that our hearts find it extremely difficult to forgive let alone love. To suffer at the hands of a malevolent, unrelenting, and truly psychopathic individual is enough to shake the faith of the most devout saint (Psalm 27:2, Jeremiah 4:19).

Christ Himself fell into the hands of such horror when one closest to Him betrayed his kindness by turning Him over to demonic forces (Luke 22:48). He suffered alone against powers and tyrants bent on torturing Him to death to feed their insatiable lust for power. While pinned to the cross, our Savior uttered the most profound words of love ever declared on this earth, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Until we suffer as Christ and come to the complete destruction of our selfish little world, we cannot possess His love. We must be brought to the end of all our excuses, demands for retribution, and cries for justice to discover the profound insight of forgiveness (Matthew 16:24). When our enemies torment us, demand we thank them for their atrocities, and revile and twist our words to feed their selfish appetite, that’s when we need love the most.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse . . . Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:14, 17-19 (ESV)

There are times when things are simply out of our control. Moments when no amount of love, care, support, or encouragement will bulwark the evil schemes against us. There are those with designs to harm which far exceed our ability to thwart or postpone under any circumstance. In such situations, we are implored to restrain our God-given desire to see justice prevail and cast all such cares upon the benevolent arms of Christ. As much as we can hold our peace and restrain our anger, let us do so. There will come a time when no amount of persuasive discussion or loving gifts will spare us the wrath of those who desire to see us out of the way (Proverbs 25:21-22). Make room for God to work, give Him space to bring to pass His will in all things. Let us forgive our tormentors, pray for their repentance, and keep our eyes firmly fixed upon the One who suffered for our salvation.