The spiritual side of crime

Behavioural science may present its case.  Socio-economic factors may also count.  But spiritual influences definitely play a sig-nificant role in criminal behaviour. 

It is fear provoking to see the extent to which crime has escalated in this country. Crime has become one of the greatest threats to our very existence. Without prejudice of any kind, the crime wave has affected each one of us in one way or another. 

Many among us live in virtual prisons in an effort to protect themselves, their families and property.  After-dark outdoor activities now come with much apprehension.  Many in the business community are fearful that the car behind may be a kidnapper. Murders are at an all-time high.  To what do we attribute this menace in our society? Crime is a serious problem that transcends religion, race, class and politics.  Many experts in the field say that socio-economic factors, such as poverty and unemployment, are responsible for crime. While I do agree that this may have some truth, the reality evidence suggests that the problem goes deeper.

The “white-collar” criminal cannot use poverty as an excuse for the corruption that he perpetrates. And so many times, it is really the “white-collar” criminal who is behind the “black-collar” crime.  As for the kidnappers, they are surely not demanding just bread money as ransom.  The car-jacker is not merely interested in food for his hungry baby. The crimes that we see are the product of a gruesome monster which feeds on greed, anger, laziness, a sense of desperation and a lack of regard for the Supreme Being. Studies in behavioural science indicate that there are certain basic factors which influence human behaviour. For example, there are what’s referred to as “the determinants of behaviour.” Primarily, these include social influences, value systems, environment, family background, religion  and class.

These factors (among others) result in one becoming predisposed to a particular type of behaviour. However, one’s behaviour does not have to be slavishly fashioned by the items of the above list of “determinants.” The environment, for instance, does not have to change the individual.  The individual can change his/her environment. It was said of Jesus’ hometown, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (Jn.1:46). The issues of life, financial constraints and other socio-economic factors do not have to propel anyone into a life of crime.  Many Christians are faced with all these challenges but incidents of a true Christian getting involved in serious criminal activities are practically non-existent. I myself grew up in abject poverty, but I did not turn to guns, drugs, murders, banditry and kidnapping as the solution to my problems. My answers came through spiritual enlightenment and education.

Crime and spiritual influences have always been related.  Man’s first crime in the Garden of Eden was directly influenced by Satan (Gen 3:6). The first murder — when Cain killed Abel —  was also influenced by Satan.  Jesus Himself said, “The thief (Satan) cometh to steal, to kill and to destroy” (Jn 10:10). The devil himself being a spirit, needs human instruments to carry out his evil deeds.  The instruments he finds in our world are sometimes referred to as “criminals.”  Man is essentially a spiritual being (living in a physical body) therefore he is highly susceptible to spiritual influences. The Bible speaks about “spiritual wickedness” (Eph 6:12).  There is a definite kind of spiritual force behind every kind of wickedness.

In his act of betraying Christ, Judas was directly involved in a murderous plot, receiving blood money in the process.  The Scripture says that Judas’ behaviour came about when “Satan entered into him” (Jn 13:27).  Ananias and Sapphira stole the Lord’s money and lied about it. Peter said to them, “Satan has filled your heart to do this thing” (Acts 5:3). Human behaviour is certainly influenced by spiritual forces. We know quite well that certain “scientific minds” among us are usually quick to dismiss this perspective. But a man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.  The evidences are abundant all around us. There are numerous former hardened criminals who have now turned their lives to Christ and are serving God as highly respected and productive citizens.  They can be found in Pentecostals and Evangelicals churches all over our country, and worldwide, for that matter.

The conversion of each of these men and women has come about basically by the education provided for them, regarding the spiritual side of crime. They took the necessary steps to rid themselves of spiritual/demonic forces that influenced their behaviour and became free to be the real gems which God originally intended them to be. The Apostle Paul, as we know, was Saul, “The chief of all sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15).  He was a murderer of murderers, a criminal of criminals, but after a single encounter with Jesus Christ, went on to become a Christian of Christians, an apostle of apostles. Since intercessory prayer heavenly impacts the spiritual world, this exercise, effectively executed, also yields great results in dealing with the spiritual side of crime.  End-time prophecy also has to be taken into account, since a worsening crime scenario is actually the fulfilment of last-day prophecy. “Evil men shall wax worse and worse”  (2 Tim 3:13). We must clearly understand though, that whatever the spiritual side of crime, every citizen must join with our law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime.  “Faith without works is dead”  (Jas 2:26).