Well, there will be calls for more gun control. Calls for stronger laws against violent crime. Calls for more education and programs such as mental health screening and counseling. And more.

I’m sure that there will be a lot of disagreement about what we think needs to be done. But I’m also sure that everyone will agree that we need to do something.

And this is good, and right. We need to limit the violence. We need to address these issues. But there is a deeper issue. Because preventing access to the means of murder does not prevent the ammunition of a murderous impulse. Penalizing violence won’t stop some people from being violent. Educating people can only go so far in reforming people. Identifying mental health issues doesn’t eliminate those issues.

The only way we will silence the violence in our world is if we silence the violence in our hearts. The first step is yourself. One changed heart makes one step toward a changed world.

Now, we don’t want to be naïve. We could make great strides toward some sort of utopian society, where people are at peace with themselves and one another. And yet, while we are on our way, we would still have many problems. There would still be violence. And of course, we aren’t currently on that path to peace in any large measure anyway. So, in this world, you may be at peace, but you may still wind up being a victim of violence. Like those innocent children, attacked and murdered for no other reason than pure evil. That young man may have had a serious mental condition. Something made him feel like acting out was justified. But the act was still wrong. It was evil.

All of these answers, gun control, stronger laws, education, etc., they might be good and right steps to help limit the onslaught of violence. But the only way we will silence the violence in our world is if we silence the violence in our hearts. We need peace in our souls. And the only way to do that is to surrender to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

Jesus suffered the greatest injustice the world has ever known. The only completely innocent person who ever lived, was violently murdered. So that he would bring peace to those who believe in him. And that he could create a new world. One day, when he returns, there will be ultimate justice. And there will be ultimate peace.