Evil has no boundaries – color of skin, gender, social status, bank account — doesn’t matter.

What we are seeing transpire in today’s world is not as some would have you to believe, a racial war, it is the battle between good and evil. Does racism exist? Of course but even at the bottom of it, is evil. 

There are powers to be that want us divided because united we are stronger and they are scared of that scenario. But satan wants us divided as well, pitted against each other so that his plan comes together.

Of course, those who follow Christ and know Him as Lord and Savior, have read the back of the book and know that God wins. However, satan does not. Because of his prideful nature and his desire to be god of all, he still thinks he can overcome and conquer. This is, I understand, a hard concept to wrap your head around. 

Each of us are who God made us to be in our skin, whatever the color. He knew us before we were even born and called us by name. He knew the hardships we would encounter, the trials and what we would have to overcome. So, I will not apologize for the person God created. Neither should anyone else.

Personally, I don’t believe unless you have walked in someone else’s shoes, you can’t really know what they’ve endured. That has nothing to do with skin color. 

I certainly am not privileged in the fact that nothing was given to me. I had to work for it. I worked three jobs to put myself through college at the cost of my physical health. I did it because that was a goal and I kept pushing toward it and I did get there, thank the good Lord. 

Even though there was a time I could have used the help, never once did I expect the government to bail me out or did I ask for any kind of hand out. Yes, there are times to ask, but not until you’ve exhausted every other possible avenue. 

We are all humans; thus we bleed the same, we are born the same way and not a single one of us will leave this world alive unless it is in the Rapture. Nothing will ever change until we actually consider everyone a human being and not by skin color. 

We can let the mainstream media and certain other factions behind the scenes divide and destroy us or we can stand together.

I grieve for the Floyd family, along with the rest of the country and I believe it inhumane how he was treated by the officer. Every life matters to God and it matters to me. God certainly doesn’t see color. 

Every day there are thousands of innocent people killed. The mainstream media only focuses on those cases that will get the most reaction from the public. Prior to Floyd, two kids were killed in Minnesota. They had lots of life left to live. No outrage from the media.

I can get into a peaceful protest, but rioting and looting is not a protest. Destroying businesses is not about justice for Floyd or being angry about what took place. Even his family has come out against rioting. Floyd himself has been called a ‘Gentle Giant’ who would not approve of rioting and looting. 

Who in their right mind would bring along their children to protests? People think it’s okay to put their children in harm’s way? I don’t get it at all. 

Extremist are using this as an excuse to further an agenda of discord in our country. Some are buying into it hook, line and sinker. The current narrative was not working so now other tactics are being deployed. 

If you don’t think any of these were planned, then give me an answer as to how most of them are from out of state and they all had the same color t-shirts and masks with the same slogan? Why were bricks and rocks on pallets strategically placed around the cities were the riots are taking place? That in itself is suspicious to me.

I was appalled that there are websites where you can sign up to be a paid protester? Really? There are even testimonials on these sites from people saying they make thousands of dollars a week protesting. 

Stop watching the mainstream media. Turn the TV off and go out into your community. We are not as divided as they want you to believe.  The mainstream media is only showing you what they want you to see. There are many, many good stories to be told about people of all colors banning together to not only clean up the mess left behind, but protecting officers and business owners from the rioters. But mainstream media only shows what benefits the narrative they want portrayed. 

There are bad and good cops throughout the world and we can’t lump all of them together just because of the bad ones. During this chaos good cops have come out stating how they dislike the bad cops as much or more than anyone. Many of them chose law enforcement because they had a desire to protect and serve. The bad ones tarnish the badge of the good ones. We have to not let emotions rule us when addressing issues. Right is right and wrong is wrong and we should not excuse the wrong because someone has labeled it a cause. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent and we have to rely on God for the wisdom of when those times are at hand.

Some people find it hard to understand that evil, pure evil exists and they don’t acknowledge it for what it is. They cannot understand how evil can take over someone, corrupt them and make them do heinous things.

Just look at Judas Iscariot. Satan(evil) overtook him and he betrayed Jesus. Evil people preach hate, their speech is filled with hate and prejudice. The Bible cautions people who call evil good. So if you think the rioting and looting is okay, check out what God tells us. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight! (NAS, Isaiah 5:20-21)

The Bible also tells us to be wary of people who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to what God teaches us and that those who do are are only wanting to serve their own ends (Romans 16: 17-18).

If you are questioning how you should respond, open your Bible and see what God has to say. Spend time alone with Him; ask Him to reveal what you should do or not do. If you are sincere and do so with the right heart, you will hear from Him and know what to do. It may sound simplistic and on some levels it truly is, but a relationship with Christ takes time and is not always easy. You have to seek Him with all your heart. May God heal our land.

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com