You’ve probably seen the video—anti-ICE protestors storming a Sunday worship service. That’s just the most recent example of rage erupting in American culture. We all remember the summer of 2020. And if you’re old enough, your mind’s eye can still see images of violence, agitation, and public uproar from past decades. No, collective rage isn’t new, nor is it unique to our culture. So where does all this uncontrolled anger come from, and how should believers respond?
Where does rage come from?
Ultimately, rage is not merely a social or political problem—it’s a spiritual one. The psalmist asked, “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” (Psalm 2:1). The answer hasn’t changed with time. Rage is a weapon of Satan, used to divide and conquer—and he aims it directly at the people of God.
“The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’” (Psalm 2:2–3). Rage flows from rebellion against God’s authority. That’s why everything it produces stands opposed to the character and purposes of God.
What happens when rage rules?
Satan knows that for evil to flourish, the things of God must be either torn apart or counterfeited. These tactics are especially effective in a culture that calls evil good and good evil, where truth is treated as relative and everyone does what is right in their own eyes. When rage rules, decency and dialogue are replaced with volume and violence, hate and harm, chaos and confusion.
Rage and lawlessness work together to promote division. Scripture is filled with people who faced imprisonment, beatings, and even death for speaking truth and calling others back to God. The apostle Paul faced mobs and riots in many places he preached. And mobs still operate the same way—accuse, intimidate, and assault.
We may live in a more sophisticated world, but not a less sinful one. Humanity continues to repeat the same patterns that have destroyed civilizations for centuries. Rage is rooted in vanity, which makes God laugh—not because it is amusing but because it is futile. It’s no different than Satan believing the crucifixion would silence Jesus and derail God’s eternal plan.
Why does government seem helpless against it?
A government that refuses to acknowledge God’s authority is no match for a satanic assault. Our officials are trapped in a corrupt echo chamber of partisan politics and power brokering. Instead of being the adults in the room, politicians from both parties often behave more like playground bullies. Unwittingly, many have become pawns of the ruler of this world.
Governments are meant to operate by authority—not raw power. Because authority is given by God, it’s meant to function under Him (Romans 13:1–2). When ruling in power takes priority over ruling under authority, the result is anarchy.
How should believers respond?
First, God is not threatened or intimidated by the rage of nations—and neither should we be. Our King is firmly established on His throne. With that confidence, we should have the same resolve as Peter and John when they said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19–20).
We also need to hone discernment by staying anchored in God’s Word (Hebrews 5:14). Evil will continue to exist until Jesus returns. Our responsibility is to recognize the difference between good and evil and then follow Paul’s exhortation, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
So speak up, but don’t get caught up. Speak truth when the opportunity is given, but don’t allow what’s happening in the world to distract you from the good works God has prepared for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). Collective rage isn’t new, and it is no match for the Spirit-filled believer anchored in the truth and hope of Jesus.
