Veterans, politicians, military personnel and an assortment of onlookers assembled at Normandy on June 6th to commemorate the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Speeches were delivered by the presidents of the United States, France and the prime ministers of Great Britain and Canada. It was entirely appropriate to pay tribute to the incredible sacrifice that was offered that day a generation ago. The remarks of the national leaders were punctuated with references of tyranny and the great necessity to fight for freedom. Tyranny is defined as “oppressive power.” It is usually administered through the rank and file of government but always finds its root in an individual who may well be called a tyrant. Such was the case in the history of Germany and Hitler.

Those who desire to dominate others have existed since Cain rose up and slew Abel. The motives may vary but the results are always similar. Every generation throughout the chronicles of the human race has faced an evil that sought to trample the lives and liberty of the masses. Rivers of blood have been shed and millions have drawn their last breath on the battlefield in an effort to extinguish once and for all the lawless cruelty that seeks to murder or lord over the weaker. Every great war is concluded by politicians convincing us of the great necessity to destroy diabolism but the inescapable truth is that it constantly lurks in the shadows waiting to raise the serpent’s head.

Genocide is the order of the day on the African continent; children are being trained to be suicide bombers in Iraq; gangs in American cities often insist upon murder as a passage of initiation, and drug lords in Mexico think nothing of ordering kidnappings and beheadings. Science and psychology have failed to effectively explain why or how such fiendish reasoning can preside in the intellect and emotions of any individual. Religion or a particular culture is often blamed but in truth they are simply vehicles to transport an existing cancer. These seeds of insanity defy understanding without some comprehension of a spiritual battle that is continually being waged.

The Bible offers clarification that is worthy of consideration. Jeremiah contributes this bombshell: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it.” (Jeremiah 17:9) Mankind must possess an erratic gene of destruction in his spiritual DNA that presents a dreadful dilemma. At the same time it is obvious that something exists to keep a lid on the potentials of a wicked heart, or else the world would be in total chaos. The inhibitor of absolute self decimation is a God-given gift called a conscience. (Romans 2:15) This is the counterbalance on the opposite side of the mortal teeter-totter. The difficulty is periodically personified when the conscience is calloused over to the extent that it has little or no sensitivity. Paul addressed the issue as “having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” (I Timothy 4:2) This pitiless condition provides the only logical explanation for tyranny. The primary mission of Satan is to aid the searing process with all material and circumstances possible. That most serial killers have been steeped in pornography verifies his agency. Jesus, speaking of the devil, said, “He was a murderer, from the beginning and abode not in the truth…” (John 8:44) To deny the existence of Satan may sound intellectual, but it’s a remedy that is empty of a better answer for the wicked behavior at Auschwitz or Buchenwald. What could possibly inspire so many to dedicate their entire existence to the annihilation of Israel…then and today. What, but a heartless, cold, merciless conscience would motivate the President of Iran to call for the genocide of an entire nation? It is a wonder that this criminality is not more readily recognized. Interestingly, the Scriptures add “and no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…” (II Corinthians 11:14.15)

Helmut Thielicke wrote of Hitler: “He made free use of the Christian vocabulary, talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian confessions which would become the pillars of the new state. He assumed the earnestness of a man who is utterly weighed down by historic responsibility. He handed out pious stories to the press, especially the church papers. He showed off his tattered Bible to some and declared that he drew the strength for his great work from the Word of God. He was able to introduce a pietistic timbre into his voice which caused many religious people to welcome him as a man sent from God.”

Tyrants come to all generations in every size, background and color. Vigilance is ever necessary.