LightGrams
April 3, 2025
Volume 29, Number 12

Beginning August 1 of this year, possessing or making a ninja knife in England will be a crime leading to punishment by six months in prison, and that sentence will increase to 2 years in the near future. “Ronan’s Law” was recently passed in response to the murder of 16-year-old Ronan Kanda by means of a ninja knife. A process for surrendering such knives has been set up by the British government.

An article on FoxNews.com, published March 29, 2025, notes that knife crimes in England have risen dramatically in recent years. In 2024 there were 50,550 cases, compared to 33,800 in 2010. Nearly two dozen types of knives and swords were already banned prior to “Ronan’s Law”. Knives that are permitted are those used in cooking or in work, provided that they have a cutting edge of no more than three inches. The sale and possession of firearms are also strictly regulated in England.

In the United States there has long been discussion of strengthening firearms regulations. The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health reported that in 2022, “48,204 people, the second highest on record, died from gunshots in the U.S. in 2022, including 27,032 suicides, an all-time high for the country.” Knife control is hardly ever mentioned in America.

I can understand the need for certain regulations on weapons, but I wonder if there isn’t a greater need for “heart control”. Murders can be accomplished using any number of objects: ropes, candlesticks, plumbers’ wrenches, and even tree limbs. Should we regulate those everyday objects, or would it be more effective to address the heart of the problem?

Jesus pointed to the deeper issue in Matthew 5:21,22: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”

John, “the apostle of love”, affirmed this principle in 1 John 3:15: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” The real issue is the hatred that we allow to dwell in us. I don’t object to a man with a sharp knife coming toward me if he has no animosity toward me; in fact, I even request that the surgeon do his work to help restore me to wholeness. But if that surgeon has hatred toward me, please keep him far from me!

Going back to Matthew 5, listen again as Jesus speaks on how to deal with hatred: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43,44). In Matthew 6:14 Jesus also added this instruction for those who struggle with relationships: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Outlawing guns, knives, and plumbers’ wrenches may help reduce the violence in a nation. But until we find the will to reduce hatred in our hearts through Jesus’ teachings, we will always find a way to eliminate our enemies. Abraham Lincoln had the right idea when he said, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” That’s the way of the Lord, a better way than the world’s.

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2025, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).

“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.

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