Why I Am Not Celebrating the Death of Osama Bin Laden

May 2nd started out like any other day; grab tea, grab laptop-check the news. But today, a very fascinating story pops on the screen: OSAMA BIN LADEN IS DEAD. I think to myself, "is this another one of those rumors again?" To my surprise, the story (this time) seemed credible. My first reaction (I must admit) was "FINALLY!" But as I seen the celebrations in Washington D.C. and New York City, my thoughts quickly turned to "why are they celebrating death?"

I can understand that this man was the "face of terror" for over a decade; I can understand that this man also had no regard for human life. However, to take joy in knowing that Bin Laden was gunned down and now dead, makes those who are celebrating look just as blood thirsty as he was. Justice needed to be served, this is true, but is not God's justice better than any type of justice we can serve?

The Bible makes it abundantly clear that we are not to take joy in the death and suffering of our enemies.

Ezekiel 18:23 says, Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? In the same chapter Ezekiel writes in verse 32, "For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."

Solomon also writes of how we should not rejoice at the fall of an enemy:

Proverbs 24:17, 18: Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Jesus taught the Disciples that we are to pray for our enemies " I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you " (Matthew 5:44). Osama Bin Laden was definitely an enemy: An enemy of God, and an enemy of man.

Today, let us take a moment (those of us who believe in biblical principles and are saved through Jesus) are we pleasing God by our revel over this terrorist's death? Can we in good conscience say we are not taking joy in death, but instead we are seeing your hand of justice? Remember, the Bible does state that we can rejoice in triumph over our enemies, but we are not to have an arrogance about us.

Lastly, remember who our TRUE enemy is--Ephesians 6:12 reminds of of who that is: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." This is referring to Satan, his minions, and the battles we face to keep ourselves spiritually pure. Bin Laden was a tool Satan used to manifest a physical enemy over this world, but the true enemy has always been Satan.

I pray today as you read this that you will reflect on your reasoning for celebration and not allow a place in your heart for Satan to gain a foothold. I am speaking to you that are Believers and followers of Christ. Let us take a higher road and not be joyful over this event.