Recently, UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, was shot and killed, shocking the nation. His accused killer, Luigi Mangione, left behind more than grief — he left a message. Inscribed on the bullet casings were the words “Deny, Defend, Depose.” These words have become a chilling symbol, appearing as graffiti in cities worldwide.

This phrase reflects a critique of insurance companies accused of delaying and denying claims, then defending their decisions in court. However, Mangione twisted this frustration into something deadly: premeditated murder. His actions have ignited discussions about systemic failures and injustice. Yet, the growing embrace of this rhetoric — spray-painted on walls and circulated on social media — signals a darker trend. When violence is seen as rebellion, it blurs the line between righteous protest and destructive revolt.

Rome’s Fall and America’s Future
A reminder that history can serve us well — both as a warning and a guide, but only if we listenmedium.com

Faith as a Cover for Hate

Adding to the controversy is GiveSendGo, a Christian crowdfunding platform that has raised over $145,000 for Mangione’s defense from more than 5,000 contributors. Although their terms prohibit campaigns promoting hate or violence, this remains active. Supporters are encouraged to send prayers and messages of encouragement, with James 5:16 prominently displayed, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Yes! Prayer is powerful — it brings healing and transformation. However, using prayer to justify or support a violent crime distorts the Gospel. Christians are called to pray for all, including those who have sinned, but prayer must align with God’s justice and mercy. Platforms like GiveSendGo blur this distinction, allowing support for causes that contradict Biblical principles.

Micah 6:8 reminds us of what God requires:

To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.

The tension between faith and action reveals a deeper issue — the misuse of Scripture to glorify division rather than fostering truth and reconciliation.

History Lessons

Our own nation’s founding was an act of revolt. The American Revolution arose from colonists’ refusal to accept oppression, taxation without representation, and unresponsive governance. Despite their flaws, the Founding Fathers did not pursue chaos for its own sake. Their actions aimed to replace tyranny with a principled system of governance based on freedom, accountability, and justice.

Symbolic acts like the Boston Tea Party conveyed powerful messages against perceived tyranny, similar to today’s graffiti and protests responding to systemic inequities. Economic policies, inequality, and distrust in leadership have long fueled unrest. Yet, history shows that unresolved grievances, if not addressed peacefully, can escalate into destructive rebellion.

The principles of the American Revolution laid the groundwork for democracy, emphasizing that freedom must be paired with accountability and lawfulness. In contrast, the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, accompanied by the chilling message “Deny, Defend, Depose,” reflects a troubling departure from these principles. While both acts are symbolic, modern violence undermines the very justice and equity its perpetrators claim to seek.

Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. offer a different example. In his Letter from Birmingham Jail, King rebuked those who prioritized order over justice:

I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace, which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice.

King’s call for “positive peace” challenges us to confront systemic injustices directly, while his commitment to nonviolence rebukes those who use frustration to justify harm. His leadership reminds us that actual progress requires both courage and restraint.

Unaddressed Grievances

Throughout history, unaddressed grievances have led to revolt. The American Revolution, Latin American uprisings, and modern movements like the Arab Spring arose from unmet justice, equity, and representation needs. Small acts of defiance grew into more significant movements when tensions remained unresolved. While these revolutions sometimes led to change, they highlighted the dangers of unchecked anger and lawlessness.

Leaders like George Washington understood the importance of balancing justice with order, even during the Revolutionary Period. During the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, Washington intervened to restore peace, urging resolution through lawful means. He recognized that freedom without structure leads to chaos — a lesson as relevant today as it was then.

Modern parallels abound. The January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol exemplified mistrust in institutions boiling over into lawlessness. A mob stormed the Capitol to disrupt the presidential election certification, symbolizing deep fractures in American democracy and the dangers of unbridled anger. Globally, protests like Chile’s 2019 demonstrations for economic equality, France’s “Yellow Vest” movement, and the Arab Spring began with legitimate frustrations but often devolved into violence.

These events challenge us, especially Christians, to reflect on how we engage with injustice. Do we allow our anger to fester into rebellion, or do we seek paths that reflect the peace of Christ? Today’s challenges call for leadership grounded in reconciliation, justice, and accountability. No matter how righteous its grievances may seem, violent rebellion undermines the structures needed for lasting change.

Discernment & Division

Today’s conflicts are not just political or social — they are deeply spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Movements like the one surrounding Luigi Mangione challenge Christians to discern what is righteous from what merely appears righteous. The words “Deny, Defend, Depose” may reflect legitimate frustrations, but when tied to violence and division, they lose their grounding in God’s justice.

Platforms like GiveSendGo exacerbate this spiritual battle by cloaking divisive actions in the guise of faith. This reminds us of the dangers of allowing cultural or political ideologies to eclipse the Gospel. Christians must uphold Biblical truth, even when it challenges popular narratives.

Paul’s words in Romans 12:19 offer clarity:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.

Justice belongs to God. When we glorify violent actions or manipulate Scripture to justify them, we risk complicity in the lawlessness Scripture warns against.

Christian Response

In an age of polarization and extremism, Christians are called to respond differently. Here are four ways to discern and act biblically:

1. Test Everything
   Does a movement or platform align with Jesus’ teachings? Are its actions producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)? If not, tread carefully.
2. Seek Godly Wisdom 
   James 1:5 encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Before aligning with a cause, seek God’s guidance to ensure your actions reflect His will.
3. Be Peacemakers
   Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Supporting violence or lawlessness — even in the name of justice — is the opposite of this calling.
4. Hold Others Accountable
   As the Body of Christ, we are called to correct one another lovingly. Platforms like GiveSendGo need to hear this accountability, as do the Christians who support them.

Love, Justice, and the Gospel

The phrase “Deny, Defend, Depose” has taken on a life of its own, spreading as a symbol of rebellion and frustration. Yet, as Christians, we are called to reflect the justice, mercy, and love of Christ — not the chaos of the world. The Bible warns in Matthew 24:12:

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Let’s not allow our love to grow cold. Let’s stand firm in the Gospel, rejecting violence and division while pointing others to the Savior who endured the ultimate injustice for our salvation. True justice is not found in slogans or bullets but in Christ.

As Micah 6:8 reminds us:

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The choice is ours. Will we glorify division or stand firm in Christ’s love? Let’s choose wisely.

The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer.