“Captain America: Civil War” focuses on the interior conflict of superheroes Captain America and Iron Man, and culminates in an epic battle between the two protagonists. Each member of the Avengers crew is forced to choose a side as they reluctantly do battle against each other.
It is later revealed that the film’s antagonist is behind the divorce of the Avengers; his plan was to drive a wedge between the heroes in hopes of destroying them completely. The villain (Helmut Zemo) explains the evil plan.
“An empire toppled by its enemies can rise again, but one which crumbles from within? That’s dead… forever.”
This revelation echoes a common tactic of Satan, who is hell-bent on destroying humanity.
At the very beginning of human history we see the fallen angel successfully drive a wedge between Adam and Eve as they blame each other for their mistake. When questioned about the incident Adam accuses Eve saying, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.”
Throughout the remainder of the Bible we see, again and again, the division that occurs when someone falls away from God’s plan and God’s commandments. Often this division plays itself out within the family — as in the story of Cain and Abel. While Satan is not visibly present in most of these episodes, his effects are crystal clear.
It shouldn’t surprise us. One of the translations of the Greek word “diabolos” is “to divide” and that is one thing the devil does best. The devil continually seeks to turn us against ourselves for he knows that is the only way he can conquer. Ever since he was made aware of God’s plan to make humans greater than the angels, Satan rebelled and takes out his vengeance upon us.
When we see the division within our own country we shouldn’t look far to find the true enemy behind it all.
Instead of widening the divide that plagues our nation, we need to stand united against evil. We continually point fingers at each other when we should be working together to build a Civilization of Love. Not a superficial “coexistence,” but an abiding respect for each other, recognizing our innate dignity. We are all human and made in the image and likeness of God. This should unite us and bring us together.
T’Challa (Black Panther) came to this realization as well, as he sought revenge for his father’s death. He initially thought the Winter Soldier was the enemy, but in the end he discovered the source of the division while talking to Zemo.
T’Challa: I almost kill the wrong man.
Helmut Zemo: Hardly an innocent one.
T’Challa: This is all you wanted? To see them rip each other apart.
Helmut Zemo: …the Avengers? They went home. I knew I couldn’t kill them. More powerful men than me have tried. But, if I could get them to kill each other…
However, instead of allowing Zemo to kill himself, T’Challa saved his life, seeking justice in the proper way.
T’Challa: Vengeance has consumed you. It’s consuming them. I am done letting it consume me. Justice will come soon enough.
If we want true and lasting peace in our world, we need to stop killing each other and focus our attention on our true adversary. Satan tries to convince us of many lies, among them the lie that the color of our skin is what separates us into two different classes.
No, it doesn’t. We are all children of God, no matter what the world tries to tell us.
Instead of pointing the finger, let’s unite and fight for justice in the proper way, not letting vengeance consume us.
Philip Kosloski
Philip Kosloski is the founder of Voyage Comics & Publishing and the writer and creator of the comic book series, Finnian and the Seven Mountains.