Beyond Politics: The Spiritual Darkness Behind a Nurse’s Shocking Words

Lexie Lawlor, a labor and delivery nurse at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in Florida, has been fired after declaring in a video she hoped White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt would have a traumatic and devastating childbirth this coming spring.

Karoline Leavitt, age 28, is married to Nicholas Riccio. They’re expecting their second child in May.

In December, Karoline shared the happy news on social media.

“My husband and I are thrilled to grow our family and can’t wait to watch our son become a big brother,” she wrote. “My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for the blessing of motherhood, which I truly believe is the closest thing to Heaven on Earth … I am so excited to be a girl mom!”

That good news appeared to be bad news for Lawlor, who released a vile and profanity-laden video on her own social channels. In it she wished that Leavitt would be physically harmed by the delivery.

Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer shared the post in disgust and horror but also reached out to the hospital where Lawlor reportedly worked.

This week, a spokesperson for the hospital has issued the following statement:

“The comments made in a social media video by a nurse at one of our facilities do not reflect our values or the standards we expect of health care professionals. Following a prompt review, the individual is no longer employed by our health system.”

Why would anyone, let alone an obstetrics and gynecology nurse, wish a pregnant woman harm?

In recent years, social media has provided radical activists with a platform from which to spew their often vile, hateful and even demonic diatribes. Once isolated to individuals, small groups or perhaps demonstrations, it is possible to now quickly and almost effortlessly propagandize.

Yet it’s one thing to ideologically oppose a politician or policy. Difference of opinion has long been the hallmark of American democracy. And a pluralistic nation demands tolerance lest culture devolve and spiral into chaos.

But what is driving the increase in the vile and profane reaction to the socially conservative viewpoint? Some analysts have even coined a term for certain manifestations of it: Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS). 

But what if it goes beyond the political and ideological?

Despite a growing secularism in America and the world, there is a spiritual darkness that Christians must acknowledge and confront. Writes Dr. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Seminary:

The Bible clearly teaches that the Devil and his demons are real and that these invisible enemies are bent on destroying our spiritual lives. Yet many evangelicals rarely, if ever, meditate on our lives in light of this truth. Some Christians avoid any discussion of demonic forces because they are overreacting to fanatics who obsess over evil spirits and see the Devil in everything. Still other Christians fear that if we start to talk too much about the Devil, we will inevitably undermine personal responsibility in our sin.

Certainly the Devil and his demons are not behind every corner of our lives and responsible for every negative spiritual thing that happens. Yet at the same time, the Bible clearly warns us about demonic powers and encourages us to remain diligently opposed to their influence.

Regrettably, many Christians are blissfully complacent in matters of spiritual warfare. If Christians truly embraced biblical teaching on demonic powers, we would come to church with a tremendous sense of the fact that God has rescued us from the domain of darkness. As Søren Kierkegaard observed of the Danish church in his generation, most people sit in church, listen with their hands folded over their stomachs, and direct their sleepy eyes slightly upward. Rather than celebrating their redemption from the domain of darkness and living in light ofthis truth, they are indifferent to the fight. Jesus’ final petition reminds us that we have a daily fight against principalities and powers: “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

As Christians, we can act and live with great confidence knowing that Christ has already overcome and conquered the evil in this world. But until He returns, we must grapple with forces that seek to undermine, discourage and defeat us in the fight. 

As Martin Luther wrote in the majestic hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” — “And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God has willed, His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo! his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him.”

Please join us in praying that those overcome with such hatred in their hearts will turn toward the Light — and let’s also pray for the health and safety of Karoline and Nicholas, as well as their pre-born daughter.