God is not the Author of Confusion
In 1 Corinthians 14, verse 33, we read these words; “For God is not the God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints.” The word “confusion” in that verse, is synonymous with “disorder” and “instability”. What does disorder and instability lead to? It leads to confusion. Instability and disorder and confusion, doesn’t come from God. It comes from the world!
The world is without a doubt, “confused”. It’s in an almost constant state of disorder, and it seems to get worse all the time. Although I’m fairly sure that it’s always been this way. Confused, and in a state of disorder.
But God has given us a way out of all the confusion, and out of all the disorder, and all the instability, throughout the entire world. And of course that way out, is Jesus Christ and His word. Jesus is the “Rock” in an unstable world. Jesus is the “direction” and the “purpose” that we need, in the midst of a disorderly world. And Jesus provides peace and understanding, in the midst of a confused world.
Psalm 119:105 says; “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” No confusion as to “the steps” we should be taking, and as to the path we need to be on.
Jesus said in John 14:6; “I am the way..” No confusion as to the way we should be going. The path, and the way, they’re all laid out for us.
He said.. “I am the truth..” No confusion about Who and what, is right.
And.. “I am the life!” There is really NO confusion, about WHO gives us life, and WHERE that life is found, and the WAY we find it, and even the STEPS we take, in finding it.
“No one comes to the Father except through ME.” (John 14:6) “For strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads to life..” (Mathew 7:14) One “way”, that’s “strait” and “narrow”. That’s the remedy for confusion.
The way has been given, and the path has been lit.. But yet Jesus also said in John 14:6.. “..and few there be that find it.” Why is that. Since the way is so definite, and so “strait and narrow”, and since it’s even “lit up” with the word of God, why is it, that so few are able to find it?
The scriptures actually tell us, precisely WHY, there are so few, who are unable to find eternal life. It’s because there’s an adversary, that makes it difficult, to find the narrow path. We can think of that adversary, as a quite natural “force”, that permeates this entire world. A “force” that God allows to “roam the earth”.
1 Peter 5:8 says; “..Your adversary, the devil, (the word is “diablos”. It means.. “the slanderer, the false accuser”) prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour.”
It’s a “force”, that has the ability, to “tempt”, and entice, everyone who lives on the earth. James 1:14 & 15 says; “But each one is tempted, when he is carried away and enticed, by his OWN lust.” There is indeed a “force” that tempts us; It tempts everyone. And it’s a “force” that “prowls about” so to speak, “seeking whom to devour.” To be “devoured”, means.. “to be consumed”. As if we’re nothing but a piece of meat, to be devoured by a beast.
But mind you.. Just as James so clearly states, this isn’t some “outside force”. But rather, it’s a “force” that’s right there inside of us; And that “force”, that “roaring lion” so to speak, is unleashed, you might say, by our OWN lust. That’s what the God of heaven says. Our own lusts, waiting for the opportunity, seeking to devour ourselves, and others.
Let me direct your attention to Galatians 5, verses 14 & 15; “For the whole law, is fulfilled in one word: (in other words, in this one decree) “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But, if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.” Consumed by our own lust!
Did you know that one’s own lust, is a “force” that has blinded the understanding, of the majority of people in the world. It blinds the understanding of those who are UNWILLING to believe; But whose own selfish desires, suppress the truth. It’s the one’s whose carnal desires, are stronger than any spiritual desire they might have; And so their own lust, blinds them to the truth, and it keeps them from being saved. it keeps them living in sin.
The scriptures tell us in 2 Corinthians 4, verse 4; “The god of this age, has blinded the minds (in other words, “the understanding”) of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
The “light of the gospel” is there. It’s throughout the whole world. And it lights the path for everyone. As we’re told in John 1, verse 4; “In Him was life, and the Life was the Light of men.”
However.. As we’re told in verse 5; “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” They didn’t understand it, and they didn’t accept it. And they still don’t. Why? Because.. “The god of this age, has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they CANNOT SEE, the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
And who is the “god of this age”? Well, the “god of this age”, is.. “the god of this world”. The word “age” in this verse, refers to the “age” while this world exists. It doesn’t refer to some specific, and distinct period of time, in the history of the world. But rather, it refers to ALL time, THROUGHOUT the history of the world! That word “age”, means “perpetuity” And “Perpetuity” is just like the word perpetual”, it just keeps going on, and on, and on; Until the end of time.
I like the way King Solomon describes the “perpetuity of the world”, in Ecclesiastes 1, verses 4 thru 10; “A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; To the place from which the streams come, there again they flow. All things are wearisome; Man is not able to tell it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing. That which has been, is that which will be; And that which has been done, is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new “? Already it has existed from ancient times which were before us.”
The “perpetuity of the world” and all things in it. Of course, even “perpetuity” will someday end. 2 Peter 3:10 tells us; “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; In the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
And then, at the end of time, when this world finally stops turning, when it’s dissolved with fervent heat”, then, the “god” of this world, will also come to an end. But until that time, it “rules” this physical world. Because that’s what a “god” does; It “rules”.
But who is this “god” WHAT is the “god of this world” ? The scriptures call it, “the devil”.. The adversary and the slanderer. And the scriptures also call it, “satan”. And just like the word “devil”, the word “satan” means.. “adversary” and “accuser”.
It’s really the adversary of God, and the accuser of God’s word. And of course it’s the adversary of everyone who wants to follow God’s word!
It’s the very “spirit” of opposition to God, and it’s the “spirit” of unbelief, and opposition to God’s word of truth. It’s the “spirit” of disobedience to God and to His word. It’s the “spirit” of “carnality” and of “fleshly desire” and of fleshly LUST!
Listen to this passage from 1 Corinthians 3, verses 1 thru 3; “But brothers and sisters, I could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now, you are not yet ready. For you are yet carnal: For whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as fleshly men?”
Galatians 5:16 thru 18 says; “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh, are against the Spirit, (the desires of the flesh are your adversary) And the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; For these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” You’re not under the “law” of the flesh, which is in “opposition” to God. You’re no longer controlled by “your adversary”.
The “god” of this world, of this “age”, is your adversary. It’s the “spirit” that leads to disobedience, to the God of heaven. It’s the “spirit” that leads to unbelief. And that “spirit” rules this world. It’s the spirit of disorder, and chaos and confusion. And that spirit blinds people.
It blinds them to the truth. A willingness, to DISOBEY God, and sometimes even a desire to disobey God, PEVENTS one from understanding the truth, and from acknowledging the truth. How can you see the truth, how can you understand the truth, when you’re intent on disobeying the truth, and opposing the truth? When you REFUSE to believe, you refuse to SEE!
And what’s the result? The result is disorder, instability, confusion. Confusion about morality. Confusion over truth, and lies. Confusion about gender. Confusion about what’s funny, and what’s hurtful. Confusion about how a society of people should conduct themselves.
The result is instability. The instability of divisions, of envy and strife. Of gossiping, and of jealousy and backstabbing. And of pride and arrogance.
The result is the disorder, of the works of the flesh. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19 thru 21)
What is the “god” of all these fleshly works? Of all this confusion and instability and disorder? It’s not the God of heaven. It’s the “god of this world”. It’s satan, it’s the devil, it’s our own fleshly lusts! It’s the spirit of a worldly, and fleshly, and carnal person.
Do you remember that comedian from many years ago, named Flip Wilson” A part of his comedy routine was the saying.. “The devil made me do it. The devil made me do it”. Well, the truth is, Your own lust made you do it! The lust of the flesh leads us to do lots of bad things.
But here’s what faith in God leads us to do; Here’s what living by “the Spirit” produces.. “But the fruit of the Spirit, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22 & 22)
