Weekly Devotional 3-23-15 Strife and Turmoil
Since Adam’s fall there has always been strife and turmoil on the earth, but it seems never to the degree of today. Everywhere one looks there is strife and turmoil. Evil runs rampant with no limit to the atrocities committed by man against his fellow man. Seemingly there is no answer for this, and apart from the Bible that would be true. But, the Bible does give the answer. It declares that evil (sin) originated in Satan. In his jealousy and hatred of Creator God he enticed man to disobey God and experience that which had been forbidden. Taking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17) Adam (man’s federal head) fell away from desiring God into self-desire, a desire that was subject to passions of a nature void of God and that would be subject to suggestions from Satan who is the personage that hated and still hates God. Herein lays the problem.
Paul, the Lord’s apostle, informs us that Adam’s sin was and is inherent with all of his offspring (Romans 5:12), excluding no one. And, in another letter he informs us that such passion and suggestions lead to “19Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, and reveling” (See Galatians 5:19b-21a NKJV).
All of life’s strife and turmoil are found in these things. Granted, not everyone is led by all of these things but each one is subject to, and led by at least one. In that Satan is involved, they are not passive pursuits but pursuits that have the intent of disavowing God, and the promotion of self-will (self-desire). Satan is not omniscient (all knowing), but he is an observer and has sent his emissaries into the world to observe every human being in order to see what it is that excites an individual. Whether it be the lusts of their flesh (their fallen natures), the lust of their eyes, or the pride of self (their pride of life) (see 1st John 2:16), Satan knows about those things because in essence they are who he is.
Not only has Satan sent his emissaries (demons) into the world to observe individuals, but where permitted by God, his demons indwell certain ones to bring about his own evil intents. Thus man is not only influenced by his own fallen nature, (from within), but sometimes by Satan and his emissaries. Being under control of these influences man becomes pitted against man and the end result is strife and turmoil. This is not peculiar to individuals, but between groups of peoples, a.k.a. nations.
Satan’s emissaries are everywhere. Their aim is to influence not only individuals, but also the leaders of the governments of the world to exclude God. Satan knows that if he can remove God from the mind of an individual or from the minds of the leaders of governments they will be governed by the lusts of their flesh, the lust of their eyes and their pride of self and that such governance will end in strife and turmoil.
As to the natural man (unregenerate man) he cannot find a solution. Unregenerate man attempts to control his fallen nature or the fallen nature of others by a variety of things: laws, psychology, counseling sessions, drugs, etc., but he and they always fail, to one degree or another. Satan and his minions always win, and will win until man learns to deal with his sin. It is, after all, a spiritual battle.
We Christians also are tempted and battle with these same things: the lust of the flesh, the lust of their eyes, and the pride of life (pride of self). That is why we are to daily put on the armor of God. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit Paul wrote, “11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:11-18 NKJV).
Putting on the armor of God will help us who are Christians with our personal battles. At times we will have victory, but we will still live among those who know nothing of such armor. Strife and turmoil will remain until God the Son, Jesus Christ, rules in the hearts of all men. But, even with all of that, we can experience peace and joy when we allow the Holy Spirit to flood our hearts and minds. There will be strife and turmoil because we are in the world, but we do not have to be part of it, our citizenship is in heaven.
The best benediction to all of this is found in Paul’s words to the Philippians, “4Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV). What a great prescription!
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
www.gbchurch.us www.foundationscounseling.org