Weekly Devotional 12-5-25 An Interesting Confusion
Have you listened lately to the News commentators of whatever news outlet(s) that you tune in to, be it television or radio? They all project a wonderment why people, especially government leaders, just cannot get along. In my way of thinking, the answer is simple. Let me explain, way back in time, in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), because of Satan’s enticement of Adam and Eve to take of the forbidden fruit God announced that He would put enmity between him and the seed of the woman, mans redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Strife between humanity and Satan began at that exact moment. Not a tolerable strife but outright warfare. Began in the garden this warfare has carried forward through all generations.
Satan and his legions of fallen angels are bent on keeping humanity from knowing God. All people, before being spiritually regenerated and enlightened are subject to his will, even religious people, who may be religious, but are without God. Jesus speaking of one such group called them a “brood of vipers” (Matthew 12:34) He said they belonged to their father the devil (Satan) in John 8:44. These were religious people, the Pharisees, and Sadducees).
In short, God proclaimed that Satan would always be the enemy of man and Himself. It follows that people who deny true God side with Satan (knowingly or unknowingly) and will be at perpetual war with God’s people.
In his letter to the Ephesians the Apostle Paul , who was guided by God the Holy Spirit, wrote: “11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand”.
Satan and his emissaries (Those listed in the above passage) are diametrically opposed to anything and everything that is of God. As those who are led by the Spirit of God try to live a God honoring life, those who are led by the influences of Satan and his demonic accomplices live lives that are against God and all that is holy and righteous.
In another letter, his letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul writes: “13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
The opposing lifestyles could not be more profound. One lifestyle promotes self the other promotes God. In the extreme there can be no compatibility.
In yet another of Paul’s letters (2nd Corinthians) we read: “14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.’ 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 ‘I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.’”
There is no compatibility between those who are of a heavenly mindset and are led by the Spirit with those who have a worldly mindset and are led by the desires of their fallen natures and the deceptions of Satan. Taken to the extreme there is always strife (warfare). This will continue until Jesus Christ establishes His earthly kingdom and rules over the affairs of man.
So remember the next time you listen to or watch a news caster who just does not seem able to figure it out, or when you talk with a family member, friend, or neighbor who does not have a relationship with God, are following a different drummer. The difference between them and those who are in relationship with God is a spiritual matter.
Jesus said, a man must be spiritually born again to see (understand) or enter the kingdom of heaven. (John 3:3; 3:5).
Steve
Stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man