Confusion or clarity
We live in a world that can be very chaotic at times but isn't it nice to know that God is not the author of confusion. Humans can sense when an individual or group is off the road to righteousness and headed down the path to some sort of destruction. It is something we can feel because it is built into us especially if our conscience is clear. Even demons know they are evil and full of confusion but it is to late for them because they made a choice not to follow God.
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." 1 Corinthians 14:33. This spirit is divisive and most people can sense that unity with God through His Son Jesus Christ is not present.
This is the same God that said, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7. He does not want us walking around with fear but alternatively desires us to be submissive to His power which the Holy Spirit is more than eager to give us but it is done with a willing heart. I really like the order of this verse because if the power of God is working through us how can we not feel the love of Jesus Christ in our souls? The result is a sound mind which causes us to make the right decisions for the glory of God and to use our talents to help other people.
I need to go over some Bible passages because the word of God has some very specific truths to convey concerning this subject. (16) "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." James 3:16 -18.
If I am envying somebody I am admiring what he or she has and I want it but the Bible says to be content with what God has giving us in our house. If I have strife in my heart then I just want division which will lead to ... "Confusion and every evil work." James 3:16.
In these three verses the Holy Spirit only focuses one sentence on the negative and the rest of the passage is positive. First let me just say we should want wisdom from above because God knows everything and there is a right way to stay clear from envying and strife. The Bible says that God will not withhold wisdom from us if we are seeking this with the right heart. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbradeth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5.
The very first word this passage uses is pure. I can sense someone with a pure heart. There is something about this characteristic that stands out as honest. Pureness and honesty go hand in hand.
Peaceable is often construed as weakness in our culture but true spiritual peace is something that is rare. A good example of this type of person is a leader in a Wednesday night prayer meeting gathering all the requests and urging people present to remember all details and petition before God a coming together of the broken pieces of shattered lives. This is not only peaceable but precious in the eyes of God.
Gentleness is an unusual spirit that comes out of a person with care and sensitivity in most cases regarding a weakness in another person. One person has a vulnerability and another person comes in and covers that individual with a specific love called gentleness.
The person that is easy to be entreated is one of the most sought after individuals in a fellowship because most people are hard in one way or another. It is easily noticeable because their heart is soft and not willing to fight.
The person that is full of mercy and good fruits tends to be very generous in his or her spirit. They tend to be hard working because they are combining mercy and labor together in one. Mercy looks for the person that is hurting the most and goes out of his way to reach out and help. Good fruits is the righteousness of God coming out of their spirit with a strong work ethic.
The person without partiality is the man or women that treats everybody the same within reason because there are different age groups in life. This is highly appealing in the eyes and hearts of other people looking in because individuals recognize fairness which is a rare quality to possess because it requires openness and honesty.
The person without hypocrisy is seen as a man or women that lives what he or she teaches or stands for and as a result is respected because their life is consistent. In this context nobody wants to see a double life.
I wanted to talk about the wisdom from above and put all these characteristics in human terms so we can better understand who Jesus Christ is and what He desires from His children. If you don't know the Son of God these are just some of His attributes. If you decide to accept Him into your heart for your eternal salvation you may want to focus on these attributes of God and incorporate these characteristics in your life. They are very glorifying to God and becoming to people. If we do not strive to apply Godly principles in our life then our response to people is the alternative which is envy and strife.
It is good to strive to be righteous but it is never sealed unless it is sown in peace. We are in the heart of God when we step in and attempt to make peace in a situation that is filled with envy and strife. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:9.
How many times did we experience a pressure situation and were just left confounded. The bottom line is most people do dumb things because their decisions are based on fear. Every time I made a choice to proceed with this spirit like a boomerang it came right back to make my life more miserable. "For the Lord will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed." Isaiah 50:7.
If we face one of these confusing situations the most foolish thing we can do is try and deal with it ourselves. In essence we are saying, "Lord this is none of your business so let me just go my way." The result is the confusion becomes even worse to the point where we can become oppressed and are ineffective for anybody (God, other people and ourselves). If we are His children Jesus Christ is with us all the time and He wants to help but once again we have the role of letting God do His part. If we get in the way God is just going to let us have our will. The consequences could be devastating.
I also want to make a point that God does not want His children walking around ashamed. I am only making this point because this verse addresses the issue. If we sin we need to sincerely confess to God but this idea that feeling ashamed is going to make us more spiritual is clearly not in the Bible.
To move on with this subject as odd as this may sound God may throw a circumstance in our life that is confusing. Some people may be saying, "I thought you just said the Bible says that God is not the author of confusion." He is not but God still holds the right to throw a trial in our life that is perplexing. Why does He do this for His children? I don't know because I am not God but Jesus Christ sees our whole life and knows exactly what stumbling blocks to throw in our path so we will be in His will. This can be so painful but necessary because God knows precisely who, what, where , when and why so our best response is to just take it as it comes because the Triune Godhead has been doing this for a very long time.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13.
If you are a Christian then regardless as to where you are in life things in your mind and heart may have gotten way out of hand. You may feel you are in a cesspool of confusion and are so overwhelmed with life that you are in despair. I have been there and I know how you feel. I may have just described you or some people might be going through minor problems. Either way the Bible says, (5) "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. This is when clarity as opposed to confusion becomes a reality in our lives.
If you don't know the Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord you need to realize that relative to this subject the Bible does not just say confusion is part of your life but your mind is blinded to the fact that Jesus Christ is the image of God. "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:4.
It was meant for you all along to accept Jesus Christ into your heart because that is the first step in a new direction for your clarity through the Son of God. Confusion is overrated but to see clear as we walk with God is so special. The choice is up to us but why choose perplexity when Jesus Christ desires to reveal Himself to us and show us the path to walk along as we travel through life?
God bless you,
Bob D.
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