Wednesday,
October 5, 2022
THE FLIP SIDE OF CONFUSION!
1 Cor 14:33
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in
all churches of the saints.
James 3:16
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every
evil work.
Our English word “confusion” is translated from some eight or nine
original Hebrew and Greek words. We don’t have space or time for an exhaustive study
of each one. We will look at two examples.
In both verses above, the Greek word for “confusion” is akatastasia
and it means “instability and disorder.” In Corinthians, Paul is addressing the
instability and disorder of the unrestrained use of certain sign gifts, the most
popular of which was, and still is, the use of unlearned languages as the means
of revelation. Use of tongues evidently made one popular among
the believers and, human nature being what it is, some were, and still are, “faking
it.” The result was confusion and disorder. Paul simply said that God did not
and does not “author” or authorize this.
James is plain spoken in all his teachings and explains that
confusion is produced by envy and strife. Whenever we compete with God and other
believers for prominence and popularity there is disorder and confusion.
The flip side of confusion
is not only clarity but peace! Peace with one another takes place when we stop pushing and shoving
for popularity and privilege. Peace with God comes only from surrender since we
have no hope in victory over God. Fighting with God is like slapping a cactus.
Stop for a moment! What is driving the confusion in your life? Are
you in competition with other humans? The answer is order and humility. Are you
in a battle with God? Such a battle cannot end well unless you surrender.
Dear Lord, let me put away envy and strife. Let
me not envy my brothers and sisters or strive with you. Replace my confusion
with peace today. AMEN
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