Genesis 11:7-8
"Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.
Look again at the third word of this text. The capital letter in "Us" gives the Spirit away. Father, Son and Spirit. All are reaching out to touch humanity when those gathered at Babel decided to "make a name for themselves" (Gen 11:4.)
And how did the Spirit choose to touch mankind? Certainly not in a way in which is almost never associated with the Spirit. Clearly not according to most believers' expectations for an interaction with the Spirit. When man began to glorify himself above God by trying to reach to the heavens, God chose to act, and the Spirit was there.
And what did the Lord do here? He confused mankind's understanding of speech and language so that the people of Babel scattered and congregated with those who now spoke their new languages. In some ways, we've remained confused ever since. I certainly can't understand the speech of those from other nations!
So, is the Spirit apt to reach out and touch the lives of believers today to confuse things for us? Would the God who often reveals his character as loving, merciful and patient take action against the Church to bring our lives into disarray? Here's my take. Since the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I see no reason for the Spirit to be out of the business of confusing the Church.
Anytime we make out ourselves to be of equal or greater glory than God, we're setting up things for the Spirit to step in and take charge. Our confusion may not be with language, but it will be one crisis or another intended to bring about an adjustment in our lives. Too often though, we fight the correction instead of making the godly change.
Unfortunately, that just causes the Spirit to act even more directly against the church. Be warned. It is a fearful thing to fall under the discipline of the Spirit who confuses. God is a jealous god and will not stand silent when we steal his glory.
LORD JESUS
I'm afraid I spend too much time trying to make a name for myself. In your mercies, I ask for your gentleness in correction and the wisdom to know when the Spirit is leading me to change. Amen.
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