The
Truth in Print Vol. 27 Issue 7, Aug 2021
A
Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375
W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
God, Man
and the World; Satan, Man and “the course of this world”
(Part
One)
THE INSPIRED SCRIPTURES (2
Pet. 1:20-21)
GOD IS “ETERNAL” (I Tim.
1:17).
“ETERNITY”
[G166 aiōnios] Thayer Definition: 1) without
beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
•
Scripture presents
God’s plan through Christ as having been
formed in eternity going back before the beginning
of the world:
2Ti
1:9 who has saved us and called us
with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own
purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
(*NASB “…from all eternity…”)
2Ti
1:10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who
has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the
gospel,
2Ti
1:11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the
Gentiles.
THE CREATION OF THE WORLD OR
EARTH
Gen
1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The
scriptures detail what God expanded that is created and you end up in Gen. 1
with the universe consisting of all created “material” things.
•
“Universe” American Heritage
Dictionary: n. 1. All matter and energy, including the earth, the galaxies, and
the contents of intergalactic space, regarded as a whole.
•
It’s not eternal.
It’s all material. It will be destroy the day the Lord comes (2 Pet. 3:10-13). ß B.L. What every Physicist who desires to be the
“fool” that Paul recommends being in I Cor. 3:18 understands from Scripture,
God’s inspired Word.
VARIOUS DEFINITIONS OF “WORLD”
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
Those who live at a particular
time, age, is illustrated and contrasted to eternity:
Luk
20:34 Jesus answered and said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are
given in marriage.
Luk
20:35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection
from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;
Luk
20:36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons
of God, being sons of the resurrection.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
Those who live at a particular
time, age, is illustrated and contrasted to “sons of light”:
Luk
16:8 So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For
the sons of this world are more shrewd in their
generation than the sons of light.
Luk
16:9 “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that
when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
*
Further understanding presented in verses 10-16.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
The things of this “world” in
the New Testament that are mentioned with censure:
Rom
12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your
reasonable service.
Rom
12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
Conforming to the age to which
this wicked world belongs:
Eph
2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Eph
2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,
Eph
2:3 among whom also we all once
conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the
others.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
Conforming to the age to which
this wicked world belongs:
Now the Devil is involved:
Eph 2:1
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
Eph
2:2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience,
Eph
2:3 among whom also we all once
conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the
others.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
Just loving this present world
(perhaps -- ease, safety from being put to death, as
well as comforts) -- can lead to forsaking a brother in need of comfort and
physical needs:
2Ti
4:9 Be diligent to come to me quickly;
2Ti
4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has
departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus
for Dalmatia.
2Ti
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to
me for ministry.
2Ti
4:12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
2Ti
4:13 Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the
books, especially the parchments.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
The world speaks the wisdom of
the age that is full of error – arrogant and hostile to God and His Word:
1Co
2:6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of
this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
1Co
2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which
God ordained before the ages for our glory,
1Co
2:8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would
not have crucified the Lord of glory.
*B.L. We do not speak like them!
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
The Devil is the “god of this
age” and rules the thoughts and deeds of the men of this age:
2Co
4:3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
2Co
4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe,
lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine on them.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
The anxieties for the things
of this world can choke the Word:
Mar
4:18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who
hear the word,
Mar
4:19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires
for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Mar
4:20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word,
accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a
hundred."
-----------------------
Mat
6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall
we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
Mat
6:32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father
knows that you need all these things.
Mat
6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.
Mat
6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its
own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
“WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
A command for Christians who
are rich in this present age:
1Ti
6:17 Command those who are rich in this
present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the
living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
1Ti
6:18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing
to share,
1Ti
6:19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that
they may lay hold on eternal life.
WORLD”
G165 aiōn
Thayer Definition:
3) period of time, age
The disputer, the sophist of
the age:
The
debater – sophist [G4804 suzētētēs]
Thayer Definition: 1) a disputer, i.e. a learned disputant, sophist.
1) A.H.Dic. “those with elaborate and
devious argumentations” - * B.L. A lot of that going on in our “age.”
1Co
1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the
disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1Co
1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know
God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save
those who believe.
NOTES:
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you
thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he
may become wise.
WHY?
1Co
3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS";
1Co
3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE
FUTILE."
1Co 3:21
Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:
1Co
3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or
things present or things to come—all are yours.
1Co
3:23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
WHY?
Because
the Message of God is foolishness to those who perishing and are “wise” by
man’s boasting (I Cor. 1:18-21).
---
WHERE ARE THEY? (I Cor. 1:20) “Where”
[G4226 pou] Thayer: “Somewhere” – the wise, the
scribe i.e. professional who writes and speaks to the detriment of God’s word
and wisdom, the debater – sophist [G4804 suzētētēs]
Thayer Definition: 1) a disputer, i.e. a learned disputant, sophist
– American Heritage Dictionary: “those with elaborate and devious
argumentations” – B.L. A LOT OF THAT GOING ON IN OUR “AGE.”
---
WHAT STATE ARE THEY IN? (I Cor. 1:18) “Perishing”
[G622 apollumi] Thayer Definition: 1B those to whom
it belongs to perish i.e. be consigned to eternal misery. Note: The next word
in the Lexicon is [G623 Apolluōn] a destroyer (*Strong’s:
“that is, Satan”): - Apollyon, Rev. 9:11. – B.L. RECKON SATAN IS BEING SERVED
BY THEM!
---
WHAT IS THEIR WISDOM MADE? (I Cor. 1:20) “Foolish” [G3471 mōrainō] Thayer Definition: 1) to
be foolish, to act foolishly 2a) to make foolish 2a1) to prove a person or a
thing foolish.
“WORLD”
G2889 <ANOTHER
WORD>
kosmos
Thayer Definition:
5. the
inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
We are not to withdraw from
society and seek to live outside of it:
1Co
5:10 Yet I certainly did
not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of
the world.
2Co
1:12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we
conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with
fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
“WORLD”
G2889
kosmos
Thayer Definition:
6. the ungodly multitude; the
whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of
Christ
Here you find the corruption
that is in the world through ungodly lusts:
Jas
1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit
orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the
world.
2Pe
1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,
that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world through lust.
“WORLD”
G2889
kosmos
Thayer Definition:
6. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men
alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
The world does not know us and
do not marvel if they hate you:
1Jn
3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be
called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did
not know Him.
1Jn
3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.
“WORLD”
G2889
kosmos
Thayer Definition:
6. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men
alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
You find the Devil working
with and through the world:
Joh
16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the
world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world."
1Jn
5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of
the wicked one.
1Pe
5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a
roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1Pe
5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are
experienced by your brotherhood in the world. – “in the world” — the
world lying in the wicked one, and therefore necessarily the scene of
“tribulation” (Joh_16:33).
“WORLD”
G2889
kosmos
Thayer Definition:
6. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated
from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
The Devil is the ruler of this
world and deceives the world:
Joh
12:31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be
cast out.
Joh
14:30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is
coming, and he has nothing in Me.
Rev
12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil
and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his
angels were cast out with him.
“WORLD”
G2889
kosmos
Thayer
Definition:
7. world affairs, the
aggregate of things earthly
The context will determine whether
“the world” and things of the world are sinful or not and are used wrongfully
or not:
1Co
3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this
age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
1Co
3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,
"HE CATCHES THE WISE IN THEIR OWN CRAFTINESS";
1Co
3:20 and again, "THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF THE WISE, THAT THEY ARE
FUTILE."
1Co
3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:
1Co
3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or
things present or things to come—all are yours.
1Co
3:23 And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
GET THE DEVIL IN YOUR REPLIES
AND CONVERSATIONS!
•
The Devil is a murderer
and the father of lies (Jo. 8:44) ß
B.L. When his servants act what you see is a desire to fulfill the desires of
the Devil.
Joh
8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because
there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of
it.
Note:
*At times when Christ’s servants act they act like Satan:
Mat 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind
Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of
God, but the things of men."
•
The Devil is the god
of this world and has blinded the minds of those which believe not (2 Cor.
4:4).
•
The Devil is the
power of darkness we’ve been delivered from in Christ (Col. 1:13).
•
The Devil is the
wisdom that does not descend from above, but is EARTHLY, SENSUAL,
DEMONIC (Ja. 3:15).
•
The Devil’s walk is
the course of this world that is the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience
(Eph. 2:1-3) ß When his servants act what you see is a desire to
fulfill the desires of the Devil!
NEED PUT THINGS IN ORDER:
GOD – MAN – DEVIL
Applications:
Critical Race Theory, LGBTQ and Black Lives
Matter curriculum is much more than just a change in education! Children are
being seduced with the wisdom of the Devil “the god of this world” that is seen
in the course and wisdom of the “world” or age we live in that is full of
deceit and error and hostile to God and His word.
Satan is seducing children through the
wickedness of LGBTQ, Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter education et al.
– sure defund the police and just let Satan rule! The Devil is in their
sophistry – the disputing of the present age -- they are liars and thieves.
Their lusts are like that of their father the Devil! They are thieves not only
stealing their education by replacing it with lies and wickedness but in
blinding their minds – they want minds blinded to the truth – the more the
merrier – keep them blind! Keep them from searching for God through Christ who
offers forgiveness for sins in obeying the Gospel! Teaching them to use that
sophistry and wisdom that is from beneath, sensual and demonic!
That’s why Parents have the right to object
to shoving LGBTQ down their kids throats – it is the wisdom that is earthly
(from man not God) and devilish! - James 3:15 “sensual” G5591 – get down
and act like animals in their lusts – means a “wisdom in harmony with corrupt
desires and affections, and springing from them.”
They justify themselves before men (not God)
for the things they esteem and delight in that are abominations to God:
Luk 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who
justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly
esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Their wickedness is displayed in their
desires for power, prestige, material gain and seeking recognition as role models
– their movie stars and entertainers don’t contribute to the well-being of
children and young adults – said to be role models are lascivious men and women
– this is true of the music industry.
This Includes the rich in their
“worldly” wealth when their god is Mammon (Matt. 6:24); the poor in
their own pursuits of lawlessness, abortions (murder), thefts on a grand scale
and lies on racism.
Psa 62:9 Surely men of
low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie:
to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than
vanity.
STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE
DEVIL
THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF
THIS AGE:
Eph
6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil.
Eph
6:12 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.
Eph
6:13 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.
“RULERS” (KJV) “WORLD FORCES”
(NASB)
G2888
kosmokratōr, n.m.pl. Gk. Int. N.T. “a world
ruler”
Strong’s:
- a world ruler, an epithet of Satan: - ruler; Thayer Definition: 1) lord of
the world, prince of this age 1a) the devil and his demons
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ
85364
(928) 782-5058 ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00;
Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com