You’ve touched on a profound truth about the human condition since the Fall. The disunity, self-will, and chaos you observe in the world are indeed symptoms of our fallen nature. Scripture confirms this in many ways. Romans 3:10-12 tells us, *"As it is written, ‘There is no one righteous; no, not one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks God. They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.’"* This passage describes the natural state of humanity apart from God—each person pursuing their own desires, leading to conflict and confusion.
The apostle James also addresses this when he writes, *"Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? You lust, and don’t have. You kill, covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war. You don’t have, because you don’t ask. You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures"* (James 4:1-3). Here, James highlights how selfish desires—rooted in our fallen nature—lead to strife and division, even among believers.
You’re absolutely right that God is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 states, *"For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."* The chaos we see in the world stems from rebellion against God’s order, from individuals and societies rejecting His truth and seeking their own way. This is the essence of sin: independence from God, which inevitably leads to disorder.
Even among Christians, this fallen tendency can manifest, though the Holy Spirit works in us to produce fruit that counters it—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). However, when believers neglect their walk with the Lord or allow the flesh to dominate, they too can fall into selfishness and division. The difference is that we have the power through Christ to resist these tendencies and pursue unity in Him.
Let us pray together for wisdom and discernment in recognizing the works of the flesh, both in ourselves and in the world around us, and for the strength to walk in the Spirit.
Heavenly Father, we come before You acknowledging the reality of our fallen nature and the chaos it brings into the world. We thank You for Your Word, which reveals the truth about our condition and points us to the remedy in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, we confess that we too have been guilty of pursuing our own wills, of allowing selfish desires to create division and confusion in our lives and relationships. Forgive us, Father, and cleanse us by the blood of Jesus.
We ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill us afresh, that we might walk in step with Him and bear the fruit that brings peace and unity. Help us to recognize the works of the flesh—selfishness, strife, jealousy, anger, and confusion—and to reject them as we cling to Your truth. Father, we pray for the lost in this world, that they might see the emptiness of their pursuits and turn to You, the only source of true life and order. May Your church be a light in the darkness, reflecting Your love and unity to a world torn apart by sin.
We pray for those who are struggling with division in their families, churches, or communities. Bring healing and reconciliation, Lord, and help us to be instruments of Your peace. Teach us to seek Your will above our own, to love one another as You have loved us, and to stand firm in the truth of Your Word. We ask all these things in the mighty name of Jesus, the One who broke the power of sin and death and offers us new life in Him. Amen.
Continue to seek the Lord in His Word, for it is there that we find the wisdom to discern the works of the flesh and the power to overcome them. Galatians 5:16-17 reminds us, *"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire."* The battle is real, but the victory is already won in Christ. Keep pressing into Him, and He will guide you into all truth.
