We make plans, work toward our dreams and goals thinking we are in control. Is that the truth? We will find the answer in scripture. The truth begins in Genesis.
A Long Time Ago (a look at Genesis)
Genesis 1:25-26 KJV 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
God created all things, including humans. God decided to grant people the position of dominion “over all the earth.” This includes all animals. When we look around you see people’s dominion over the earth is gone. Animals attack, weather attacks, and many things get in the way of growing food.
What Happened To Our Dominion
Genesis 3 is what happened. Satan showed up, deceived Eve into disobeying God. Adam followed suit and everything went from
harmonious subjection to rebellious chaos. Humans dominion ended (Genesis 3:14-24). Mankind lost their privilege of dominion. What filled the void? Satan, sin, curse, and death now rule in its place.
Who Is The Deceiver?
Satan is the ruler of this world (1 John 5:19). He is allowed power over the world’s system (Luke 4:5-7). This means all who live according to the ways of the world live in deception through pride (Isaiah 14:12-15, John 12:31; 14:30). Satan deceives the whole world on an individual basis.
Is Control An Illusion
Unbelievers, which all believers were at one time, were living in deception in the kingdom of darkness. It is the illusion we make our own choices without unseen influences.
Ephesians 2:1-3 KJV 1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
The truth is, choices are based on fitting into the world and satisfying the lusts of our flesh. Satan, the father of all lies, works in the unbelievers life to remain disobedient to God (John 8:44). He works in every unbelievers life in the shadows.
How?
Shining as an angel of light is part of Satan’s deceptive practices. This is where false religion, false doctrine, and false teaching originates ( 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). If you believe you are a good person, you are deceived (Romans 3:9-18).
Back to our question, who is truly in control?
Who Is Truly In Control?
Neither people or Satan have ever, nor ever will be, in charge of anything except God gives them permission. God is the Sovereign over all.
Psalm 33:10-11 KJV 10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. 11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
The plans people and nations make are in the hands of God. God watches what everyone is doing and knows their motive. In the end God leads their steps to fit into His plan (Psalm 33:12-15).
Daniel 2:21-22 KJV 21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: 22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
God raises up kings or leaders and He takes them down. Psalm 103:19 simply states, the Lord’s throne is in heaven and He rules over all. Since we love to be in control, what are we to truly be in control of?
What Control Should a Person Have?
Self control is what God commands. Believers who submit to the control and influence of the Holy Spirit will exercise self control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit will guide us to build and grow in the ways of Christ Jesus. And self control is an important part of our growth. But we do not have the ability to do that without God.
2 Peter 1:3-8 KJV 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is God Who is Sovereign over all. In case your still not convinced here are some scriptures below.
Scripture on Control
Isaiah 46:10 KJV Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Psalm 115:3 KJV But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Psalm 135:6 KJV Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Romans 11:36 Kjv For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
God does not answer all our questions. But the question of control has been answered.
What Should We Learn About Control?
Knowing God as the Sovereign how are we to view our life? In other words, how do I apply this and think different?
Paul told the church in Philippi he had learned to be satisfied in every situation. He knew the secret of contentment (Philippians 4:11-12). What is the secret?
Philippians 4:13 KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Paul was in prison when he, through the Holy Spirit, wrote this. Contentment is to rest in the sovereignty of God.
