For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saint (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world(1 John 4:1).
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour(1 Peter 5:8).
Confusion happens to everyone, and it is not something that anyone wants to have in their life. When we do not understand things in our life, we fear, we worry, and we stress because we do not have the Truth in us, and what is the Truth? God is Truth (John 14:6; John 17:17).
His Word is truth. Jesus spoke Truth. You see, confusion only comes when we do not have the peace of God in us. Now, I understand that the enemy will always try to come with confusion in our lives. 1 Peter 5:7 says that you should “cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
By doing this, confusion will be less effective. The case in point is that God knows our every detail. He knows how many hairs we have (Luke 12:7), and what steps in life we will take. He will never lead you astray, but He will lead you into all truth (John 16:13).
What Does Paul Mean When He Says "God is not the Author of Confusion"?
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing the church of Corinth that was struggling to understand the gifts of the Spirit. Whether comparing gifts among each other or utilizing gifts such as speaking in tongues during worship, the church dealing with confusion and felt unorganized. Paul is exhorting the church to seek orderly worship where the time would be shared between singing, revelations and prophecy, and testimony. While these are gifts of the Spirit that are good to share among believers, Paul is teaching that God would not want the use of gifts during church to be confusing and hinder true worship.
Matthew Henry's Commentary explains: "He tells them, God is not the God of confusion, but of peace and good order, v. 33. Therefore divine inspiration should by no means throw Christian assemblies into confusion, and break through all rules of common decency, which yet would be unavoidable if several inspired men should all at once utter what was suggested to them by the Spirit of God, and not wait to take their turns. Note, The honour of God requires that things should be managed in Christian assemblies so as not to transgress the rules of natural decency. If they are managed in a tumultuous and confused manner, what a notion must this give of the God who is worshipped, to considerate observers! Does it look as if he were the God of peace and order, and an enemy to confusion? Things should be managed so in divine worship that no unlovely nor dishonourable notion of God should be formed in the minds of observers."
The Cause of Confusion
In the Bible, it is mentioned that God will confuse your enemies (Joshua 10). Why is that? Maybe it’s to keep God’s people safe. Doesn’t God want to keep you safe? This does not mean that the negatives in life won’t happen, but it’s to recognize that God is in control and sovereign (Psalm 135:6).
In all life’s situations, we will have hardships, and we will have joy. The gospel is not accepted everywhere, especially where there is no peace. We are afflicted, wounded, and beaten. But we are alive in Jesus Christ because he already paid the price of death that was hung on our shoulders.
God’s Word is so important that it is crucial to have it on our minds constantly. Peace is what Jesus gave us (John 14:27), not as the world can give us as that is temporary, fleeting.
So, what does the Bible say about peace and hard and confusing times? Also, what does it have to do with the gospel? Let’s take a look at 2 Corinthians 4:7-15:
Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh. So death works in us, but life in you.
And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, “I believed, therefore I spoke, we also believe, and therefore speak.” We know that the One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and present us with you. Indeed, everything is for your benefit, so that grace, extended through more and more people, may cause thanksgiving to increase to God’s glory.
If there is no peace in situations in your life, then it is not from God. God is a God of order (1 Corinthians 14). The enemy creates confusion to distort the truth coming forth into your minds.
Even in churches, it is wise that you test every spirit/person that prophesies to you (1 John 4). Confusion divides, separates, and destroys God’s Truth from you. Even more, so that we can create our own confusion if we are to rely on our own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper
Jesus Christ gave us the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us into Truth. The Holy Spirit has helped others as well as me to believe God’s Truth over lies.
Personally, confusion has clouded my mind many times. But that is only because I did not keep God’s peace, His Word, and let the Holy Spirit guide me. The old covenant (testament) had a veil that could only be revealed by certain people like Moses.
When the new covenant was made by Jesus Christ, the veil was lifted for all that turn to God and seek after Him. Confusion only blinds us if we let the veil cover our eyes again...if we let ourselves seek our own ways instead of God's.
Friends, don’t let the bad in your life lead you astray. Don’t let yourself hide in things of the world because God will uncover the truth whether you are searching or not.
God does not stop chasing after your heart. Trust me, I know. God loves you unconditionally. He will not lead you into confusion.
Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).
A Closing Prayer
Father, we thank you for all that you do, how you love us, and how you saved us from eternal death. Father God, I pray for all who are entrapped by confusion and that your peace will overcome them.
God, you are good to us. You, Father, bring peace and wisdom by Your Word and we are grateful for that. All of the glory, honor, and praise is Yours God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For further reading:
How Is Jesus the Author and Perfecter of Faith?
What Are the Most Important Things to Understand about the Nature of God?
What Does it Mean That God Is Infinite?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Bulat Silvia
Rebecca Mashburn (Gordon) has a wonderful husband named Joseph. She has a blog, Trust. Lean, Seek and is working on becoming what God is calling her to. She has a bachelor's in psychology and hopes to one day pursue a degree in biblical counseling. Rebecca loves to be in nature, especially in springtime, and she loves to travel. She has a loving family and hopes one day to have children of her own.
