ARTICLES FROM THE PERSUADER
VOLUME 1 (1987-1993)
CONFUSION
"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." I Corinthians 14:33
Confusion, as defined by Webster's Dictionary, means "to put in disorder". In other words, it means to rearrange from the original order that was given by its designer. For example, man was created "in order" in the garden of Eden by God, who is the God of order. Man became in a state of disorder when he sinned. Thus confusion had its beginning in mankind.
The Bible says in Gen.1:2 that the earth was without form and void. "Without form" is one word in the Hebrew and means "out of order or confusion". The rest of Genesis chapter one goes on to describe how the God of order goes about placing His creation back in order. If you could have been standing on the edge of the earth in Gen. 1:2, you could not have seen the confusion or the state of disorder of the earth because "darkness was upon the face of the deep". But in Gen. 1:3 when God spoke light into existence, you could have seen the confusion. The light did not bring the confusion, but just revealed the confusion that was already there.
The same is true in every man. He is born out of order (confusion) due to sin inherited from his father, Adam. Even though man is out of order, he does not recognize it until light, the truth of God's word, penetrates his heart and shines upon his confusion and reveals it to him for the first time. The light did not produce the confusion but just revealed what was already there in his darkness.
Our text verse reveals clearly that God is not the author of confusion. If He is not the author, then who is? The devil is. When he tempted Eve and she yielded, sin entered and man became "out of order", in a state of confusion. When the Lord saves someone He puts them back in order and gives them peace which is the opposite of confusion. (Rom. 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
The Bible has much to say about the child of God. He knows his shepherd. (John 10:27: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:5: And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.) He is sealed with the Holy Spirit who is the originator of the Bible. (Eph. 1:13-14: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.) He will not be deceived by the miracles and wonders performed by the Antichrist. (Mat. 24:24: For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.) Note: "If it were possible."
We are living in a day where confusion is rampant in our world and even in our churches. This is due to the multitudes who have made professions of faith without ever having the God of order restore order to their confused hearts. Therefore, they have been deceived into thinking that their "profession of faith" is salvation. Then when a man of God, who is a "light bearer", comes along and preaches something that disturbs them, they become confused and say the preacher is preaching a new doctrine. As a result, they blame the preacher for causing confusion. No! The preacher didn't cause confusion but simply was the instrument that God used to turn the light on by using the Word of God and thus, the confusion was revealed that was already in their heart.
Some say confusion follows that kind of a preacher: therefore, they label him of the devil because the devil is the author of confusion. Have you ever examined the ministry of Jesus and Paul? Everywhere they went they stirred up commotions, tumults, and disturbances. The word confusion also means disturbance and is translated "commotions" in Luke 21:9: "But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by." and "tumults" in II Cor. 6:5: "In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings." Those agitated by the light (truth) that they bore claimed that they preached some "new doctrine". By the way, those that were agitated the most were religious!
God is not the author of confusion. The devil is. Therefore, when confusion comes, do what Paul said in II Cor. 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Many times it is a whole lot easier to blame someone for your confusion instead of checking it out with God's Word. If you don't have what the Bible says salvation is, you are going to be bothered every time you get exposed to light (truth). The sad part is that many don't want to be bothered anymore and they leave the light and go elsewhere and hang on to their profession. Paul warned Timothy of such action in II Tim. 4:3-4: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." This reaction will cause many to end up in hell. Mat 7:21-23 says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
I beg you to get honest with yourself. Get honest with light (truth). Get honest with God and let Him substitute peace for that confusion you now have. You will never be sorry you did.
THE PERSUADER - Oct.-Nov., 1992