God is not the Author of Confusion
Study Text: 1 Corinthians 14: 31 - 33
Introduction:
- The Bible states categorically, that God is not the author of confusion. This is true not only in the case in our text, but in all aspects of life.
- Confusion divides, separates, and destroys God’s Truth in the life of a man. If there is no peace in situations in your life as a child of God, then it is not from God.
- The Holy Spirit helps us to believe God’s Truth over the lies and confusion of this world. This gives us joy and all-round peace both within and without.
- We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Clarification on Confusion
2. The Categories of Confusion
3. The Cure for Confusion
1. The Clarification on Confusion
- It is very important to know that God is not the author of confusion, not just for the church in Corinth but for the church today.
- The word confusion has different meanings. This word can mean instability, upheaval, disturbance, or being out of control.
- In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is giving instructions to the Corinthian church about how they should maintain order in their services.
- The church in Corinth was a gifted church. They clearly operated and flowed in the gifts of the Spirit, but often their gifting was being operated in a manner that was simply out of control.
- Because of this, Paul had to give them instructions so that when they came together as a church, everyone could be edified, built-up or encouraged.
- There are two reasons why it is important to know that God is not the author of confusion.
1. It is a confirmation of the move of God.
- When the Holy Spirit is really working and moving within a service or gathering, there is unity and harmony about his work, since God is a God of order. 1 Corinthians 14:32
- When God is really moving, there may be emotions displayed, but it will be under control which will confirm that God is moving in that place.
2. It is a confirmation of the purpose of God.
- The purpose that God has for any gathering of believers in a corporate worship setting is that everyone in the meeting be instructed and encouraged.
- This type of instruction and encouragement does not happen if there is confusion. God’s purpose cannot be accomplished in this type of environment.
- God doesn’t just want to minister to one, he wants to minister to all. This is his purpose and when there is confusion, it distracts from this purpose.
- Paul is not condemning speaking in tongues nor is he condemning prophesying. He is emphasizing that the need to prophesy or speak in tongues must not be over the need to bless the body as a whole.
- In a corporate worship setting the needs of the congregation, as a whole, take precedence over the needs of the individual. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28
- When it is fitting and orderly then you know who the author is because God is not the author of confusion.
- 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.
- Whatsoever does not bring peace and leads to the blessings of the people of God can not be from God.
2. The Categories of Confusion
- There are various categories of confusion we need to take caution from, because no confusion comes from God.
1. Believing a Satanic Manifestation as if it is from God
- It is a great confusion when people are made to believe that a Satanic manifestation is from God.
- We have an example in Samaria, where the people believed the lying wonders from the magician as manifestation of God's power, until the real power of God came into action through Philip. Acts 8: 5 - 10
- A similar situation was the case of the slave girl who was testifying to the mission of Paul and Silas, but with a spirit of divination. Acts 16: 16 - 18
- We have a caution in the scripture not to believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. 1 John 4:1
2. All Information, Revelation and Operations that can lead to Destruction of God's people or Good Fellowship
- Whatsoever brings division among the people of God is a confusion from the Devil.
- We have the example in the Corinthian Church on the division among the people over Paul and Apollo. 1 Corinthians 3: 3 - 6
3. Trouble of the Heart due to Lack of the Truth
- Confusion can come as a serious trouble in the heart, due to ignorance of what the real truth about the matter is.
- The Ethiopian Eunuch was confused after reading a portion of the Book of Isaiah, but God dealt with the confusion by sending Philip to him. Acts 8: 32 - 35
- 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
4. The Lack of Peace of God due to Worries and Anxiety
- The Devil usually brings confusion in our hearts over our desperate needs that are yet to be met by God.
- The word of God assured us peace that surpasses all understanding, but turning those situations to God in prayers and thanksgiving. Philippians 4: 6-7
- The enemy will always try to come with confusion in our lives, but 1 Peter 5:7 says that you should cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
5. Using the Gifts of God in a Disorganized Manner
- This was the particular category being referred to in our text. It also include doing something good in an unacceptable way.
- For instance, the sacrifice of Saul unto God was a good thing but was not acceptable to God, because it was done against Obedience to God's clear instructions to him. 1 Samuel 13: 5 - 14
6. Walking in self-righteousness due to Ignorance
- It is a great confusion to be serving God in one's own way and thinking that it is acceptable unto God.
- The case of the Israelites was described as ignorance of the righteousness of God and fashioning for themselves another righteousness. Romans 10:1 - 3
- Cornelius was doing well religiously, but was not approved of God, until he was asked to send to Peter to guide him in the right steps. Acts 10: 1 - 6
3. The Cure for Confusion
- God is not the author of confusion, and does not wants us to be in the state of confusion. There are several steps we can take to prevent confusion in our lives.
1. Prayer of Faith in God
- Apart from the fact that prayer is a weapon to combat the Devil and the kingdom of darkness, it is also a means of telling God about our needs.
- Through prayers of faith, confusion will be chased out of our lives, and the overflowing peace of God will take possession of our hearts. Philippians 4: 6 - 7
2. Meditation in the Word of God
- The more we can fill our hearts with the truth of the word of God, the more we are rid of the confusion from the kingdom of darkness. Knowing the truth usually sets free from bondages. John 8: 31 - 32
3. Determination to do the Will of God
- To be free from confusion, you need a determined heart to do the will of God. If you don't settle for something, anything will settle for you. Hebrews 11: 6
- A hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God will motivate you to seek and settle for the truth of God alone. Matthew 5:6
4. Yielding to the Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is our teacher and has been commissioned to guide us into all truths. We need to yield to Him continually in order to overcome confusion by the spirit of error. John 16: 7 - 15
5. Godly Counsel from Faithful Leaders
- We must be able to recognize Godfearing and faithful leaders among us, and be willing to submit to godly counsel from them.
- Doing this will not only help our spiritual growth, but also ward off confusion from our lives. Psalms 1: 1 - 3
