Confusion

​You and I live in a world and American culture of confusion.
Confusion is the order of the day. Few folks have a sense of clear direction for the purpose of their life. Sadly, people everywhere are confused about moral values, human gender, politics, economics, religion, race, ethnicity and whatever else can generate controversy.
Confusion produces disorder. Disharmony. Distrust. Disunity. Lack of peace.
Paul addressed the Corinthian Church when they were confused, divided and disorderly about the operation and ministry of spiritual gifts in the church. He wrote in I Corinthians 14:33:
““For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” Moffat translates this verse as” For God is not a God of disorder but of harmony. The New English Bible reads “For the God who inspired them is not a God of disorder.”
Paul made it clear: God is not a God of confusion, not the author of confusion, but a God of peace and order.
The instigator of confusion, the one who incites confusion and disorder is Satan. The devil deceives us by creating confusion that disrupts peace and order.  
In James 3:13-18, James contrasts earthly wisdom with heavenly wisdom.  In verses 15-17 he writes “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, THERE IS DISORDER AND EVERY EVIL THING.”
“The wisdom from above is first pure, THEN PEACEABLE, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy.”
I like wisdom from above, don’t you?
Confusion clouds vision, disrupts direction, derails peace. arouses anxiousness, paralyzes progress and divides people. Confusion keeps us spinning our wheels in uncertainty and doubt. Confusion stalls our progress in walking by faith and not by sight.
 God’s will, God’s wisdom, is peace and order, not confusion and disorder for you and me. His order produces peace for our minds and hearts.
The remedy for confusion (What is happening? What shall I do? Where do I turn? What steps should I take?) is clarity. What is clear. Clarity from the Bible directs us how to live our life.
When you study the life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospels you never seen God’s only Son confused. He declared His purpose statement in Luke 19:10. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which is lost.” It was clear to Him that He was sent to do the Father’s will: save the lost.
Never confused about his mission, the Lord Jesus went all the way to the Cross, fully intent on fulfilling the Father’s will. Misunderstanding, obstacles, opposition, adversity, affliction. betrayals and persecution did not derail His clear commitment to do the Father’s will. You, me and mankind would not be saved if Jesus was confused about whether to be nailed on the Cross or not.
Thank you Jesus that God’s peace and order ruled your heart, not confusion or doubt.   
What To Do If You Are Currently confused

• Admit you are confused. Do not deny the fact that you are not sure what to do.
• Do not, I repeat, do not make important, critical decisions when confused. Confusion’s choices always yield negative consequences.  
• Step back from your situation. What has happened or is happening that is causing you to feel confused? Honestly evaluate your confusion. What is really going on?
• Explore options you can take for diminishing your confusion. Even when confused, we can do something, which is always better than nothing!
• Study scripture regarding God’s direction, guidance, leading, order and good plans for our lives. Seek the Lord and His Word to help you overcome the spirit of confusion.
• Seek counsel from seasoned, experienced, mature, battle-tested, wise Christians. Their encouragement will bolster your faith to leave confusion in the rearview mirror.
• Tell Satan to take a hike. Send the author of confusion back to hell where he belongs!
• Thank God for delivering you from confusion during and after He sets you free from the clutches of confusion.   

My friend, confusion is not our friend.
I have been confused at times in my life. I did not like being uncertain about purpose or direction. I have counseled with many confused people who are struggling with what to do with their circumstances. When I ask them what they want me to pray for them they ask for clarity. Steve, I need to be clear, not confused about my situation and my response.
A spirit of confusion will keep ourselves, families, society and world in chaos. God’s peace always overrules and clears up confusion. 
God’s clarity clears the dust so we can see clearly to do His will.
There is nothing like a crystal clear, bright, sun-shiny day I am seeing today after a dark, dreary, threatening thunderstorm rumbled across Oklahoma yesterday.  
Confused? Take your spiritual eyes off the storm clouds of confusion and put them on the light of God and His Word.
“Those who love Thy law will have great peace and nothing will cause them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165
“And your ears will hear a word behind you saying “This is the way, walk in it” whenever you turn to the right or the left.” Isaiah 30:21
A Word For Your Week: When confused, look to God to bring order out of your confusion.