In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.  - Psalm 71:1

Tonight, Bro Joe brought some thoughts on the causes for confusion, particularly religious confusion. Not understanding something and being confused are two different things.

This word confusion has many angles, but in Psalm 71, it refers to being: shamed, disappointed, confounded and becoming dry. 2 Timothy 2:7 says: ‘Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.’ If we don’t understand, and God knows it, He does not hold us accountable for ‘whatever’. He is fair. More fair, I dare say, than we all tend to be.

On the other hand, confusion is a result of how we handle understanding. A few examples…

 

• Jeremiah 3:25 ‘We lie down in our shame and our confusion covers us, for we have sinned…and have not obeyed His voice’
   

• Jeremiah 7:19 ‘Do they provoke me to anger (grieve me)? Do they not provoke themselves to confusion (instead)? It’s bad to grieve the Spirit of God
   

• Daniel 9:7,8 Daniel is praying for God’s people and says: ‘confusion belongs to us because of our trespasses and our sins’
   

• James 3:16 ‘For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.’

Here, in these few examples, we get some understanding as to why folks may become confused. Sin is the culprit, always.

Also, if we continue to want our own way in a matter, the Lord may cause us to believe a lie. 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ‘And for this cause (sin and disobedience and the pleasure of it) God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie’ This is most likely the most devastating form of confusion, because God himself sends it. 1Corinthians 14:33 ‘For God is not the author of confusion’,…but if we insist, He can be for us. That’s why Psalm 71:1 says ‘…let me never be put to confusion’

Lastly, confusion may come from the external influences and situations of our present environment. Acts 19:29 (21-41) ‘and the whole city was filled with confusion…’ The event was a crowd of people upset about something…though some knew not why. A few started it because of Paul’s preaching against the great goddess Dianna. A few got upset and influenced many to do the same. ‘Oh be careful little ears, feet, eyes, hands, mind…where you go, what you do, what you think and entertain.’ We can be affected by the confusion of others if we get too close to or involved in situations. Two big examples would be rock concerts or organized churches. In both cases, folks often get ‘caught-up’ in the wrong things.

Other examples are: Matthew 26:1-5, Acts 17:1-8 (5), Acts 21:27-32

We may not understand a lot, but we do not have to be confused. Confusion, spiritually, comes from sin. Should we continue after our own selfish motives, God may send us a strong delusion? Lastly, be aware of the influences around us affecting our understanding God gives to you and I.