The Bible teaches that God is not the author of confusion, but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). This is an important truth that gives us insight into the nature and character of God. It assures us that God desires order, clarity, and understanding for His people.
To say God is not the author of confusion means He does not cause chaos, disorder, or lack of understanding. Confusion stems from the devil, the fall of man, and the corrupted world we live in – not from God (John 8:44; Genesis 3; 2 Corinthians 4:4). God is truth and light (1 John 1:5), and in Him there is no darkness or confusion at all.
Throughout Scripture, we see God revealing Himself and His plans with increasing clarity over time. This progressive revelation demonstrates that God wants His people to know Him and understand His ways. While there are certainly mysteries about God we cannot fully grasp, He has given us His Word to provide guidance and insight for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19).
Let’s explore several key ways the truth that God is not the author of confusion impacts our lives:
1. God is a God of order and peace
As mentioned, 1 Corinthians 14:33 states plainly, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” God’s character is marked by orderliness, harmony, and tranquility. He brings peace where there is strife and provides direction where there is uncertainty.
In creation, God brought order out of chaos. The book of Genesis shows Him systematically creating realms and ruling over them as an all-wise Creator and Sustainer. He established the universe with physical laws and systems that allow for life and function.
God also instituted order and structure for society and human interactions. He gave His people the Law and the wisdom writings to clarify His standards for living. Although we are unable to keep God’s Law perfectly because of sin, it shows us what goodness, righteousness, and truth look like.
The peace of God surpasses human understanding and guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). Even when everything around us seems chaotic, we can trust God to keep us rooted in His peace as we set our minds on His truth.
2. Confusion is not part of God’s plan for His people
While God allowed humanity’s choice to bring sin and brokenness into the world, He provided redemption and a way back to order and understanding. Confusion, division, hostility, fear, and uncertainty result from the Fall but find their cure in Christ.
Babel illustrates humanity’s proclivity toward confusion. Genesis 11:1-9 tells of people who, united in their rebellion against God, sought to build a tower to make a name for themselves. God confused their language and scattered them over the earth. This revealed the self-destructive bent of sinful humans left to themselves.
In contrast, at Pentecost, God reunited humanity through the power of the Holy Spirit manifesting in followers of Christ (Acts 2:1-13). People from all nations could understand one another as the gospel was proclaimed. While sin divides, the Spirit unites across barriers.
In the New Heaven and New Earth described in Revelation 21-22, night will be no more, and God’s people will see Him face to face, understanding fully. Confusion, pain, and brokenness will be swallowed up by His light and peace.
3. God communicates clearly through His Word and Spirit
Though God’s thoughts and ways surpass human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9), He still speaks to us in ways we can grasp. God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, communicates His truth and redemption to all people. Through His Spirit, He enables us to comprehend Scripture (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).
God chose to reveal Himself through human languages and writers’ unique personalities and contexts. He spoke into specific cultures and time periods, yet His Word transcends them as timeless, authoritative divine truth.
While portions of Scripture remain difficult to interpret or apply, God has preserved His Word and provided teachers and resources to aid comprehension (Ephesians 4:11-16; 2 Timothy 2:15). Submitting to Scripture allows God’s Spirit to cut through confusion and illuminate our understanding.
4. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth
Jesus promised His disciples He would send the Spirit of truth who would guide them into all truth and speak only what He hears from the Father (John 16:13). God’s Spirit lives in all believers to help us discern truth from falsehood as we study Scripture and navigate life’s challenges.
The world promotes deception and distortion of truth. The devil masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). But God’s Spirit enables us to “test the spirits” and recognize anti-Christ influences that lead to confusion (1 John 4:1-3).
While believers may not always agree on every area of doctrine or biblical interpretation, the Spirit clarifies essential truths for salvation and guides us toward maturity and unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:13). Submitting to the Spirit’s guidance protects us from deceptive spirits of confusion.
5. Satan seeks to deceive and divide through confusion
Jesus called Satan “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). The devil introduced confusion into the world by deceiving Eve in the garden. His tactics have not changed. One translation of 2 Corinthians 4:4 describes Satan as “the god of this evil age” who blinds unbelievers’ minds.
Satan divides people and causes confusion through false teachings. He twists Scripture and disguises himself as righteous to lead people astray (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Believers must test teachings against God’s Word under the Spirit’s guidance to avoid doctrinal confusion.
Demons can also cause mental and spiritual confusion by distorting the truth. Spiritual warfare requires recognizing the real enemy and taking up the full armor of God to resist his deceitful schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18).
While Satan tries to fog people’s minds with lies, God’s truth expressed through His Word and Spirit cuts through the confusion like a light in darkness.
6. God calls His people to speak the truth in love
As people created in God’s image, we also play a part in combating confusion in the world. God commands His people to speak the truth and to “let no corrupting talk come out of [our] mouths, but only such as is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29).
Sharing Christ’s love should motivate how we communicate truth to others. Speaking with grace, patience, and care allows truth to penetrate hearts rather than close them off defensively. The Holy Spirit works through the attitude of our hearts as much as the content of our words in cutting through confusion.
Within the church, believers are to spur one another on to godly living and doctrinal clarity with gentleness and respect (Hebrews 10:24; 1 Peter 3:15). Even rebuking sin and false teaching aim at restoration and deeper understanding of God’s truth.
7. We have a responsibility to learn and grow in discernment
Since God made the truth accessible to us, we carry the responsibility to pursue sound doctrine and biblical wisdom. We are called to renew our minds by immersing ourselves in God’s Word so we can increasingly discern His will and reject worldly confusion (Romans 12:2).
God gifts some believers with exceptional discernment for distinguishing truth from error and protecting the church from false teachings (1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 17:11). But all Christians should exercise discernment under the Spirit’s guidance as we encounter a lost world’s competing ideas. We have the mind of Christ and access to Scripture to combat confusion.
Asking God for discernment and cultivating biblical literacy fortify us against the tide of confusion that surrounds us. The more we know God’s truth, the more easily we identify the counterfeits.
8. We find freedom from confusion in God’s presence
A key way we can overcome confusion is by drawing near to God who embodies perfect peace. Psalms 42 and 43 illustrate the psalmist talking to himself, asking “why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” His hope was in God to clarify the confusion.
Presenting ourselves to God in worship, prayer, meditation on Scripture, and spiritual fellowship clears our minds from what may be weighing us down. His truth washes over us like a fresh breeze pushing back the fog.
As we seek God’s face continually, we become less susceptible to confusion influencing our thoughts. Our minds are anchored to His truth rather than tossed about by doubts, lies, worries, and untested assumptions.
9. Our victory over confusion is assured in Christ
For believers, confusion will not have the final say. First Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” The limitations and confusion of this fallen world will give way to eternal clarity in God’s presence.
Until then, we can confidently rest in this promise from Isaiah 26:3: “You [God] keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Focusing on Christ will stabilize our thinking and allow God’s perfect peace to rule our hearts even when surrounded by confusion.
In confusion, we do not lose hope but set our sights on the day when faith becomes sight. We can trust God’s purposes even when we cannot fully trace the pattern of His plan. His Spirit will lead us onward until all is made clear in Christ.
