Breaking the Spirit of Confusion

Today, a friend asked me, "Where is your heart? What would you say you're afraid of?" She asked because our fears / battles usually point to our ministry or what we’re called to do. I spoke about a specific pattern in my life, it’s my battle with confusion. I’ve spent years fighting this through major memory lapses and manipulative relationships. Being constantly misunderstood and misunderstanding others was a standard. I’ve fought the spirit of confusion for as long as I can remember.

Now that I’ve found freedom through Jesus Christ, I do not tolerate confusion in any form. When I sense manipulation, I’m so ready to fight. My past gave me the ability to discern deception and cut through it like a samurai master. You know the saying, "takes one to know one"? I wasn't honest with myself, so it's easy for me to spot dishonesty in others now. That’s why I focus so heavily on questions. ‍

Questions lead to clarity and clarity breaks the stronghold of confusion over our lives. 

Why Questions Matter

Asking questions forces assumptions, expectations, and projections to fall away. It exposes the truth, even if the only truth you receive is that this individual is not honest with you or themselves.

When we live in confusion, we make decisions out of blindness or desperation, rather than wisdom. This has led me down paths I should have never walked (or stayed in). It drove me to seek knowledge and understanding outside of the will of God.

The Power of Clarity

Confusion is the number one symptom of abuse and manipulation, and God is not the author of confusion. This is the work of the devil, a form of witchcraft. When people lie, they attempt to maintain control over others. But the moment clarity steps in, that control breaks. It’s simply not right to trap others in a web of withheld information (lies). It’s not right to be deceived by half-truths. I'm aware that as humans we can appear to be honest, but that's where discernment comes in. We should pray for discernment and Godly wisdom, constantly.

When Jesus encountered the woman at the well, He went straight to the heart of her situation. His intention wasn’t to shame her but to free her. She asked Him questions, and the clarity He brought led to her transformation (John 4:1-26). 

Everything has served its purpose in my life, but I do think about how different it could have been had I had someone around me with the Holy Spirit during my lowest points. Someone who could ask me questions (or allow me to ask questions) that would cut straight into my heart and bring me clarity. But I cannot dwell on that. Maybe I still wouldn't have been able to hear. But now that I am free, I can be that person for others. The spirit of confusion has no place here.

Fight the Foolery

Proverbs 18:2 reminds us, “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” Anyone not trying to seek understanding, is considered a fool. Anyone that claims to have all the answers, is a fool. If we’re serious about building real connections, we must prioritize understanding.

Clarity as a Calling

So this is my answer to my friend's questions. The truth is what I've feared. I've run from it and It has simultaneously been hidden from me. And now, that's all I run towards. God desires clarity, not chaos. He wants us to make decisions from a place of understanding. He has given us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. However, clarity doesn’t just fall into our laps, we have to consistently seek it. We have to ask questions, pray for discernment, humble ourselves, and allow the Spirit of Truth to lead us.

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Reflection Questions:

1. Where in your life do you feel confusion is controlling (or hindering) your decisions?
2. Are you asking questions to truly understand those around you, or relying on assumptions?
3. Are there people in your life who withhold clarity? Have you challenged them to truly be honest with you?
4. Are you withholding information from others who seek clarity from you? If so, do you understand that you are engaging in spiritual witchcraft?

Bible Verses:

• "For God is not a God of confusion but of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33
• "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." John 8:32

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