If you can be confused about an issue, you do not have the truth concerning it. Once you have the truth, you cannot be confused over that issue again. For example, we know that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes unto the Father but by me.” If a person were to say to you that there are other ways to God, you would have no confusion; you know that it is a false statement not worthy of consideration. If I told you that you had to stand on your head and memorize the Ten Commandments as well as accept Jesus as Lord and Savior in order to be saved, you would no problem discerning the falseness of the statement. You know the truth; you would not be confused. These are rather simple examples, but it gets the point across.
We know that God is not the author of confusion. There have been times when people have found themselves confused after listening to speakers teach the Word of God. In their mind, because they were confused they labeled it as a false teaching, or even of the devil. In some cases, this may be true; however, in other cases the teaching could very well be right on. The trouble may not be the teaching, but the stronghold that they hold to be true. What is a stronghold? 2Corinthians 10:3-5 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds:) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (KJV). Strongholds are defined as imaginations and high things (barriers as the result of pride). In other words, a stronghold is an imagination that one holds to be true. This may include false doctrine. It may also pertain to traditions that we have learned along the way that may even be unbiblical. It is all relates to our thought-life. Basically, it’s anything that interferes with the truth or its reception.
The Word of God tells us to study to show ourselves to be approved. Everything that we are taught, whether it is written or oral should be compared with the Scriptures as led by the Holy Spirit. Take no one’s word for it; study it out to be sure it is so. Please note, I did not say, “if it be so or not.” The idea is study from the standpoint of faith, not unbelief. An example of this is found in Acts 17:11 where it says, “These (those who lived in Berea [Bereans]) were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things be so” (KJV). These people had a heart to know the truth, and studied from that perspective. If we study to prove something wrong, we are studying on the side of unbelief. In other words, we would be looking for reasons not to believe. At the same time, if we study to prove something to be true or to prove our point, we could also be in trouble; we could be overlooking truth that may be contrary to our hypothesis. The idea is to study to find the truth, and once the truth is found, falsehood drops out of sight. Faith says, “God is!”
Romans 12:2 Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (KJV). The best way to destroy strongholds is to renew your mind by getting into the Word of God. Compare everything to the Scriptures. Read them, study them, and digest them. Watch what happens to confusion!
www.perfectfaith.org
