The Spirit of Confusion and the Call to Abide

By: Shannon Perry

Over the last several weeks, I found myself wrestling with a growing sense of frustration. Every time I sat down to write, something seemed to interrupt the process. Unexpected situations arose. Responsibilities demanded attention. Circumstances continually pulled me away from what I believed Elohim had placed before me.

At first, I viewed these interruptions as distractions. They felt like obstacles standing between me and the assignment.

Then one day, during prayer, I sensed the Ruach HaKodesh speak a single word to my spirit:

“Confusion.”

Initially, I assumed He was referring to the circumstances themselves. But the more I prayed and observed, the more I realized He was revealing something much deeper. What I was witnessing was not simply distraction. It was confusion at work through people, systems, traditions, and religious mindsets that have become so familiar that many no longer recognize them.

I interact with people from many different backgrounds and belief systems. As I watched their lives and listened to their conversations, I began noticing patterns I have observed for years within various religious circles. The doctrines may differ. The traditions may vary. Yet the fruit often looks remarkably similar.

Many sincerely desire God. They are committed to their beliefs and faithful in their religious practices. Yet despite their sincerity, many remain trapped in cycles of fear, offense, division, spiritual stagnation, and bondage.

That reality forces us to confront an important question:

What is truth?

For some, truth is defined by doctrine. For others, it is found in denominational identity or religious tradition. Some place their confidence in personal experiences, feelings, or spiritual encounters.

Yet Scripture points us somewhere entirely different.

Truth is not first a concept to be understood. Truth is a Person to be known.

Yeshua declared:

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 ASV)

Before truth was ever reduced to a theological debate, it was revealed in the person of Messiah. Before truth became something people argued about, it was embodied in the One who came from the Father.

Scripture also reveals that the Word of Elohim is truth.

“Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17 ASV)

This means every doctrine, every tradition, every prophetic word, every ministry, every personal revelation, and every opinion must ultimately submit to the authority of Scripture.

Truth does not adjust itself to fit our preferences. We are the ones who must be transformed by truth.

One of the clearest evidences of confusion in our generation is the division that continues to fragment the body of Messiah. Paul wrote:

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:4-5 ASV)

If there is one body, one Lord, and one faith, why do we find ourselves surrounded by endless divisions, competing interpretations, and conflicting voices?

The answer cannot be that Elohim is divided.

Scripture leaves no room for such a conclusion.

“For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.” (1 Corinthians 14:33 ASV)

If confusion does not originate with Him, then we must be willing to recognize where it gains entrance.

Confusion thrives wherever human traditions are elevated above the authority of God's Word. Yeshua confronted this very issue when He rebuked the religious leaders for setting aside the commandments of Elohim in order to preserve their traditions. What began as man's attempt to honor God eventually became a substitute for obedience.

Confusion also flourishes when feelings become a greater authority than Scripture. The heart is easily influenced by circumstances, emotions, disappointments, and desires. What feels right in a moment may be completely contrary to the will of God. That is why His Word must remain our standard when feelings fluctuate.

Perhaps most tragically, confusion enters when religious activity begins to replace relationship.

Yeshua spoke sobering words concerning those who were active in ministry but lacked intimacy with Him:

“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23 ASV)

These were not unbelievers. They were individuals who had done religious works in His name. Yet there is a vast difference between working for Him and walking with Him.

That distinction is where many believers struggle today.

It is possible to become busy with ministry while neglecting fellowship. It is possible to learn a religious language while failing to cultivate intimacy. It is possible to know about God while never truly learning to abide in His presence.

This brings us to one of the most overlooked conditions in Scripture.

Many believers can quote John 8:32 without hesitation:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

It is a powerful promise. Yet the promise was never given apart from the condition that precedes it.

“Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 ASV)

Everything hinges on that simple word:

If.

The promise of freedom is connected to something. The knowledge of truth is connected to something. Even the evidence of genuine discipleship is connected to something.

Abiding.

The Greek word translated abide is meno. It carries the idea of remaining, continuing, dwelling, enduring, and refusing to depart.

Yeshua was not describing a casual encounter with truth. He was describing a life anchored in it.

"If" you remain in My Word.

"If" you continue in My Word.

"If" you dwell in My Word.

"If" you refuse to depart from My Word.

"Then you are truly My disciples."

Notice the order He establishes. First comes abiding. Then discipleship. Then truth becomes known. Then freedom follows.

We often want the outcome while neglecting the process that produces it. We desire freedom, yet resist abiding. We seek discernment, yet neglect the Word. We long for spiritual maturity while avoiding the daily surrender required to cultivate it.

Yeshua never separated the promise from the condition.

Perhaps this explains why so many believers remain spiritually bound despite having access to countless resources. We live in a generation saturated with conferences, teachings, podcasts, books, prophetic voices, and endless streams of information. Yet information alone does not produce transformation.

Transformation occurs when the Word becomes a dwelling place rather than an occasional destination.

The believer who remains in the Word develops discernment naturally. Deception becomes easier to recognize because truth has become familiar. The voice of the Shepherd becomes distinguishable because time has been spent listening.

Yeshua said:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27 ASV)

Again, we see relationship rather than ritual. Hearing leads to following because intimacy has been established.

The cure for confusion has never been more information. It has never been another argument, another debate, or another religious movement.

The answer remains what it has always been.

Abide.

Slow down long enough to hear His voice above the noise. Become still enough to recognize His presence. Allow His Word to shape your thinking, correct your assumptions, and transform your heart.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 ASV)

We live in a world filled with competing voices. Opinions multiply daily. Religious arguments continue without end. Yet in the midst of the noise, the invitation of the Spirit remains unchanged.

Remain.

Continue.

Dwell.

Endure.

Do not depart.

Those who abide become true disciples. Those disciples come to know the truth. And the truth they know produces a freedom that no religious system, tradition, or human effort can manufacture.

So let me ask you a question.

Are you simply gliding through life, trying to make it from one day to the next, navigating circumstances as they come? Are you moving from service to service, teaching to teaching, crisis to crisis, hoping that somehow freedom will eventually arrive?

Or are you abiding?

Are you remaining in His Word when no one is watching? Are you dwelling in His presence beyond the moments that are convenient? Are you continuing in Him when feelings change, circumstances become difficult, and distractions compete for your attention?

Because that is where freedom exists.

Freedom is not found in striving. It is not found in endless activity. It is not found in chasing the next experience.

Freedom begins where abiding starts.