Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CONFUSION (07/20/23)
-
TITLE: The Double-minded Cure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/25/23 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Confusion is an English translation of the original Greek word a-k-a-t-a-s-t-a-s-i-a-s, meaning disturbance.
Peace is an English translation of the original Greek word e-I-r-e-n-e, meaning quietness.
In the original format of Scripture, there was no punctuation marks (e.g., commas and periods), chapter breaks, paragraphs, or separate verses; only a continuous flow of letters. Such things were added to the format by various translators over the years.
What we now know and refer to as 1Corinthians, Chapter 14, verse 33, was a part of a letter from Paul that he had written to the local assemblies in Corinth, Greece, in the 1st century of the Church Age. His purpose in writing this letter was to address some of the distracting issues going on at that time.
Many of the earliest Christian converts came from an Orthodox Jewish background in which male and female worshipers were separated by gender.
This custom was initially carried over into the Church Age.
Scripture does not indicate if this practice was observed in the private homes where many of the first century believers gathered together for worship. But it apparently remained to be the case when they gathered together in larger groups.
In his letter (1), Paul was addressing a developing scenario in which woman were apparently speaking out, disrupting the orderly environment of a worship service. In his letter, the women involved were being instructed not to interrupt the service (sermon), but to have their questions answered when they were reunited with their husbands, the spiritual head of the home.
A second issue that Paul addressed in this same letter (2) was the orderly manner in which the speaking in tongues was to be exercised. Just as in the case of the inquiring women, the bottom line is that in order to maintain an orderly, reverent environment, there is to be only one person speaking at a time, and only then if it would be edifying to others.
Depending on cultural, social, and religious norms and standards, what is and what is not considered appropriate dress and behavior during a worship service can vary greatly from one local assembly to another.
The rule of thumb calls for no dress or activity that would be irreverent, or of a distracting nature to the congregation at large.
At the same time, keep in mind that Man, who shouldn’t judge at all, judges by outward appearance, whereas God, who will judge us all, judges by what is in the heart.
Just as a secular judge has the authority and obligation to conduct an orderly and distraction-free environment during proceedings in a court of law, the pastor-teachers have the authority and obligation to maintain an orderly, distraction-free, reverent environment during worship services.
Let there be no confusion about the kind of worship and worshipers that God desires.
When one celebrates the Lord’s Supper in the way that God intended, he or she BRINGS INTO REMEMBRANCE (3) the Person and the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of our faith.
By the ongoing study (4) and application (5) of the Word of God, one becomes His disciple, and advances in the post (after) salvation spiritual life.
Reverence is especially appropriate during the celebration of the Lord ‘s Supper (Communion), as the recipients prepare themselves to receive the elements (6).
A distraction-free LEARNING environment during the teaching of the Word of God is essential, if it’s intended purpose (the making of disciples) is to be achieved.
The human mind is easily distracted by light, sound, and movement. Steps are to be taken to eliminate or minimize these distractions during worship services and private devotions.
The devil is very much aware of the part that distraction plays in the art of spiritual warfare.
It is by no coincidence that just as one is about to understand a critical point of doctrine that something happens to distract his or her focus of attention.
Distraction and confusion go hand in hand.
Be it when seated in a congregation or engaged in his or her personal devotional time, an individual’s time focused on God or on the things of God is not to be disturbed. God is speaking, and should not be interrupted.
The confusion in a double-minded man is remedied by replacing it with the mind of Christ (7).
________
(1) 1Cor. 14: 33-35 (2) 1Cor. 14: 22– 33 (3) 1Cor. 11: 24 – 25 (4) 2Pet. 3: 18 (5) James 1: 22 (6) 1Cor. 11: 27-29 (7) James 4: 8/1Cor. 2: 1 6
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Thank you, I enjoyed this.
God Bless