The pervasive attitude of every individual doing what is right in their own eyes has deeply infiltrated the church, creating a profound doctrinal confusion. This mindset has led many to assume personal sovereignty, acting as if they are the ultimate authority over religious truth and God's teachings. Such self-exaltation results in individuals making their own rules, disregarding the wisdom and guidance of leadership, and viewing directives with skepticism, believing they stem from human minds rather than divine inspiration. This fragmentation is evident in the numerous congregations, each differing slightly in doctrine and refusing to fellowship with others. Satan exploits these divisions, creating inroads that further splinter the church, fostering discord among brethren. The lack of trust in leadership, compounded by a history of perceived failures, exacerbates the problem, as many refuse to listen to or respect authority, judging every decision through the lens of personal sovereignty. God remains the true arbiter of truth, the great Judge, and the ultimate Sovereign. Yet, many in the church have become too proud, unwilling to submit to His authority or to the established truth He has provided. This refusal to bow to His sovereignty, coupled with a frantic pace of life and an overload of information, prevents the church from being steadfast in faith. Spiritually, there is no freedom to think independently of God's standards; believers are called to be slaves of righteousness, aligning every action with His will, not their own. The disintegration of unity within the church is a grave concern, as it weakens the body of Christ against the challenges posed by Satan and the world. Without unity with God and with each other, survival through turbulent times becomes uncertain. The example of a humble minister who patiently waited for God's timing on a doctrinal change, rather than asserting his own authority, serves as a reminder of the importance of forbearance and submission to God's government. This approach contrasts sharply with the current tendency to demand immediate answers and actions, often leading to further disunity. The call is to prioritize unity in love, supporting and communicating with one another without judgment, ensuring that the church remains a united front under God's sovereignty. While perfect agreement on every detail may not be possible, the focus must be on maintaining the core truths and fostering a spirit of mutual edification rather than division.

The doctrinal changes around covenants, Sabbaths, tithing, clean and unclean meats, and laws in general have introduced significant confusion. These changes are vast in scope, affecting virtually every major doctrine related to salvation. They fail to align with the cohesive package of doctrine that God has revealed, disrupting the logical and true mosaic of salvation. The alterations do not fit with the original framework, as they necessitate further changes to maintain coherence, yet the ramifications of each change on other doctrines are never fully explained. This lack of clarity leads to a misperception of essential truths, which can have serious consequences on whether one is saved. These shifts strike at the core of truth, forcing additional modifications because supporting doctrines no longer fit the original package. The vagueness of the new direction, lacking detailed explanations of where these changes lead, subtly moves toward a notion where free moral agency becomes inconsequential, implying that life has no clear destination beyond a vague concept of salvation. Further confusion arises from statements suggesting that laws, including the Sabbath, holy days, and the Ten Commandments, are not necessary, portraying them as bondage rather than guidance. Such teachings claim that relying on grace frees individuals from all rules, even asserting that the law dehumanizes and causes division. This perspective distorts the purpose of God's law, presenting it in a negative light rather than as a positive guide to produce godly character through the power of His Spirit. The idea that one can be a Christian without observing key commandments undermines their importance, leading to a natural progression toward anarchy in belief and practice. This doctrinal confusion is evident in teachings that diminish the value of scripture itself, suggesting that other religious texts are equally valid or that Christians do not need any book since Christ lives within them. Such ideas reflect a deep departure from the clear purpose and vision God has provided, replacing it with ambiguity and deception that opposes His law and purpose. When the vision is altered, the law intended to guide toward that vision is discarded, fostering the misguided belief that any path will lead to the right destination.

Trust is fading in major institutions, leading to widespread uncertainty about what to believe. This confusion permeates society, with conflicting reports and the rapid spread of unverified information through technology only deepening the divide. As trust in leaders and systems wanes, individuals feel compelled to determine truth for themselves, deciding right and wrong based on personal perspectives and affiliations. This spirit of self-determination has also infiltrated the church, reflecting the broader societal trend. Without a trusted authority, many within the church follow their own way, mirroring the attitude described in Judges 21:25, where everyone did what was right in their own eyes. This problem is evident at a critical time in the history of God's church, where attitudes akin to those of Laodicea prevail. The name Laodicea, derived from Greek words meaning people and to judge, suggests a tendency for individuals to decide for themselves what is important, rather than submitting to God as the true Authority. Over recent decades, some affiliated with the church have curated their own set of beliefs, moving between groups to find alignment with their personal views. The error of self-rule is a significant concern. God expects believers to be ready to respond to questions about their beliefs with answers grounded in Scripture, as He is the true arbiter of truth. Believers are urged to examine their own beliefs honestly and consistently, ensuring they align with God's Word to avoid relying on personal judgment and becoming wise in their own eyes, as warned in Proverbs 26:12. Determining truth is not a trivial matter; it is a diligent process critical to salvation, with nothing less than eternal life at stake.

In the pursuit of spiritual connection, many turn away from mainstream Christianity due to dissatisfaction, finding it inadequate or oppressive. This rejection often defines their new path, as seen in the practices of modern Druids who create an identity rooted in what they oppose. They gravitate toward a religion of their own making, one with few rules and where they can shape its practices. In this neo-pagan community, there is little emphasis on core beliefs or doctrine, aside from a shared dismissal of traditional faith. Instead, the focus lies on ritual action and community, offering relief to those who have fled the constraints of orthodoxy. Belief is downplayed to maintain inclusivity, erasing boundaries that might separate insiders from outsiders. This doctrinal confusion manifests in the absence of a clear guide for worship. These Druids, seeking to honor ancient gods like Fortuna, Hermes, or Dionysus, lack a definitive source akin to sacred scripture. With little preserved knowledge of ancient rituals, they debate history and metaphysics in forums, crafting ceremonies that seem reasonable to them. Their practices center on reciprocity, making offerings in hopes of blessings, yet the rituals remain a patchwork of ideas, shaped by diverse influences without a unified foundation. This lack of doctrinal clarity allows for a shared experience over a unity of faith, where participation and fellowship take precedence over truth. The rejection of a firm belief system mirrors a broader trend of turning away from even nominal adherence to God's word. As truth divides, these pagans prioritize community and shared activities—making offerings, reveling in non-orthodoxy—over contending for a defined faith. They welcome all beliefs, except those centered on Jesus Christ, emphasizing inclusivity at the cost of spiritual grounding. This path, while offering easy fellowship, opens the door to accepting any belief, even to the extent of engaging with deceptive spiritual forces in the hope of personal gain.

Over the last several years, the church of God has faced immense challenges, with foundations shaken and many thrown into confusion. The doctrines that once formed the structure of our beliefs have been questioned, leaving us to wonder if what we were taught remains valid. This doctrinal confusion has led to a collapse of our spiritual world, causing fear and distrust among members. Many have felt as though their faith was shattered as God brought this test upon us, unsure of what to believe anymore. Conviction has waned to a low ebb, resulting in friends parting ways into different fellowships, some in anger, unable to reconcile their differing views. Our fellowship, resting on these shaken foundations, has suffered, with many leaving due to the fear of falling prey to deceit once again. Yet, amidst this turmoil, we are reminded that God remains on His throne, fully aware and in control. His eyes test our hearts, proving where we stand in relation to Him by faith, patiently observing as we navigate this trial. His purpose is not to destroy but to correct deficiencies that could keep us from His Kingdom, testing our attachment and loyalties to Him. As the church appears to fall apart, with people scattering and new doctrines leading some astray, we must hold fast, waiting on God with faith, trusting that He is engineering these circumstances for our ultimate good, even if it is hard to conceive.

Doctrinal confusion has been a primary cause of spiritual separation within the church, leading to the formation of numerous splinter groups over the years. When leaders push a church into apostasy by promoting false doctrines, as occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the physical organization representing the spiritual church can no longer be trusted to teach and lead in spiritual matters. God uses organizations to do His work only as long as most doctrines are correct and most members remain reasonably righteous. However, when the majority of members become corrupted with false teachings or improper behavior, the spiritual church's members lose trust in their leaders. Doctrine becomes the main reason for this distrust, and often the only recourse for converted members is to separate or secede from the parent organization that has fallen into apostasy. Remaining under false religious leaders involves compromising, which leads to sin, making separation necessary. The only valid spiritual reason for seceding is when false doctrine is being taught, as it undermines the foundation of faith and loyalty to God's truth.

The issue of doctrinal confusion within the church arises when individuals construct calendars based on personal assumptions due to the scarcity of direct statements from God regarding calendar rules. This leads to varied interpretations, resulting in different calendars and fostering division, as each person emphasizes different aspects and does what seems right in their own eyes. Such differences within the church fail to reflect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, raising the question of how one can please God by worshiping Him through self-created systems rather than responding to what He has explicitly said. If God has provided no specific guidance, then such worship does not return to Him what has been received from Him. This kind of thinking, rooted in individualism, mirrors the core of Protestantism, which historically fragments into smaller groups due to a constant push for personal change at the expense of community. It generates discontent and a tendency to seek something new, affecting the church by straying from true principles aligned with God's Word. The sovereignty of God over human government further illustrates that resisting established authority, including church doctrine, is to resist His ordinance. To challenge human laws or rules, such as those concerning the calendar, is to challenge God's purpose and oversight, as He has authority over all. The changing of times and laws, including calendars, is a serious matter, associated in Scripture with challenging God's rule and even linked to the persecution of the saints. Displeasure with what God provides, as seen in historical examples, is akin to calling Him into account. Within the church, there is a tendency to disregard the biblical nation of Israel and its responsibilities, including the preservation of the calculated Hebrew Calendar, which Judah still uses. This calendar, preserved by Judah as the lawgiver by God's appointment, is part of the national heritage of Israel, and rejecting it while accepting other preserved elements like the Old Testament reveals inconsistency. Doctrinal change is not a personal matter but a national affair within God's plan, where the church is a subset of Israel. Authority to change doctrine is not granted to the general ministry or individual members, but only through apostles or prophets, offices not currently available. Campaigning for doctrinal changes, such as altering the calendar, lacks governmental authority within the church, highlighting the seriousness of attempting to modify established teachings without divine sanction.