A TRUE AND FAITHFUL WITNESS
Are you committed to being a true and faithful witness to the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament Gospel?
Discernment
Our English word "discern" means "to separate" or "to distinguish between"
and comes from Latin "to sift apart." Now the thing that we first of all need to
understand about "discernment" is that EVERYONE does it in some way. We
have learned to "discern" whether we like or dislike the taste of apples or
oranges or broccoli. We have "sifted apart" our food likes and dislikes into
these "categories." i.e. Tastes good verses tastes bad. In this instance they
are personal but yet there is an acknowledged corporate "okay" with your
decision because we all have different "tastes." We have learned to discern
whether we are "morning people" or "night people" by "distinguishing between"
when we personally can get the "most things done" versus when we are
"non-productive." Since this is personal and individual it once again normally
receives a corporate "okay."
But when it comes to teaching and knowledge of God and obedience to Him
and our Christian character and witness we also need to discern. Why? The
Scriptures give us many basic principles for discernment and reasons why we
are to discern. Below is a general list with Scriptural references. I am
providing them with a title and in what I believe to be a generally godly order or
pattern.
THE GLORY OF HIS HOLY NAME THROUGH OUR INDIVIDUAL CHOICES
According to Ezekiel 22:26 (See terms & text for reference: this text speaks of
"distinguishing" between holy things and profane things), unless we discern we
will profane His name in the midst of the people. Make sure you catch that -
we will profane His name - not simply internally or before Him alone - but in the
midst of them. People will be helped or hindered in understanding the name of
God (His deeds and character) based on how well we "discern" and act upon
our discernment. This is quite visible and it is why the "worldly" brand of
Christianity so prevalent in our day and age should be constantly rejected - it
does not reflect the HOLINESS of God.
OUR CLEARLY IDENTIFYING WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN OUR CHOICES
According to I John 4:4-6 (See terms & text for reference) we can know the
"spirit of truth" versus "the spirit of error" by whether or not we listen to the
apostles "words" (teachings). Our proof in knowing God is because we
participate with the people of God in the truth. The category of discernment in
the text is "truth" versus "error" - not "loving" versus "unloving" or "popular"
versus "unpopular," etc. (We are to be loving as we discern, mind you.) If you
remember back to chapter 1 of I John he mentions the fact that the apostles
made known the truth of what they had seen, felt, etc. This was so that then
the people to whom he was communicating could have "fellowship" with them.
Notice the order: first truth, then fellowship. Fellowship is to always follow after
the truth and not vice versa. When truth is at stake - fellowship is temporarily
place upon the back-burner. This is why all calls of unity - even "based" in
Scripture - are to fall on the heals of a call to truth.
The perfect example of this is Jesus High Priestly prayer in John 17. He does
not pray simply that we Christians are to be one. He prays that we are one as
He and the Father are one and that we are set apart both individually and
corporately in the TRUTH OF THE WORD! The focus of oneness is not
oneness - the focus of our oneness is God and His truth. This focus of
oneness upon truth can also be seen in Ephesians 4:1-16 where the
command for oneness in Spirit is clearly based in the "unity of the faith," the
"one faith, one Lord, one baptism" the "no longer carried about by every wind
of doctrine," and "the speaking of truth in love."
OUR ABILITY TO HELP A WANDERING BROTHER OR SISTER
According to James 5:19,20 (See terms & text for reference) we may help
someone else by being discerning. The text tells us that we help someone by
"turning them back" or "turning them around" from their wandering path. The
path they are returned unto is the path of truth. This entire process of
obedience on our part takes a discerning of the persons walk with God based
on outward actions (either obviously ungodly or a lacking of a godly walk).
And there are benefits that result if you will notice the end of the text. Telling
people the objective truth of the Word of God when you see they are
wandering away and they are receptive to it is always the most loving thing to
do and should be done with an appropriate and godly character. (Sometimes
we may find that God even uses us to tell people things when they are not
receptive. But this is usually something we learn in maturity.)
OUR EFFECTIVENESS IN UNDERSTANDING AND WALKING WITH GOD
According to Matthew 6:22-23 (See terms & text for reference), the "eye" of
our hearts is to be "single" upon the "righteousness" of His kingdom (verse
33.) (Jesus is relating the physical to the spiritual.) If we do not "line up" or
"measure" that which comes into our lives based upon a standard (which is His
kingdom and His righteousness) that which we thought was "okay" ends up
becoming a terrible impediment. Jesus tells us in a parallel passage in Luke
11:35 to make sure that the "light" in you is not really "darkness." (We are
responsible and commanded to discern for ourselves by Jesus!!! See also
Luke 12:57)
Everything is to be measured by a standard. And if we are to have a "single"
life unto Him then that standard is not us or the world or family or friends or the
most current polls or surveys or even "the church," - but His Kingdom and His
righteousness as revealed in His Word. The God-ordained standard is His
self-disclosure in Holy Scripture. It is our responsibility to take the standard
and to then measure what comes "into us" in such a way that we are lining up
everything into categories; is it true or not, does it further enhance my passion
for Him or not, is it according to His will or not, is it based in "love" as defined
in I Corinthians 13 or not, etc.
This is discernment and it affects and effects us (eye as lamp versus body
as life) as to whether we do it well or not. i.e. To the extent that your
spiritual eye is "single" (discerning that which enters it and sifts it based
on the standard and then embraces or discards it) - to that extent your
life either will have great darkness (which you may think is light since
you didn't discern) or it will be filled with His true "light." And our Lord
Jesus Christ taught it to us in THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT! And it is
NOT someone else's responsibility - it is our individual responsibility! YOU
make sure that the "light" in you is not really darkness. YOU are to make
sure that the light in you is really God's truth from His Word - which is
true light! Because "lies" can come "into us" disguised as "truth" if we
are not careful - and they will affect our life.
So the bottom line is: you are to discern because your actually and truly living
unto Him is at stake! Not whether you "think" you are but whether you really
are based through the "eye being single" (discerning) the "light" (kingdom)
standard. This is profound - and it is what Jesus Himself taught. (Please take
special note: The Matthew 6 text where Jesus taught us this principle comes
immediately before Matthew 7:1. This is the often quoted and yet often
completely misunderstood and misapplied "judge not lest you be judged.")
TRUE DISCERNMENT ENHANCES GODLY CONFIDENCE
According to I Corinthians 2:13-15 the "spiritual" man discerns all things yet he
is not discerned by anyone. We must keep this within context. They are
"discerning" because they are concerned about the thoughts of God which are
expressed in words. (verse 13) And they are not judged by human opinion
because they have already given themselves to a higher judge - God himself.
If you will notice in another text (II Corinthians 4:1-5) Paul articulates this truth
about the reality of he himself being examined by the Lord and his not being
conscious of anything against himself. We must always leave room for the
final judgement of God in any matters in this text. And please note one
important point: it is only God's final judgment that can disclose the issue of
the heart. In other words - the true motive of anything. So - if we are
"spiritual" - we judge ourselves - we judge teachings - we judge outward
behaviors - but we can never truly judge motives in others and we have to
consciously do it even for ourselves (because we are prone to sin).
DISCERNMENT CAN KEEP US FROM UNCONSCIOUS YET CULPABLE
SINNING
According to II John 8-11 (See terms & text for reference) we may actually
participate in wickedness if we are not discerning. (This text may be one of
the most overlooked text in Christendom today - and it is having spiritually
deadly effects.) The text tells us that we can participate in someone else's
wickedness through "support" and the wickedness described is not "moral" but
"didactic." The people described go beyond the teaching of Christ. They
cannot nor will not stay within the framework of the truths of Scripture. And if
anyone helps them in any way - then they are actually helping them and
participating with them in this "teaching" wickedness! So if we buy a
"Christian" book and it ends up being the book of a heretic - we have to a
degree participated with that heretic in his evil teaching by lending him our
monetary support! And you and I are responsible for the knowing and doing!
And the Apostle John was made responsible for the telling (inspiration of the
Holy Spirit) and the preacher in preaching the truth and us in obeying the truth
because it is Holy Scripture and we are under its' authority.
So we discern so that we won't be judged as participating in wickedness.
Make sure you caught this. We judge correctly and act accordingly so that we
won't be judged as participating in their wickedness!!! Unfortunately, in our
day and age, the proliferation of "Christian" books, television ministries, and
our own general "willingness to give" may be actually placing a greater
judgment upon us and because of our lack of Scriptural understanding we
don't even know it! You should know what your Christian support is "actually"
supporting! You know it! And what you really should know about the current
"seed-faith" teachings is that if we sew our seed to a heretic or a false teacher
or a false prophet - then we are going to reap that reward since God is not
mocked (Galatians 6:7) and we have disobeyed the clear teachings of this
Scripture in II John 8-11.
OUR DISCERNMENT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO OUR JUDGMENT BY
JESUS CHRIST
According to II Corinthians 5:10 we should discern because we will each have
to give an account to Jesus Christ at His judgment seat. Jesus Christ Himself
will "discern" if our deeds are good or bad. (You should do a study of all the
Scriptural teachings upon the subject "judge" so you will be most soundly
informed.)
But simply asked: what is the basis of His judgment? Will it be us telling him:
well I thought that....or....my brother wanted me to....or...it just happened by
accident...or...my pastor told me that..or...it was easier to...? We should not
be surprised when we find that He will judge us out of our own words but
based in His standard! Do not fear what your answer will be someday!
Instead, right now, fear God who told us to love, fear, enjoy, suffer for and
obey Him and gave us the standard of judgment beforehand and the very
reason why we should be concerned and discern! (Refer to I Peter 1:13-21;
Hebrews 12:14-29; John 12:44-50)
Copyright 2006 David Sheldon all rights reserved.
Our English word "discern" means "to separate" or "to distinguish between"
and comes from Latin "to sift apart." Now the thing that we first of all need to
understand about "discernment" is that EVERYONE does it in some way. We
have learned to "discern" whether we like or dislike the taste of apples or
oranges or broccoli. We have "sifted apart" our food likes and dislikes into
these "categories." i.e. Tastes good verses tastes bad. In this instance they
are personal but yet there is an acknowledged corporate "okay" with your
decision because we all have different "tastes." We have learned to discern
whether we are "morning people" or "night people" by "distinguishing between"
when we personally can get the "most things done" versus when we are
"non-productive." Since this is personal and individual it once again normally
receives a corporate "okay."
But when it comes to teaching and knowledge of God and obedience to Him
and our Christian character and witness we also need to discern. Why? The
Scriptures give us many basic principles for discernment and reasons why we
are to discern. Below is a general list with Scriptural references. I am
providing them with a title and in what I believe to be a generally godly order or
pattern.
THE GLORY OF HIS HOLY NAME THROUGH OUR INDIVIDUAL CHOICES
According to Ezekiel 22:26 (See terms & text for reference: this text speaks of
"distinguishing" between holy things and profane things), unless we discern we
will profane His name in the midst of the people. Make sure you catch that -
we will profane His name - not simply internally or before Him alone - but in the
midst of them. People will be helped or hindered in understanding the name of
God (His deeds and character) based on how well we "discern" and act upon
our discernment. This is quite visible and it is why the "worldly" brand of
Christianity so prevalent in our day and age should be constantly rejected - it
does not reflect the HOLINESS of God.
OUR CLEARLY IDENTIFYING WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD IN OUR CHOICES
According to I John 4:4-6 (See terms & text for reference) we can know the
"spirit of truth" versus "the spirit of error" by whether or not we listen to the
apostles "words" (teachings). Our proof in knowing God is because we
participate with the people of God in the truth. The category of discernment in
the text is "truth" versus "error" - not "loving" versus "unloving" or "popular"
versus "unpopular," etc. (We are to be loving as we discern, mind you.) If you
remember back to chapter 1 of I John he mentions the fact that the apostles
made known the truth of what they had seen, felt, etc. This was so that then
the people to whom he was communicating could have "fellowship" with them.
Notice the order: first truth, then fellowship. Fellowship is to always follow after
the truth and not vice versa. When truth is at stake - fellowship is temporarily
place upon the back-burner. This is why all calls of unity - even "based" in
Scripture - are to fall on the heals of a call to truth.
The perfect example of this is Jesus High Priestly prayer in John 17. He does
not pray simply that we Christians are to be one. He prays that we are one as
He and the Father are one and that we are set apart both individually and
corporately in the TRUTH OF THE WORD! The focus of oneness is not
oneness - the focus of our oneness is God and His truth. This focus of
oneness upon truth can also be seen in Ephesians 4:1-16 where the
command for oneness in Spirit is clearly based in the "unity of the faith," the
"one faith, one Lord, one baptism" the "no longer carried about by every wind
of doctrine," and "the speaking of truth in love."
OUR ABILITY TO HELP A WANDERING BROTHER OR SISTER
According to James 5:19,20 (See terms & text for reference) we may help
someone else by being discerning. The text tells us that we help someone by
"turning them back" or "turning them around" from their wandering path. The
path they are returned unto is the path of truth. This entire process of
obedience on our part takes a discerning of the persons walk with God based
on outward actions (either obviously ungodly or a lacking of a godly walk).
And there are benefits that result if you will notice the end of the text. Telling
people the objective truth of the Word of God when you see they are
wandering away and they are receptive to it is always the most loving thing to
do and should be done with an appropriate and godly character. (Sometimes
we may find that God even uses us to tell people things when they are not
receptive. But this is usually something we learn in maturity.)
OUR EFFECTIVENESS IN UNDERSTANDING AND WALKING WITH GOD
According to Matthew 6:22-23 (See terms & text for reference), the "eye" of
our hearts is to be "single" upon the "righteousness" of His kingdom (verse
33.) (Jesus is relating the physical to the spiritual.) If we do not "line up" or
"measure" that which comes into our lives based upon a standard (which is His
kingdom and His righteousness) that which we thought was "okay" ends up
becoming a terrible impediment. Jesus tells us in a parallel passage in Luke
11:35 to make sure that the "light" in you is not really "darkness." (We are
responsible and commanded to discern for ourselves by Jesus!!! See also
Luke 12:57)
Everything is to be measured by a standard. And if we are to have a "single"
life unto Him then that standard is not us or the world or family or friends or the
most current polls or surveys or even "the church," - but His Kingdom and His
righteousness as revealed in His Word. The God-ordained standard is His
self-disclosure in Holy Scripture. It is our responsibility to take the standard
and to then measure what comes "into us" in such a way that we are lining up
everything into categories; is it true or not, does it further enhance my passion
for Him or not, is it according to His will or not, is it based in "love" as defined
in I Corinthians 13 or not, etc.
This is discernment and it affects and effects us (eye as lamp versus body
as life) as to whether we do it well or not. i.e. To the extent that your
spiritual eye is "single" (discerning that which enters it and sifts it based
on the standard and then embraces or discards it) - to that extent your
life either will have great darkness (which you may think is light since
you didn't discern) or it will be filled with His true "light." And our Lord
Jesus Christ taught it to us in THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT! And it is
NOT someone else's responsibility - it is our individual responsibility! YOU
make sure that the "light" in you is not really darkness. YOU are to make
sure that the light in you is really God's truth from His Word - which is
true light! Because "lies" can come "into us" disguised as "truth" if we
are not careful - and they will affect our life.
So the bottom line is: you are to discern because your actually and truly living
unto Him is at stake! Not whether you "think" you are but whether you really
are based through the "eye being single" (discerning) the "light" (kingdom)
standard. This is profound - and it is what Jesus Himself taught. (Please take
special note: The Matthew 6 text where Jesus taught us this principle comes
immediately before Matthew 7:1. This is the often quoted and yet often
completely misunderstood and misapplied "judge not lest you be judged.")
TRUE DISCERNMENT ENHANCES GODLY CONFIDENCE
According to I Corinthians 2:13-15 the "spiritual" man discerns all things yet he
is not discerned by anyone. We must keep this within context. They are
"discerning" because they are concerned about the thoughts of God which are
expressed in words. (verse 13) And they are not judged by human opinion
because they have already given themselves to a higher judge - God himself.
If you will notice in another text (II Corinthians 4:1-5) Paul articulates this truth
about the reality of he himself being examined by the Lord and his not being
conscious of anything against himself. We must always leave room for the
final judgement of God in any matters in this text. And please note one
important point: it is only God's final judgment that can disclose the issue of
the heart. In other words - the true motive of anything. So - if we are
"spiritual" - we judge ourselves - we judge teachings - we judge outward
behaviors - but we can never truly judge motives in others and we have to
consciously do it even for ourselves (because we are prone to sin).
DISCERNMENT CAN KEEP US FROM UNCONSCIOUS YET CULPABLE
SINNING
According to II John 8-11 (See terms & text for reference) we may actually
participate in wickedness if we are not discerning. (This text may be one of
the most overlooked text in Christendom today - and it is having spiritually
deadly effects.) The text tells us that we can participate in someone else's
wickedness through "support" and the wickedness described is not "moral" but
"didactic." The people described go beyond the teaching of Christ. They
cannot nor will not stay within the framework of the truths of Scripture. And if
anyone helps them in any way - then they are actually helping them and
participating with them in this "teaching" wickedness! So if we buy a
"Christian" book and it ends up being the book of a heretic - we have to a
degree participated with that heretic in his evil teaching by lending him our
monetary support! And you and I are responsible for the knowing and doing!
And the Apostle John was made responsible for the telling (inspiration of the
Holy Spirit) and the preacher in preaching the truth and us in obeying the truth
because it is Holy Scripture and we are under its' authority.
So we discern so that we won't be judged as participating in wickedness.
Make sure you caught this. We judge correctly and act accordingly so that we
won't be judged as participating in their wickedness!!! Unfortunately, in our
day and age, the proliferation of "Christian" books, television ministries, and
our own general "willingness to give" may be actually placing a greater
judgment upon us and because of our lack of Scriptural understanding we
don't even know it! You should know what your Christian support is "actually"
supporting! You know it! And what you really should know about the current
"seed-faith" teachings is that if we sew our seed to a heretic or a false teacher
or a false prophet - then we are going to reap that reward since God is not
mocked (Galatians 6:7) and we have disobeyed the clear teachings of this
Scripture in II John 8-11.
OUR DISCERNMENT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO OUR JUDGMENT BY
JESUS CHRIST
According to II Corinthians 5:10 we should discern because we will each have
to give an account to Jesus Christ at His judgment seat. Jesus Christ Himself
will "discern" if our deeds are good or bad. (You should do a study of all the
Scriptural teachings upon the subject "judge" so you will be most soundly
informed.)
But simply asked: what is the basis of His judgment? Will it be us telling him:
well I thought that....or....my brother wanted me to....or...it just happened by
accident...or...my pastor told me that..or...it was easier to...? We should not
be surprised when we find that He will judge us out of our own words but
based in His standard! Do not fear what your answer will be someday!
Instead, right now, fear God who told us to love, fear, enjoy, suffer for and
obey Him and gave us the standard of judgment beforehand and the very
reason why we should be concerned and discern! (Refer to I Peter 1:13-21;
Hebrews 12:14-29; John 12:44-50)
Copyright 2006 David Sheldon all rights reserved.
| All rights reserved. |
HOME
Discernment
Rick Warren
Forty Days: False Gospel
Forty Days: A Closer Look
Forty Days: Which Jesus?
PDL: God's Wisdom
PDL: Exalting the Fallen Creation
PDL: A Purpose-Shaped
Worldview
Antichrist
Will Antichrist Be Revealed
Before the Tribulation?
The Great Harlot
"Mystery" Babylon
"Emerging" Church
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 1
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 2
Church Growth Movement
Schuller, Hybels & Warren
Review of Schuller's "Self-Esteem"
False Apostles, False
Prophets, False Revival
River of Seducing Spirits
Spiritual Warfare Script
Deception of Spiritual Warfare
Flags & Banners...Spiritual Power
Tools?
Davidic Warfare/Worship?
Jesus of the "Signs" Now the
"Christ" of Apostolic Government
Mystical Christianity?
Tenney's Mystical Deity Chase
Richard Foster: Quaker Mystic?
Willard and "The Way of Jesus"
What Oswald Chambers
Might Have Thought About
Todays "Christianity"
Discernment
Rick Warren
Forty Days: False Gospel
Forty Days: A Closer Look
Forty Days: Which Jesus?
PDL: God's Wisdom
PDL: Exalting the Fallen Creation
PDL: A Purpose-Shaped
Worldview
Antichrist
Will Antichrist Be Revealed
Before the Tribulation?
The Great Harlot
"Mystery" Babylon
"Emerging" Church
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 1
Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell - Part 2
Church Growth Movement
Schuller, Hybels & Warren
Review of Schuller's "Self-Esteem"
False Apostles, False
Prophets, False Revival
River of Seducing Spirits
Spiritual Warfare Script
Deception of Spiritual Warfare
Flags & Banners...Spiritual Power
Tools?
Davidic Warfare/Worship?
Jesus of the "Signs" Now the
"Christ" of Apostolic Government
Mystical Christianity?
Tenney's Mystical Deity Chase
Richard Foster: Quaker Mystic?
Willard and "The Way of Jesus"
What Oswald Chambers
Might Have Thought About
Todays "Christianity"