BIBLICAL & SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

Why Is This Teaching Important? 2 Biblical and Spiritual discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. Many Christians exhibit little ability to measure the things they are taught against the infallible standard of God's Word, and they find themselves engaging in all kinds of unbiblical decision-making and behavior. We are supposed to arm ourselves and take a decisive, biblical stand against the onslaught of false teachings, unbiblical thinking and attitudes and snares placed before us by an enemy who seeks to deceive us.

Scripture 3 1 st Thessalonians 5:21,22: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV) But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (NASB) We have a responsibility to discern the truth and to avoid any appearance of evil in the world. God does not want us tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14) and misled and deceived by seducing spirits (1 Tim 4:1)

What is Discernment? 4 In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth as it relates to competing philosophies, culture, or events A discerning mind demonstrates wisdom and insight that go beyond what is seen and heard. God s Word is spiritually discerned. To the human mind without the Spirit, the things of God are foolishness (1 st Cor 2:14). The Spirit, then, gives us spiritual discernment.

Land Navigation Story 5 I attended Fort Benning Officer School Training included a land navigation course Requirements: Find six points in 3 hours Use Tools: Map, compass, tools & manual Individual effort to prepare for one day leading others Each soldier to determine his or her own course

Land Navigation Cont d 6 To Successfully Navigate You need the right tools or equipment and to know how to use them (2 Tim 2:15; 2 Cor 4:2) You need to be able to know where you are so that you can orientate yourself (Romans 8:14) Train your senses to the area where you are navigating and look out for obstacles (Hebrews 5:14) Be confident in the compass and your map (Proverbs 3:5,6) Refer to your training manual when you need further explanation and guidance (Psalms 32:8)

First Rule: Orientate Yourself 7 Determine Where You and Where You Want to Go Determine Direction and Distance Important to ensure you are going in the right direction in your spiritual walk or in pursuing your God-given purpose Also, consider the distance and the terrain to include obstacles and ensure that you count the cost of your walk with God There will be weeds and briars along the way

Back to My Story 8 During the Land Navigation Course, I had to find six points in 3 hours To fail meant to be recycled or released from the school As I started the course, I found the first three points without any difficulty successfully using the tools provided to me and carefully discerning the terrain around me

Then All of a Sudden.. 9 A fellow soldier jumped out of the bushes He wore the same uniform as I did, but I could see he wasn t in the same unit He seemed sincere and wanted to help me He asked me where was I going and I showed him on the map my next destination He told me that he knew where that location was and to follow him In a lapse of judgment, seeking an easy way, I followed him (breaking the rules)- I didn t say I was perfect

Realizing My Mistake 10 We ran through the woods looking for the point marker After 30 minutes, the fellow soldier said, Well, I guess I don t know where it is. I have my points, so goodbye. He ran off into the woods, leaving me alone and dis-oriented I was convicted because I allowed myself to be deceived and not followed the rules I was confused and afraid that I only had about 30 minutes to find the other 3 points and complete the course In the midst of confusion, conviction, and fear, I knew I couldn t just give up God was still on the throne

Making the Correction 11 I went back to my last known point of success and began to re-orientate myself I found the next two points and with 15 minutes to go, I was looking for my last point Standing on top of the hill, I called out to God to help me and I ran down the hill in faith I tripped, and rolled down the hill landing in a bed of thorns Ouch! Feeling forsaken, I moaned unto the Lord, God I thought you were going to help me?

Rejoice! 12 I looked up from the bed of thorns and saw the final marker I rejoiced before God and copied the data I needed and made haste to the finish point I made it with only two minutes to spare Several valuable lessons was learned that day

Lessons Learned 13 The enemy, Satan, is always out there to get you off your path He may appear in the same uniform, a wolf in sheep clothing, from within the body of Christ in hopes to deceive, steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10; 2 Cor 11:14) There are some who may be sincere in their teaching and desires to help you, but may be sincerely wrong As Christians, it is essential that we compete according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5)

Lessons Learned 14 When you find yourself disoriented, go back to your last point of success and reorient God has given you His Word, His Spirit, and principles for successful Christian living, be prosperous and in health Abide in His Word, Let His Spirit abide in you; follow the manual Success is in our obedience While the Bed of Thorns may represent the consequences of our disobedience, God is still able to reveal the final point or principle we need to recover ourselves

God s Word and God s Will 15 God reveals His will & His Word to us primarily in two ways: First, through His Spirit: When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come (John 16:13 & 1 John 20,27 Second, God reveals His will through His Word: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalms 119:105) That is why it is critical that we be able to properly discern both

Importance of Biblical Teaching 16 2 nd Chronicles 15: 1-6 And the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded: 2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. 3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. 4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. 6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity. The priests teaching role was vital to the moral and spiritual quality of national life, but when it was neglected, the truth about God declined and the fabric of covenant society was undermined. (Selman)

Biblical Discernment 17 Acts 17:10-12: The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these were more nobleminded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.

The Bible Provides: 18 God s Will or Intent for the Believer Principles for Abundant Living Answers Questions on How we Manage our Relationship with God & One Another How to Overcome and Receive Deliverance God s Plan for Mankind Principles for Living a Christian Life Discipleship A manual for Spiritual Warfare This is why is so important for the believer to understand and discern truth

Trained to Discern 19 Hebrews 5:14 - But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Senses trained: faculty of the mind for perceiving, understanding, judging We must be trained (disciplined) in the area of discernment

Confusing Biblical Accuracy 20 The following criteria are what many people who call themselves Christians are using to test reality and truth today: Experiences, manifestations, feelings, emotions Numbers of followers and people who claim to be saved Signs and wonders, purported miracles (whether real or false) Subjective testimonies How successful and rich a teacher is If a person speaks with authority The atmosphere of a meeting

The Bereans 21 They searched the Scriptures. They investigated what the Word of God said, and how Paul s teaching matched up with it. They also searched the Scriptures daily to find out. It wasn t a one time, quick look. They made it a point of diligent, extended study. By the Way, You won t get there if you only open your book on Sunday or listen to your favorite speaker They received the word with all readiness: Diligently searching the Scriptures didn t make them skeptics, but they rejoiced in the truth of the gospel that Paul preached Don t search or investigate the scriptures just to tear something down. Your heart should be focused on the truth and what it accomplishes for the believer

The Bereans 22 Therefore many of them believed: When the Word of God is taught properly or rightly divided and discerned People believe and when people believe, signs follow Mark 16:17: And these signs shall follow them that believe The received, researched and responded to the word of God that they heard from these teachers. First it says that they, received the word with all readiness. The original word for received means to rush forward with anticipation, expectation, and receptivity. Within their hearts the Bereans had an enthusiasm and a hunger when it came to the word of God. Luke 24:32: And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Lack of the Word 23 Lack of Enthusiasm for the Word leads to a lack of Study of the Word. Lack of Study leads to a lack of hearing. Lack of hearing leads to a lack of Faith. Lack of Faith leads to a lack of victory. Lack of Victory leads to a lack of Witness Lack of Witness leads to a lack of Enthusiasm about hearing the Word.

A Dilemma in the Church 24 Most Christians are not asking questions nor do they seem to be concerned about the consequences related to a lack of biblical discernment. Hebrews 2:1 - For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. Those in the church who do not study the Scriptures for themselves cannot endure (take to heart and live out) sound doctrine (God s instructions). (2 Timothy 3:3) Scripture makes it quite clear that not enduring sound doctrine opens one up to spiritual deception

Study the Scriptures 25 We must study the Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus ( 2 Timothy 3:15). Without exercise of the spiritual disciplines (Meditation of the Word, prayer, fasting, worship), you will not have spiritual discernment

Don t Put Away Teachings 26 Do not quench the Spirit: This means do not despise propheac ucerances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 st Thess 5:19-22 NASB) The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians not to discount or dismiss the Holy Spirit by despising that which was being taught as coming from God (prophecy) Paul instructed them to test everything. For example, if someone preaches or teaches something that he or she claims was inspired by God, we are not to quickly despise it whereby, we will quench the Spirit and possibly miss what God is saying

We Have to Leave Elementary School 27 Hebrews 5:12: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. It is difficult to get to a place of biblical & spiritual discernment if you don t get to a place where you can eat meat Milk, is synonymous with the elementary principles of the oracles of God (vs. 12). These would be considered the basics one learns upon initiation into New Covenant community.

Get Off the Bottle 28 Only partaking in the milk of the elementary principles of the faith stunts spiritual growth and limit discernment Hebrews 2:1 reminds us that we must become accustomed to the Word of God by meditating the Word of God The way we become accustomed is through the practice of engaging the word. This produces the ability to discern good and evil. Discernment comes through training We are failing to grow in the Spirit-led means of discernment devotion to the word of God. This is why discernment is lacking and deception is rampant in the church.

Conclusion 29 The only way to grow in spiritual discernment is: by relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit who indwells every true Christian, and by studying God s Word, the Bible. These two go hand-in-hand This is an ability that will require discipline, dedication, zeal, and practice The reward is greater and the results are blessing

Practical Living Ministry 30 Practical Living Ministry exists to assist individuals, groups, and organizations to operate to their full God-given ability by sharing life changing principles for spiritual growth and development. If this message touched you, please let me hear from you. If you would like to encourage us financially to keep sharing these kind of messages, please go to our donation section on our website at www.practicallivingministry.org If you would like to contact Dr. Jones for a speaking engagement at your church or event concerning biblical leadership, mentoring, and Christian culture. Please contact Pastor Kenneth Jones at kenjones@practicallivingministry.org