Wednesday, August 13, 2008

What is Discernment and why we need it more then ever

As we stand firm in the faith, upholding the word of God and proclaiming the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to others as well as living fruitful lives to honor His name, it is all believers responsiblility to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Jude 3. This requires being able to discern. So we need to know what discernment is ? Discernment is a process of learning to distinguish between right and wrong. It is a process of learning to distinguish between right and wrong. It is a process of disciplining yur conscience, your mind, and disciplining yourself to study the word of God. Knowing the difference between right and wrong is a skill that is developed by dilligent study in God's Word. As we grow in our faith we become better at knowing truth from what is false, right from wrong, and what is sin and what is righteousness. So it is important to know the Scriptures so that we are able to discern false teachings and when someone is using a passage of Scripture incorrectly. When we train ourselves to detect right from wrong and actively practice discernment we can avoid the confusion that people often fall into.
The Bible describes discernment this way in Hebrews 5:14 "Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." Discernment is the ability to differentiate between right and wrong, truth and a lie. 1 John 2:21 says: "I am writing to you not because you don't know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and a lie."
Discernment helps you to determine and interpret important issues properly and understand the motives that drive a certain agenda. Common sense is also a factor in the process. Discernment helps you to stand firm in the faith, to make good decisions and helps you keep a good balance in your Christian life. Discernment is always based on God's Word. It is the foundation to which our knowledge of God is known and where our knowledge of right and wrong comes from. God is the source of all truth, and He gives discernment to those who seek it. Proverbs 9:10 " Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgement."
Discernment is not learned overnight, it doesn't just get dumped into your head. It isn't a mystical thing. It is based on knowing who God is from the bible, practicing and obeying what God says. Who God expects us to be as we live the Christian life and how we are to treat others. It also comes through a process of Sancification. How we grow in Christ, and is practiced with a transformed mind. Romans 12:1,2.
We must stand firm in our faith on the word of God. It is the foundation for all discernment and true wisdom. The more you read and study the word, the more discernment you will obtain, and the better you will be at detecting what is false. Discernment will safeguard you from the lies of Satan and keep your feet planted on solid ground. God's source of truth is to be found in His Word. The Holy Spirit is our helper in understanding God's truth.
1 Corinthians 2:12-16 says: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he can not understand them, because they are spirituallly apprasised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."