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Report Broken Link Contact Us Suggest a Link Report Broken LinkNext page: Discernment – Research Resources
Discernment is the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment.
In Christianity, to discern is
[t]o identify the true nature of of a spirit, doctrine, practice, or group; to distinguish truth from error, extreme error from slight error, the divine from the human and the demonic.
- Source: Robert M. Bowman, Jr., Orthodoxy and Heresy, Baker Book House, 1992, Page 115. [1]
The two main Greek words translated as "discernment" are anakrino, meaning to examine or judge closely, and diakrino, to separate out, to investigate, to examine. [2]
The Bible teaches that all Christians should grow in spiritual discernment.
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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
- Hebrews 5:12-14
Paul told the Thessalonians:
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
While he 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.
In other words, if someone preaches or teaches something that he or she claims was inspired by God, we are not to despise it -- which would result in quenching the Holy Spirit.
However, we are to carefully examine that which is being taught.
Earlier, Luke called the people of Berea -- where Paul and Silas had been sent to preach -- "more noble-minded that those in Thessalonica," because
they received the word with great eagerness, examining [anakrino] the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, along with a number of prominent Greek women and men.
- Acts 17:11-12
Thus the Bereans did not quench the Spirit, but rather tested what was being taught, using Scripture as their guide.
The only way to grow in spiritual discernment is
a) by relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit who indwells every true Christian, and
b) by stuyding God’s Word, the Bible.
These two go hand-in-hand:
The Holy Spirit
One can not expect someone who has just accepted Jesus Christ as his savior to have a full, working knowledge of Biblical theology. The Bible indicates that people come to Jesus because the Holy Spirit draws them and they respond to His invitation.
When someone accepts Jesus Christ, he becomes regenerated (born again - a new person, spiritually). Among other things, he receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which puts him at a great advantage over non-Christians. Paul puts it like this:
11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:
16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct. - 1 Corinthians 2:11-16
The Bible
The Bible provides the standard against which all teachings must be tested:
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hand-in-hand
This reliance both on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and on God's Written Word should keep Christians focused on God.
If Christians were to rely only on their ability to listen to the Holy Spirit, they would leave themselves open to all manner of private teachings and interpretations -- without any rules by which to rest such revelations.
At the same time, it they were to rely only on their own ability to interpret and apply the Scriptures, they would leave no room for God's guidance in revealing to them the riches of his Word.
As Christians our focus should always be on the living God, with whom we have an interactive relationship.
No Christian is an island. There is much to be learned from one another, as we share the wisdom and insights God has revealed to us from His Word, by His Holy Spirit.
Sadly, though, many Christians leave the responsibility for discernment almost completely up to others. Their guidance comes primarily from televangelists, authors (and, more often than not, their ghost writers), their pastors, or their favorite websites.
That's like being spoon-fed by someone else -- marking one as an infant, rather than as a mature Christian:
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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
- Hebrews 5:12-14
By all means, let's learn from one another -- eagerly receiving the word, while also examining everything carefully.
Christians who believe that the Spiritual Gifts are still available today, see the gift of ''distinguishing between spirits'' (discerning whether they are human, from God, or demonic), to be a special form of discernment (revealed, instead of learned):
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
- 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, NASB
Some Christian apologetics and/or countercult organizations describe themselves as discernment ministries.
Discernment includes judging -- a practice many Christians are confused about.
Janet and I, publishers of Apologetics Index, have taught many Christians how to grow in discernment. Among other things, which we will discuss at a later time, we recommend the following books:
] Whether you use it as a devotional or a study guide, either way the book helps you grow in discernment as you learn more and more Scripture.Observation teaches you to see precisely what that passage says. It is the basis for accurate interpretation and correct application. Observation answers the question: What does the passage say?
Interpretation answers the question: What does the passage mean?
Application answers the question: What does it mean to me personally? What truths can I put into practice? What changes should I make in my life?
When you know what God says, what He means, and how to put His truths into practice, you will be equipped for every circumstance of life. Ultimately, the goal of personal Bible study is a transformed life and a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Source: How to Use the Inductive Study Approach, an article in the Inductive Study Bible
Many Christians are disillusioned and frustrated in their Christian life because of works-based legalism. Grace Plus Nothing helps the reader to understand the simplicity and wonder of God's grace and to live each day in God's righteousness. Brief, positive daily readings focus on forgiveness, commitment, and praying with confidence. These and many other topics will encourage the reader to stand in God's grace--plus nothing! And again... examine what you read!
Excerpts of this book are posted on our Grace and Mercy website.
, by by G. Richard Fisher, PFO [Back]Bookmark, Share, Print or EmailJoin us at Google+ |
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