For useful background reading for this topic, see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following on from our overview of Spiritual Gifts, we are going to hone in on the topic of discernment. Aim to de-mystify the topic, as it\u2019s often seen as the preserve of some class of \u2018super-saints\u2019 or prayer warriors, and we don\u2019t know how to grow in discernment, or even if that\u2019s possible, so end up praying for the \u2018gift of discernment\u2019, which is NOT mentioned in any list of gifts in the New Testament (although training your self in, and exercising, discernment will utilise other faculties which will include spiritual gifts like wisdom and knowledge).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a gift of discernment of spirits, but there are many exhortations in the New Testament for us to train ourselves to discern, assess, approve, even to judge \u2013 not in the sense to condemn (which Jesus tells us not to do Matt. 7:1) but in the sense that we judge what is good to eat and what is not, what is the right thing to do and what is not \u2013 the sort of decisions we make all day long \u2013 and which Jesus tells us that we are to do in Matt. 7:15-20 regarding teachers and spiritual food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jesus gives us the tools in this passage and the surrounding teaching:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
F. B. Meyer: The one test that Jesus proposes is fruit. The nature of a man or doctrine or movement can be rightly estimated only when the results have had time to develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in the meantime, we need to be training ourselves and assessing. Let\u2019s look at the other passage on discernment that I asked you to read, Heb. 5:12-6:2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment<\/strong> trained by constant practice to distinguish<\/strong> good from evil. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cConstant practice\u201d (training, exercise) requires self-discipline 1 Tim. 4:7 (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15) and a mature approach to the Lord\u2019s discipline Heb. 12:11<\/p>\n\n\n\n The teacher has to suit his pace to his scholars. How much we miss because we are such inapt pupils! Milk is food which has passed through another\u2019s digestion.<\/strong> Many cannot get their spiritual nutrition direct from God\u2019s Word, but have to live on what others have obtained and have passed on in speech or book. Seek a first-hand acquaintance with the things of God. We grow by feeding and exercise. We must leave the first principles, as a builder leaves the foundation; he is never so much on it as when farthest above it.<\/p>F. B. Meyer on Hebrews 5:11-6:2<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Go on from the foundations by building on them. Go on to maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Desperate need for \u2018men of Issachar\u2019 (1 Chron. 12:32) Over 300,000 men of war, armed for battle \u2013 but there were just 200 who were \u2018men that had understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God requires us to use our mind and reason and education in matters of faith. As we\u2019ll see later, John challenges us to learn to discern between truth and error, and to identify deceivers and avoid them. This is not presumption but a Scriptural command.<\/p> There is an urgent need for discernment among Christians. In an age of celebrity, some of these \u201csuper-apostles\u201d claim special authority based on divine revelation or \u201canointing\u201d or \u201cprophetic mantle\u201d to validate their teachings. It is a tragic mistake to have a misguided tolerance toward false teaching. Only healthy teaching can result in healthy living.<\/p> Some Christians have not carefully examined their beliefs and consequently accept every new opinion and follow uncritically the guidance of every new teacher. Whereas we should carefully examine what is truth and become firmly grounded in what the Bible teaches.<\/p> The question of who does and who does not speak for God is an issue relevant to every generation. To identify the true from the false, we must examine their message and their moral life and character. (Todd Bentley)<\/p>Quotes from Discernment article: https:\/\/www.cultwatch.com\/discernment.html<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n But be careful of people and websites that seem to have a ministry of heresy hunting. They often pick up just a phrase, or even a word, and say \u201cAh ha! Heresy!\u201d without doing detailed research (who \u201cmake a man an offender for a word\u201d Isa. 29:21). Don\u2019t write things off without research! Discernment is every one\u2019s responsibility. Ezek. 44:23 the priest is to teach so that the people can discern!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be careful with what you read and teachings you listen to, but do you think about what you sing?<\/p>\n\n\n\n