Amen. @kurtwvs
The apostle Paul (in First Thessalonians 5:21-22) makes it clear that spiritual discernment is the responsibility of every born again Christian. He said, "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."
The apostle John goes right along with those faithful words warning us, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). According to the Bible, spiritual discernment ain't some take-it-or-leave-it kind of luxury that we can simply do without. It's not optional for a spiritually minded believer—it's actually required of us all as we walk in the Spirit.
You already know that failure to properly discern, to accurately differentiate, to clearly distinguish between Bible truth and worldly error will leave a believer subject to all types of false ideas in the mind.. ideas that a person either thought up, or heard spoken somewhere (and perhaps with good intentions).
Error leaves false impressions, so do so called new revelations (false teachers seem to really love tellin' us "new revelations" but remember, if it's new it ain't true (sure, we have the Bible - old revelation, and new illumination from the Word that we can newly apply). But false notions, and poplular false teachings—they'll subsequently lead a person to an unbiblical mindset, to wrong attitudes, to strange beliefs (even if they're so "Cool, sick, hot, dope or.. hip" with the majority) and those in turn will result in unfruitful, disobedient, false livin'.
Man, who among us wants to live a lie? Not me. Not you. That just spells out spiritual compromise for believers ..NOT A GOOD THANG AT ALL.. it should never happen. You know some types of compromise when there's relational disagreement can indeed be good, but not this kind ever. This type only gives the Gospel a black eye so to speak. Such a turn-off to God. It's such sin and hurts God's heart, cuz He knows what we could be in Him, and what we could live like that would be good for us and all those around us. He knows the blessings that would come to many when we simply obey Him by faith. Father knows best.
May I ask a personal question? Do you have an everyday Jesus or a one day a week Jesus? I mean, do you seek Him first to know His will all week long, or merely on Sundays in a church house cuz others around you are doing that? Please allow Christ to lead you and be your 7-day a week Lord. A key aspect for living an uncompromising life spiritually lies in the believer's ability to exercise biblical discernment in every area of his or her life—all week, all year, all decade, all the lifelong.
God the Holy Spirit through the Bible has provided for us all that we'll need to be discerning—God's Word can help us with every issue of life that we'll face. The apostle Peter affirms this telling us that God, "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3).
Discernment—that's the spiritual ability of grace to think biblically about all areas of life when you find yourself in those areas. It's totally indispensable to an uncompromising joyful Christian experience.. when each of us daily are at risk of being "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).
"Faith is the divine evidence whereby the spiritual man discerneth God, and the things of God." ~ John Wesley
"God does not exist to answer our prayers (every time in the affirmative), but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God." ~ Oswald Chambers
The funny thing about those unbelievers around us is that they can quick tell when a Christian is foolish, fake, and undiscerning. Don't ask me how. They are watching us and they can just recognize the fruits, flakes and nuts if ya will.. therefore being discerning gives a good witness to others. It pleases the Lord, for He lived like this.
"The man who thinks he can know the Word of God by mere intellectual study is greatly deceived. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned." ~ Samuel Chadwick
"Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding." ~ Corrie Ten Boom
With all due respect let me say, Pete goes on to explain how such God-given knowledge from His discernment grants, "to us (regenerated believers) His (God's) precious and magnificent promises (found in the Bible)" (2 Peter 1:4). Choose to rep the Lord wisely with His discernment today.
You know, some of the best praying I've ever done came from really short and to the point prayers to God with thanksgiving. Please don't feel like if you are going to stop and pray ..for discernment or for anything.. it will have to be some long and eloquent churchy-sounding type of prayer or the Lord simply won't hear you. That's not how He is.
In a mixed-up world worshipping all kinds of flawed people and stuff, He really does love you and is WAY delighted any day of the week ..to freely give you discernment. You and I are gunna need it. Here's the most important question: Do you know Christ in a personal kinda way as your best Friend? He was and in discerning and wants to live in and through your life. You can know Him relationally. And you can also ask God for discernment as often as you like. ..and while you're at it go LIKE truth at: facebook.com/shareJesus
