“My choices, including those related to the day-to-day aspects of life like the use of a modest car, are related to a spiritual discernment that responds to a need that arises from looking at things, at people and from reading the signs of the times. Discernment in the Lord guides me in my way of governing.”
Pope Francis
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 / 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 / Philippians 1:9-11 / Colossians 2:6-10 / 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 / Hebrews 5:12-14 / 1 John 4:1-6
Snapshot
More than any generation before us, we who live in the Cyber Age need discernment: Photo- and video manipulation; poorly-researched “news” and blogs purporting “facts”, even so-called “edu-tainment” and mockumentaries that intentionally present fiction as fact; falsehoods are perpetuated by those who don’t bother to check resources or do even a smidgen of investigation before passing on an article or link… we’ve all had first-hand experience in such things. I have seen a gross lack of discernment (which, like any muscle, must be exercised to become strong) growing in the past few years especially, and it results in a generation of the Misinformed. It’s harmless when it’s only a trivial topic; but when it forms political, global and social opinions founded on misinformation, let the world beware.
Discernment is a running theme throughout the Bible; whether the actual word discern is used, or implicative words such as wisdom, heed instruction, test everything (1 John 4:1-6), or recognizing right from wrong, the meanings boil down to the application of discernment. The Bible warns us that we can be led astray (Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:14). 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 tells us that, if we are followers of Christ, we are given the Holy Spirit to help us understand spiritual truths; without the spirit truth seems foolish; as spiritually discerning we are to make judgements about all things (to weigh, to consider, to make a clear decision about); it also tells us that as Christians we are not “subject to man’s judgement” (i.e. we should not base our actions or inactions on, or be dictated to by, the opinion of unbelievers). We should not “go with the flow”, because it’s going downhill!
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 warns believers to be on guard – to be discerning and spiritually alert – even within our own ranks. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve heard half-baked theological messages from a pulpit, or the human tendency to take a single idea and run with it. Many “doctrines “ in some churches today are unsound biblically: The “name it and claim it (blab it and grab it)” pseudo-doctrine pushed by some prominent preachers in America is little short of witchcraft; by that I mean that such doctrines purport that by saying the right formula, by conjuring “enough” faith, a human can presume to manipulate or force a higher power to do their bidding. There is NO solid biblical foundation for such hogwash! The fact is, Christians are called to suffer, to persevere, to endure, and yet be blessed in that process – not drive Mercedes in a peaceful, healthy, trouble-free existence and otherwise you don’t have enough faith! This is an example of the passage in 2 Corinthians 11; it’s an example of a gross lack of discernment on the part of a large following of believers that have bought into the pseudo-theologies of teachers like Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen. Now I know I may step on a few toes by naming names, but in my opinion, if it wakes people up and makes them reconsider blindly following such men and their brand of religion, then so be it. Use discernment.
Philippians 1:9-11 tells us that through intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (that “love” that “abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight”) we will be able to discern what is best, to be pure and blameless. Colossians 2:6-10 says that if we stay rooted and built up in Christ (in our relationship with him – by regularly speaking with him, and by reading the Word of God, John 1:1), we’ll be better-equipped to avoid being caught in “hollow and deceptive philosophies which depends on human tradition and the principles of the world rather than on Christ.” That includes all forms of religion. Structures such as liturgies are good and helpful as long as they serve to draw us to a closer understanding of and a deeper relationship with Christ; but when formula begins to replace friendship, it’s crossed the line to become “hollow and deceptive”.
How can we “warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak and be patient” (1 Thessalonians 5:14-22) if we have no discernment? We must first be able to recognize idleness, timidity, weakness and those things that strain our patience with others before we can comply. Discernment is therefore about getting out of ourselves and being sensitive to the world around us, and what others are dealing with or going through. Vss. 21-22 tells us to test everything. Hold on to what is good and avoid every kind of evil. Again, in order to do so, discernment is required and best exercised in relationship with Christ to be able to see below the temporal human level to the spiritual roots. Hebrews 5:12-14 reinforces this thought: “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained (by knowing the truth of God’s word, vs. 12) themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Portrait: Eliezer of Damascus
In Genesis 24, the chief servant of Abraham – most likely the Eliezer of Damascus mentioned in 15:2 – was given the delicate and important task of choosing a wife for another man. He took ten laden camels’ worth of bridal gifts, which would have turned any woman’s father’s head. He needed discernment and guidance from God, to say the least. So he makes an agreement with God: He explains the parameters of what would convince him of the authenticity of the right woman, yet trusts God to bring it about. He says, “Let her be the right one.” He would know nothing of her character except that by meeting his parameters he could say she would be generous and a hard worker; after all it was no easy thing to water ten thirsty camels! Such an offer would prove her to be worthy of Abraham’s son. God answered his request and gave him discernment in making the marriage contract. The servant, faithful to Abraham, relied on God, and God granted him far more success than he’d hoped for as a result.
Close-Up
In an age of information overload we need discernment more than ever before. Do you practice it? Do you test things you hear or see for validity before believing them or passing them on? If not, as the saying goes, you may be “so open-minded that your brains fall out”! Do not perpetuate falsehoods. Take the time and effort to test, to discern, to apply wisdom; if you don’t, please do us a favour and do not pass untested information or theology on! We all slip occasionally, but let us make every effort to stop the flow of falsehood and raise the standard of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Candle & Quill 