DISCERNMENT FROM GOD'S WORD IS CRITICAL TODAY !

As I look out from my life into the craziness of the world today it has never been more clear that “Discernment” of the Truth is critically important to navigate the times we are in ! There are a multitude of information sources out there today spouting rhetoric, viewpoints, and frankly lies and false data to influence a desired result. Just exactly what that result is to be is very murky and unclear. We see it in the media, governmental pressure and edicts, and even from Church Pulpits. How are we as followers of Christ to sift through this overflow of commentary and conjecture ? We gain Discernment and Truth through GOD’S WORD” ! Discernment is defined in the dictionary as “ the ability to judge well “. Scripture takes the meaning of discernment to a much deeper level.

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND, THAT BY TESTING YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, WHAT IS GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT. Romans 12:2

THE NATURAL PERSON DOES NOT ACCEPT THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, FOR THEY ARE FOLLY TO HIM, AND HE IS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED. 1 Corinthians 2:14

BUT TEST EVERYTHING; HOLD FAST WHAT IS GOOD. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE TAKES YOU CAPTIVE BY PHILOSOPHY AND EMPTY DECEIT, ACCORDING TO HUMAN TRADITION, ACCORDING TO THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS OF THE WORLD, AND NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST. Colossians 2:8

There is a lot going on in our lives today. Many of the circumstances we are facing are new, and they are requiring some very important decisions. These decisions can also effect our lives in a multitude of ways. Health, Jobs, Finances, Shelter, Mental State, Family, Education….Survival ! These choices will have LONG TERM IMPACT and one best be making the CORRECT CHOICES AND DECISIONS. God makes it clear in His Word that we are to TEST our thinking on things in a manner that GOD would find good, acceptable and perfect to HIM. Our discernment doesn’t come from the philosophy, and natural thoughts and reactions of men. Discernment is SPIRITUAL, and it all finds it’s center in JESUS. Jesus made it clear that our focus was to be on Him. His time on earth was spent making disciples that would take His teaching and understanding out into the world. Men and women would be reborn in Him, dying to their fleshly self and desires. In Him, they would learn to walk in the character, righteousness and holiness of God. Today I see a lot of leaders seeking to CONTROL our thoughts. Don’t worry about testing anything, just do what we tell you. I see leaders NOT ACCEPTING OR FOLLOWING GOD telling us how to live. Telling us what is important. Rejecting God but assuring us that we must follow rules for the good of others…..even if those “rules” make no sense and have no validity or fact. False information, deceit, traditions are all around us, and if you notice, the “rules” are constantly changing. God doesn’t change. His Word and Ways don’t change. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy paint a really clear picture of our Creator God. They provide historical perspective and instruction on how to recognize circumstances and how to deal with them. Wisely ! Start there for a firm foundation of understanding and teaching that will put you on the path to CORRECT DISCERNMENT.

MY SON, IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS AND TREASURE UP MY COMMANDMENTS WITH YOU, MAKING YOUR EAR ATTENTIVE TO WISDOM AND INCLINING YOUR HEART TO UNDERSTANDING; YES, IF YOU CALL OUT FOR INSIGHT AND RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING, IF YOU SEEK IT LIKE SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURES, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEdGE OF GOD. Proverbs 2:1-5

TEACH ME GOOD JUDGEMENT AND KNOWLEDGE, FOR I BELIEVE IN YOUR COMMANDMENTS. Psalm 119:66

BUT THE ANOINTING THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM HIM ABIDES IN YOU, AND YOU HAVE NO NEED THAT ANYONE SHOULD TEACH YOU. BUT AS HIS ANOINTING TEACHES YOU ABOUT EVERYTHING, AND IS TRUE , AND IS NO ;IE-JUST AS IT HAS TAUGHT YOU, ABIDE IN HIM. 1 John 2:27

All Truth is in Jesus. Abide in Him and He will teach you Truth. Your discernment comes from your focus and relationship with Him and from the Words He Speaks to us. They have been around a long time. That doesn’t make them old or out of date. IT MAKES THEM FOUNDATIONAL AND TRUSTWORTHY. Read Scripture. Test it in your heart and mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. The days are getting more and more difficult. The choices and paths are becoming more defined and critical. SEEK GOD, SEEK HIS KINGDOM ! I pray for all to be blessed in the discernment that can only come from God Himself ! SHALOM/PEACE/JAA

SANCTIFY THEM IN TRUTH; YOUR WORD IS TRUTH. John 17:17