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Discernment

Discernment - It's meaning

Diakrisis, (dee-ak'-ree-sis) a distinguishing, discerning, judging, examining.

To judge or discern between what is good and that which is evil, that which is true and that which is error. Hebrews 5:13-14, 1 John 4:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Charles Spurgeon once said "Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right."

Tim Challies describes discernment as "Discernment is the skill of understanding and applying God's Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong."

The enemy of Christ and His church (we who have come to true saving faith in Christ) is Satan. He is the father of lies John 8:44. A Christian must be prepared for his schemes. Ephesians 6:11-13, 1 Peter 5:8 And Satan uses men and women (false teachers) to propagate his lies. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14

We must learn discernment so that we're not tossed about with every 'new' doctrine or teaching that comes along. Ephesians 4:14-15

This takes time and work to know the truth. The Lord commands us to "Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you" - Colossians 3:16. If we don't know God's word we will be susceptible to false teachers.

Are we:

Reading God's Word?
Under the preaching ministry of a true bible based church?
Studying the Word for ourselves?
Obeying God's word?
Praying for God's wisdom?
Seeking council of other more mature believers when in doubt of something?

Are we examining what someone is teaching about salvation (The Gospel)? Galatians 1:8-9

Do we know our Bible well enough to know when someone is teaching something that is contrary to it? 2 Timothy 2:15.

Do we know who is a false teacher?

View the following websites that warn of false teaching and why you should beware of them.

et al.