The Practice of Discernment
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Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Introduction
Introduction
This morning, I want to draw our brief look at Spiritual Discernment to a close.
This has been a brief study on a very important subject.
Spiritual Discernment is a seriously needed quality in our day.
And while it is true that there are those who are particularly gifted with the Spiritual gifting of discernment, there is an urgent need for all who love Christ to be sharpening their own discernment skills.
It is essential that we develop a discerning ear for doctrinal accuracy.
We need to be sure that what we believe and hold to, and what those who we listen to are teaching is aligned with Scripture.
A sound view and interpretation of Scripture is thus essential in this act of discernment.
This morning, as we close off this short series, I want to use this as a practical call to each of us to exercise discernment.
[[The main headings in what I say this morning are taken from Tim Challies’ book “the Discipline of Spiritual Discernment” - I’d encourage you to read that book if you are able to get hold of a copy.]]
We’re going to look at this subject this morning under 3 main headings:
The Commitments for Discernment
The Character of Discernment
The Clarity Required in Discernment
1. The Commitments for Discernment
1. The Commitments for Discernment
When we began this study on spiritual discernment, we looked at Proverbs 2, a passage which has a father’s exhortations to gain wisdom and understanding.
I’m going to just turn our attention back to the first 5 verses of Proverbs 2, and draw some important aspects in terms of our commitments towards discernment.
Proverbs 2 has this father speaking to his son, giving a number of “If” and “Then” statements.
In other words, the writer of the Proverbs explains to his son that if he will do certain things, then there is an expected or anticipated result that will flow out of this.
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
With these words in mind, let us consider 3 truths that flow out of this text in terms of what our commitments should be regarding discernment.
1.1. Pursue Discernment
1.1. Pursue Discernment
Firstly, we are to pursue discernment.
As believers, we are to be taking active steps towards gaining discernment in our faith.
In verse 1, the writer of these proverbs says to his son...
1 My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
There are multiple words in those verses that speak about the actions that we are to take in our pursuit of wisdom.
We are to accept / receive the words of the wise counselor.
We are to store up the commands of God.
We are to turn our ear to wisdom
We are to apply our heart to understanding.
In all of these instructions, there is a definitive emphasis on the action that we are to take, the diligent work that we are to be engaging in if we are to obtain wisdom, or find the knowledge of God.
We live in a time where more than ever, people have things so much easier, and with less effort.
It’s like the world is geared towards making life easier for ourselves.
And while I must say, I love some of the benefits of a world that’s just a little bit easier to live in, the downside is that people tend to become a whole lot lazier.
If there is one thing that the Christian life cannot be, it is a life of laziness.
4 Lazy hands make a man poor,
but diligent hands bring wealth.
24 Diligent hands will rule,
but laziness ends in slave labor.
We learn from Scripture that in the physical world, laziness will lead to poverty, while diligence will lead to reward.
That’s God’s economy… as a general principle of life.
Well the same is true of our spiritual lives.
If we are lazy in our spiritual lives, then we will live spiritual lives that impoverished.
If we are lazy in our pursuit of wisdom, knowledge, godliness, the fruit of the Spirit - then we must realise that we will not obtain it.
Proverbs 13:4 says...
4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing,
but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.
We may crave spiritual growth.
We may crave wisdom.
We may crave discernment, godliness, etc....
Craving after something does very little to actually obtaining it.
Only when we become diligent in our pursuit of this discernment and understanding, will we actually begin to see that we are moving towards obtaining the desires of our hearts.
As Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, he exhorted Timothy to be very diligent in matters concerning his life and doctrine.
Listen carefully to the seriousness of the exhortation from Paul...
Firstly, in 4:13, Paul says this:
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Notice how Timothy was told that he was to watch his life and doctrine, and how he was exhorted to be devoting himself to this task.
He was told that he needs to be diligent in these matters.
He was told that he needed to give himself wholly to them.
Not only that, but he was told that by doing this, and by persevering in these things, he would save himself and his hearers...
I wonder if you get a sense of the importance of the task?
“Well,” you might argue, “I’m not a Timothy that has been given the gift of preaching and teaching.”
That may be true, but that doesn’t exclude you from the multiple commands in Scripture to pursue a knowledge of God, and growth in your own salvation.
The fact is, as children of God, and as those who have come to know God, we are to diligently pursue our knowledge of Him.
The writer to the Hebrews rebuked his audience for their slowness to learn.
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
As Christians, discernment is critical, as it forms a fundamental part of this growth in maturity.
We are called to pursue discernment.
We are called to pursue a deeper, and a more accurate knowledge of God.
We are to engage in that with all diligence.
1.2. Desire Discernment
1.2. Desire Discernment
Notice further, however, that we are not merely to pursue discernment, but we are to desire discernment.
4 and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
I don’t really need to explain this concept in too much detail...
I think we all intrinsically know the value of Gold and silver.
We all understand the idea of searching for hidden treasures.
In the physical world, this is quite obvious - if you know of the treasure that is hidden somewhere, you’re going to look for it! You’re going to search for it.
“We must value it as being much greater and much nobler than any amount of wealth.”
This was what Solomon did.
When God offered Solomon any desire of his heart, Solomon didn’t ask for wealth and riches.
Rather, Solomon recognised that if he was going to lead this great nation Israel, his greatest need was a wise and discerning heart.
7 “Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8 Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
We know well, that because Solomon asked for wisdom rather than riches, God was pleased to bless Him with this wisdom.
Friends, we must come to the realisation that we are as much in need of wisdom in this world as Solomon was.
We may not need to lead a great people.
We may not have the kind of responsibility in terms of the lives of others that Solomon had.
But we do live in a sin-cursed world.
We live in a world in which Satan is actively at work to bring deceit.
There is a spiritual battle on the go that at it’s core wants to lead us away from God, and from the true knowledge of God.
We have an urgent need for a true knowledge and understanding of God.
We should thus desire discernment.
In our Bible Study this past week, we looked at 1 Peter 2:1-3, where Peter writes...
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The spiritual milk that Peter speaks of there is a knowledge of God through His word.
We as Christians are to be craving this knowledge of God, now that we have tasted that the Lord is good.
We know that He has given us a beautiful and wonderful salvation.
We’ve tasted something of His love, and His mercy towards undeserving sinners.
We now realise the great price that was paid in order for us to be reconciled to God.
And so we must crave a deeper knowledge and understanding of God, and who He is.
1.3. Pray for Discernment
1.3. Pray for Discernment
Thirdly and finally in terms of this commitment to discernment, we are to pray for discernment.
3 and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
As part of our commitment to pursuing discernment, a deeper knowledge of God, we must be crying out to God that He would give us insight into these important spiritual matters.
We are to cry aloud for this understanding.
Prayer is that great demonstration of our humility before God.
We do not come to God in order to coerce Him into doing something for us.
We come before God in prayer because we know that without His divine power at work in us, we are weak and unable to come to an understanding and knowledge of the truth.
Without His divine revelation of His words to us (the Scriptures) we remain blinded by the deceitfulness of our own hearts.
4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
The Psalmist prayed in Psalm 119:18:
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
Then he prayed it from the negative perspective...
19 I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
God is able to open our eyes to see, and He is able to close our eyes, so that we are unable to see.
2 Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them:
Your eyes have seen all that the Lord did in Egypt to Pharaoh, to all his officials and to all his land. 3 With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders. 4 But to this day the Lord has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear.
The Israelites had seen...
They watched the wonders and the miracles being performed in Egypt...
But they still didn’t understand; they didn’t see; they didn’t hear God.
When Simon Peter made his great confession that Jesus was the Christ, Jesus’ words to him were these...
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.
14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Friends, we need to be praying that God would give us open eyes to see.
There are beautiful truths concerning this eternal God, that would fill our hearts with wonder and awe, and gratitude, and overflowing joy…
We need to pray that God would be able to discern these truths… not the truths that our itching ears want to hear, but the truths that we need to hear from God’s word.
Our prayer for ourselves should be the same as the one that Paul prayed for the Philippian believers...
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
2. The Character for Discernment
2. The Character for Discernment
We have considered the commitment to discernment - the fact that we as Christians are to commit ourselves to know the truth, not merely to receive anything and everything that is presented to us that claims to be from God...
But we must now consider the character for discernment.
This is so essential for us as we consider how to carry out this act of discernment.
Very often what happens when we begin to exercise discernment, is that there is a real harshness and confrontational manner about Christians.
Todd Friel writes this in a recent article:
Countless discernment ministries/blogs/radio programs make their stock in trade by doing the very opposite they purport to do. These so-called watchmen on the wall have one rule and one rule only: if I disagree with you on any issue, you are a false teacher and I am going to hammer you without an ounce of grace or love.
These self-proclaimed “guardians of the truth” inevitably form circular firing squads that indiscriminately fire at foes and friends alike. Nobody is safe from the slings and arrows of bad discernment ministries.
This perpetually perturbed bunch is apparently unaware that there are rules of discernment. If Christians are to be good discerners, we need to understand the rules of engagement.
As we engage in this task of discernment, we are to do so all the while demonstrating the character of Christ.
As we approach those with whom we differ on particular subjects, we need to remember that of greatest significance is how we ourselves are protraying Christ to them.
As such, consider these three key character traits that are to mark us as we practice discernment...
2.1. Humility
2.1. Humility
Firstly, we must be humble.
Discernment begins by us acknowledging our own sinfulness, our own need for grace, and our own need for God to open our eyes, failing which we would never perceive rightly.
As we engage in this act of discerning, which we are called to do, we need to do it by rightly viewing ourselves and our own nature before the Holy God we serve.
2 Has not my hand made all these things,
and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord.
“This is the one I esteem:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and trembles at my word.
Elsewhere the prophet Isaiah speaks about mankind who had set up idols to worship...
8 Their land is full of idols;
they bow down to the work of their hands,
to what their fingers have made.
9 So man will be brought low
and mankind humbled—
do not forgive them.
10 Go into the rocks,
hide in the ground
from dread of the Lord
and the splendor of his majesty!
11 The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled
and the pride of men brought low;
the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
12 The Lord Almighty has a day in store
for all the proud and lofty,
for all that is exalted
(and they will be humbled),
The context there was idolatry, but we must not lose sight of the fact that the Scriptures speak of many kinds of idols that we as people set up for ourselves in our hearts.
Ezekiel 14:4-5 speaks about idols of the heart…
John Calvin called the heart of man an idol factory… as soon as we find discontentment, we’re looking for something to bring us contentment, and very often that something is not God.
One of our idols is this sense of pride when we understand things more clearly according to the Scriptures.
This is utterly out of place in the Christian life.
As we engage in the act of discernment, we need to do so with humility, both before God, and before other men.
In fact, if we act out of pride, then we really cannot claim to have an accurate knowledge of God… because by our very actions we deny this.
As Paul wrote to Timothy in that passage that we read this morning, he reminded Timothy of the posture that he is to have as he engages with those around him who are opposed to his teaching.
In verse 15 of the text, Paul began by urging Timothy to present himself to God as one approved...
And there were 2 ways that he was to do that...
Firstly - by being one who does not need to be ashamed.
This means that his conduct is such that he has no shame.
He’s not living a sinful lifestyle in ongoing sin.
A little further down, he calls Timothy to...
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
He was to flee the evil desires of youth… live a pure life.
Not engage in the lusts of the flesh.
Secondly - by being one who correctly handles the word of truth.
So there we see that there is a body of truth that is to be proclaimed.... not simply preaching ones own ideas and thoughts.
But when there is one who opposes such words that are taught, words which are based on the correctly handled word of truth, then there is an appropriate manner to respond.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Ongoing quarrels about words (and the law of God) are out of place.
Kindness is to be found in the servant who teaches
Note: All of this can be applied to anyone who is opposed as they proclaim sound teaching. This does not only apply to Timothy, or to teachers… there is not a seperate standard for those who teach, and other Christians.
All Christians are called to be holy.
All Christians are to conduct themselves in a Christ-like manner.
Obviously there is a great emphasis on teachers, because they are at the front lines as it were, and are more visible to people.
But really these apply to everyone.
Kindness is to be found in the servant.
“Not resentful” is in there.
If you know anything about theological “debates”, you know that they can become rather heated, and this can lead to resentment.
According to Scrpiture, this is out of place for the person who is striving to honour Christ.
There should be no resentment.
Pride leads to resentment of others.
Humility leads to a gracious spirit when dealing with other.
2.2. Meekness
2.2. Meekness
Meekness is a further quality that should mark the person who is seeking to exercise discernment, particularly in engaging with an opponent.
In verse 25 of our text, Paul writes to Timothy “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct”
Paul is teaching here that there is to be a meekness about the way in which we are to engage with those who oppose us.
Words that are spoken, should not be spoken in a harsh and condescending manner.
6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
As you engage in discussion with those who would oppose sound doctrine, it really needs to be done with gracious and kind words, with this spirit of meekness.
When Peter addresses women in 1 Peter 3:4, and speaks of what should characterize them, he says this...
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
This gentle (meek) and quiet spirit is what he was talking about there.
And in Matthew 5:5, preaching on the sermon on the mount, Jesus said...
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Friends, if we are to engage in discussions in the exercising of discern, it must always and only be done in a spirit of meekness.
That is not to say that you cannot say things which directly oppose another person, but it is to say that you should not do so with harshness, bitterness, anger...
2.3. Compassion
2.3. Compassion
Thirdly then, in terms of the character of discernment, it should be with compassion.
In verse 25-26 we read...
25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
When we practice discernment, at the root of our endeavors is a spirit of compassion towards those who are perhaps (not always - please don’t assume this) not saved, and have not understood the Gospel.
Our hope is that God will lead those who are led astray by false teachings to a place where they understand the Gospel clearly, or perhaps more clearly.
In the context in which Paul writes to Timothy, he speaks about a person who is opposed to the Gospel of Christ, and is actually teaching a clearly false Gospel.
We must not underestimate the significance of those who would oppose the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
And we must not think that only those outside of those who claim to be Christians oppose the true Gospel.
Opposition to the Gospel comes from any who promote a false Christ, a false hope...
Opposition to the Gospel comes from those who are extremely liberal, allowing anything and everything in terms of how you live your life.
Opposition to the Gospel comes from those who are legalistic in their teaching, claiming that if you fail to follow man-made rules, then you are damned.
Whatever side they fall on, these systems directly oppose the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of the key motivators to discernment by the church is the knowledge that those who promote false teaching, and those who are caught up in false teaching, could be on the pathway to eternal destruction.
And that ought to concern us.
We should be driven by compassion to love these and warn them with gracious words, pleading with them to repent of their sin, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and follow Him as Lord.
When anyone opposes us, we must not begin by taking offense that someone dare to oppose me.
That is pride!
3. The Clarity Required in Discernment
3. The Clarity Required in Discernment
Just in closing, a few points to keep in mind in terms of clarity when exercising discernment.
3.1. Understand the other position
3.1. Understand the other position
Whenever you are exercise discernment, be sure that you properly understand the other persons position.
Don’t jump to conclusions in terms of what they are saying.
Sometimes, similar terminology is used with different meaning.
Before you jump to conclusions, ensure that you understand the position of the person.
13 He who answers before listening—
that is his folly and his shame.
We can never respond to a person when we don’t understand what they are saying.
3.2. Understand the Seriousness of the Issue
3.2. Understand the Seriousness of the Issue
You must distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary doctrinal matters.
Primary Doctrinal issues are those that are essential for salvation - in other words, if you don’t believe them, then you need to question your salvation.
Churches ought to have these core doctrinal matters included in their statements of belief / confession / etc.
D - Deity of Christ
O - Original Sin
C - Canon (Bible)
T - Trinity
R - Resurrection
I - Incarnation
N - New Creation
E - Eschatology
S - Salvation by grace alone through faith alone
Secondary issues are those issues that are not essential for salvation, but are nonetheless important doctrinal matters.
Something like Baptism - infant or believers baptism - would fall under this category.
Due to their importance, a church will need to take a position on these secondary issues.
A disagreement on a secondary issue doesn’t mean one person is saved and another isn’t, but it normally prevents close partnership in ministry activities involving these issues.
For example, our Presbyterian friends and us can join together in pro-life ministry, but we would most likely not plant a church together.
Tertiary issues are those matters which really are not serious doctrinal issues, but there will be differences nonetheless.
These are issues over which Christians can disagree and still maintain close doctrinal fellowship, even in the same church.
A particular view on Eschatology – the order and timing of events at Jesus’ second coming – is a doctrine that’s often considered third tier.
Someone can hold a different eschatological view than mine, yet it doesn’t affect our ability to worship together, work together, or participate in the ordinances together in the same church.
Conclusion
Conclusion
We must discern - we are called to, and it is essential for our own good, for the good of those we love, and for the sake of the church.
We must exercise discernment with the right character and attitude.
We must be careful to clarify.