Determining through Discernment

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.

One of the greatest and most important spiritual gifts that is seriously lacking in the body of Christ today is Discernment. This IS that time in history when the need for this gift is at a premium. Oh, how we have been warned of the deception that would come in these end times, yet we continue to render our determinations of character upon the thinnest of evidence. Perhaps it's because our Christian leaders so discourage judgement, yet this is exactly what we NEED to escape the deceptive wiles of the devil's false religious works & teachings. And the Bible gives us plenty of encouragement toward the employing of discernment.

But how can we even begin to go about discerning between a good work from the Lord, and a deceptive “good work” from the devil? We will rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:27), and the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16,17) will verify of what sort the work really is.

There are good works which are spiritually neutral, such as the social services in our area that help poorer people in need. Their work is legitimate, and God approves of helping those in need, but the organization itself is not on the side of one religion or another.

Others may do such works in the name of Jesus, but there is hypocrisy in their lives & doctrine. This is why we need to study the Word of God thoroughly, in order to make the right determination. Initial, superficial observations will often lead us astray;

“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” -John 7:24.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12. Bold type was added for emphasis.

The Word of God is absolutely crucial in determining what type of spirit is working in a person. Again, I'm not addressing those that are neutral in nature, but those that either lead us more deeply into Jesus Christ, or away from Him. Proverbs warns of a deceptive spirit of good intentions;

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

There are several categories I'd like to look at which can be very deceptive, but not in a particular order; one is a deception through GIFTS, a second may come through popularity, a third could involve prophecies or miracles, and a fourth might be a direct response to false teaching.

Everyone loves gifts, and it's a great way to make friends, at least in the short-term. Scripture tells us that every man is friend to him that gives gifts (Proverbs 19:6B), and warns us of the polluting nature of gifts when we need to make right judgements (Deuteronomy 16:19). We would do well to remember that GOD is the giver of all good gifts (James 1:17), and not give undue credit to men. Some have even turned away from Christ in pursuit of the material goods they need. The Bible assures us;

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?... But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” -Matthew 6:31,33.

Yet another way by which multitudes are deceived is through a person's popularity, or celebrity status. When someone is rich, loved, and successful in men's eyes, he might seem to be someone to follow. Many might ASSUME that such a person is being blessed by God, but we must remember that the devil also “blesses” with the wealth of this world, and it primarily belongs to him;

“And the devil, taking him (Jesus) up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.” -Luke 4:5-7. (Jesus) and bold type added for clarity & emphasis.

But a terrible lie has taken hold in our day, where it is accepted without question that genuine Christians will be widely loved and respected; but nothing could be further from the Bible's truth! Jesus was hated for testifying against people's sin, and even those of His home town synagogue (church) tried to kill Him (John 7:7, Luke 4:28,29). He told His disciples that they would be hated like He was (John 15:18,19), and that a servant is NOT above His Lord (Matthew 10:24,25). Jesus was popular for the beneficial miracles He would do, but was rejected as God (Matthew 11:20). Only a false prophet would have all men speaking well of Him (Luke 6:26). The path of destruction is BROAD;

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” -Matthew 7:13,14. Bold type added to emphasize.

Then there are many who will be taken in by by false prophets, and miracles. God warned us about this! He did this in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 13:1-4) as well as the New Testament;

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:24,25.

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” -Revelation 13:13,14.

And Jesus belittles the role of miracles with regard to salvation in Luke 16:31 & in 10:19,20;

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

Of course we know that Jesus is the ONLY way to God the Father (John 14:6), and His is the only NAME given among men by which we MUST be saved (Acts 4:12), yet our enemy the devil will send false teachers to pervert Bible doctrine, deceiving people into following an image of a false Christ that is one of their own imagining. In other words, it is the appeal of the false teaching itself that attracts & turns them. Such teachings will often reject the Bible's instruction directly, but some simply don't give the full counsel of God (Acts 20:27), when we need His EVERY WORD (Matthew 4:4).

Please apply these insights not only to supposed Christian teachers, but to professing followers of the Lord Jesus; I never wanted this to be only for the exposing of false leaders, but in our every day associations with fellow brethren. Of course, the deceit we'll encounter started somewhere. Listen to the stern warnings God has providied in His Word;

“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.” -Acts 20:29-31.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” -Matthew 7:21-23.

Our response to these troubling circumstances is to seek God for discernment. We will pray, test the spirits (1 John 4:1), and search the scriptures ( John 3:21, Acts 17:11) daily. We will study & apply the Word of God until it becomes the foundation (Matthew 7:24,25) of our spiritual “house.” And then with this standard we will warn others (Colossians 1:28), even risking some friendships, if by any means they may yet escape the enemy's deceits, and attain eternal life.

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” - 1 Timothy 4:16.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” -2 Timothy 4:3,4.

“...Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” -from Colossians 1:27,28.

Seeking God for Mercy

“In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.” -Psalm 120:1.

The very essence of the Christian life is due to the mercy of God, and nothing else. God's Word affirms this in Romans 9:14-16 where it reads;

“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.”

Many confuse the concepts of love and mercy, but they are in no way the same thing. Just the thought of having love for someone can bring warm feelings of affection toward them, but to show mercy indicates the guilt of a person who is deserving of punishment. Showing mercy may indicate that the person judging has underlying a loving, compassionate nature, but warm feelings are far suppressed when there is a need for punishment.

Psalm 136 has 26 verses dedicated to the mercy of God, with each verse proclaiming that God's mercy endureth forever. Did you know that many new Bible versions change the word “mercy” to “love” in every verse of Psalm 136? God preserved His Word in the King James Bible, and there is nowhere in scripture that ever declares that God's “love endures forever.” Not even once!

But the Bible does declare that God's mercy is everlasting toward those that fear Him, and that He even has a pity for them, as a father pities His children (Psalm 103:11-18). Yet it is important that we approach God with REVERENCE, petitioning Him according to our standing in grace (Ephesians 2:8,9), as the Bible does indicate...

We need to first understand that mankind has become naturally separated from God by sin, and that Jesus came to provide reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18,19) with God for us. Upon repenting and receiving Christ as our savior we become adopted as God's children (Romans 8:15), although prior to this we were but vessels of God's wrath (John 3:36, Ephesians 2:3). There is indeed no good in us (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10-12), and so it was God who loved us first (1 John 4:10), sending Jesus to pay the penalty for us while we were yet in our sins (Romans 5:8), and long before we were aware of what He had done for us.

Salvation itself is an unpredicable work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:7,8), but it will come to those who first recognize that they are sinners in need of repentance (Mark 2:17).

So when we seek God in prayer for any matter, the only claim we have for expecting answers is based upon what God has already done for us beforehand, and of His own character. We ought not to come before Him as demanding, entitled children, but as redeemed sinners who are eternally grateful for the salvation He provided through the life's blood of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

God has told us by His Word that He will supply our every need (Philippians 4:19) if we will but seek ABOVE ALL ELSE the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first (Matthew 6:33), seeking Him through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6,7). His answers then come with a promise of a peace of mind that far surpasses what our flesh might normally understand should exist in stressful circumstances.

“And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” -Luke 12:29-32.

The Bible gives us examples of prayers that please God, and one of the first I look to is the prayer of Daniel in the book of Daniel chapter 9, verses 3-19. He is humble, confessing the sins of he and his forefathers, and seeking the MERCIES of our God (please read!). Scripture shows us that Daniel was very special, and greatly loved by God, and there is no record he was ever rebuked for any sin. If this God-fearing man could so humble himself, how should we be approaching the Lord in prayer? Please consider the following scriptures as affirming this concept;

“There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;” -Psalm 33:16-18.

“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” -Isaiah 66:1,2.

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” -Luke 18:9-14.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” -James 4:10.

When we seek God in prayer, we are trusting in His character, and the truth of His Word. We ought to come before Him with thanks for all His goodness toward us in the past, and through which we can then thank Him again for hearing and answering the petitions we're currently making. Our God is faithful (2 Timothy 2:13), and never changing (Hebrews 13:8).

And we also know that we are never cut off from the Lord's presence; He is near, and does hear (Psalm 139:7-12, Acts 17:24-27) our cries. Yet when we call upon Him we should be submitted to His will (Matthew 6:10); for God to answer in His time, and in His way (Isaiah 55:8-11).

“Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready.” -John 7:6.

“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” -James 5:11.

Brethren, please be assured that God loves you, and longs for your prayers to come before Him. Yet our relationship with Him only exists because of His nature and outreach to us first. Having faith in God to answer prayers is never a, “name it, claim it” process, but a simple trust in God's character that does not lie. When we come boldly before His throne, it is to receive MERCY and grace for the hurt or temptation that we're experiencing (Hebrews 4:16).

I do hope that you will take the time to look up all of the scriptures listed to verify these important concepts I've noted here (Acts 17:11). May God quicken His Word to your soul.

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” -Titus 3:3-7. Bold type added.

You may also be interested in my YouTube video on this subject. It can be found at https://youtu.be/jurzM8tGocM.

Who will tell them the truth?

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” -Isaiah 6:8.

As most of you already know, my wife & I followed the Lord's leading into Africa, and were there for some 31 months. While we were there, we ran into much gross mishandling of scripture; even from those who had been so helpful in terms of our moving about and finding places to stay. How do you handle this? How can we dare to criticize such acquaintances?

The answer to this dilemma is simple, but also difficult; God sent us to south central Africa, 8,000 miles from home, and there was NO OTHER REASON for us to be there! To tell these people the truth had to be at the very core of reasons for which we were sent. If they hadn't been learning crucial Bible doctrines correctly in their own nations, or even from highly esteemed missionaries, then WHO would ever tell them the truth? We're talking about the very teachings of the Lord Jesus, for which they will answer (John 12:48). This was obviously a responsibility we needed to embrace, a duty to assume as one for which the had Lord sent us.

We read in the Bible that we are to warn every man, for in the last days dangerous times will come, and mankind will have a form of godliness that actually denies Him-and ultimately we must turn away from such who will continue in this way.

But our general direction in response is also clear, as we read later in 2 Timothy 4:2-4;

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

When I considered the simplicity of our circumstances; that God had taught us by His Word, and through His Spirit, and had then led us into Africa after many years, showing the truth to others was clearly a DUTY we needed to embrace. I suppose this was easier to see from a foreign land!

Yet now upon returning to the U.S. I have to consider; shouldn't we have this sense of duty at all times, and in all places? As we commit our ways to the Lord, we believe His promise that He will direct our steps, and even establish our thoughts; isn't it our duty to preach the Word, and share what we've learned? Shouldn't we show them what is true, and what is a fable? The devil is an expert at twisting parts of the Bible to deceive, but God told us that we are to live by EVERY WORD of God, and not just adhering to what we find comfortable.

So perhaps God has brought you into a specific place, and maybe you have knowledge which pertains to an individual's life, or some that otherwise relates to a situation you've encountered; I gently but firmly urge you through the grace of God to share what God has taught you by the experienced application of His Word. Isn't this what the body of Christ is all about? Just as another person's strength may help in your weakness, so your strength can be a provision for their shortfall. Romans 15:1 tells us that, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

And this is perhaps our key hindrance; when we are seeking to please men by remaining inoffensive, rather than saying the truth that people desperately need to hear. Jesus offended many by telling the truth, as we see in places like John 7:7, or 8:40; please take the time to read these verses. But yes, this is the real key; that we may be ill received for such faithful obedience.

In my current job, I worked with a woman a few years older than myself, and the very first day I worked with her she asked me some very prying questions of a religious nature. I honestly found it offensive because we'd just met, but as it was she that initiated this interaction I felt it was only right to share truth from the Bible with her. I had good knowledge on the subjects we discussed, and as these were salvation issues, they are vitally important. I shared as gently as possible, but still needed to convey the truth. When I saw that she wouldn't receive my words, but only defended her own error filled beliefs I pulled back from trying to persuade but still listened, yet with limited responses.

About 2 weeks later the store owner pulled me aside because apparently a complaint had been filed because of this conversation. He said I should just “live my faith” without preaching about it, although he claims to be a Christian! Myself and the woman were the only ones present for this conversation; either she, or someone she shared it with had complained to human resources, who waited 2 weeks while the owner was on vacation, and then told him. Although I was respectful, I told him I had only RESPONDED to her initiated questions, and I should be allowed to do this. I also gently pointed out that he was taking her side over mine, when no one else was a witness, and he had heard this only 3^rd hand. Things such as this are what we well may face, as we stand up for the truth.

Remember that we have been bought with a price, and are not the servants of men. If we won't tell them, who will? Hasn't the Lord of your life directed such encounters for a purpose? Let the comfort that God has shown you in life become a comfort for someone else, and tell them the truth, regardless of what it may seem to cost.

“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” -Luke 12:48B.

Here is the link to the YouTube video that I did on this subject https://youtu.be/Lis9PHLpwSQ.

Considering Christ at Christmastime

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” -John 1:10.

Every year at this time millions of those who profess Jesus Christ seek to prove their love and appreciation for Him through a variety of “good works” done in His name; never considering that their love may better be proven by what they are abstaining from: that just wouldn't be popular. Yet didn't Jesus also speak of self-denial, and the daily crucifying of the flesh?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” -Luke 9:23.

“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” -1 Peter 4:4.

Yet if we really love the Lord Jesus, we will keep His commandments (John 14:21,23); we will obey them gladly, and they will NOT grieve us (1 John 5:3). And so I propose to you that the only way to honor our savior at Christmastime is not to observe it, for the holiday itself isn't instructed in the Bible, and many lies are associated with it.

“For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.” -Isaiah 63:8.

“For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” -2 Corinthians 13:8.

The December 25^th holiday was established in the centuries that followed the Flood, and it was held in honor of the Sun God BAAL. December 21^st is the shortest day for daylight in the year, and it was said that on this day Baal died. But by 3 days later you could tell the days were getting longer, and it was said that Baal resurrected; and then the 25^th was observed as his birthday! Do you smell a rat? Baal is, of course, the arch foe of God in the Bible.

This is the religion of the Sun God, which was Emperor Constantine's religion, who became the first pope. By 350 A.D., the pope (not Constantine) had declared December 25^th to be Jesus' birthday; that is how it became passed down through time to our day, although there are records of numerous Christian groups abstaining from this holiday, mostly before the 20^th century. It isn't possible to make this unclean holiday clean (Job 14:4), and the following are some of the many lies that go with it;

First of all, the Bible never instructs us to keep such a day (Acts 15:1-31, Galatians 4:9-11), and to do so is a pollution of the world (Haggai 2:12-14, 2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Secondly, we know that Jesus was born near the beginning of October, and there's plenty of evidence; a) We know from the timing of Zacharias' service (Luke 1), and the birth of John the Baptist, who came 6 months earlier. b) Jesus was 30 years old beginning His ministry, and He served 3.5 years; being crucified at the Passover. 6 months before that brings us to the first half of October.

Third, scripture records that the shepherds were in the field with their flocks, and that wouldn't have happened after October 15^th, for then it is rainy season. Fourth, Caesar wouldn't have called for a taxing in the winter, because travel was too dangerous. Fifth, 2 holidays near the beginning of October, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur would explain why the inns were too full to house Jesus' family.

Other lies held to revolve around the wise men, whose account is in Matthew 2:1-18. The Bible lists 3 types of gifts that were brought, but never tells us how many wise men there were. What it says is that “all Jerusalem” was troubled by them, so it must have been a large company to disturb a city of between 50-60,000 people.

-Also, the wise men were not present when Jesus was born, but arrived almost 2 years later.

-When they arrived, they gave gifts to Jesus as a new-born king; no gifts were otherwise exchanged.

-No Christmas trees were set up, this was a Sun God practice. The Bible seems to speak against it here;

“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.” -Jeremiah 10:2-5.

It is late in the year as we approach this Christmas season, now just over 3 weeks away. But I beseech you as brethren in Christ to put away this lying, ungodly holiday from your lives; if it's too late for a change now, commit it to the Lord for the years that will follow, and honor Him by abstaining. It will not be easy here in America. This is the 17^th year my wife & I are abstaining.

From what I see in scripture, there is NO WAY we can honor God by claiming to observe this day “for Him.” The Christmas holiday is too filled with lies to bring glory to the almighty! Didn't you know that God is seeking those who will worship Him in truth? And how can we be joined together with those who hate God, yet still celebrate this day?

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” -John 4:23,24.

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” -James 4:4.

This world is entering the “days of vengeance” that Jesus spoke of in Luke 21:22; and because of mankind's great affinity for LIES, God has said He will bring strong delusion to mankind-that we might be rightly judged for our infidelity to Him. Christmas is a great example of how far lies have penetrated even the professing church of Christ, so let us examine ourselves carefully to be sure we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5), and consider the Bible's sobering words on the delusion to come;

“I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.” -Isaiah 66:4.

“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12.