If you’ve ever talked to someone about your faith, or religion in general, you’ve probably heard the words, “Well, that’s not what I believe.” And when you prod the person who says this, you ultimately come [...]]]>

Contrary to believing in imaginary feelings, Christianity believes in objective, historical, revealed, actual, rational truth from God. – John MacArthur

If you’ve ever talked to someone about your faith, or religion in general, you’ve probably heard the words, “Well, that’s not what I believe.” And when you prod the person who says this, you ultimately come to the understanding that their belief is based upon nothing but their own feelings. It is an illusion. The god they believe in is a fabrication, a mixture of truth, mythology and outright lies. Their god has been created in their own imagination. To put a sharper point on it, they have created a god in their own image.

On the other hand, you may have talked to someone who used the words, “Well, that’s not what the bible says.” This is a person that you should listen to because they are referring to an unimpeachable source of truth, rather than their own thoughts and feelings. But you still have to have discernment skills.

Fred Phelps can tell you that the bible says that God hates homosexuals so we should all go protest at the funerals of American soldiers . Joel Osteen can quote 3 John 1:1-2 and tell you that it means that God wants you to be rich, healthy and beautiful; and that your earthly happiness is God’s greatest goal. Both these men claim to be Christians, but their twisted theology contradicts the truth.

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. – 2 Peter 3:17-18

But you, beloved, build yourself up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” – Jude 1:20

The only way to stay out of the snare of false teachers is to know the truth. Not ‘my’ truth or ‘your’ truth, but the ‘true truth.’ The truth of the Bible that comes from God. Pray for wisdom and discernment, spend time in the Word and in prayer.

Q. How and when should biblical discernment skills be used?

A. Let’s take the last part of the question first. When should discernment skills be used?

The most important times that they can be used is [...]]]> We now continue the Q & A on Biblical Discernment. I hope you’ve studied; there is a test at the end. Seriously!

Q. How and when should biblical discernment skills be used?

A. Let’s take the last part of the question first. When should discernment skills be used?

The most important times that they can be used is when you are listening to a sermon or reading a book or an article on religion, or when you are involved in a conversation about Christianity. When listening to a sermon even your favorite, most trusted minister can get things wrong. If you have studied your bible and have prayed fervently for wisdom you should start to trust your instincts a little more. If a minister says something that doesn’t sound quite right, something that sets off your “Spidey Sense” or that might not be supported by scripture – write it down.

Now we get into the “How?” part of the question. The first thing you should do when you have a question about a sermon is to ask your minister about it. Give him a chance to explain it better. It is possible (hopefully even probable) that you have just misunderstood him. If it is not a misunderstanding, don’t back down if the truth is at stake. Tell him that it still isn’t clear to you. Respectfully ask him to cite the scripture from which he gets his statement. (Acts 17:11) Don’t put him on the spot in front of others and be sure to give him time to research the matter and get back to you when it is convenient. In the meantime, research the matter yourself. Dig into the Bible and research what various commentators have said on the subject. The Blue Letter Bible and Crosswalk.com have excellent Bible study tools available online.

Remember, the whole point is to come to a better understanding of God’s word; for you and for your minister.

Q. Sounds like a good plan, but what about when you read something that bothers your “Scripture Sense?”

A. The same goes for when you are reading a book or an article about religion, write down the statement that strikes you as wrong and take it to your minister or a trusted elder in your church. Ask them to help you understand what is being said. Rely on godly people you trust to guide you to the scripture that explains your question. Oftentimes, researching things on your own will answer your question, but sharing it with a brother in the faith can often help strengthen the discernment skills of both of you.

Q. What about when you are involved in a conversation about Christianity? It’s not as easy when you’re on the spot and have to defend something controversial.

A. That is true. You should rely on what you are certain that you know. Again, don’t back down when the truth is at stake. In the Bible, the main things are the plain things and the plain things are the main things. You should have a solid understanding of the “main things” before you engage anyone in serious discussions relating to Christianity.

Something that should not be forgotten is that you should always be respectful and loving in your dealings with brothers in the faith. We are called to speak the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15) If the question involves an issue that is secondary to Essential Christian Doctrine, be sure to point that out and don’t argue with brothers over issues where we have the freedom to disagree without breaking fellowship.

Don’t get all worked up, this is just a practice test. Take a look at this statement from an American Mainline Protestant church.

We believe that the persistent search for God produces an authentic relationship with God, engendering love, strengthening faith, dissolving guilt, and giving life purpose and direction. We believe that all of the baptized ‘belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.’ No matter who – no matter what – … no matter where we are on life’s journey – we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized – past, present and future – are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism.

On the surface, this looks like a solid theological statement. Who could possibly argue with a persistent search for God or an authentic relationship with God? Who could disagree that baptized people are all part of a worldwide community of faith?

But here are some questions I had after reading it three or four times: Where in the Bible does it say that simply searching for God produces an authentic relationship with Him? Is baptism what binds believers together or is it something else?

John 3:3 states very clearly what is necessary for somebody to have a relationship with God. Searching for knowledge of God is a good thing, but the search doesn’t produce faith or a relationship. Only by repenting and believing can one be born again to new life in Christ Jesus.

And about that baptism thing… I don’t deny that all believers are part of a worldwide community of faith (aka The Invisible Church), but it isn’t a sacrament that makes it happen. Believers’ baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. (Acts 10:44-47) There are probably millions of non-believers who have been baptized. The thief on the cross can attest to the fact that baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation. (Luke 23:42-43)

The above statement is part of the “What We Believe” statement of the United Church of Christ – or at least it was at one time. The UCC changes what they believe the way the wind changes direction in a tornado. This was taken from the UCC’s old website. This statement is not on their current website as far as I can tell. If you have time, read the whole thing. Tell me if I missed the place where it says you have to repent of your sins and believe in Jesus. The statement is also available here.

Watch this video and then read the page at the link below.

Interpretation of the above video.

What do you think? Use your discernment skills. Is this a biblical interpretation of the clouds in the video or not? Is it a message from God? Are you sure?

Nancy Bush certainly does seem to know the bible, she even quotes Latin and Greek. She is obviously not an opportunist who sees the Virgin Mary in a partially eaten grilled cheese sandwich and sells it on eBay for $28,000.

What do your discernment skills tell you? Please post a comment. I’ll try to approve comments within a few hours and once you’ve had one comment approved, your subsequent comments will post immediately.

One last thing: please remember to speak the truth in love. Thanks.

A. Discernment is the most important skill that a Christian can have. Having it is partially a gift, [...]]]> I’ve mentioned before how the attribute of discernment is sorely lacking among many Christians, and that reading the Bible is the best way to develop discernment skills. As is my habit, I’ll start this Q&A with an A.

A. Discernment is the most important skill that a Christian can have. Having it is partially a gift, but mostly the result of diligent work. Every Christian can and should develop sound biblical discernment skills.

Q. So what is discernment?

A. You know what wisdom is, right? Well, discernment is the heart of wisdom. It is simply good judgment and critical understanding derived from knowledge of the Bible. The Oxford dictionary says it is to “perceive clearly.” Our great-grandfathers might have called it “horse sense.” It is the wisdom and understanding that comes with experience.

In our secular lives, we develop social discernment skills through experience. At a fancy dinner party, belching out loud is rude and anyone who is discerning wouldn’t do it. At a ball game with your buddies however, it may be expected. This is a crude example of discernment, but it makes the point well enough.

At school, work, or home we know not to treat our teacher, boss or spouse with contempt. This also is discernment. To act otherwise would be ill advised and would result in painful repercussions.

In our Christian lives, twisting or ignoring the clear teaching of the Bible to fit our own desires is analogous to belching at a dinner party, sassing our teacher, ignoring the boss or disrespecting our spouse. It’s liable to get us thrown out or fired. The Christian equivalent is eternity outside the presence of God, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Q. Why is discernment so important?

A. 1 Kings 3: 9-10 tells us that Solomon’s request for “an understanding heart” to “discern between good and evil” was “pleasing in the sight of Lord”; so much so that God gave him “a wise and discerning heart” (1 Kings 3:12) as well as the “riches and honor” that he didn’t ask for (1 Kings 3:13). Discernment helps us to know the will of God and to glorify Him by making His will our will. This may not sound like a big deal, but consider the alternative; without discernment, we will live our lives outside of God’s will and will not bring Him glory. The alternative to Solomon’s blessing is a curse: God will be displeased with us if we willfully keep ourselves in ignorance and don’t develop the skills to discern good from evil.

As for why biblical discernment is important in our day, John MacArthur answers this question better than I ever could.  Here is his startling conclusion:

All those who truly love Christ and care about the truth have a solemn duty to defend the truth by exposing and opposing these lies that masquerade as truth. If we fail in that duty because of indifference, apathy, or a craving for the approval of men, we are no less guilty than those who actively spread the lies. – John MacArthur

Q. How do you develop discernment skills?

A. The easy answer is, “Read the Bible and pray,” and any other answer more complicated than that just confuses the issue. But what is the best way to do this? Start out by reading the book of Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in January. You can do this in just five to ten minutes each day. This will give you a solid foundation for increasing your bible knowledge and understanding. Then pray for wisdom and understanding to be given to you so that you can glorify God by rightly discerning His Holy Word.

I would also recommend a book called, “Now That’s A Good Question” by R.C. Sproul. It answers many difficult questions that both long-time and short-time believers will face.

Q. Once you have discernment, what can you do with it?

A. Discernment is like a good pocket knife; you have to carry it with you all the time. You have to learn how to use it efficiently and safely. Most importantly, you have to keep it sharp. Having biblical discernment enables you to judge between lies and the truth, or between truth and half-truths as is most prevalent.

Discernment will also allow you correctly judge the claims of people who say they know the Gospel when in fact; they may be distorting it or denying it altogether. The importance of this should be apparent.

Keeping your skills sharpened is done by staying in the Word – continuing to read the bible and listening to faithful teachers preach the Gospel.

Up next: How and when to use discernment, and some sample tests.

Osteen sez (at 1:53),

The scripture says in Ephesians 1 verse 4, ‘Long before God [...]]]> Biblical discernment is the skill that is lacking most among Christians in America today. This is the only explanation for the huge following that people like Joel Osteen enjoy. It takes only a little Biblical knowledge to refute claims like the following:

Osteen sez (at 1:53),

The scripture says in Ephesians 1 verse 4, ‘Long before God laid down earth’s foundation, he had us on his mind. Because of the sacrifice Christ made, we are a free people; and not just barely free, but abundantly free.

Hmm… Kinda sets off my Bible Radar. In my Bible, Ephesians 1:4 NASB reads,

…just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love…

Funny how from that verse, Osteen can say that it was God’s intention that I would have lots of money and be healthy my whole life, free from poverty and sickness.

In an email devotional entitled, “Today’s Word” on July 25, 2006, Osteen wrote,

God desires above all, that we prosper and be in health, even as our soul prospers. (John 3:2)

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God wants you to live a life of victory. He wants you to prosper physically, spiritually, emotionally– in every area of life. God also wants you to prosper financially to fulfill the destiny He’s laid out before you.

The poor guy can’t even misquote scripture correctly. That verse isn’t John 3:2, it is 3 John 1:2. Big difference. Here’s what my Bible reads for 3 John 1:2 NASB:

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

The ‘I’ in that verse is John, the writer of the letter; not God as Osteen says. And he is simply giving his friend Gaius a greeting in the traditional Greek manner; a prayer for prosperity and health and John adds that it is  Gaius’ soul that he cares about prospering.

Sorry Joel, but it is clear that your desire, above all, is to lead people away from the Word of God by their wallets.

Luke called the Bereans “…more noble than those in Thessolonica” because they checked everything by searching the scriptures daily. Biblical discernment starts with reading your Bible and not believing everything you hear. Just because someone is on television, sells millions of books and has hundreds of thousands of followers, doesn’t mean that they are preaching the Word of God. Usually, it means that they are loved by the world. And as it is written in James 4:4 NASB, “…do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Do not be an enemy of God. We are called to be in the world, but not of the world. Check everything you hear and read (Including this article!) with the scriptures as the Bereans did so long ago. Read your bible. Learn the Word and beware the false teachers like Joel Osteen.