DISCERNMENT

I Was Just Thinking About – DISCERNMENT.

For one to discern involves the ability to assess and judge definitively between right and wrong, good and evil, etc. John MacArthur defines Biblical Discernment as:  “In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. In other words, the ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically. First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (First John 4:1).  

In considering the will of God for the life of the Biblical Christian and Church, there is the witness by Paul about Epaphras in Colossians 4:12-13,  “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.  For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.” Earlier Paul observed, Colossians 1:7-8, “Just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.”

Commentators differ in their defining the role of Epaphras in the Church at Colossae. In ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) indicates that: “Epaphras was the missionary by whose instrumentality the Colossians had been converted to Christianity. Epaphras had brought to Paul good news of the progress of the gospel, of their "faith in Christ Jesus" and of their love toward all the saints (Colossians 1:4). Paul's regard for him is shown by his observation in Colossians 4:12, “Epaphras…is always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” From his association with Paul, Epaphras had heard and learned the importance of the will of God and its centrality in the life of the follower of Jesus Christ.

He had learned that to know the will of God would entail both commitment and sacrifice. The words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2 would be the determining principle by which one would discern, know and do the will of God. Paul wrote: “I appeal to you…by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.”

Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) posted an article, How To Know God’s Will by Evangeline Vergo, Six guiding principles are shared: (1) Surrender your attitude and personal desires; (2) Meditate on God's Word; (3) Spend focused time in prayer; (4) Seek other people's [godly, mature, dedicated Biblical Christians] opinions; (5) Consider your circumstances; (6) Think through your decision logically.

What does Biblical Discernment require? One definitive answer is given in First Thessalonians 5:21-22 (NLT), “Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.  Stay away from every kind of evil.” This is part of the process indicated in Romans 12:1-2 (NLT), “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.