Topic: Purpose of Discernment
Blessings Sons of God:
Many of us have heard of discernment and understand that it
is the ability to feel or sense that something is right or wrong. Now as simple
as that is, many within the faith struggle with discernment and usually it is
because they have not submitted their soul to the rule of the spirit. Let me lead our discussion with this
Scripture:
Hebrews 5:14: But
strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil
In this Scripture, the context that the writer is speaking
of is the need for the church to go back to first principles or elementary
doctrines because clearly the fruit being shown was not mature. This is why the reference between meat and
milk are made in the previous Scripture and this one. But notice, that those who are mature (strong
meat) have there senses “exercised” to discern good and evil. Key word here is exercised. So there is a progressive working and
training of our spiritual senses to discern good and evil. Discernment is crucial to our development
because as we mature the tactic of the enemy becomes very subtle and that
discernment must be sharpened. Let me
share this particular story to drive the point home:
David, a man after God’s heart had phenomenal
discernment. He discerned some of these
various things:
1. Discerned the Voice of the Lord
2. Purpose of the Ark of the Covenant
in Worship
3. Saul was his enemy
4. Importance of Covenant and its
obligation
5. The Enemies of God
6. Goliath was a uncircumcised
Philistine
These are just a few but there was a situation in David’s life,
a blind spot, where he did not immediately discern and it concerned
Bathsheba. We know the story: David gets Urriah killed by placing him on
the front lines so that he can have Bathsheba.
She becomes pregnant and it was not until nine months later that God
would reveal the error in David’s life.
Remember he was the King at the time and so whatever the king desired he
could have but his situation with Bathsheba was one that God sent a prophet by
the name of Nathan to make David aware of his error. After being made aware by the prophet, David
repented and asked for forgiveness and we know he did because he wrote about it
in Psalm 51.
We have got to mature and have our spiritual senses
exercised. Are there times you will miss
or make an error? Of course but it is
part of the learning curve of being a Son of God. But we have to be receptive to correction
when the Light of Christ makes us aware of our faults and deficiencies that
enemy uses to snare us. Nobody here
reading this message wants to be deceived.
But are you will to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal where you are in
error so that you can have the opportunity to mature or will you let pride rise
up in your soul and keep you on your same path which ultimately leads to you
staying immature?
These are real decisions that we must make as believers and
much of what the Lord will reveal will challenge you, make you feel
uncomfortable but know that if you repent you will be moving to a better place
and position than where you currently are.
Peace and Grace Beloved Sons
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.
