Many of us take pride in our ability to discern truth from deception, but if we examine ourselves a little closer, we'll see, most of us are only discerning our own skepticism of a person or situation -it has little to do with actual truth. We shouldn't trust judgments that come quickly without overview or doubts. Most likely those judgments are based on our opinion and carry little spiritual backing.
In my first book, Notes For The Goats, I write about Prejudices vs Discernment. Very little of the church walks in true discernment. Discernment is humble. Our opinions and prejudices carry a self-assurance and are quickly stated and lifted high. When we walk in true discernment we are looking for the best in people, and even if God reveals a red flag we keep praying and hoping that maybe we heard Him wrong. Discernment brings brokenness. Our opinions and prejudices bring pride, arrogance, self-righteousness filled with boastful talk.
When true discernment is exercised in the church it has the ability to change the spiritual atmosphere, not fuel gossip circles. True discernment is a spiritual gift that helps protect the church, the weak, the leaders, and any plans God has set in motion that the enemy may try to derail. It's a a wonderful gift given to us. But we must learn the difference between our own inner voice and the true authentic leading of the Holy Spirit.
One of the easiest ways to tune your spiritual ears into God's divine voice, is to admit when you've missed it. There have been countless times when I've missed it. My own ideas and opinions trumped His still small voice. I was self-assured. But my sincere desire to hear God left my heart open to hear His correction when He proved me wrong. In that moment, you repent, and ask God to help you hear Him better. Unfortunately, many continually justify what they hear and end up training their spiritual ears to hear themselves.
When true discernment is exercised in the church it has the ability to change the spiritual atmosphere, not fuel gossip circles. True discernment is a spiritual gift that helps protect the church, the weak, the leaders, and any plans God has set in motion that the enemy may try to derail. It's a a wonderful gift given to us. But we must learn the difference between our own inner voice and the true authentic leading of the Holy Spirit.
One of the easiest ways to tune your spiritual ears into God's divine voice, is to admit when you've missed it. There have been countless times when I've missed it. My own ideas and opinions trumped His still small voice. I was self-assured. But my sincere desire to hear God left my heart open to hear His correction when He proved me wrong. In that moment, you repent, and ask God to help you hear Him better. Unfortunately, many continually justify what they hear and end up training their spiritual ears to hear themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment