Trained In Discernment
Romans 12:2 tells us, 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. We live in a day when deceptions abound. Even in the church there are many voices teaching things that do not line up with biblical truth. Perhaps now more than ever, believers need discernment. And yet we live in a day when discernment is sadly lacking.
Romans 12:2 tells us to have renewed minds so that we might discern the will of God. Hebrews 4:12 tells us how to be renewed, how to be trained in the work of discernment: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. If we want to discern truth from error we must be filled with Scripture.
We are surrounded on all sides by people in and out of the church who want to tickle itching ears. This should not surprise us, 2 Timothy 4:3-4 tells us that there will be such times. But it reminds us that we must be firmly grounded in God’s truth so when ticklers come we can see through the folly of their words.
In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus compares the wise man who builds his house upon the rock with the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand. Who is the wise man? It is everyone who hears these words of mine and does them. We are built upon the rock when we are grounded in the Word of God. Only then are we safe from the storm. Only then will we endure the flood.