It has always been important for a believer to exercise discernment as a key part of their walk of faith. But I believe that this is even more imperative right now, when not just the world but also the mainstream church has embraced so much deception.
Christ warned His followers, when describing what they could expect before His return, that false christs and false prophets would rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matthew 24:24).
He also shared with His disciples the parable of the wheat and the tares, in which He described the way in which there will be those who are indistinguishable from true believers, and yet are not children of God (Matthew 13:36–43).
These are sobering reminders that Christians are called to exercise spiritual discernment which goes beyond simple outward appearance.
Lighthouse Trails Discernment Ministry offers well-researched articles and free resources from respected ministers on this topic. The Berean Call is another Christian ministry dedicated to promoting biblical discernment and alerting believers to unbiblical teachings (Acts 17:11).
What Is Biblical Discernment?
I think true discernment requires a blend of both prayer and study of the Scriptures. Many areas of deception involve a mixture of truth and falsehood, in which some good remains but has become distorted.
Revelation from God’s heart is needed to see with greater clarity what the real picture is. And this takes time, often alone, in devotion and in seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Some deception is clearly counter to biblical truth, and therefore should be simple to discount. Although, sadly, throughout the ages, church leaders have often found ways to circumvent clear scriptural truth. Some theological study can lead to quoting verses out of context, and without a revelation of God’s heart, to justify an argument constructed by man.
The key to true discernment is given by Jesus in Matthew 7:15–16, when He warns His followers to beware of false prophets and says they will be known by their fruits.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit are about the character we see in others, and about the witness we receive in our own hearts when we hear their teaching. Jesus spoke in John 16 of the peace and joy He gives to His followers, as they seek and abide in Him. These fruit should mark what we discern to be from Him.
Galatians 5:22–23 gives a full list of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is worth noting that the fruit of the Spirit are not the same as the usual meaning of being “fruitful,” that is, producing many tangible results and apparent successes.
What Is the Difference Between Judgment and Discernment?
In this current age, anything which is deemed to cause offence to others is seen as wrong. Yet, it is worth remembering that Christ’s call to repentance, which is at the heart of the gospel, has always caused offence to those who hear it.
Christ Himself was rejected by those whose pride was wounded by His call to humility and recognition of sin. Today, speaking the truth, even in love, is often called “judgmental,” simply because it makes others uncomfortable.
I don’t know about you, but personally, when I feel offended at someone’s message, it is usually a sign that God is revealing a hidden area of sin which I hadn’t realised I needed to deal with!
But society, and much of the church, has now embraced the falsehood that a person is entitled not to be offended.
Judgment is about condemning another in the heart, believing that they deserve a punishment which we do not. Discernment is about recognising the existence of deception, with a heart that is seeking God’s truth, in love, in order to help others walk in the light.
Discernment is about having integrity.
Why Do We Fail to Use True Discernment?
The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian church how easy it is to be deceived by false teachers who seem to be working for the gospel of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:13–15, he warns of false apostles who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ and reminds believers that Satan himself can masquerade as an angel of light.
It is so easy simply to trust an established leader or ministry, instead of testing the truth of something for ourselves. No leader is infallible, but we often blindly put our faith in a man or woman, instead of prayerfully in our Lord.
False prophets are often popular, since their messages are designed to please man rather than God, and we mistake the affirmation of the crowd for God’s approval.
False prophets also often wield supernatural power, and we automatically assume, instead of testing the fruit, that such power must be from Christ. But Jesus warned us that wolves in sheep’s clothing will exercise spiritual gifts. Jesus said, Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21–23).
In the book of Acts, we see an example of someone who accurately gave prophetic revelation, but was motivated by a spirit of divination rather than by the Holy Spirit. Luke writes, Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. (Acts 16:16–18).
These passages remind us why spiritual claims, influence, and outward appearances must be tested rather than accepted automatically.
The Song of the Overcomer explores discernment, deception, faithfulness and the pursuit of biblical truth through Christian allegory.
Does God Really Expect Us to Use Discernment?
We are all deceived to a certain degree, and always will be this side of heaven. The Bible teaches us that we see in part. But it is clear from the Lord’s warnings that we should seek with all our heart, soul and strength to walk in the truth.
I think God loves it when we cry out to Him to show us the level of our deception, and to protect us from being led astray by our pride. And I believe that He will always faithfully answer such a prayer, prayed from the heart, to deliver us from the lies of the enemy.
The key is our hunger for truth.
In 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Paul gives a sobering warning: The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…
I know I’ve been deceived on so many occasions in my 26 years as a Christian, so far. And I imagine there were, and still are, other huge areas of deception about which I know nothing.
Discernment and The Song of the Overcomer
My hope in writing The Song of the Overcomer was that the story would help believers to discern some of the common areas of deception and apostasy within today’s mainstream church.
Most of the book is written from personal, firsthand experience of witnessing such deception at work, or being a part of the deception myself.
I would also highly recommend listening to ministers with a similar passion to expose falsehood, such as Warren B. Smith, whose teaching particularly considers the impact of the New Age on contemporary Christian teaching. Check out the New Age to Amazing Grace Official Site
Some of Warren’s books warning of apostasy include:
- As Night Comes On: Strengthening the Things Which Remain
- The Titanic and Today’s Church: A Tale of Two Shipwrecks
- Evangullible
Ask God for Greater Discernment
Above all, join me in prayer: let us ask God to open our eyes to where we need greater discernment.
