Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong;
rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.
~Charles Spurgeon
Discernment...oh how this is a matter that weighs heavily upon me. I try so hard not to become disheartened of the fact that so many don't use the gift of discernment that God gives us. People will flock to any new song, movie, book or preacher that tickles their ears. Just because something is almost right...doesn't make it
right. The gospel has to be the truth of Scripture...nothing more, nothing less or else it just isn't right.
“How shall a man judge what to do in such times?'
'As he ever has judged,' said Aragorn. 'Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear...It is a man's part to discern them, as much in th Golden Wood as in his own house.”
~J.R.R. Tolkien
As Christians, we have a responsibility to use discernment in all matters...otherwise it is very easy to fall victim to a wolf in sheep's clothes. First, let's look at the definition of discernment:
Webster's Dictionary says it is a noun meaning:
the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently.
I found some of the synonyms to be telling, as well. They are
wisdom,
perceptiveness, and
insight. So to have discernment is to have wisdom, perceptiveness and insight! How wonderful is that?
Before I go on, let me make it abundantly clear that I am so far from perfect and have so much growing in wisdom to do myself. I do not write out of a vicious (or "know it all") spirit but rather one of concern and sadness. Please understand that my heart cries out for others to be careful because I desire to see the church grow more holy and righteous and pleasing to Christ.
So, after saying that...I now feel I need to address the fact that so many people are falling prey to the likes of "your best life now" and "feel good" preaching. The truth is that we are to take up our cross daily! In the words of Christ:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" (Luke 9:23-25).
There are new movies coming out (for example, the Noah movie with Russell Crowe in it, the Son of God movie, etc.) that are truly *not* biblical. People make up the argument that it can bring Christianity to people.
I say it does more harm than good. I highly encourage you to read some reviews. Here's one on
Noah by Ken Ham...and one on
Son of God by Tim Challies.
The *only* way to truly convert souls to Christ is:
The working of the Holy Spirit in their hearts due to hearing the gospel shared with them (which is our job...not through movies etc.). They must feel a Godly sorrow of their sins and repent of them and believe in the Christ Who saves their souls. The Word leads people to Christ...not a movie or song.
Please don't get me wrong...I don't think you are horrible or unintelligent if you go see these movies (although if you are a fan of Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn and the likes, I do want you to dig into God's Word to see that their preaching is
not of God. Joel Osteen is about carnality. Watch
THIS. Paul Washer says it just as it is. Know it is my concern for your soul that I share this with you. I pray all who need to see this ~
do, for out of love I want to admonish you to use discernment and realize life isn't about getting more stuff, being prettier, and having more friends. It's
NOT about your best life now. It's about glorifying God in everything...in our joy, in our suffering).
I just ask that if you *do* go see the movies, read the books, listen to the songs....use
wisdom. Measure them to Scripture. Don't just believe all your see/read/hear. If it isn't biblical...realize that and don't endorse it as if it
were. This is discernment....to realize when something is of God or if it isn't.
Do you love Him? If you do, then you should feel frustration, sadness, and anger when things misrepresent Him. For example, the Noah movie with Russell Crowe is "based" on the Bible...but they used "artistic license" to make it...which in other words, means: they changed it to make lots of money. So the movie only tells half-truths...if it is less than 100% biblical, it's trash, in my opinion. I have never even watched The Passion of the Christ movie. Maybe one day I will...but as of now, His Word tells me all I need to know. I don't need it grand-ized on the big screen.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
~ 2 Timothy 1-4
If you would, please watch
THIS video with Piper, Washer and MacArthur. Listen to what they say. They are godly men who desire to show you truth. It is my sincere prayer that, if you are a fan of the Joel Osteens of the world, that you will watch this movie...understand your sin, repent and turn to true Godly preaching from the Word.
Even if you do have discernment and realize the error of these false teachers, I ask that you be in prayer for those who are in their clutches. If God has handed them over to heretical preaching, we must pray for mercy for them to escape this! If we love people, we have a responsibility to warn them and share the gospel with them. Listen to
THIS by Todd Friel (from Wretched) as he holds Osteen to the Bible.
"Salvation is of the Lord. We are to preach it faithfully."
~ Todd Friel
While there is air in our lungs, we are to love one another enough to share the truth. We only have any goodness because God gives it. His grace is what gives us every good and perfect thing. It is what upholds us now, as we live life on this earth when all we deserve is death. Life isn't about our best life now, or how to get a better house, car, job. It's not about our carnal needs...it's about living a life unto God...serving Him and loving others by sharing the gospel.
Conversation is welcome in the comments section or feel free to email me (link on the sidebar).
Thanks for letting me share my heart.
In Christ,
Katy
It's all about Jesus Christ being first....
and second and third and fourth and fifth.
What I'm saying is, don't put Jesus first.
Jesus is everything.
He's not just first in the rank,
He is everything.
~Paul Washer
. I find that the more I focus on "improving" myself and trying *not* to be selfish, I end up spending even more time thinking about ME. This is not right. This is not how I want it to be! I think I need to focus on Christ and have more self-forgetfulness. This book seems to help explain just that!
