“But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth).” John 16:13 (Amplified)
When you commit your faith to Jesus Christ you receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Truth-giving Spirit. That means He reveals the full Truth of God to your spirit, soul and mind as you cooperate with Him. Now that is amazing grace!
It is very important, vitally important, that you understand this relationship. Because there are many vendors of the “truth” out there and you might be deceived if you cannot discern the Truth.
Listen to these warnings:
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3
“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.” Galatians 5:7-8
If you have read popular self-help books (like “The Secret”) and have been tempted to come into agreement with it, you are risking being misled into believing that you have “truth” and “power” within yourself to generate wisdom, health and prosperity. This teaching has ancient roots through Gnosticism, argued against in the New Testament, and clear back to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; “you will be like God,” (Genesis 3:4).
Jesus Christ came to correct that massive, cosmic error because He is the Truth. You can only know God when His Truth-giving Spirit remains in you.
“We are [children] of God. Whoever is learning to know God [progressively to perceive, recognize, and understand God by observation and experience, and to get an ever-clearer knowledge of Him] listens to us; and he who is not of God does not listen or pay attention to us. By this we know (recognize) the Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.” 1 John 4:6 (Amplified)
Follow the steps to increase your discernment of truth:
- Study the Bible for yourself.
- Confirm what you learn with other faithful followers of Christ.
- Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you so that it makes sense.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT Series #2
Now That's Amazing Grace!
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Kingdom Spirituality has been posted on my Facebook page. May your wonderful work guide and inspire others too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pastor Mike! Are there disciplines we can pursue to be better discerners? I know that ultimately all revelation is a gift God gives us--not something we can force or earn--but are there ways to be more attentive to him? I feel so distracted much of the time.
ReplyDeleteAmie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great question. The disciplines are meant to draw close to God. A time of solitude can be refreshing unless you are distracted by busy thoughts and can't get "quiet." In my experience fasting often leads to a breakthrough of getting past distractions. But another thing to consider is the source of the distractions. Is it just busyness or could there be a spiritual hindrance that stifles discernment and fresh peace?