THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT Series #5

Live By the Truth
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:21

Let’s break down that verse because it has a great discernment message in it. We will work on the assumption that the true truth, the really, absolute true truth is Jesus Christ and a there is no other way to know the Almighty God-Creator of Heaven and Earth-who loves you with all of his massive heart.

If you “live by the truth” – This means that you know Jesus not just know about him. Even following the Bible’s commands religiously is not “knowing” Jesus, but knowing a lot about him. You get to know him by believing him; that what he says about himself is the true truth. Then you identify with him by making a commitment to form a trusting relationship with him. As you do that, by praying and asking him into your heart, he gives you the Holy Spirit to live and remain in your spirit.

“What he has done has been done through God” – Can you see that? God gives you part of Himself, the Holy Spirit, so that what you read in the Bible makes sense and then he empowers you to obey it and have your life changed by the truth from the inside out.

In other words, you don’t have what it takes in your own spirit and soul,or your own intellectual efforts to understand God or live by the truth until he, the Truth, lives within you.

“So that it may be seen plainly” – This is the value of discernment; that you see plainly or clearly. No confusion, no mixed messages, not serving two masters, and not being double-minded, just living by the truth.

The universal “truths” of Buddhism or New Age teachings would have you become one with the energy of the earth but they don’t take into consideration that you are becoming one with the Prince of the Power of the Air (Satan’s deceitfulness).

Jesus calls you to find your identity in him in order to become who God created you to be for His Kingdom purposes; eternal life with Him. You don't lose who you are but you become who you were meant to be by his powerful truth working in you.

"May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts..." Eph 3:17 AMP