Tag: spiritual discernment

Christian

Understanding 2 Timothy 3:1-5: A Call to Spiritual Discernment

Cindy Dawson

1-minute devotion for Tuesday, 1/6/26

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Commentary:

  1. Believer’s Bible Commentary:
    “Paul is referring to the false teachers who had come into the church at Corinth, denying the resurrection. The Christians should realize that it is impossible to associate with evil people or evil teachings without being corrupted by them. Evil doctrine inevitably has an effect on one’s life. False teachings do not lead to holiness.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
  2. Jeremiah Study Bible Notes: “Paul describes a society enamored with love of self, money, and pleasure…. Those who have a form of godliness …profess belief in God, but their real love is the person in the mirror… Without the discernment that comes from knowing the Word, people willingly entertain spiritual fads and false doctrines.”

In His Love, Cindy

Would you like to learn more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.” Psalm 122:6

All Scripture is from the NIV unless stated otherwise.

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 5/22/24

Cindy Dawson

Our teachers of God’s Word are not always to be trusted. In fact, we should not follow any of them unconditionally, for God will call us to account for the use of our understanding. When even our pilot errs, it is necessary for us to follow the chart of the Word of God closely, so we might be able to save the vessel. 

C.H. SPURGEON

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Christian

Monday’s Verse, 4/15/24

Cindy Dawson

“But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB Read full chapter

Sometimes people are just blind to the Truth. But the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes. Pray that God will open the eyes of unbelievers and those who follow false religions.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 2/14/24

Cindy Dawson

Knowledge of God’s Word can help us to discern whether or not our desires come from the Holy Spirit. We must test our inclinations against Scripture—the Holy Spirit will never prod us to do anything contrary to God’s Word. If it conflicts with the Bible, then it is not from the Holy Spirit and should be ignored.

GotQuestions.org

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

Photo by madeleine ragsdale on Unsplash

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Christian

Spiritual Discernment: Now What?

Cindy Dawson

Discernment is scarce in the Church today. And people who lack discernment usually think they have it. But let’s say you are a person who has diligently studied the Bible, and you have honed the skill of discernment. You recognize false teaching when you hear it because you know the truth of God’s Word well.

Now what? How does one use that discernment in a Godly way? It isn’t as easy as it sounds. The following words from Hannah Anderson spoke to me as I contemplated this question.

“Discerning people use their insight to serve those around them…They use knowledge to build up and unify – not to tear down or create division…Sometimes this means having the patience to wait while others think through what you already know…Sometimes it means foregoing your preferences for the good of others. Sometimes it might even mean being misunderstood precisely because others can’t yet see what you do… They resist the temptation to flaunt knowledge or prove themselves right.”

Hannah Anderson

This calls for a meek and gentle spirit when correcting a fellow believer. This calls for love to be our motivating factor. It calls for putting the interests of others above our own.

I’m not suggesting that we compromise – not for a moment, not ever! I believe we have a responsibility to speak the truth, but you can’t make someone see what they don’t see. In fact, many times your next step is simply to pray for them. This is why it is so important to be led by the Holy Spirit in these matters.

Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.

Corrie ten Boom

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4

I realize that this post is addressed to a very specific audience. But I think it is something we should all think about.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15

What will you do if you discern error in your local church? Will you speak out or will you remain silent?

In His Love, Cindy

Read more about discernment in this post:

How To Be a Discerning Christian

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

All Scripture references are from the NIV unless otherwise noted.

Photo by Mark Harpur on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 7/5/23

Cindy Dawson

Spiritual discernment is good for more than just making monumental decisions according to God’s will. It is an essential, day-to-day activity that allows thoughtful Christians to separate the truth of God from error and to distinguish right from wrong in all kinds of settings and situations. It is also a skill – something that any person can develop and improve…”

TIM CHALLIES

My copy of Tim Challies book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment is highlighted, starred, underlined, and frequently book-marked. It is one of the most important books in my library.

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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Christian

Quote of the Week, 9/28/22

Cindy Dawson

With discernment comes division. A person who seeks to be discerning must be willing to suffer the effects of this division. It will divide not only believer from unbeliever, but it may even divide a discerning believer from one who is undiscerning. It will separate the mature from the immature, the naïve from the prudent.” Tim Challies, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

With Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? Read my page Who Is Jesus?

Photo by madeleine ragsdale on Unsplash

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