Discernment (1)
By Pastor Raphael Adegoke
13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:13-14).
It is another great day with the Lord. May we receive the grace to learn to tarry in His presence! Amen. Last Tuesday, we concluded the series on “Right Division of the Word”. This, I believe God has used to enhance our understanding and develop us in the area of Biblical interpretation and application; but this week we shall begin by introducing another series titled “Discernment”.
While dictionary defines discernment as the ability to judge well, Bible dictionary further explains that discernment is the ability to choose between what is true and right and what is false and wrong. To discern something is to recognize its true worth or validity. In other words, the ability to discern is synonymous with the ability to think biblically.
It is unfortunate that many ministers today have lost their sense of discernment while many still lose it on daily basis. This is highly pathetic. The ability to discern can be imparted in three major ways. These include: (1) The gift of discernment, (2) The Word of God, (3) Constant use of spiritual senses. The intent of God IS that nothing will be hidden to the saints.” 25I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, 26the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. (Col. 1:25-26)
We are at a time when we need a lot of discernment in the Body of Christ, because Satan is relentlessly mobilizing hordes of demons against the Church, knowing his time is shorter that it used to be, but it is unfortunate that it is now, at such a time as this, that the Church has chosen to sleep and a lot of believers, without the exception of ministers, being manipulatively engaged by Satan as tools of unrighteousness and the kingdom of darkness in disguise.
It is unfortunate that we only think about invisible manifestations of the forces of darkness today in the Body of Christ and thereby fail to discern Satan’s activities which in practicality are often manifested through persons, doctrines, systems, structures, policies, e.t.c.
As we journey through this series, I pray that God will open the eyes of our understanding and restore unto us our lost sense of discernment. Amen!
Pastor Raphael Adegoke is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church (Nigeria & Overseas) and a Lecturer in Christ Apostolic Church Theological Seminary.
