What role does discernment play in evaluating messages claiming to be from God? Setting the Scene: Jeremiah on Trial “Then the officials and all the people said to the priests and prophets, ‘This man does not deserve the sentence of death, for he has spoken to us in the name of the LORD our God.’” (Jeremiah 26:16) The People’s Discernment in Jeremiah 26:16 • The crowd had just heard Jeremiah deliver a hard message of impending judgment. • Priests and false prophets demanded his execution, claiming he blasphemed. • Civil officials and ordinary people stepped in, weighing the claims. • Their conclusion: Jeremiah truly spoke “in the name of the LORD,” so he must be spared. → Discernment turned potential mob justice into protection of a genuine prophet. What True Discernment Looks Like • Listening carefully before judging (Proverbs 18:13). • Comparing the message with revealed Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:1-4). • Considering a prophet’s life and fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). • Valuing courage to stand against popular opinion when truth is at stake (Galatians 1:10). Key Tests for Evaluating Messages 1. Alignment with God’s written Word – “If a prophet presumes to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded… that prophet must be put to death” (Deuteronomy 18:20). – A genuine word never contradicts prior revelation (Psalm 119:160). 2. Accuracy over time – “When the word of a prophet comes true, that is the word the LORD has spoken” (Deuteronomy 18:22). – Jeremiah’s prophecies of exile were fulfilled, validating his earlier warnings. 3. Christ-exalting focus – “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). – Any message diminishing the sufficiency or lordship of Christ fails the test. 4. Witness of the Spirit‐taught conscience – Mature believers “by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). – Inner witness does not replace Scripture, but confirms it (Romans 8:16). Why Discernment Matters Today • False voices still abound—media, pulpits, classrooms. • Spiritual deception increases as the end approaches (2 Timothy 3:13). • Correct discernment protects the church, preserves doctrine, and maintains personal holiness. Cultivating a Discerning Heart • Saturate your mind with Scripture daily (Psalm 1:2). • Pray for wisdom—God gives generously (James 1:5). • Fellowship with believers committed to truth (Acts 2:42). • Humbly receive correction; even Jeremiah was preserved by wise officials willing to listen (Jeremiah 26:17-19). • Test everything, hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). |
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