What role does discernment play in recognizing lies like in Genesis 3:4? Genesis 3:4—The First Falsehood “ ‘You will surely not die,’ the serpent told the woman.” (Berean Standard Bible) The Heart of Discernment • Discernment is the Spirit-enabled ability to distinguish truth from error, light from darkness, God’s voice from every counterfeit. • It depends on a mind saturated with God’s Word and a heart yielded to His authority. • Because Scripture is literally true, any idea that contradicts it—however plausible—must be recognized as a lie. Why We Need Discernment • The enemy’s primary weapon is deception; he has “no truth in him.” (John 8:44) • Our own senses and emotions are limited and easily swayed. • Eternal consequences hinge on whether we embrace truth or fall for lies, just as Adam and Eve did. The Serpent’s Strategy Exposed 1. Question God’s Word (Genesis 3:1): “Did God really say…?” 2. Contradict God’s Word (Genesis 3:4): “You will surely not die.” 3. Impugn God’s Character (Genesis 3:5): “God knows… you will be like God.” Telltale Signs of a Lie • It diminishes or twists God’s explicit command. • It appeals to fleshly curiosity or pride. • It promises benefit while ignoring consequences. • It subtly portrays God as withholding something good. Cultivating Discernment Today • Regular, attentive reading of the whole counsel of Scripture. • Memorizing key passages so truth is instantly available for comparison. • Submitting every thought to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). • Relying on the Holy Spirit, who “guides into all the truth” (John 16:13). • Fellowshipping with mature believers who can confirm or challenge perceptions. A Quick Discernment Checklist □ Does this teaching align with explicit Scripture? □ Does it elevate God’s glory or human self-promotion? □ Does it encourage obedience or justify compromise? □ Does it match the gospel of salvation by grace through faith, or add/subtract from it? □ Does the inner witness of the Spirit affirm or warn against it? Living Out Discernment • Like Eve, we encounter voices daily—media, culture, even well-meaning friends—that question God’s Word. • Unlike Eve, we now possess both the completed canon of Scripture and the indwelling Spirit; we are fully equipped. • By exercising discernment moment by moment, we refuse the serpent’s modern echoes and walk in the safety of unvarnished truth. |
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