What can we learn about discernment from the servants' actions in Judges 3:24? Stepping Into the Scene “After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came and found the doors of the roof chamber locked. They said, ‘He must be relieving himself in the cool room.’” (Judges 3:24) Where Discernment Slipped • They trusted first impressions: locked doors → assumed a natural explanation. • They projected personal experience (“He must be …”) instead of gathering facts. • They delayed action, allowing danger to deepen (v. 25). • They never checked the last person who’d seen the king—Ehud—ignoring an obvious lead. Timeless Principles • Surface clues can mislead; prudent people verify (Proverbs 18:13). • Assumptions create blind spots; discernment asks, “What else could this mean?” (Proverbs 14:15). • Delay can magnify damage; wisdom acts when warning signs appear (James 4:17). • Discernment combines observation with courage; the servants observed but lacked courage to investigate. Practicing Discernment Today • Weigh appearances against God’s Word; truth stands test (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • Test every spirit, idea, and motive (1 John 4:1). • Pray while watching circumstances (Matthew 26:41). • Seek accountable voices; isolation feeds misjudgment (Proverbs 11:14). • Respond promptly to conviction; procrastination breeds regret. Encouragement for Daily Walk The servants’ hesitation reminds us that discernment is both a mindset and a motion—thinking clearly, then acting courageously. By anchoring our perceptions in Scripture and moving when truth demands, we avoid their costly delay and honor God with vigilant, decisive faith. |
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