Kingdom 104: Kingdom Discernment
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Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:13-15
Discernment gives the Kingdom citizen (Believer) insight. Discernment is vital, not only when dealing with the world, but also with various preaching and teaching we hear. Christians are more likely to be deceived by other Christians than by the unbelieving world! We like hearing that we deserve to be blessed, prosperous, happy and "living our best life". But how much does that describe the lives of the Disciples who actually walked and lived with Jesus? Too often we embrace what is easy and pleasant, without holding that word up to scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern Truth from a lie. We turn off our discernment in favor of a feel good message. But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning].
1 Timothy 4:1-2 AMP
No matter how good something sounds, if it isn't in His Word, it isn't God's Truth!
But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP
One of the biggest problems plaguing many Western believers is that they aren't being taught the importance of personal righteousness and obedience in their daily life. What I should say is that they aren't being taught the importance of obeying the Lord's Constitution. Many of them don't know how to align their lives with the Lord God or how to tell when they are out of alignment. One reason is because many church leaders fail to inform the members and those around them how to read and study God's Word. Another reason, many tuned in to listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Without God's Constitution and His Kingdom Governor, you can do nothing. It is God's Word, the Holy Spirit and our obedience coming together that brings power into our daily life! Keep this in mind. Without the Holy Spirit, you are just a member of a religious organization that you attend once or twice a week.
A Kingdom citizen does not allow the problems of the world system to become a priority or a deep concern. His faith is totally hidden in the Word of God. In other words, you either believe His Word or you don't. The Lord Jesus made this statement: Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:44-50
The word discerning means: Having or showing good judgment or understanding. Discernment means: An act or instance of discerning; keen perception or judgment; insight. Many who call themselves Christian don't have discernment. Remember, we aren't "Christians" but Kingdom citizens. The people at Antioch gave that name to the apostles while they were there. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26 Always remember, if people can name you they will define you.
We should always know the source that we can retreat to in search of truth. That truth is God's Constitution (the Bible) which is the Word of God. It is a Kingdom citizen's rock solid foundation for life. It gives us discernment concerning right and wrong; what is obedient and disobedient. The Lord Jesus made it quite clear in His prayer for His disciples: I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. John 17:6
The Word of the Lord should be your number one priority. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20-21
When the Lord Jesus prayed for the Believers, here is what He said: I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23
It is the Word and NOT religion that makes us one. Most religions regard the Holy Spirit as an "it" or a "thing". That is not truth. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:25-27
We are living in an era where the line between truth and lies are blurred.
We have seen and been told so many lies. Lies are being marketed as truth. And all those lies seek to rise up against the Word of God and get you to believe that God's Word is a lie, or at least optional. We are told the lie that we all have our own "truth", nothing is wrong, only another "perspective". As we have always said, "All Satan wants is to get you to believe a lie!" He is the father of lies! Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. John 8:42-45
Tune your spiritual ears in to the Holy Spirit. Discernment gives you direction and wisdom. Discernment gives you the advantage in situations. It reveals things to you that you don't already know and directs you in your decision-making process. Discernment aids you in personal relationships. But you must focus on what He is saying to you. Focus and obedience. Without it, you will not have the benefits of discernment.
Always remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is your foundation for eternity.
W.R. Luchie & D. Arlene Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are listed at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:13-15
Discernment gives the Kingdom citizen (Believer) insight. Discernment is vital, not only when dealing with the world, but also with various preaching and teaching we hear. Christians are more likely to be deceived by other Christians than by the unbelieving world! We like hearing that we deserve to be blessed, prosperous, happy and "living our best life". But how much does that describe the lives of the Disciples who actually walked and lived with Jesus? Too often we embrace what is easy and pleasant, without holding that word up to scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern Truth from a lie. We turn off our discernment in favor of a feel good message. But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning].
1 Timothy 4:1-2 AMP
No matter how good something sounds, if it isn't in His Word, it isn't God's Truth!
But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 AMP
One of the biggest problems plaguing many Western believers is that they aren't being taught the importance of personal righteousness and obedience in their daily life. What I should say is that they aren't being taught the importance of obeying the Lord's Constitution. Many of them don't know how to align their lives with the Lord God or how to tell when they are out of alignment. One reason is because many church leaders fail to inform the members and those around them how to read and study God's Word. Another reason, many tuned in to listening to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Without God's Constitution and His Kingdom Governor, you can do nothing. It is God's Word, the Holy Spirit and our obedience coming together that brings power into our daily life! Keep this in mind. Without the Holy Spirit, you are just a member of a religious organization that you attend once or twice a week.
A Kingdom citizen does not allow the problems of the world system to become a priority or a deep concern. His faith is totally hidden in the Word of God. In other words, you either believe His Word or you don't. The Lord Jesus made this statement: Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:44-50
The word discerning means: Having or showing good judgment or understanding. Discernment means: An act or instance of discerning; keen perception or judgment; insight. Many who call themselves Christian don't have discernment. Remember, we aren't "Christians" but Kingdom citizens. The people at Antioch gave that name to the apostles while they were there. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:25-26 Always remember, if people can name you they will define you.
We should always know the source that we can retreat to in search of truth. That truth is God's Constitution (the Bible) which is the Word of God. It is a Kingdom citizen's rock solid foundation for life. It gives us discernment concerning right and wrong; what is obedient and disobedient. The Lord Jesus made it quite clear in His prayer for His disciples: I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word. John 17:6
The Word of the Lord should be your number one priority. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20-21
When the Lord Jesus prayed for the Believers, here is what He said: I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:20-23
It is the Word and NOT religion that makes us one. Most religions regard the Holy Spirit as an "it" or a "thing". That is not truth. These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:25-27
We are living in an era where the line between truth and lies are blurred.
We have seen and been told so many lies. Lies are being marketed as truth. And all those lies seek to rise up against the Word of God and get you to believe that God's Word is a lie, or at least optional. We are told the lie that we all have our own "truth", nothing is wrong, only another "perspective". As we have always said, "All Satan wants is to get you to believe a lie!" He is the father of lies! Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. John 8:42-45
Tune your spiritual ears in to the Holy Spirit. Discernment gives you direction and wisdom. Discernment gives you the advantage in situations. It reveals things to you that you don't already know and directs you in your decision-making process. Discernment aids you in personal relationships. But you must focus on what He is saying to you. Focus and obedience. Without it, you will not have the benefits of discernment.
Always remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is your foundation for eternity.
W.R. Luchie & D. Arlene Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are listed at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
