![]() | ||
"We can discern the snow storm coming, but cannot discern the spiritual storm now swirling." |
The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret (discern) the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret (discern) the signs of the times. (Matt. 16:1-3)
Throughout
scripture, Spirit inspired writers speak of the importance of ‘discerning’ as a
means of distinguishing, understanding, and deciding what is good, right, and
just. To discern is to ‘perceive with the
eyes of the intellect, to detect, to distinguish; the act of exhibiting keen
insight and good judgment’.
The words of
Jesus in Matthew 16:1-3 portray the Messiah discerning the hearts of the
Pharisees and Sadducees as they demand a sign from heaven. Jesus discerns their
motives and their agenda. He understands that no matter what spiritual sign may
be given, it will not be discerned and understood because of their heart
condition. They can interpret the signs of weather but cannot interpret the
signs of the times. So it is today, in our culture of information and data
overload, that many do not discern the times. We can discern the snow storm coming but cannot discern the
spiritual storm now swirling. This must change.
A prophetic
intercessor in Colorado speaks eloquently to this issue in a recent post
saying, there is now unfolding ‘the restoration of the anointing of
Issachar to discern the times and advance change. It combines shrewd evaluation
with prediction, but is ultimately driven by the prophetic. It manifests with
the actions of game-changers. (Morris Ruddick’s post on 02.10.16 at www.strategicintercession.org).
There is an
anointing to discern the times. We
must embrace it. Without it we are blinded by the tangibles of the
culture. To ‘discern’ includes the intangible element of perceiving. To perceive is to see behind the curtain, to
sense something with spiritual eyes or ears, to have insight beyond natural
understanding. We live in an era where our perceptive antennae must be raised
and finely tuned. Proverbs 17:24 (NIV) says ‘The
discerning (perceptive in KJV) man keeps wisdom in view but a fool’s eyes
wander to the ends of the earth. Discernment and wisdom are partners in
life. They are supernaturally linked. The eyes of many are wandering to and fro
looking for a superman or woman to solve the world’s problems. Some are seeking
more inclusive doctrine, something that will offend no one but ultimately save
no one. But the discerning, perceiving believers keep God’s wisdom in view,
knowing that the times compel acuity of hearing and 20-20 insight into things as
they really are. The discerning believer will not be deceived in these
times. They will distinguish good from evil, truth from lies, right from wrong. They will simplify a seemingly complex world into
decisive and wise choices. They
become the game-changers.
2 comments:
Great article on discerning truth! Although, it is quite difficult, say Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses & Eastern religions who claim they have the truth too. Can we say that they have 'bits' of the truth too?
Jesus said he was the way the truth and the life and no one could go to the Father except by him. All Truth must be discerned from that foundation.
Post a Comment