Discerning the differences is one of the games that I enjoy playing. Usually, there are two pictures side-by-side, and one is altered in various ways. The differences are usually not easy to see.
In our spiritual lives, discerning the differences becomes especially important. We live in an age where the mixture of truth and lies are constant occurrences. The result at best is confusion, and left unchecked can lead to chaos.
One of the first things we need to know about discernment is: that a good lie always contains at least one element of truth, usually more. The second this is, the more little lies we accept, the easier it becomes to believe the bigger lies. This happens as we are move incrementally away from truth.
It is a brilliant scheme.
It is not a scheme initiated by people.
The enemy of our souls has many names, and one of them is “The Deceiver.” He has that name because deception is one of, if not his most used tactic. He is a liar.
The Deceiver wants to keep us from discerning the truth because the truth set us free. Free from what? The truth frees us from deception and power of the lies.
By calling evil good, and good evil, confusion enters. Lies sow confusion, often in subtle ways. By not discerning the differences between the two, it grows increasingly difficult for us to keep them straight on our own.
But God. . .
19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3
When we understand the enemy’s tactic of deception, the importance of knowing and recognizing the truth is highlighted.
Using the concept of names describing the tactics of a person, lets looks at Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I specify which Jesus, because there are lot of them around the world today. This distinction helps us differentiate.
This Jesus calls himself the way, the Truth and the life, in John 14:6. Also, earlier in the same book of the Bible, John, describes Jesus as the Word. 1:1-5 & 14. Jesus and John can do that because the life Jesus lived on earth proves the reality of the name.
The Deceiver and Truth both live out their names well.
Investing time and energy in learning the Bible, The Word, is crucial. Both the Old and New Testaments together help bring a more complete understanding, which increases our discernment.
Most of this goes on in our minds. Yet the fruit of the Word is not only a matter of head knowledge, but of our heart and experiences. This is also why the Holy Spirit and the Body of Christ are so important to our training.
Discerning the differences spiritually is a matter training our bodies, souls, minds and spirits to grow in Truth. Unchecked, the Word tells us a lack of discernment can become a matter of life and death, spiritually, and sometimes even physically. “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6
Abba,
Thank you for sending us Truth and for the Truth setting us free! We pray that discerning the differences between truth and lies, good and evil, life and death ,will become natural to us. We choose to join in the sincere process of Your training. Bring wise and discerning people to walk with us. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and courage to yield to your Holy Spirit in the process. We choose life!
