Discernment – Eliminate the Bad, Embrace the Good

Discernment is vital to a healthy spiritual life. We must be able to recognize those things that are harmful to us as well as those that are good for us.

Jesus laid a groundwork for discernment in his Sermon on the Mount. Here is what he said.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Matthew 7:13-20

Three important lessons

If we will listen to Jesus, he is willing to teach us about everything we truly need to know to succeed in this life. Here are three more important lessons about discernment for us to apply to our lives.

Most people will miss the way to eternal life. This is a strong warning to us. I have lived among people who assume everyone will be in heaven. I have heard such assurances given at multiple funerals. However, Jesus warns us that most people miss the way to heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is available to everyone. No one is excluded but most people don’t really want it! Most people want to live their own way and not God’s way. It’s hard to see the way to life when we are determined to have our own way!

There are lots of false teachers out there. They sound good and positive. They may even teach some sound principles, however, they teach for their own benefit and don’t really care about you. While they may sound religious, they will keep you out of the Kingdom of heaven! Their lives reveal their true character. So we must be careful to discern what is true and what is not.

We must spend much time in prayer and the word. Jesus tells us to heed his words. The only way to find the way is to follow him! Prayer and Bible reading helps us identify false teachers. When we know the genuine good news we won’t be fooled by cheap imitations – or even good imitations!

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