“Silence is often golden.
Many times, we are truly discerning when we say nothing at all.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner
There has arisen across the land a new breed of prophets. They are “discerners.” They have been given the “Gift of Discernment.” They are Ministers of Discernment. They have YouTube Channels devoted to their Ministry of Discernment. No one is out of their reach. No One. Anyone with whom they disagree is subject to their condemnation. They will silence us all if we disagree.
The are the new condemnationists. These “discerners” began as ultra-fundamentalists, and progressed into merely angry, modern-day pharisees. A couple thousand years ago Jesus called the pharisees white-washed tombs. It’s as appropriate today as it was then.
Yet there is a genuine place for discernment. And I would argue that in these increasingly contentious times, with a predominately atheistic society that includes political leaders, business leaders, and YouTube “Culture Creators,” we need the gift of discernment. We need it for ourselves. We need those who’ve truly been assigned to the Office of Discernment to build up the Body of Christ. The key here is “To Build Up The Body Of Christ.”
“One of the spiritual gifts God gives the Church is discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10). The Church needs people who are able to discern error since we’re called upon to “test the spirits to see if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).” —from “When the Spiritual Gift of Discernment Turns Sour,” by By Thomas R. Schreiner, Lifeway Research, Insights—Personal Development, Oct 26, 2018
“Too often, people think they have the gift of discernment when in fact they have a critical, fault-finding, cynical, and negative spirit,” wrote Mr. Schreiner. I see a trend these days to categorize preachers as either right or wrong, true or false. Then the “Discerners” attack. Certainly there are people living today outside the Christian Church that are anti-christ in their views and actions. There are also people within the Christian Church who do not preach truth. And then there are those preachers that are mostly preaching the “mystery of the Gospel” and teaching mostly appropriately from GOD’s Word. Mostly. How can we expect a preacher to be one hundred percent accurate in his—yes, his—preaching? Jesus is perfect. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we are not. We come to the podium broken individuals doing the best we can, given our shameful state. If we come to the podium thinking otherwise, we are the pharisee pointing out the tax collector, saying “I’m so glad I’m not like him.” Ugh!
The Redeemed of the LORD are called to discern. As such it is their job to take from a preacher what is for them, to glean truth from the harvest of words spoken from the pulpit.
“Those who are truly discerning recognize truth and goodness wherever they find it. Properly understood, it’s one of God’s gifts to his people,” wrote Trevin Wax —“The Dangerous Gift of Discernment,” in The Gospel Coalition, Nov 5, 2018.
As for those who have received some particular insight, even LORD’s appointment to the Office of Discernment, there is a difficult road to follow.
“People with discernment face the temptation of wielding their gift as a sword of condemnation rather than healing,” wrote Trevin Wax.
Ministry is service. Service is to build up. We build up the Body of Christ as we are led by Spirit. Are there times we must tear down things? Sure. However, I see little value of condemnation before the world of unbelievers. It seems unworthy of a Child of GOD to attack his brother before pagans. Would not a better strategy be to approach an individual privately, taking along a few other spiritually discerning persons. Hum, I think I read that somewhere.
At this point I feel a bit sarcastic. (Okay, two bits more.) That approach wouldn’t get a lot of “likes” on YouTube. Getting “likes” is how one gets higher on the algorithm, and gets better exposure, and More Money. Cash is King.
Spirit’s Gifts are wonderful. Apostle Paul wrote to us about them, and to the Corinthian Church (first letter).
12:31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
Jonah’s Song 