Comments on: The devolvement of discernment http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/ Life, adventure and faith in south Arkansas Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:16:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Notes from the Trail » Discernment again… http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-1255 Notes from the Trail » Discernment again… Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:22:25 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-1255 [...] With that said, read Tim’s entry about spiritual discernment. I’ve said elsewhere that this book will be a must-have for today’s American Christ follower - mainly because [...] [...] With that said, read Tim’s entry about spiritual discernment. I’ve said elsewhere that this book will be a must-have for today’s American Christ follower - mainly because [...]

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-895 Carolyn Sat, 18 Nov 2006 16:34:11 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-895 Have you read Elton's latest blog on this same subject? Have you read Elton’s latest blog on this same subject?

]]> By: Mark W http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-894 Mark W Sat, 18 Nov 2006 03:43:24 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-894 Dean - that's not a cop out at all. It's true! I wish I'd thought of it...a lot actually. :) Dean - that’s not a cop out at all. It’s true! I wish I’d thought of it…a lot actually. :)

]]> By: dean http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-892 dean Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:29:27 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-892 this might sound like laziness or a cop-out, but if used along with the other so-far excellent suggestions above, "seeking wise counsel" goes a long way toward ferreting out truth. while we are ultimately responsible for our own decisions and the stands we take, it is always helpful to listen to spiritually mature people whom we trust. i guess to complete this vicious cycle, one would already have to be a discerning individual to even know who the wise, spiritually mature ones are among us though. hmm... i think before i completely sell out to this suggestion, i better go ask somebody.... this might sound like laziness or a cop-out, but if used along with the other so-far excellent suggestions above, “seeking wise counsel” goes a long way toward ferreting out truth. while we are ultimately responsible for our own decisions and the stands we take, it is always helpful to listen to spiritually mature people whom we trust. i guess to complete this vicious cycle, one would already have to be a discerning individual to even know who the wise, spiritually mature ones are among us though. hmm… i think before i completely sell out to this suggestion, i better go ask somebody….

]]> By: Mark W http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-889 Mark W Fri, 17 Nov 2006 01:00:46 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-889 I see that K.T. has already added prayer to the list, and TJ began with what I might term "Christ centeredness" - though depending on some other factors, it might be hard for a truly naive Christian to really know what a Christ centered mentality looks like. I've seen people do some pretty stupid things in the name of Christ centeredness. The reason? Their "center" for Christ was unfortunately off base. Here are a few ideas for the list that shouldn't get negelected: 1) READ!: ...and not just the scriptures. Read commentaries on the scriptures. Read Christian history - from 1st century AD through to the 20th century. Borrow that BIG book of theology that Jeff held up last Sunday. Equip yourself with knowledge -"Unless we learn from the past, we are destined to repeat it." 2) LISTEN: Before making judgments about others ideas, beliefs, positions on various issues, really hear them out. Follow their reasoning. Put yourself in their shoes. Don't react until you've tried to understand a different persepective. 3) REASON: Use your God given ability to follow the dictates of true logic. Statement "A" cannot both equal "B" and not equal "B". Use the tool of careful reasoning to built your positions. Use reason to test the positons of others before "going along" with something because it sounds good on the surface. 4) BE WILLING TO ADMIT FAULT: We're all human and fallible. Everyone will, at some point, fail to use good discernment. The best discernment in that situation is to admit the mistake, make amends, and learn from it. 5) CARE!: Discernment isn't some kind of detached game that we play, acting as if we have all the answers. Discernment is a way to really engage in those things and with those people whom we care about. Discern well so that you can make a difference. Well, those are some things off the top of my head. Perhaps not all of them really apply to what you wanted. Use them as you see fit...and let me know what you think! Great post! I see that K.T. has already added prayer to the list, and TJ began with what I might term “Christ centeredness” - though depending on some other factors, it might be hard for a truly naive Christian to really know what a Christ centered mentality looks like. I’ve seen people do some pretty stupid things in the name of Christ centeredness. The reason? Their “center” for Christ was unfortunately off base.

Here are a few ideas for the list that shouldn’t get negelected:

1) READ!: …and not just the scriptures. Read commentaries on the scriptures. Read Christian history - from 1st century AD through to the 20th century. Borrow that BIG book of theology that Jeff held up last Sunday. Equip yourself with knowledge -”Unless we learn from the past, we are destined to repeat it.”

2) LISTEN: Before making judgments about others ideas, beliefs, positions on various issues, really hear them out. Follow their reasoning. Put yourself in their shoes. Don’t react until you’ve tried to understand a different persepective.

3) REASON: Use your God given ability to follow the dictates of true logic. Statement “A” cannot both equal “B” and not equal “B”. Use the tool of careful reasoning to built your positions. Use reason to test the positons of others before “going along” with something because it sounds good on the surface.

4) BE WILLING TO ADMIT FAULT: We’re all human and fallible. Everyone will, at some point, fail to use good discernment. The best discernment in that situation is to admit the mistake, make amends, and learn from it.

5) CARE!: Discernment isn’t some kind of detached game that we play, acting as if we have all the answers. Discernment is a way to really engage in those things and with those people whom we care about. Discern well so that you can make a difference.

Well, those are some things off the top of my head. Perhaps not all of them really apply to what you wanted. Use them as you see fit…and let me know what you think!

Great post!

]]> By: K.T. http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-887 K.T. Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:12:42 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-887 Is it naivete or discernment?Are people not the religions they are because they feel through their own best determinations that the one they choose is the way to go?Or is that based on being naive?Who really has the answer to that? 2.Prayer So prayer for clarity should definitely be on the list.....and prayer for an open heart.Prayer for GOD to show us the path of most resistance but also glory in his name. Is it naivete or discernment?Are people not the religions they are because they feel through their own best determinations that the one they choose is the way to go?Or is that based on being naive?Who really has the answer to that?

2.Prayer
So prayer for clarity should definitely be on the list…..and prayer for an open heart.Prayer for GOD to show us the path of most resistance but also glory in his name.

]]> By: TJ http://www.journeyguy.com/the-devolvement-of-discernment/#comment-886 TJ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:41:55 +0000 http://www.nobledesign.us/trailguide/?p=370#comment-886 The scripture in 2 Timothy becomes so clear these days. You have teaching that tells people everything they want to hear, but nothing that people NEED to hear. I read the Time Magazine article that you're referring to. Hearing such extremes on the subject of prosperity makes me sick. I believe that prosperity is okay as long as our soul is prospering (3 john 1:2). If it's unprofitable to gain the whole world and lose our own soul, then what needs to be taught heavily WITH teaching on prosperity is that the most important thing is that your soul is prospering. Matthew 6:33 says to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and THEN the things we need will be added to us. It's okay to ask for God's help in giving us wisdom to be financially stable and to be in a place where we are a blessing to others. But to make this teaching the core value of ministry is sickning. If the promise of financial blessing is the reason someone is serving the Lord, the priorities are screwed up. It's what I've heard referred to as "not seeking His face, but seeking His hand." I don't want what He can give me - I want Him. When I have Him, I have everything. I wish I heard more of this teaching on Christian television. So here's what I think one of the suggestions for becoming more discerning should be: "Use the Seeking first the Kingdom and His Righteousness mentality as our approach to discerning if what we're doing and teaching is appropriate. The scripture in 2 Timothy becomes so clear these days. You have teaching that tells people everything they want to hear, but nothing that people NEED to hear.

I read the Time Magazine article that you’re referring to. Hearing such extremes on the subject of prosperity makes me sick. I believe that prosperity is okay as long as our soul is prospering (3 john 1:2). If it’s unprofitable to gain the whole world and lose our own soul, then what needs to be taught heavily WITH teaching on prosperity is that the most important thing is that your soul is prospering. Matthew 6:33 says to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and THEN the things we need will be added to us. It’s okay to ask for God’s help in giving us wisdom to be financially stable and to be in a place where we are a blessing to others. But to make this teaching the core value of ministry is sickning. If the promise of financial blessing is the reason someone is serving the Lord, the priorities are screwed up. It’s what I’ve heard referred to as “not seeking His face, but seeking His hand.” I don’t want what He can give me - I want Him. When I have Him, I have everything. I wish I heard more of this teaching on Christian television.

So here’s what I think one of the suggestions for becoming more discerning should be: “Use the Seeking first the Kingdom and His Righteousness mentality as our approach to discerning if what we’re doing and teaching is appropriate.

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