Published Saturday, March 20, 2010

Pastor's Corner: 'When you're in a hole, stop digging'

By DANIEL AUSBUN, First Baptist Church, Moreland

daniel@fbcmoreland.org

Have you ever met someone who believes everything they hear?

These are people who fall for the Nigerian check scam, pump-and-dump penny stocks and the family member they "loaned" money to. There are 22 spiritual gifts in the Bible -- one is discernment or distinguishing between the spirits (I Corinthians 12:10).

This is a spiritual gift and it helps keep you from sin. Discernment is having keen insight and good judgment. If you've ever met someone and felt, "Something's wrong," "There's an ulterior motive," or "I don't trust him," God could be giving you insight to avoid sin.

There is a difference between the gift of discernment and spiritual discernment.

The gift of discernment in scripture is being able to discern a false prophet and carnal hypocrite. You will be able to compare ungodly words, deeds and appearances with what God has revealed in scripture. You can separate truth from falsity.

Jesus warned us that false prophets will come during the end times and blur the lines between right and wrong -- and possibility deceive believers (Matthew 24:24). We now need the gift of discernment more than ever.

There are Christians who waste money and time trying to find answers and solutions to their problems, yet never find them. Spiritual discernment is avoiding sinful desires and discovering the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-26). Lack of spiritual discernment bring two unavoidable conclusions:

* First, lack of discernment is proof of spiritual immaturity. Christians can get stuck with a childish and immature faith. Discernment leads to sound theology -- knowing God's Word. God demands and expects maturity, and maturity is inseparable from discernment.

* Second, a lack of discernment is proof of backsliding. If your faith is diminishing rather than increasing, you're lacking discernment.

Are you a stronger Christian now than one year ago? If you can't say "yes" to this question, you're a backslidden believer. You need to rededicate your life Christ today. Pull the fire alarm, dial 911, grab an AED, and turn back to Christ. The more I have grown spiritually, the more I've come to understand that a backslidden Christian can't hear God. They first have to turn back to Christ, then they'll hear God's voice.

If you're out of fellowship with Christ, you need to do whatever it takes to return to Him.

Discernment does four things for you: First, it discovers the root issues. When we are foolish, we want to conquer the world. When we are wise, we want to conquer ourselves. Our problems begin with us, Jesus told us to get the log out of our own eye (Matthew 7:4).

Second, discernment enhances your problem solving. Everyday you have problems, if you can get to the root issue of it, it's solvable. If you're in a hole, stop digging and start climbing. Discernment will let you know if you're in one.

Third, discernment helps evaluate your options for maximum impact. Discernment allows you to use your feelings and knowledge to make decisions. The Holy Spirit speaks today -- if His words agrees with scripture, you need to take action.

Fourth, discernment will multiply your opportunities. If you're always in the wrong place at the wrong time, there's probably a reason why. Spiritual discernment will place you in a position for God to use you. Defense wins in all sports. Defenders in the right position create opportunities to make great plays.

If you want to move from faithfulness to fruitfulness, spiritual discernment is a gift God gives you to get there. John 2:24 says, "But Jesus would not entrust himself to them." Jesus wouldn't believe what His "followers" said. Spiritual maturity involves discerning the voice of God versus everyday noise.