Does Discernment Really Work?

BeenThinkin · #1 08-16-2010, 06:48 PM

How many times do you know of someone who was living in sin being discerned? There have been well known preachers, TV evangelists, pastors who were living a lie, living in sin, and no one suspected nor "discerned" them. They were continually around the leadership of their denominations and no one had a clue. Why?

Now if I've missed someone that's been discerned please fill me in.

Just.....
Been Thinkin

ChTatum · #2 08-16-2010, 06:56 PM

I think we often confuse "discernment" with "word of knowledge". There have been a couple of times when I was given a word of knowledge by God; it dealt with humanity.

RandyWayne · #3 08-16-2010, 06:58 PM

I don't know if discernment is so much a spiritual gift as a mental one. It seems to be about seeing the small signs that tell a story other then the one person in question is trying to say. The problem is that discernment is probably far less in a religious setting then secular one because the congregation or followers willfully blind themselves to so many red flags.

Jermyn Davidson · #4 08-16-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

How many times do you know of someone who was living in sin being discerned? There have been well known preachers, TV evangelists, pastors who were living a lie, living in sin, and no one suspected nor "discerned" them. They were continually around the leadership of their denominations and no one had a clue. Why?

Now if I've missed someone that's been discerned please fill me in.

Just.....
Been Thinkin

I believe that God can give someone spiritual discernment in a situation.

When I was much closer in my walk with God, I can think of at least two situations right off of the top of my head where the Lord gave me discernment concerning the intents of another human being.

1 was in a church setting where the guy was faking as he prayed and spoke in tongues.

1 was in my apartment where there was a guy and his "wife" who were lying to me about their marriage and their intent to live for God.

I would imagine there were other incidents, I just can't think of them right now.

BroGary · #5 08-16-2010, 07:13 PM

Those denominations and preachers who do not teach the truth of how to be saved have not even been able to discern that they are not even following basic truth, so it should not surprise us they if do not discern other things :-)

(and no offense intended to anyone, but I know that here on AFF there are some who might disagree because they seem to basically think that anyone who acknowledges Christ in any way is saved reguardless of the doctrine they believe, and they are entitled to their opinion :-)

Anyhow, here are some related scriptures:

1 Corinthians 12:8 "....to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit...."

1 Corinthians 12:10 "....to another discerning of spirits...."

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Jermyn Davidson · #6 08-16-2010, 07:20 PM

In December 2009, 1 of the Assistant Pastors in my church looked right at a guest I had bought to church with me and said, "Lord deliver us from a lying spirit," as he walked away from us. This was NOT during a sermon. I remember, he looked at us for a few seconds after I had greeted him. I saw out of the corner of my eye where he kept looking towards him and he was standing close to me. Then he said what he said.

I picked up on what he said right away, but I don't think my "friend" did. I purposely chose to ignore what the preacher said-- thinking that there was no way he knew anything about this guy, or his intents. I thought I knew him better than anyone there.

The guy turned out to be a liar. His deception cost me alot.

It remains one of many life's lessons that sting.

freeatlast · #7 08-16-2010, 07:33 PM

When I think of discernment and how it should benefit the church...well it seems obvious that no one at the Mississippi campeeting that Borat filmed for his movie had any part of the gift of discernment.

BeenThinkin · #8 08-16-2010, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

When I think of discernment and how it should benefit the church...well it seems obvious that no one at the Mississippi campeeting that Borat filmed for his movie had any part of the gift of discernment.

Freeatlast that's a good point, a great example. I'm not in any way trying to raise an argument. Just have to admit I don't recall ever seeing a prime example of "spiritual discernment!"

Again, I simply ask why? The examples that have been given thus far may possibly be examples of discernment, but why not the cases of "big preachers," if I can say it that way, who have been in sin but no one discerning it?

BT

DaveC519 · #9 08-16-2010, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Again, I simply ask why? The examples that have been given thus far may possibly be examples of discernment, but why not the cases of "big preachers," if I can say it that way, who have been in sin but no one discerning it?

Could it be that they don't surround themselves with people who are used in this gift?

King David surrounded himself with prophets and seers because he wanted to know what the true Word of the Lord was and what God's direction was for himself and the kingdom.

POWERUP · #10 08-17-2010, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

How many times do you know of someone who was living in sin being discerned? There have been well known preachers, TV evangelists, pastors who were living a lie, living in sin, and no one suspected nor "discerned" them. They were continually around the leadership of their denominations and no one had a clue. Why?

Now if I've missed someone that's been discerned please fill me in.

Just.....
Been Thinkin

Kinda like when everyone gathered around Borak at Ms. Campmeeting
a few years back................Just saying............They got played...