Conforming to the Truth

Discernment is Telling the Difference Between Right and Almost Right

The believers in Colossae were known for their faithfulness and love for their brothers and sisters in Christ. They were devoted people, but their devotion was being tested.

The pressure to turn away from their freedom in Christ to legalism, Gnosticism, and Acsetism were great.

These false teachings had the appearance of wisdom, but Paul says it’s worthless. It is of no value. (Colossians 2:23)

Creepers in the Church

This pressure was not coming from the outside.

Unfortunately, with their false teachings, false teachers crept into the church. The book of Jude tells us false teachers creep into the church unnoticed. (Jude 1:4) Unnoticed? How can a false teacher enter a church unnoticed?

We may have a misguided idea these false teachers make a brief appearance, spread their empty, deceptive words, and leave our congregation headed to the next unsuspecting church.

Not so.

When the text says they “crept in unnoticed, ” they have settled down alongside those already there. They sit beside those with a lack of discernment!

Do you know who is sitting beside you? Do you know if your Bible Study leader, Sunday School Teacher, or Pastor teaches the Truth? If you and I are not discerning, their smooth and flattering words will sweep us away.

The Difference Between Right and Almost Right?

Charles Spurgeon said this about discernment,

” Discernment is not a matter of telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.”

Some false teachers are so obvious you know immediately they are peddling a false gospel. Then some use biblical words and phrases that are so close to the truth to the untrained heart that they sound correct but are false.

How Do We Know the Difference?

We must work ( 2 Timothy 3:15) and train our senses to know the difference. (Hebrews 5:14)

If we are not reading and studying the word of God for ourselves, there is a sure possibility of falling for false teachings.

God gives His children the Holy Spirit of promise, who leads and guides the true believer into all truth. The Holy Spirit of God and the Word of God are our safeguards against falling for false teachings.

God does not leave His children without protection.

But, we must use what He provides.

Prayer for Discernment

The child of God needs knowledge, spiritual wisdom, and understanding to judge what they are reading and discern what is taught.

The apostle Paul understood the need for prayer. We are prone to wander and take our eyes off Christ!

Today, pray and ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

By working through this Bible Study in Colossians, you are putting the Word of God into your heart and mind.

You are putting on the armor of God and protecting yourself from the schemes of the devil!

|See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the traditions of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Colossians 2″8.|

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