This past Sunday, I taught on Titus 1:10-16 which focuses upon how the church should deal with false teaching when it arises. False teaching has been around for thousands of years and the leaders of the early church had to deal with it on almost a daily basis. Heresies surrounding the Trinity, the natures of Christ, the details of salvation, and the makeup of the Bible popped up constantly. This trend hasn’t slowed down throughout church history because our enemy hates when the truth is proclaimed and he wants to deceive as many as possible. Satan loves to twist the truth and come up with his own hellish concoctions that spiritually poison those who consume them. In 2022, Satan is hard at work and he’s up to the same game that he has been playing since the beginning of time. Sadly, many in the Evangelical world are easily tricked and they buy into the lies of this world hook, line, and sinker. Discernment isn’t as common as it should be. As followers of Christ, we need to resist this trend and grow in our discernment as much as we possibly can on a daily basis. How can you become more discerning? Below are three quick yet vital tips.
By Becoming a Student of God’s Word - This may sound extremely obvious but we often need reminded about the basics of the faith. How often do you skip reading the Bible because you’re “too busy” or “too tired”? How often do you neglect the Word to consume the things of the world? How often do you skim through a chapter or a passage in order to check “Bible Reading” off your daily checklist? Bible study isn’t something to rush through but to savor and enjoy. Don’t just read a passage but meditate upon it and think about how it applies to your life. Years ago, my dad gave me a Bible study tip that I’ll never forget, “When you read a verse, ask yourself: what does this teach me about who God is and what does this teach me about who I need to be?” Don’t have a pristine Bible but a copy that is highlighted, underlined, and filled with your notes. Commit verses to memory and don’t tell me you aren’t good at memorizing! We remember and memorize what we care about. One of my favorite preachers of all time, Charles Spurgeon, once said something about John Bunyan, who wrote Pilgrim’s Progress, that has really stuck with me over the years: “Prick him anywhere—his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God.” Let us be a people whose spiritual veins are full of the Word of God.
By Being Careful of What You Consume - There is so much garbage on movie screens, TV, and social media. Social media influencers, celebrities, and news anchors are trying to tell you what to think, say, and do. These people and programs affect you way more than you think they do. David makes a promise in Psalm 101:3 that should act as a filter for what we consume: “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.” Before you watch a movie or TV show, ask yourself questions like, “Is this a worthless waste of time? Will this hurt or harm my walk with the Lord? Will this cause me to stumble in someway?” Before you tune into a certain news station, ask yourself, “Will this cause me to trust in the Lord more or will this cause me to panic and fall into hysteria as many people across this country are right now?”
By Being Held Accountable By Others - Develop a trusted circle of advisors that can speak the truth into your life and help you apply God’s Word to every situation that pops up. Solomon speaks to the importance of listening and learning in Proverbs 1:5,“Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtains guidance.” Who are you turning to for wisdom and guidance? Are you turning to godly men and women who want what is best for you and lead lives of holiness? Are you trusting and learning from the wrong crowd or the right people? You are only as wise as the people that you respect and listen to.