In a fast moving world where there are many voices, especially those speaking as in the name of Jesus, It has become very important for everyone to be discerning. 1 John 4: 1 ‘Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world’.
Typically, discerning dates back to the time of the Aaron the priest. That was how they could tell the mind of God on any given issue. On his breastplate was the Urim and Thummim. Which represented light and perfecter respectively. The Urim is a clear crystal while the Thummim is a black stone. Both are precious stones. When God approved of a thing, the Urim lights up and reflects on the Thummim. But if He didn’t, the Urim wouldn’t light up. Exodus 28:30 ‘Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.’
It is the same principle today. There’s a light bulb inside of our spirit that lights up whenever God approves of a matter. It goes off to indicate that He doesn’t approve. This is the act of discerning. Psalm 36:9 ‘For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Just incase this has not been activated in you, there’s a physical method that can help you to discern. This is the act of Love. The prove that the Spirit of God dwells in a man is Love. 1 John 4: 12 ‘No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.
Everyone can fake power, tongues, spirit, service, but no one can fake love. 1 Corinthians 13 :4 -8 highlights the characteristics of love. ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away’.
If you forget any other characteristic of love, don’t forget ‘self-seeking’. Love gives, but watch out for when it becomes possessive. The God that created the whole world, gave us love yet allows us to choose Him willingly. Love should make you surrender willingly and nor coerced into.
Pay attention so that you are not deceived.