One of the end time occurrences will be a falling away of believers. And the reason of this will be as a result of "seducing spirits and doctrines of devils". So it becomes imperative that the end time believer must as a matter of necessity and urgency be equipped with sound and accurate discernment so as to forestall the onslaught of the devil in these last days.
The fundamental definition for Christian discernment is a decision making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action.
The claim that only God reserves the right to judge a matter or a person because of his sovereignty and omni-science attributes is conclusive and absolute in itself and biblically correct.
It is due to this attribute of his nature that he grants every believer the capacity to exercise this attribute by investing his Spirit in us. We will be deficient in ourselves to make wise judgements outside the Holyspirit. Hence the bible says....
John 14:26 KJV
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
John 16:13 KJV
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1 John 2:20 KJV
But ye have an unction vfrom the Holy One, and ye know all things.
The instrumentality of the Holyspirit in us is not just a companion and a friend, part of his major functions is to afford the believer the ability of access Supernatural information. Note that the verses above does not refer to the Gift of discernment which is an exclusive gift giving to some believers by the Holyghost for discernment. So every believer regardless of whether he or she has the gift of discernment or not has the Holy spirit in them which affords us the ability to know things that we cannot know naturally.
Now let's drill the matter.....
If the Bible says that the wages of sin is death, and we see sin practised in a place or by someone, do we say only God can judge him and not bring the gospel to the person? By preaching to the fellow, we have already predetermined by his works that he is in sin and needs a saviour. Hence by the works of a person relative to the position of the word of God we can make conclusions. If someone asks why we are preaching to him, simple answer...he is a sinner and needs Jesus. What if this fellow continues in his sin what happens to him? Do you answer...i don't know because God judges all things and i don't have the authority to determine his end?
This school of thought that casts off all reasoning by adopting the slogan that God is the one to judge negates the ministry of the Holyghost in tbe life of the believer. It makes the believer prone to deception and to lack the boldness to accept and use the authority of the inner witness of God through his Spirit within us. The slogan is a dangerous precedence and we refuse this in all its ramifications.
What we refer to as discernment in itself is a judging instrument. If you can discern it, then you have judged it. Judging in this sense does not mean that one has the power to reward right or wrong on the account of the person or matter in question, which is the prerogative and position of the sovereignty of God alone, but this judging is in a sense that you can make an accurate decision to accept (or refer) a thing or not, whether a manifestation is right or wrong or whether a man is right or wrong. The position of judgement we are not authorised to make is the reward position. Only God holds this right
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be". (Revelation 22:12 KJV)
If we as believers accept every doctrine, every minister, every ministry or every manifestation on the basis that we cannot judge another, we have negated the supernatural ministry of the Holyghost that aids accurate judgement. Even Apostle Paul was able to discern false prophets and teachers of his day....
2 Corinthians 11:13-14 KJV
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
The question is by what Authority did Paul use to determine that some are false?? It was by spiritual discernment and also evident from the works of this men. Why didn't he say "no comment" or i reserve my right to conclude on these people of their status in Christ. But rather he quickly discerned what they stood for and openly called them out.
When Elymas the sorcerer operated to hinder the gospel in Acts 13:6-11, Apostle paul discerned his works and rebuked him. In verse 10, he said...
"And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, i thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness,"
He even went further to release the judgement of God on him and he was made blind. By what authority did he make this discernment or pronounce this judgement? It is also important we note that ability to discern does not afford one the office of doing corrective ministry. Corrective ministry is a grace and a calling. Every christain should have the ability to discern but not every christain should hold the office of bringing correction.
"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
There's a high level of deception in the body of Christ today not just in this country but in the world at large. Every manifestation in the name of Jesus has been adopted to be true all in the theology of no man is allowed to judge. And the devil runs rampant in our congregations. The average believer doesn't even know what to believe, what is right or wrong, what is accepted or rejected. So where then is the work and ministry of the Holyspirit? If we don't grow up now and mature in the understanding of Spiritual things, we shall soon have occultic grandmasters, wizards and all erroneous entities on our pulpits and because they work miracles we shall believe them and accept their deceptions.
Accurate and true discernment must return to the body of Christ if we must fulfil the end time mandate of the gospel and raise accurate disciples for the kingdom.
I had an argument with someone lately about the accuracy of a certain notable minister in this country. I asked him....do you believe in the manifestations and ministry of this prophet? and his answer was....i cannot judge another man or judge God's servant. I went further to ask him....can you refer or approve a young believer or disciple of yours to join such ministry or man in order to learn the ways of Christ and be confident that he or she will grow to maturity? And his answer was....i don't think so. This answer summed up our arguments. Apostle paul made a stern warning to the thessalonian church, ....
Quench not the Spirit. [20] Despise not prophesyings. [21] Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. [22] Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 KJV)
The word "prove" in the above in order versions can be reffered to test, verify, ascertain, checking out and discern. Proving all things is a discerning ability and grace. And it is only possible by the ministry of the Holyspirit. He must not be quenched either in our lives nor in our congregations. Also these gifts or abilities must not be despised. When this is adhered to then can we be able to abstain appearances of evils that bedevil our generation.
The sign of true christain maturity is the ability by the help of the Holyspirit to make accurate decisions in matters that one in his natural position cannot achieve. The more we interface with the Holyspirit the more we are brought into dimensions of understanding and we have the ability to know things, discern things and can be guided rightly.
