How do we work with our discernment to determine the good from the bad? To answer that question, we will look at five filters that can help us understand what our discernment is telling us.
I. Agreement With Scripture
Since there are so many false teachings, personal opinions, and just plain bad theologies that exist, how do we know what is right from what is wrong? The Bible is immovable, unchanging truth, and everything else has to be compared against the Word. No matter what anyone else teaches, we have the more accurate Word of God according to Second Peter l: 19:
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morningstar rises in your hearts (NKJV).
And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined m afurnace of clay, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6).
2. Look at the Outward Fruit of the Source
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
Do people pickgrapesfrom thorn bushes, or]igsfrom thistles? (Matthew 7:15-16).
If the fruit is the same in nature as the fruit of the Spirit, then perhaps God is the source. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us the nature ofGod's fruit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love,joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
3. The Anointing of the Holy Spirit, Which Will Guide Us Toward the Truth
But you have an anointingfrom the Holy One, and all ofyou know the truth....lam writing these things toyou about those who are trying to leadyog astray. Asforyou, the anointingyou receivedfrom Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teachesyou about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in Him. (1 John 2:20, 26-27).
source
These verses could be confused as a contradiction of Ephesians 4:11-13 where Paul set in place the role of a teacher, but this is just not the case.
In practical terms, if two teachers who are equally equipped to handle the Word are teaching two opposite views, the anointing of the Holy Spirit can guide you towards the truth of the right view. I would add a caution that with any ofthese filters, you may have a personal hindrance to the filter working properly. Perhaps you were raised in a church that taught you something that was wrong. When you hear the truth preached, you may not be able to filter correctly because ofyour past doctrine. Ultimately, ifyour discernment is going to be supernatural, you have to bc humble enough to let the Holy Spirit change, guide, and direct you.
5. The Ways and Nature of God
If you look at the nature of God, there are many things that are easy to filter. It is not in God's nature to approve of abortion, murder, homosexuality, adultery, stealing, lying, witchcraft, disease, injustice, etc. The Bible is our basis for understanding the nature of God. By setting aside opinions and bias, answers can be found in the Word about everything in the nature and ways of God.
Passages like this one show us so much about the ways and nature of God: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed