I have noticed around on the internet Christian sites (some of them) that people are intent on doing what they call "discernment" which is

 

actually not spiritual discernment but is what they see by their 5 senses, rather than hearing from the Holy Spirit . When we go by our senses

 

alone we can be sure that we are in error most if not all of the time. This is just a short little article, but it says a lot to all of us. Our 5 senses

 

will never be able to know all that the Holy Spirit knows and will tell us if we listen to Him.

 

 

Motives and Spiritual Discernment

 

Today's message is from John Bevere.

 

Jesus makes it clear that we are to judge prophets by their fruit. Paul and John also said to “test” or “judge” the prophetic (1 Thess. 5:21; 1 John 4:1; 1 Cor. 14:29). This fruit is not discerned by our five natural senses, nor is it identified intellectually—it must be spiritually discerned. Paul wrote, “But he who is spiritual judges all things . . . comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:15, 13, NKJV). When we repent and purge our hearts of any impure motives and embrace God’s truth, then we are in a position to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.

In Jesus’ day there were ministers who “outwardly appear[ed] righteous to men” (Matt. 23:28, NKJV). Yet inwardly they were full of envy and self-seeking. Their appearances were deceptive until the true motives were made known by the light of God’s living Word. Jesus compared their hearts to bad soil that produced evil fruit (Matt. 13:1–23.)

Fruit is what proceeds from the heart of a person and is spiritually discerned. Not all ministers who bear the title of bishop, doctor, apostle, prophet, pastor and so on are covetous and desirous of the praise of man. With many the title is a product of their religious affiliations or denominations and holds little meaning. A label or title does not mean wickedness of heart any more than the absence of one means a pure one. The fruit determines whether they minister out of love for God and His people.

 

TODAY'S PRAYER:
Lord, give us spiritual shepherds who are motivated by love for You and Your people. And give me discernment so that I will not follow leaders who have selfish motives.