GROUNDED IN BIBLICAL DISCERNMENT

• is not acquired instantly; it involves disciplining the mind and heart to think and live biblically.
• Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

• Do you believe everything you hear? A Bible teacher may sound , but is it the truth? A person who claims to know what is true— but is it true?
• The New Testament book of Galatians is a letter about spiritual discernment.
• Galatians 1:6-7 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
• Without discernment, we become gullible. Without biblical discernment, the pretending and twisting come across as spiritual food.
• The Apostle Paul’s question to the churches in Galatia: Galatians 5:7-9 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!
• Much of Paul’s writings to churches and individuals zeroed in on the of false teachers.

• 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
• There are sincere followers of Jesus who, week after week, listen to lies, yet they do not possess the biblical discernment to realize that they are being poisoned.
• 1 Timothy 4:2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
• Three characteristics of false teachers from verse 2:

1. Hypocritical – False teachers have developed a impression of their true selves. They may have once been regarded as sincere, but their failure is evident under the scrutiny of truth.
2. Liars – A hypocrite is a mask wearer, which is and . Living a hypocritical life means lying, and lying is inherently hypocritical.
3. How could anyone be that deceptive, manipulative, and lie? Verse 2 says, “Their consciences are dead.”

• • “Consciences are dead” is from the branding of slaves or criminals. The word seared can be used here, too. It’s from a GREEK word where we get our English word cauterize, which means to burn the skin with a heated instrument. In this case, the hypocrite and liar can only teach lies because their conscience has been branded (cauterized) and burned away from the truth.

• 1 Timothy 4:3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.

1. The false teachers claimed that marriage and certain foods are wrong.
2. Faithful people who know the truth.

• What should our attitude be: 1 Timothy 4:4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
• Paul’s summation: 1 Timothy 4:5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.
• When you sit down for a meal, pray—not from a legalistic position, but as an act of thanks for God’s provision—FOOD.

1. False teachers are skilled at leading sheep astray because they sheep.
2. It’s painful to see those who professed THE true faith . Some will leave the true faith. Some pastors will mislead the sheep, some teachers will put on a hypocritical mask.
3. Ministry malpractice by deranged teachers is prevalent. what you believe.
4. Study, read, apply, grow, remain humble, avoid getting mired in secondary theological issues (preferences), and keep to the high road.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You alone as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I receive joyfully receive Your gift of GRACE. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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