There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. - Hebrews 5: 11-14 (NLT)
A Christian website recently ran a short article on discernment that missed the mark so widely, I felt compelled in my Spirit to do a devotional on the subject, which should be one of the most important facets of a Christian's life. The sad truth is that the lack of discernment is eroding the body of Christ like a cancer. As each day goes by there are more and more would be believers falling away from the true faith and turning aside to the myths the Apostle Paul warned us about. The call to act as Bereans is almost lost on a new generation of young Christians raised on sensual worship and new age mysticism masquerading as Christianity. The Word of God is being casually tossed aside for the "divine revelation" claims of charlatans and snake oil salesmen masquerading as men and women of God. Doctrine is discarded for soundbites and popularity. Human metrics are used to gauge spiritual success. People simply fail to realize the gravity of this situation:
"Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' - Matthew 7: 21-23 (ESV)
Many read these verses and fail to examine how it would be possible. How would it be possible for people who spend their lives thinking they are serving God when in reality He never knew them? How would it be possible for people to witness signs and wonders, demonic deliverance, and mighty works in Jesus name, yet never know Him? The answer is simple - a lack of discernment. A blanket acceptance of the church experience without ensuring the experience is aligned with God. There are many false gods and false christs. There are many false prophets and false teachers.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1John 4: 1 (ESV)
We have mixed our churchianity so much with the world system seeking cultural relevance that we fail to see the world corrupting the faith. We think that if things sound spiritual or "feel right"; that they must be of God. Here was how the article I came across defined discernment:
"the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently."
