Let’s Pray for Discernment  

My wife and I have been watching in chronological order episodes of the old TV series, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. As the show entered another season, a new character was introduced – a banker who had moved to the old western town of Colorado Springs from Boston. As soon as he stepped off the stagecoach, I thought he looked familiar to me and I thought I knew why. So immediately I did what we do these days - I “googled” it and discovered I was correct. It was the same actor who had shown up in previous episodes portraying General George Custer, a historical figure cast as more of a villain in this series. They had simply cut his long locks of golden hair, given him a shave, and put him in a business suit. Maybe they thought if they would clean him up, alter his appearance, and change his name, few people would notice he was the same person. Interestingly enough, this new character was about as unscrupulous as the other one this actor had portrayed.

 Sometimes it isn’t hard to discern the truth or reality. Do you really think simply putting a pair of glasses on Superman would cause people not to recognize him as Clark Kent? However, other times people and issues are given such a makeover that it can be difficult to see the reality behind the façade. In our day in particular, we need to be discerning. It is very important that we seek to be able to tell the difference between truth and reality, between right and wrong, between good and evil. We live in a world in which some are trying to disguise the true character of the possessors of those qualities, and they have the technology and skill to be able to do a very convincing job of it.

The Bible refers to a spiritual gift of discernment God gives to some people. However, this quality isn’t reserved for a choice few who have been blessed with a greater degree of it. We all need to seek to cultivate discernment in our lives. We need to seek the wisdom to be able to see beyond the surface appearances of individuals and issues in our day. We need to be able to recognize falsehood, evil, and immorality no matter how it gets dressed up. Likewise, we need to be able to see the good, even when our society tries to mischaracterize it.

How do we become more discerning? Pray. Ask God for such wisdom. Then listen to what He tells you and how the Holy Spirit guides you. Additionally, spend more time in God’s Word. Learn more about what it says is right, true, and good, then you will be better able to recognize the counterfeit when it shows up. Also, don’t simply go by what our society or what the majority says. The Bible warns us that many will be deceived by false teachings and ideas. Be willing to be part of the minority or even the lone voice to stand up for what is right and true. Finally, don’t just go by what feels good or how things look on the surface. Feelings alone can steer us off course. And those who seek to deceive us know how to manipulate our emotions. Be willing to take the time and effort to dig deeper, to look below the surface, and to search out the true character of the person or the realities of the issue.

Our world is trying to cover up sin with misguided notions of love and tolerance. At the same time it is attempting to throw mud on and portray as evil that which is good and godly. Don’t be fooled. Don’t just judge by outward appearances or unreliable feelings. Be discerning.