I appreciate the question. There are thousands of pastors, politicians, and other concerned/outspoken individuals wishing to lead and impress those around them to what they believe is right--and each one believing they have discovered the true truth while the rest have arrived at some form of false truth.
So how do we know? How do we discern what it true? Discernment, which is essentially decision-making based on the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, is our greatest tool. Yet, most of us aren't well enough versed in the Spirit to discern as we're called. Below are 3 guidelines to developing a more Spiritually discerning heart:1. Let Seconds be Second
When considering the sea of voices all calling out to us, the sheep, it can be confusing to know whose voice is reliable. How can it be that two leaders can share really sound advice, yet be completely contradictory to each other? One lesson we need to remember is the difference between primary and secondary sources. Writers and researchers know this distinction well, as their use of these sources will often determine their credibility. Essentially, when it comes to us seeking other leaders' voices and thoughts based on their research, study of scriptures, and experiences, we're accessing secondary sources. The data have been filtered through someone's heart, mind, and bias already. Secondary sources can be very helpful, but they should NEVER trump the primary sources available to us. Go directly to the source. Do your own praying, scripture reading, and wrestling before immediately putting someone else's word first.
Why is secondary information so appealing? We often follow others because they clearly have a gift for making sense of things and for making compelling arguments. Yet, we often gobble up the "wisdom" of others because it's easier. We don't have to do the work that way; all we need to do is jump on board and enjoy the ride.
2. Really Live With God's Word
If we want to begin truly communing with God and His Spirit, we have to spend time in His Word. People often say they have made worthy attempts at doing this, but still end up confused and unsure about what to think. Yet, what I often discover is when most of us attempt to make the journey of studying the word and seeking its truth, we attempt to go directly to the end for the answer, without actually taking the journey.
What I mean is this: when we are confounded by a difficult decision or a heart-breaking issue and decide to go to scripture for direction, we often do a word search or a topic finder, and locate scripture that speaks about the issue or choice with which we're wrestling. When I say really live with God's Word, I don't mean just to go to the end and read those passages over and over. I mean go to the very beginning. Start reading God's word, start downloading God's heart, start putting the pieces of His puzzle together.
The truth is all the words, stories, and lessons that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with our issue are absolutely crucial to the specific passages we believe will best guide us. It's just like attempting to translate a French sentence into English (thank you Google translate). We may get the words to match up, but rarely will we ever get the real meaning until we learn more about the French language and culture. Read Psalm 42. The Sons of Korah are reaching out to God for direction. They too feel lost and as though God is distant or absent. Yet, as the psalm progresses, the writer affirms God's presence and direction saying "deep calls to deep, and God is speaking in and through many things." Essentially what is being said here is that deep wisdom doesn't call to shallow hearts or superficial knowledge. The depth of God's words speak to the depth of our hearts and relationship--only formed out of intimacy. Ultimately, God's specific word that applies to our issues won't be discernible to us until we know God's general word applying to the depth of wisdom!
3. Cry Out
Even after we have rejected the easy road of taking someone else's word for truth and have begun to read God's whole word, we still often miss a crucial step. We forget to cry out. Isaiah 30:20-21 reminds us of a powerful promise God has given us: How gracious will He be when you cry for help? he asks. As soon as He hears, he will answer you. You will still face adversity and affliction, but when you seek me, I'll teach you. You'll see me and you'll hear my voice guiding you whenever you begin to stray to the right or left.
Discernment is less about knowing and far more about seeking what we'll never know on our own. Rarely do we ask God face to face to speak to us, to reveal Himself to us, to lead us through something. Instead, we read a passage, face an issue, consider a secondary source, and in solitude try to make sense of them, making our own conclusions. We believe this is Holy work because we've considered holy sources. But nothing can be holy if not brought before the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, crying out means something far different than what we make it. Our crying out is done in the middle of the storm as the boat begins to fill with water. Living with and and intimately communing with the Spirit takes time. The type of crying out the Spirit requires is a constant, frequent, and consistent crying out. God's direction is often only revealed over time because God is seeking reconciliation with us in relationship, not just seeking to be our Holy Google for quick fixes and instant resolution. When we seek God's revelation through true discernment, it make take months or years before God develops a sound direction for us in our hearts.
If we want to begin truly communing with God and His Spirit, we have to spend time in His Word. People often say they have made worthy attempts at doing this, but still end up confused and unsure about what to think. Yet, what I often discover is when most of us attempt to make the journey of studying the word and seeking its truth, we attempt to go directly to the end for the answer, without actually taking the journey.What I mean is this: when we are confounded by a difficult decision or a heart-breaking issue and decide to go to scripture for direction, we often do a word search or a topic finder, and locate scripture that speaks about the issue or choice with which we're wrestling. When I say really live with God's Word, I don't mean just to go to the end and read those passages over and over. I mean go to the very beginning. Start reading God's word, start downloading God's heart, start putting the pieces of His puzzle together.
The truth is all the words, stories, and lessons that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with our issue are absolutely crucial to the specific passages we believe will best guide us. It's just like attempting to translate a French sentence into English (thank you Google translate). We may get the words to match up, but rarely will we ever get the real meaning until we learn more about the French language and culture. Read Psalm 42. The Sons of Korah are reaching out to God for direction. They too feel lost and as though God is distant or absent. Yet, as the psalm progresses, the writer affirms God's presence and direction saying "deep calls to deep, and God is speaking in and through many things." Essentially what is being said here is that deep wisdom doesn't call to shallow hearts or superficial knowledge. The depth of God's words speak to the depth of our hearts and relationship--only formed out of intimacy. Ultimately, God's specific word that applies to our issues won't be discernible to us until we know God's general word applying to the depth of wisdom!
3. Cry OutEven after we have rejected the easy road of taking someone else's word for truth and have begun to read God's whole word, we still often miss a crucial step. We forget to cry out. Isaiah 30:20-21 reminds us of a powerful promise God has given us: How gracious will He be when you cry for help? he asks. As soon as He hears, he will answer you. You will still face adversity and affliction, but when you seek me, I'll teach you. You'll see me and you'll hear my voice guiding you whenever you begin to stray to the right or left.
Discernment is less about knowing and far more about seeking what we'll never know on our own. Rarely do we ask God face to face to speak to us, to reveal Himself to us, to lead us through something. Instead, we read a passage, face an issue, consider a secondary source, and in solitude try to make sense of them, making our own conclusions. We believe this is Holy work because we've considered holy sources. But nothing can be holy if not brought before the Holy Spirit.
Additionally, crying out means something far different than what we make it. Our crying out is done in the middle of the storm as the boat begins to fill with water. Living with and and intimately communing with the Spirit takes time. The type of crying out the Spirit requires is a constant, frequent, and consistent crying out. God's direction is often only revealed over time because God is seeking reconciliation with us in relationship, not just seeking to be our Holy Google for quick fixes and instant resolution. When we seek God's revelation through true discernment, it make take months or years before God develops a sound direction for us in our hearts.
I know for each of us, this is hard work. It takes time, and it's nearly always less fulfilling in the short-term. Keep going. This is our life's work! It's in this that the true beauty of our relationships with God begin to flourish!
More to come!
Jason <><
Extremely well written. Great leadership counsel. God bless you Jason Kennedy, I would hand this to my own children and say..."Trust this."
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, I appreciate your remarks. Thanks for taking a read; I pray all is well!
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