1 Discerning Between Good and Evil Hebrews 5:12-14

2 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV) “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV)

3 God Commands Christians to Grow 1 Peter 2:1-2 1 Peter 2:1-2 2 Peter 3:18 2 Peter 3:18 Ephesians 4:11-15 Ephesians 4: Corinthians 3:1-2; 14:20 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 14:20 Only Proper Spiritual Growth Will Equip Us To Discern Between Good and Evil! Only Proper Spiritual Growth Will Equip Us To Discern Between Good and Evil!

4 Must Use Senses to Discern Between Good & Evil Senses - properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:-senses. – Strong Senses - properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:-senses. – Strong Discern - 1 a: to detect with the eyes (discerned a figure approaching through the fog) b: to detect with senses other than vision (discerned a strange odor) 2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate (discern right from wrong)3: to come to know or recognize mentally (unable to discern his motives): to see or understand the difference - Webster Discern - 1 a: to detect with the eyes (discerned a figure approaching through the fog) b: to detect with senses other than vision (discerned a strange odor) 2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate (discern right from wrong)3: to come to know or recognize mentally (unable to discern his motives): to see or understand the difference - Websterdiscriminate

5 Albert E. Barnes Comments Have their senses. The word here used means, properly, the senses-as we use the term; the seat of sensation, the smell, taste, etc. Then it means, the internal sense, the faculty of perceiving truth: and this is the idea here. The meaning is, that by long experience Christians come to be able to understand the more elevated doctrines or Christianity; they see their beauty and value, and they are able carefully and accurately to distinguish them from error. Have their senses. The word here used means, properly, the senses-as we use the term; the seat of sensation, the smell, taste, etc. Then it means, the internal sense, the faculty of perceiving truth: and this is the idea here. The meaning is, that by long experience Christians come to be able to understand the more elevated doctrines or Christianity; they see their beauty and value, and they are able carefully and accurately to distinguish them from error. To discern both good and evil. That is, in doctrine. They will appreciate and understand that which is true; they will reject that which is false. To discern both good and evil. That is, in doctrine. They will appreciate and understand that which is true; they will reject that which is false.

6 Discerning Between Good & Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?

7 Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Some things may be “RIGHT,” but if they hinder spiritual growth, and service to the Lord – Then it is evil! Some things may be “RIGHT,” but if they hinder spiritual growth, and service to the Lord – Then it is evil! Matthew 10:37; Luke 8:14 Matthew 10:37; Luke 8:14 The Lord will only accept FIRST PLACE! The Lord will only accept FIRST PLACE! Matt. 6:33 Matt. 6:33 We must cast off anything that hinders our growth and service to God! We must cast off anything that hinders our growth and service to God! Hebrews 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1-2

8 Growth Can Be Hindered By: Dullness of Hearing - Luke 8:10 Dullness of Hearing - Luke 8:10 Lack of Endurance - Luke 8:13 Lack of Endurance - Luke 8:13 Continuing in Lawlessness - Matt. 24:12 Continuing in Lawlessness - Matt. 24:12 Doctrines & Commands of Men - Col. 2:18-23 Doctrines & Commands of Men - Col. 2:18-23 Spiritual Fatigue - Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13 Spiritual Fatigue - Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13 Forgetfulness - 2 Peter 1:9 Forgetfulness - 2 Peter 1:9 Neglect - 1 Peter 2:2 Neglect - 1 Peter 2:2 Stumbling Blocks Laid by Others - Matt. 18:6-10 Stumbling Blocks Laid by Others - Matt. 18:6-10

9 I Must Deny All Activities That Hinder… Me from STUDYING the Bible! Me from STUDYING the Bible! Me from PRAYING as I should! Me from PRAYING as I should! Me from GIVING as I should! Me from GIVING as I should! Me from ATTENDING ALL possible Bible classes and worship services! Me from ATTENDING ALL possible Bible classes and worship services! Me from TEACHING others! Me from TEACHING others! Me from being HOSPITABLE to others! Me from being HOSPITABLE to others! My OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH! My OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

10 Discerning Between Good & Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Will it Corrupt My Heart?

11 Will it Corrupt My Heart? Things allowed in our mind can corrupt or preserve us: Things allowed in our mind can corrupt or preserve us: 2 Cor. 11:3; Matt. 6:22-23; Phil. 4:8 2 Cor. 11:3; Matt. 6:22-23; Phil. 4:8 If it violates your conscience, it is sinful: If it violates your conscience, it is sinful: Rom. 14:23 Rom. 14:23 If it causes you to turn from Christ, is it good or evil? If it causes you to turn from Christ, is it good or evil?

12 Will it Corrupt My Heart? Gambling? Gambling? Drugs & alcohol consumption? Drugs & alcohol consumption? Social drinking? Social drinking? Immodest apparel, Mixed swimming? Immodest apparel, Mixed swimming? Dancing? Dancing? Filthy and suggestive language on TV, in movies, in music? Filthy and suggestive language on TV, in movies, in music? X-rated movies? X-rated movies? Pornography? Pornography?

13 Effects of Pornography "Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20, 30 years ago. There is no protection against the kind of influences that are loose in society…what alcohol did in conjunction with, let's say, my exposure to pornography, was alcohol reduced my inhibitions; at the same time the fantasy life that was fueled by pornography eroded them further…” "Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20, 30 years ago. There is no protection against the kind of influences that are loose in society…what alcohol did in conjunction with, let's say, my exposure to pornography, was alcohol reduced my inhibitions; at the same time the fantasy life that was fueled by pornography eroded them further…” (Ted Bundy: A serial killer that raped and murdered at least 20 women)

14 Discerning Between Good & Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body? Can it Harm My Body?

15 Can It Harm My Body? We must not sin against our body! We must not sin against our body! 1 Cor. 6:18 1 Cor. 6:18 Our bodies are on loan to us from God! Our bodies are on loan to us from God! 1 Cor. 6:19 1 Cor. 6:19 Must glorify God in our body; present them as a living sacrifice! Must glorify God in our body; present them as a living sacrifice! 1 Cor. 6:12; Rom. 12:1-2 1 Cor. 6:12; Rom. 12:1-2 When we do things that cause harm to our bodies that are of no redeeming value and unnecessary, we sin! When we do things that cause harm to our bodies that are of no redeeming value and unnecessary, we sin! James 4:17 James 4:17

16 Can It Harm My Body? Fornication? Fornication? Using tobacco? Using tobacco? Gluttony? Gluttony? Drug & alcohol use and addiction? Drug & alcohol use and addiction? Recreational drug use? Recreational drug use? Do you do things that are unnecessary which weaken and destroy your body? Effects of Meth Addiction

17 Gruen Von Behrens' Missing Jaw Started using smokeless tobacco at age 13 Addicted at age 14 Developed cancer - squamous cell carcinoma Lost 70 pounds, his lower teeth and half of his jaw bone and tongue and neck muscles 40 operations

18 Discerning Between Good and Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body? Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence? Can It Harm My Influence?

19 Can It Harm My Influence? As Christians, we must influence others for good! As Christians, we must influence others for good! Matt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15-16 Matt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15-16 We do not live to ourselves! We do not live to ourselves! Rom. 14:7-8; Phil. 2:3-8 Rom. 14:7-8; Phil. 2:3-8 Anything that destroys our influence is evil! Anything that destroys our influence is evil! Luke 14:34-35 Luke 14:34-35

20 Can It Harm My Influence? Attendance Habits? Attendance Habits? Bad Attitudes – Rudeness, Hatefulness, Disrespect? Bad Attitudes – Rudeness, Hatefulness, Disrespect? Dishonesty, Hypocrisy & Immorality? Dishonesty, Hypocrisy & Immorality? Cursing – Dirty Jokes, taking God’s name in vain? Cursing – Dirty Jokes, taking God’s name in vain? Immodest Apparel? Immodest Apparel? Smoking & Social Drinking? Smoking & Social Drinking? A damaged influence is almost impossible to repair! A damaged influence is almost impossible to repair! Are you doing things that damage your influence? Are you doing things that damage your influence?

21 Discerning Between Good and Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body? Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence? Can It Harm My Influence? Could it Harm Others? Could it Harm Others?

22 Could it Harm Others? Anything that would cause “unjust” harm to another person is evil! Anything that would cause “unjust” harm to another person is evil! Matthew 7:12; Gal 6:10; James 4:17 Matthew 7:12; Gal 6:10; James 4:17 Anything that we may do that would cause another person to sin is evil! Anything that we may do that would cause another person to sin is evil! 1 Cor. 8:10-12; Gal. 2: Cor. 8:10-12; Gal. 2:11-14

23 Could it Harm Others? Parental neglect? Parental neglect? Gossiping? Gossiping? False Accusations & Slander? False Accusations & Slander? Hypocrisy - turning others away from the truth? Hypocrisy - turning others away from the truth? Immodest Clothing? Immodest Clothing? Social Drinking? Social Drinking? Smoking? Smoking? Gambling? Gambling? Pornography? Pornography? Are you engaging in behavior that can cause harm to others? Are you engaging in behavior that can cause harm to others?

24 Discerning Between Good & Evil Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body? Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence? Can It Harm My Influence? Could it Harm Others? Could it Harm Others? Is it Authorized? Is it Authorized?

25 Is it Authorized? Most assume that if the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn a thing – then, it can be done! Most assume that if the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn a thing – then, it can be done! Some say, “it doesn’t say not to” - then they assume that it can be done! Some say, “it doesn’t say not to” - then they assume that it can be done! BUT… BUT… The Bible teaches that whatever is done religiously MUST be done “in the name of” Christ - by faith! The Bible teaches that whatever is done religiously MUST be done “in the name of” Christ - by faith! Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17 Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17

26 Is it Authorized? True doctrine can ONLY be proven from the Scriptures! True doctrine can ONLY be proven from the Scriptures! True worship can be established ONLY by finding book, chapter & verse! True worship can be established ONLY by finding book, chapter & verse! ONLY authorized practices are those that can be supported with N.T. scripture! ONLY authorized practices are those that can be supported with N.T. scripture! Whether its doctrine, worship or practice – if Bible authority cannot be found – it is evil! Whether its doctrine, worship or practice – if Bible authority cannot be found – it is evil! Matthew 7:21-29; 28:18-20 Matthew 7:21-29; 28:18-20 Does the Bible authorize all that you believe, teach and practice? Does the Bible authorize all that you believe, teach and practice?

27 It Is Evil If It… Hinders My Spiritual Growth! Hinders My Spiritual Growth! Corrupts My Heart! Corrupts My Heart! Causes Unnecessary Harm To My Body! Causes Unnecessary Harm To My Body! Harms My Influence! Harms My Influence! Causes “unjust” Harm To Others! Causes “unjust” Harm To Others! Is NOT Authorized! Is NOT Authorized! Are You Doing GOOD Or EVIL? Which? James 4:17

28 “What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37 An alien sinner must… An alien sinner must… Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17 Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17 Believe - Romans 10:10 Believe - Romans 10:10 Repent – Acts 17:30 Repent – Acts 17:30 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37 Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38 Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38 An erring Child of God must… An erring Child of God must… Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22 Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22