1. Spiritual Discernment Philippians 1:3-11

2. 2 Spiritual Discernment Truth spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2:14 Truth spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2:14 Discern what is right, Lk. 12:56-57 Discern what is right, Lk. 12:56-57 Distinguish good from evil, Heb. 5:14 Distinguish good from evil, Heb. 5:14 Judgment to approve right things, Phil. 1:9-10 Judgment to approve right things, Phil. 1:9-10

3. 3 Spiritual Discernment Two parts (Acts 17:11-12) Two parts (Acts 17:11-12) – Examination or investigation – Judgment Discernment: “an intensive investigation which closely examines the evidence & then distinguishes between right & wrong” Discernment: “an intensive investigation which closely examines the evidence & then distinguishes between right & wrong”

4. 4 Spiritual Discernment is necessary… To discern justice, 1 Kgs. 3:9, 11 (16-28) To discern justice, 1 Kgs. 3:9, 11 (16-28) To examine evidence, Lk. 12:54-59 To examine evidence, Lk. 12:54-59 For godly living, Phil. 1:9-11 For godly living, Phil. 1:9-11 – To approve excellent things, 1:9-10 – Avoid sin (pure & blameless), 1:10 – Filled with fruits of righteousness, 1:11

5. 5 We Must Discern… Truth, Jno. 18:38 (14:6; 8:31-32); 1 Cor. 2:13-16 Truth, Jno. 18:38 (14:6; 8:31-32); 1 Cor. 2:13-16 – Warning, 1 Jno. 4:1 (1 Ths. 5:21-22) – How? Examine Scripture, Acts 17:11-12 (1 Jno. 4:6); 2 Tim. 3:16-17 How to be saved…the church…morality… How to be saved…the church…morality… Result: Stand in truth, Rev. 2:2-3 Result: Stand in truth, Rev. 2:2-3

6. 6 We Must Discern… Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) – Will it put me in fellowship with immoral company? (1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:11) – Will it harm my body? (1 Cor. 6:19-20) – Does it violate my conscience? (Ro. 14:23) – Does it place a stumbling block, causing another to violate conscience? (Ro. 14:13)

7. 7 We Must Discern… Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) – Will it damage my good influence? (1 Pet. 2:11-12) – Is it in conflict with my duty as a Christian? (Matt. 6:33) – Would Jesus do it? Would I do it in His presence? (1 Pet. 2:21; Lk. 6:40)

8. 8 We Must Discern… Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) Good & evil, Heb. 5:14 (Isa. 11:3-4) – Discern evil: Clothing, language, entertainment, alcohol & drugs, gambling activities (lotteries), gossip… – Discern good: Bible study & teaching, worship, prayer, encouragement… Galatians 5:21, 23

9. 9 We Must Discern… The Lord’s body when we eat the Lord’s supper, 1 Cor. 11:29 The Lord’s body when we eat the Lord’s supper, 1 Cor. 11:29 – Examine His death & judge its benefits when we eat, 11:24-25 – All worship should be approached this way (Jno. 4:24) Ourselves, 1 Cor. 11:28, 31 Ourselves, 1 Cor. 11:28, 31 – Motives & conduct in eating supper

10. 10 We Must Discern… Ourselves… Ourselves… – In the faith? Christ in you? 2 Cor. 13:5 – Is my life approved? Gal. 6:4 – All we believe & practice, 1 Ths. 5:21-22 – Spiritual person judges (discerns) all things, 1 Cor. 2:15

11. 11 Spiritual Discernment Israel was to distinguish (discern) between clean & unclean to be a holy people, Lev. 20:25-26 Israel was to distinguish (discern) between clean & unclean to be a holy people, Lev. 20:25-26 Priests in God’s house (Christians) must know & teach the difference between holy & unholy, Ezek. 44:23 (1 Pet. 2:9) Priests in God’s house (Christians) must know & teach the difference between holy & unholy, Ezek. 44:23 (1 Pet. 2:9)

12. 12 Spiritual Discernment Without discernment, Phil. 1:9-11 Without discernment, Phil. 1:9-11 – We will be deceived by sin – We will not bear righteous fruit in our lives Obey God’s word to develop & maintain spiritual discernment, Heb. 5:13-14 Obey God’s word to develop & maintain spiritual discernment, Heb. 5:13-14