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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Discerning Christians? | Heb 5:14 | Lissamz | 146880 | ||
Hello Saints, "...senses trained to discern good and evil." I have heard of 'mature Christians', being able to discern the 'spirit' of other 'individuals' that say that they are Christians, but 'supposedly' are not, because they 'feel' or have a certain 'knowledge' (not physical proof of any kind) that the 'individual' is not of the same spirit in the Lord. There are a lot of quotations, because I have wondered about this being true or not. I will be praying about this subject, but would also like to know if there is any Biblical support for this other than the above portion of this verse and Gal. 5:17. Thanks Saints...God bless and shine His countenance upon you all. hidden in Christ, Lissa |
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2 | Discerning Christians? | Heb 5:14 | DocTrinsograce | 146882 | ||
Dear Lissa, I have heard the teaching of a gift of "discerning of spirits" based on the passage in 1 Corinthians 12:10. They go on to tie this to 1 John 4:1. I've been told that this is a spiritual gift by which the heart of men can be judged. I don't want to contend over such an interpretation. First, because I'm not entirely certain myself that this is not actually the case (though I am certainly not entirely persuaded). Second, because I don't want to cause offense with my more Pentecostal brethren. All of that written, I do believe that we often overlook some of the more "mundane" ways in which we grow and operate as believers. I think this is one of those areas. Hebrews is specifically about the warning to not fall away from the truth (Heb 6:6) nor to slacken the effort to press forward (Heb 6:12). The author of the book in making the statement in 5:14 calls his audience "dull of hearing" (v11). Presumably those who were slothful (v6:12) had stopped learning. While they should have understood things well enough to be teachers of others they themselves still needed teaching (verse 12). The author of Hebrews goes on with his explanation of the superiority of Christ, and the danger of taking all of these things lightly. In chapter 11 he harkens back to those who have esteemed the things of this world as far less valuable than the things of the next. In chapter 12 we are told to live our lives the same way. Laying aside the love the world, eschewing sin, and persevering (v12:1), just as Christ had done (v2). So, the long and short of it is this: if we fail to love God above all else, dabble in sin, or slacken our resolve, we, too, will be dull of hearing. Instead, we should be fervently seeking to know God better, to pursue holiness, and to press onward. In mathematics it is of no value to teach a student the next lesson if they have not learned the last. In fact, it can even be detrimental. In the same way, God will instruct us in the truth as we seek to apply what He has taught us thus far. As we learn the Word and we learn more about Him, we will be able to judge rightly the things around us. When I became a Christian I stole my first Bible. It may amaze you all, but I didn't think anything of doing such a thing. Why? Because I was ignorant. I knew that I needed to study the Word, so I used my old methods to obtain a copy for my own study. I didn't find out later that God forbade stealing! But, as my understanding grew, my life changed. The internal realities were manifested in external behaviors. Well, that's my 2 cents on the topic. Sorry for meandering all over the map to get there. :-) In Him, Doc |
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3 | Discerning Christians? | Heb 5:14 | Lissamz | 146884 | ||
Thanks for your 3 cents (see more than 2!!). I think you are right to say that seeking the Lord is the first and foremost need, before judging what is not plain and blatantly in front of our faces. I just think that humans many times judge based on experience and personal motives, rather than in the context of godly understanding, then wisdom. So, again, you are right, seeking His face and applying His will to our lives is always the perfect way to approach the situation. hidden in Christ, Lissa |
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