A television news
report explained how fish are inspected. The most precise way to inspect fish is
with a trained human nose. The fish inspector smells each part of the fish,
trying to detect unusual odors. When
something smells fishy, it indicates one part of the fish may be bad.
Discernment
tells you when something smells fishy. It enables you to distinguish right
from wrong, or when someone has hidden motives to entrap you. It keeps you out of trouble. Many
people would not be in the mess they’re in right now if they had just used some
discernment!
THREE KINDS OF PEOPLE: A critical person only looks
for what’s wrong—and cannot see the blessings of what’s good in a situation. A naïve
person cannot see the warning flag if something is harmful—and is easy prey
to be deceived. But a discerning person has learned how to sort out the bad
from the good, and error from truth—and won’t be fooled.
RECEIVING DISCERNMENT: First, study the Bible because it will
reveal truth (John 17:17). Second, ask for the Holy Spirit to guide you in all
truth (John 16:13). God’s Spirit will usually upset the peace inside you
when something is wrong.
USING DISCERNMENT: Have an open mind to receive truth,
but keep your spiritual antenna up to reject error. An open mind is like an
open window. It needs a screen on it to keep the bugs out. 1 Thess. 5:21
says, "Examine everything carefully. Hold fast to that which is
good." Just because you don’t agree with every little thing your pastor
teaches does it mean you should quit the church. Eat the meat and spit out the
bones. But it you’re spitting out more bones than receiving meat, it’s time to
change restaurants.
Don’t
tell your secrets to an untrustworthy person. David made this mistake. He said, “I
knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell
Saul,” which resulted in the priests being put to death (1 Samuel 22:22, 1 Sam.
21:7, 22:9,18).
Don't
be so quick to believe gossip about others because exaggerations and lies
are usually mixed into the message. Don't believe every thought that pops
into your mind because the evil one can plant thoughts too. You’ll stay out
of trouble and enjoy your life by using discernment. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
Would you
like to receive these devotionals by email? You can subscribe in the box on
the right at www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com (Your email will not be given out. You’ll receive an
email when the new devotional is posted)
Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174
www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
