1.          In recent years, the church has been plagued by many gullible people.

a.          Many who called themselves Christians have introduced new teachings into the church, and created confusion and division.

b.         Bad decisions, faulty reasoning, superficial understanding, widespread ignorance, shallow commitment, and poor knowledge of the Scriptures, have always troubled the church.

2.         Satan, disguised as an angel of light, wants to confuse us (2 Cor 11:13–15).

a.          The Bible warns us of “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Tim 4:1b), damnable (destructive) heresies (2 Pet 2:1), fables (1 Tim 1:4a), commandments and doctrines of men (Col 2:22b), etc.

b.         The Lord Jesus warned us of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15).

c.          Paul said to the elders of Ephesus “after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

d.         He wrote to warn Timothy, “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim 3:13).

3.         We cannot believe that everyone who claims to be a Christian and supposed to speak on behalf of Christ is telling the truth.

a.          There are many passages in the Bible, commanding us to be discerning and careful defenders of the truth (Jude 3).

b.         I would like to quote a passage from 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22.  There, Paul gives us three guidelines for the discerning Christian. 

I.   Judge Everything

“Prove all things” (1 Thess 5:21a).  It is a call to careful judgment.

1.      Some people say, “We should not judge others.”

a.          They quote Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

b.         This verse is speaking of judging others’ attitudes, motives, and the hidden things of the heart.  However, that does not mean we should not be discerning.

(1)        The Lord Jesus says, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (Jn 7:24).

(2)        Paul told the Corinthians, “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” (1 Cor 10:15). 

2.      Examine the preaching and teaching.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, we are called to examine everything, especially in regards to preaching and teaching.

a.          Verse 20 says, “Despise not prophesyings.”  “Prophesyings” is “speaking forth the Word of God.”

b.         Verse 21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  Verse 22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

c.          That admonition is timely today.  Let us listen to the Apostle John, who was known as the Apostle of love.

            “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9–11). 

3.      How are we to “prove all things?” (1 Thess 5:21).

a.          The plain truth of the Scripture.  “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them” (Deut 13:1, 2).

b.         The divine-human nature of Christ (1 Jn 4:1–3; 1 Cor 12:3; 2 Jn 9–10).

c.          The Gospel of salvation.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8–9).

d.         The character of the speaker or teacher.

            “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:15–16a)

“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt 7:20)

e.          Is the teaching edifying?

That is, builds up and benefits the church.

“But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.  He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church” (1 Cor 14:3–4)

So, we must diligently examine everything we hear. 

II.  Hold On To What Is Good.

Paul says, “…hold fast that which is good…” (1 Thess 5:21).

To the Romans, he says, “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Rom 12:9b).

1.          It may seem common sense for Christians to hold on to what is good.  Paul wants us to defend the teachings of the Word of God.

a.          He told Timothy in his first letter, saying “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust…” (1 Tim 6:20a).

b.         He told the same thing to Timothy in his second letter.

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us” (2 Tim 1:13–14).

2.         Holding fast to the truth is like guarding treasure.

3.         Holding fast to the truth is one of the essential marks of a true Christian.

a.          The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to “hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end” (Heb 3:14b).

b.         Paul told Timothy that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears”.  “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Tim 4:3–4).

4.         What is the remedy?

Paul said, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim 4:2). 

III. Shun What Is Evil

Paul says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22).

1.          The word “abstain” is a very strong verb.  It means “hold oneself away from.”

2.         The word “evil”

a.          It means “harmful”, “injurious”, “malignant”.  It speaks of something that is deadly poisonous.

b.         It also includes the idea that we should shun evil moral conduct.  He says, “…all appearance of evil” (1 Thess 5:22).

3.         The best way to shun all forms of evil is to know the truth.

a.          We can refute false teaching very effectively by knowing the truth.

b.         The Apostle Paul instructed Titus how to choose elders (1 Titus 1:5–9).

(1)        In verse 9, he said that an elder must be one who is “holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

(2)        So, one of the key ministries of every elder is refuting errors.

c.          How important is discernment?

(1)        It is the mark of spiritual maturity.

(2)        Hebrews 5:14 says, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

(3)        Conclusion

(a)        As we come to the end of 2006, let us continue to pursue spiritual growth.

(b)        Let the Word of God control our hearts and minds — Read the Bible; use Daily Manna as your guide.

(c)        Ask God to train your senses to be discerning between good and evil.

(d)        He will never fail you; we can stand on His promises.

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