THE
LORD IS MY SHEPHERD: SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
Psalm 23:1
Psalm 23:1
The word discern means to
distinguish, to recognize or find out something, to observe, to become
conscious of something...
Discernment is the ability to judge
well. It could also be defined as the quality of being able to grasp and
comprehend what is obscure; having the right perception towards a matter; being
able to see what is not evident to the average mind...
Spiritual discernment involves being
able to spot the difference between the truth and error.
Prove
all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil (1
Thess. 5:21-22).
So
that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried
about by every wind of doctrine (teaching), by human cunning, by craftiness in
deceitful schemes (Ephesians 4:14).
Beloved,
do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God;
because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
Moreover, in the relationship between
the Shepherd and the sheep as portrayed in Psalm 23:1, more emphasis is laid on
the Shepherd
than the sheep... It's all about the Lord, not the sheep... (Acts 9:6).
Always remember that you are a steward.
The real and rightful owner of all things is God (Romans 11:36; 2 Cor. 5:18).
‘...Alas,
master! For it was borrowed...’ (2 Kings 6:5).
‘And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of revelation, there was given to me, a thorn in
the flesh...’ 2 Cor. 12:5
The Shepherd must take the lead, while
we follow on. He said, ‘Follow Me...’
The sheep has no agenda of its own. It
simply follows the Shepherd.
Can we forsake all our ‘good’ plans and ambitions and yield totally to the leading of the Master?
Does He have the access privilege of interrupting our ‘well-structured’ and ‘properly set’ goals and aspirations?
Can we forsake all our ‘good’ plans and ambitions and yield totally to the leading of the Master?
Does He have the access privilege of interrupting our ‘well-structured’ and ‘properly set’ goals and aspirations?
On one hand, He could decide to call some
folks out of an existing structure/system, to go start-up another one. He called
Abraham out…
He could also decide on the other hand, to call some other folks to stay put in an existing platform (He does everything according to His determinate counsel and foreknowledge). He told Isaac to stay put in the land…
He could also decide on the other hand, to call some other folks to stay put in an existing platform (He does everything according to His determinate counsel and foreknowledge). He told Isaac to stay put in the land…
Spiritual discernment is a process of
spiritual transformation whereby we are groomed into sonship. It sharpens our
sense of judgment. The spiritual man judges (evaluates, appraises, discerns)
all things.
How
to grow in spiritual discernment
Build up skills in the word of
righteousness (Heb. 5:13-14; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Ask God for wisdom (James 1:5; Ephesians
1:17-18). It takes wisdom to distinguish good and evil; truth and error...
Christ must increase, while I must
decrease (John 3:30).
Trust and obey the Lord (Proverbs 3:5).
When you build up your life on the basis of the Word of God, you will be able to differentiate the original from the counterfeit. Your sense of discernment becomes more and more enlightened. Keep following Jesus!
He is the good Shepherd (John 10:11).
He is the great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20-21).
He is the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).
Pastor Nathaniel Sadela
Resident Pastor
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