Discerning the Truth

The things that we choose to think about and spend our time doing, have a lasting impact on us. We become more and more like those things. And that is why Paul wrote this excellent advice in his letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 4:8-9 (WEBBE): ⁸Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honourable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things. ⁹The things which you learnt, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

True, honourable, pure, praiseworthy. That sounds like things that I want in my heart and mind!

The question that this raises though, is how do we know what is truth. Jesus answers this question in His prayer in John 17.

John 17:14-17 (WEBBE): ¹⁴I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ¹⁵I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. ¹⁷Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.

We have the ultimate user manual – the Word of God! It is truth, and it tells us everything that we need to know to understand the principles of the Kingdom of God.

The carnal world does not, however, understand the Kingdom principles. Even though we live in the world, we are not of the world, and should not be conformed to its ideas.

Romans 12:2 (WEBBE): ²Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Renewing our minds is an ongoing process. We should keep on putting good things into our minds, meditating on the Word of God. Then we can increase in knowledge and discernment.

Philippians 1:9-10 (WEBBE): ⁹This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰so that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offence to the day of Christ, ¹¹being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Hebrews 5:14 (WEBBE): ¹⁴But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

The more we renew our minds, the easier it becomes to walk with God in every moment. The Holy Spirit is always right here in us, ready to teach and help, if only we would listen.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16 (WEBBE): ¹³We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. ¹⁴Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. ¹⁶“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.

Philippians 4:9 (WEBBE): ⁹The things which you learnt, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Choose today to spend your time thinking about and doing the Word, and you will experience the presence of the God of peace!