For all our public denunciations of discernment blogs (many of which actually deserve to be denounced), we feel a certain desire to be women of discernment. As well we should! John MacArthur famously says that the greatest problem in the evangelical church today is the lack of discernment.
According to my blog stats, most of you like reading my articles about discernment, especially if I zero in on popular false teachers. Anything with Beth Moore’s name in the title is practically guaranteed to draw readers. And it’s good that you want to know which celebrity Christians to avoid. Indeed, reading warnings about them is an excellent starting place in developing discernment.
As a matter of fact, my journey in cultivating discernment skills started in earnest as I researched so-called Holy Yoga. From there I discovered both good and bad discernment blogs, several of which taught me far more than merely what false teachers to stay away from.
The better blogs encouraged (and still encourage) me to study God’s Word. Those writers aren’t content to spoonfeed me. They want me to learn God’s Word for myself so that I can evaluate popular Christian teachers and teachings for myself.
I want the same thing for each of you!
I know that discernment skills come less from reading about Beth Moore’s latest Twitter gaffs than from developing a firm grasp of Scripture and an understanding of how to properly apply it. God’s Word offers the only perfect standard for distinguishing between truth and error.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. ~~Psalm 19:7-11 (ESV)
God’s Word makes even the simple wise. In other words, when false teachers like Beth Moore try to mesmerize us with funny stories and allegorical interpretations of Scripture, our knowledge of God’s Word in its correct context and proper application can help us discern whether or not their teaching really lines up with Biblical doctrine.
You certainly can become women of discernment. I truly want that for each one of you! But that can happen only if you lighten up on reading blog posts critiquing false teachers in favor of reading posts that help you understand Scripture. Bible Study blog posts can go a long way in developing your discernment skills.
The Outspoken TULIP 