August 22nd – Spiritual Discernment

Taking It to Work:

Bernie Madoff died just a few years ago. He made himself infamous across the globe for executing the world’s largest Ponzi scheme, worth almost $65,000,000,000. He follows in the footsteps of Charles Ponzi himself, who made himself rich “robbing Peter to pay Paul,” and I’m sure before him there were thousands of swindlers and cheaters all through history just like him. Dishonesty is nothing new.

We now live in a world full of commerce and business like never before, and with that, deception, at least at some level, is all around us. Scams and phishing are common online terms, and that Nigerian Prince who wants to send you money, at last count was collecting over $700,000 per year from the gullible.

We used to live in a world where a man’s word was his honor, and a handshake was as solid as a 30-page contract. Those days are gone, and as we progress toward the world recorded in Revelation, God’s Word is clear – deception will be on the rise and a danger to us. This is why it is important that we pray for sharp eyes and ears, via the Holy Spirit, so that we are able to discern between the voices of Truth and falsehood.

And that’s the good news, with the help of the Holy Spirit within us, we are able to recognize an impostor when we see one, and scam when we hear one. That is, if we are in tune with that all-knowing Spirit of Truth. Our own instincts may be good, but the ultimate arbitrator of truth is God’s Spirit. And if you are walking with Jesus Christ as your Lord, you have a great advantage over most of the world, especially when it comes to discerning truth.

Pray for the gift of discernment; it is one of the many gifts of the Spirit that is applicable in every aspect of our lives – in business, on the job, in politics, and even at home when that poor Nigerian Prince needs your help. Pray to receive discernment, as His Word works to speak truth to you, today.

Rom 16:17-19 (ESV) – I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Heb 5:14 (ESV) – But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Jam 1:5 (ESV) – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Cor 12:10 (ESV) – to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):

Be careful of the flatterer – he who speaks to draw that he may profit. False in his ways and walk, he lures to the fire. You shall know him by his fruit. Trust not the man constant in his turmoil, who gives the victim’s speech, and creates too the victims. He speaks of peace, but has none of his own. The deceiver is not one of obvious evil, but of grand display and choice words. You have been given My Spirit that you might discern evil behind its gleeful face; the fool beneath his cloak. Speak to Me in the moments of choice, that vision of truth be given. Deception is craft, and many a craftsman lurk for themselves, snaring the feet of those without judgment. By their fruit you will know them – forced stare of shifting eyes, a fractured window to the dark soul. Their mouth speaks with forked tongue. Good is his mask; vulgar is his heart. Be wise as the day grows darkened for My children.