Galatians 2:4-5 | The Discipline of Discernment
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
-Galatians 2:4-5 BSB
-Galatians 2:4-5 BSB
Very early in my life I had to learn the valuable lesson that not everyone is who they say they are. It was jarring for me. I grew up believing and understanding that calling oneself a Christian really meant something. However, as I found myself at a Christian school I had found that many who claim the name of Christ wanting nothing to do with Him. Many would mock Him, if not by their words, then by their lifestyle. Not all who say they belong to Christ actually belong to Him. Some intend to use the name of Christ for their own personal gain. Others use the name of Christ simply to attack the Christian. Such is the case here in Galatians.
What are we to do then? Is it our responsibility to know everyone's business as to whether or not they are genuine? Surely, most of us would be inclined to say no. We are simply to mind ourselves. To an extent, we would be right. However, to another extent we would be wrong. There is something that Christians must learn to exercise. Discernment.
If we look at verse 5 in the above passage, we will see how Paul exercised this. False brothers coming in false pretenses were coming in order to spy that they may condemn the actions of those who were exercising their freedom in Jesus. A great danger laid in wait. However, Paul did not give in to them for a moment. He had his senses exercised to discern what sort they were. He did not need to be a busybody to determine this. He had the truth within them, and the truth found out those who were lying.
What happened when Paul left? The discernment he exercised was not shared among the Galatians. Such deceitful workers came in and led the congregation astray. Those who hesitate to exercise discernment as well as those that outright reject it subject themselves to the dangers of deception. And such had taken place for these believers. Paul's rebuke is necessary. Discernment is essential for the believer to exercise.
How can you exercise discernment in your life?
What are we to do then? Is it our responsibility to know everyone's business as to whether or not they are genuine? Surely, most of us would be inclined to say no. We are simply to mind ourselves. To an extent, we would be right. However, to another extent we would be wrong. There is something that Christians must learn to exercise. Discernment.
If we look at verse 5 in the above passage, we will see how Paul exercised this. False brothers coming in false pretenses were coming in order to spy that they may condemn the actions of those who were exercising their freedom in Jesus. A great danger laid in wait. However, Paul did not give in to them for a moment. He had his senses exercised to discern what sort they were. He did not need to be a busybody to determine this. He had the truth within them, and the truth found out those who were lying.
What happened when Paul left? The discernment he exercised was not shared among the Galatians. Such deceitful workers came in and led the congregation astray. Those who hesitate to exercise discernment as well as those that outright reject it subject themselves to the dangers of deception. And such had taken place for these believers. Paul's rebuke is necessary. Discernment is essential for the believer to exercise.
How can you exercise discernment in your life?
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John 14:22-31 | What's the lesson for me today?John 14:22-31 | What am I going to do about it?John 14:22-31 | Prayer PromptsPassage of the Week: John 15:1-11John 15:1-11 | What's happening (and who's involved)?John 15:1-11 | What's the connection?John 15:1-11 | What's a lesson for the original audience?John 15:1-11 | What's the lesson for me today?John 15:1-11 | What am I going to do about it?John 15:1-11 | Prayer PromptsPassage of the Week: John 15:12-27John 15:12-27 | What's happening (and who's involved)?John 15:12-27 | What's the connection?John 15:12-27 | What's a lesson for the original audience?John 15:12-27 | What's the lesson for me today?John 15:12-27 | What am I going to do about it?John 15:12-27 | Prayer PromptsPassage of the Week: John 16:1-15John 16:1-15 | What's happening (and who's involved)?John 16:1-15 | What's the connection?John 16:1-15 | What’s a lesson for the original audience?John 16:1-15 | What's the lesson for me today?John 16:1-15 | What am I going to do about it?John 16:1-15 | Prayer PromptsPassage of the Week: John 16:16-33John 16:16-33 | What's happening (and who's involved)?John 16:16-33 | What's the connection?John 16:16-33 | What's a lesson for the original audience?John 16:16-33 | What's the lesson for me today?John 16:16-33 | What am I going to do about it?John 16:16-33 | Prayer Prompts
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Hebrews 2:1-4 | What's a lesson for the original audience?Hebrews 2:1-4 | What's the lesson for me today?Hebrews 2:1-4 | What am I going to do about it?Hebrews 2:1-4 | Prayer PromptsPassage of the Week: Hebrews 2:5-9Hebrews 2:5-9 | What's happening (and who's involved)?Hebrews 2:5-9 | What's the connection?Hebrews 2:5-9 | What's a lesson for the original audience?Hebrews 2:5-9 | What's the lesson for me today?Hebrews 2:5-9 | What am I going to do about it?
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