Quotes About Discernment

Don't argue with [a professor], but test everything he says in the light of God's Word.

Jesus tells us not to be misled by the voices of strangers. There are so many strange voices being heard in the religious world of our day. We must compare what they say with the Word of God.

Many times I have been driven to prayer. When I was in Bible school I didn't know what to do with my life. I used to walk the streets . . . and pray, sometimes for hours at a time. In His timing, God answered those prayers, and since then prayer has been an essential part of my life.

Temptation: Recognize it for what it is, and then reject it—immediately and without compromise.

The Bible teaches that we are to live in this world, but we are not to partake of the evils of the world. We are to be separated from the world of evil. When I face something in the world, I ask: "Does it violate any principle of Scripture? Does it take the keen edge off my Christian life? Can I ask God's blessing on it? Will it be a stumbling block to others? Would I like to be there, or reading that, or be watching that, if Christ should return at that time?

God speaks to those who are prepared in their hearts to listen. Discern the voice from heaven above the noisy din of earth's confusion.

Believers need the gift of discernment, or at least respect for the opinions of those who have it . . .believers are to test the various spirits and doctrines that abound. Most of all we are to test them against the standard of the Word of God.

It is important to realize that a person with the gift of discernment can often tell the difference between what is of God and what is not. Such a person can often point out false teachings or false teachers—he has an almost uncanny ability to perceive hypocrisy, shallowness, deceit, or phoniness.

We have become so tolerant and accepting of the world's ways that it is hard for many in the church to notice the sin much less answer how it crept in. The church is to be in the world, but worldliness is not to infiltrate the church.

Jesus knows the intentions of our hearts and what we do in secret.

God often gives us an inner conviction or prompting to confirm which way He wants us to go. This prompting comes from the Holy Spirit.

Select with care the books you read, choose discerningly the kind of entertainment you attend, the kind of associates with whom you mingle, and the kind of environment in which you place yourself.

God's followers need to know the truth He sets forth in His Word so that we can confidently discern between His truth and Satan's lies.

The Holy Spirit gives liberty to the Christian, direction to the worker, discernment to the teacher, power to the Word, and fruit to faithful service. He reveals the things of Christ.

If Christians realized that God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit really dwells within our bodies, we would be far more careful about what we eat, drink, look at, or read. No wonder Paul said, "I beat my body and make it my slave" [1 Corinthians 9:27 NIV]. This should drive us to our knees in confession.

When I have a problem of deciding right from wrong, I always give it three tests. First, I give it the common-sense test, and ask if it is reasonable. Then, I give it the prayer test. I ask God if it is good and edifying. Then, I give it the Scripture test. I see if the Bible has anything to say for or against it.

God speaks to us through our conscience. This may be a "still small voice" that will not let us go until we do what we know is right . . .we must never silence that inner voice—[but] check what we think it is saying against the Scriptures.

We constantly pass up the rich and beautiful and ennobling experiences and seek out the tawdry, the cheap, and the degrading. These are the works of the devil, and they flourish on every side!

If you are not careful you will find yourself actually in the employ of the devil. He is powerful, slick, crafty, wily, and subtle.

Too many so-called Christians are like the little chameleon which adapts its coloration to that of its surroundings. Even a critical world is quick to recognize a real Christian and just as quick to detect a counterfeit.

Satan is masterful at using just enough of God's truth to capture a person's attention and then mix it with his devious potion that will lead [believers] astray.

Sin also affects the conscience, until one becomes slow to detect the approach of sin.

As a person finds God's will for his or her life, matters of conscience can be handled with perception from the Holy Spirit.

Do not seek solace in alcohol. Alcohol obscures good judgment and leaves you unable to think clearly or understand what God is trying to say to you.