Discerning and Wise

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. (James 3:1)

We live in a day where many Christians have taken it upon themselves to speak in the name of the Lord. Many follow these voices, and far too often end up damaged and shipwrecked due to their lack of discernment and discipline. The Bible warns us to be very careful and to judge these teachers by their fruit. If we are filled with the Word, we will recognize the presence or absence of the Word in their teaching. If we are full of good works, we will recognize and rightly discern theirs. Every Christian must endeavor to be well equipped to wisely discern what we see and hear. Thank God for His Holy Spirit!

"Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:22-23)

It is a dangerous thing to read the warnings in Scripture and imagine they are spoken to others and not to us. Notice, the Lord says "many" who engage in ministry will be judged for deceiving themselves and their hearers. It is far too common a thing to witness men and women ministering in the flesh and offering strange fire before the Lord. God is not fooled or mocked, and the heart and works of every minister will be revealed on that Day for all to see. Those of us who preach the Gospel do well to heed these words and judge ourselves, so that we might not be judged.

Let's Pray - Dear Lord, we are saved by grace through faith, and we must minister by grace through faith. May every minister who calls on Your name examine himself or herself today. Wash us clean and set us free from all ambition and agenda. In Jesus, Amen.