Learn to Discern

By Marjorie Kinnee,
Managing Editor

Discernment is one of the Gifts of the Spirit and as such, is accounted a valuable asset in the life of a Christian. By definition, discernment is a noun meaning the ability to perceive clearly. It's roots are from dis apart, and, cernere to separate. It applies to things spiritual and natural, to individuals and groups, to leaders and followers. In the words of an old commercial, "Don't leave home without it!" Yet, discernment has never been more lacking than it is today. Solomon discerned a young man void of understanding and followed him through a downward spiral into sin. He continually urged his readers to seek wisdom and understanding. Moreover, he often gave wisdom physical characteristics, referring to it as "her" and "she" or in the first person singular. (See Proverbs 8 and 9:1-6.)

Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil to no avail because they did  not discern the difference. Without this kind of discernment one may know what good and evil is, (have the knowledge,) but lack the understanding of the consequences.  

In the institution of the Tabernacle and the priesthood, instructions to Aaron and his descendants have to do with not drinking wine or strong drink when they entered the Tabernacle. This was a statute for ever throughout their generations: "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." (Leviticus 10:9-11)

Moses' final instructions to the children of Israel exhorted them to examine what he'd set before them; life and good, death and evil... blessing and cursing... and to choose life! In doing so, they would ensure that both they and their seed would live. Choosing life, good, and blessing would enable them to love the LORD their God, to obey His voice, and to cleave unto Him; for HE was their life and the length of their days (eternal as well as natural). Discerning and choosing life for themselves activated the covenant promised given to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

At the root level, here are the choices our minds must be able to discern:

Good (Life!) - Whatever God says is good, righteous, holy, perfect, acceptable, true and truth.

Evil (Death) - Whatever God says is evil, sinful, wicked, or profane, and the things He despises, hates, abominates, etc.

The Tribe of Issachar was commended in David's time because they were "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..." (I Chronicles 12:32) 

Agur's lament says, "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy." (Proverbs 30:2-3)

Sadly, over time, the priesthood left off their own diligence and grew cold and indifferent to their sacred trust. Much of what we find in Scripture has more to do with what happened to those who lacked discernment and failed in their responsibilities. Their failures resulted in rottenness and decay throughout their society.

Ezekiel rebuked the priests with these words, "Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." (Ezekiel 22:26) Later he prophesied of a time when the priesthood would minister with new and godly wisdom. "And they shall teach My people the dirrerence between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." (Ezekiel 44:23)

Malachi closed out the Old Testament with a call to repentance and return to a God-centered ministry. "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 2:7-8)

Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass the round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." (Luke 19:42-44)

This business of learning to discern is important for each man, woman, boy and girl. Such instructions need to begin as early in life as possible. There's no time to neglect or ignore such a weighty principle. The best way to do this is to get into the Word - it contains the mind and thoughts of God Himself. The Psalmist said, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed therto according to Thy Word." and, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119: 9, 105)

Caring Crucible

By Stanley Scism

Text: Luke 11:33-36

Song: (by W.C. Parkey) "Lord, set me afire, make me a flame for Thee. Millions are lost, but You paid the cost that they all might be free. Lord, I am yearning – set me a-burning. Let me shine out for Jesus’ Name. This my desire: set me afire, make me a flame."

A boy grew up in a poor family, a place later made famous by Lassie and James Herriot. Thanks to a scholarship, this boy could attend Oxford University. An outstanding student, he quit before getting his masters degree because he didn’t want temptation by the world’s pride. He went back to Yorkshire, then made an hermit’s habit from his dad’s raincoat and ran away from home to a nearby church to pray through the night as preparation to be a hermit. There, he was so wrapped up and rapt in deep prayer that other people present were amazed. Later he preached in that church and started his ministry.

He traveled from town to town, village to village, sometimes in a monastery, sometimes in a nunnery. He wrote with passion and energy – his most famous book, Fire of Love. For two hundred years, he was St. Richard the Hermit and many people treasured his writings.

He said: 'I can’t tell you how surprised I was the first time I felt my heart begin to warm – real warmth, too, not imaginary, and felt as if it were actually on fire. I was astonished at the way the heat surged up and how this new sensation brought great and unexpected comfort. I had to keep feeling my breast and there was no physical reason for it. Once I realized it came entirely from within, had no cause material or sinful, but was my Maker’s gift, I was absolutely delighted, and wanted my love to be even greater. And this longing was all the more urgent because of the delightful effect and the interior sweetness which this spiritual flame fed into my soul.' He’d not known humans could feel this sweet warmth of devotion. People aflame loving Christ hate the world. 'If we put our finger near a fire, we feel the heat; a soul on fire with love feels, I say, a genuine warmth…depends on our particular capacity. What mortal could survive that heat at its peak – as we can know it, even here – if it persisted? We must inevitably wilt before the vastness and sweetness of love so intense and heat so indescribable yet must long eagerly for just this to happen: to breathe our soul out, with all its superb endowment of mind, in this honeyed flame, and, quit of this world, be held in thrall with those who sing their Maker’s praise.' Some carnal, sordid things oppose love and tempt peace – physical needs and human lusts try to douse the flame burning for Jesus. They can’t take us away, but sometimes our love grows cold. Then, though we stay faithful, we miss sensing God’s presence. When that happens, let’s recapture inner fire in our whole being, physical and Spiritual.

We obviously won’t feel that love when we’re asleep, but we can wake and kindle it again in prayer. When we busy ourselves with arrangements, on the go, lounging around, or wrapped up in arguments and discussion, revival fires burn low. Then we must put away all external things, stand real in our Savior’s presence, and live in his love, wound in his warmth.

Richard Rolle wrote ‘for the attention, not of the philosophers and sages of this world, not of the great theologians bogged down in their interminable questionings, but of the single and unlearned who seek rather to love God than to amass knowledge, since God is known only by what we do and how we love,’ as Jesus said Himself, "by this shall all men know you are My disciples."

‘While matters contained in such questionings are the most demanding of all intellectually, they are much less important when Christ’s love is under consideration.’ Anyway, we can’t understand them, so Richard wrote not ‘for the experts unless they have forgotten and put behind them all those things that belong to the world; unless now they are eager to surrender to a longing for God. To achieve this, however, they must, first, fly from every worldly honor; they must hate all vainglory and the parade of knowledge.’ When, ‘conditioned by great poverty, through prayer and meditation they can devote themselves to the love of God. It will not surprise if then an inner spark of the uncreated charity should appear to them and prepare their hearts for the fire which consumes everything that is dark and raises them to that pitch of ardor which is so lovely and so pleasant.’ Then will they pass beyond the things of time and sit enthroned in infinite peace. The more learned they are, the more ability they naturally have for loving, always provided of course that they do not esteem themselves highly nor rejoice in being highly esteemed by others… because I would stir by these means every person to God, and because I try to make plain the ardent nature of love and how it is supernatural, I select for this book the title Fire of Love.’

We all know God’s eternal love won’t fill us or heaven’s oil anoint us unless we truly turn to God and from the world. If we control our hearts and minds, we’ll love what we should. We of course love our families and friends, but must love Christ above this as much as the heavens are high over the earth. Many of the world’s ‘good’ things pervert rather than protect. We must wither physical lust and hate wickedness. We must only necessarily deal with mundane matters.

People eager to get rich don’t know who’ll get it, or what they’ll do with it, after they die. Some say they’ve already seen heaven in a vision, and do a good job faking it. ‘This graceless presumption… will bring about their downfall, for their love of earthly treasure is unlimited. Also, they’ll fall from God’s sweet love. People lusting after worldly splendor catch a very different, very separate fire. ‘Such people become like what they love, for they take their tone from the greed of their day and age. Because they will not give up their old ways, they come to prefer life’s specious emptiness to happiness’ warmth. They exchange the glorious, incorruptible charity for beauty’s fleeting lust. This happens because a counterfeit ‘fire of love’ blinds them and devastates virtue at his its source and vice in its growth.

Then, on the other hand, some people think, because they become monks and forbear marriage, or because they become teetotalers and forbear drink, that they earn salvation, and they become proud of their self-righteousness. This is wrong and silly – what’s dumber than denouncing sin, but living by greed? There’s nothing worse than the love of money (I Timothy 6:10), for it means people are obsessed by something temporal and not devoted to something eternal. You can’t love God and the world. The stronger love drives out the weaker, and then we know who loves the world, and who loves Christ, simply by what they do.

Satan can grab ‘good’ people who proclaim their penance and piety. ‘Very often, indeed are mortal wounds obscured by the odor of sanctity.’ The devil can grab you if you’re too busy or even an eloquent, elegant speaker, but not if your heart is aflame with love for Jesus Christ and you couldn’t care less about pride. People stop spiritual workouts, become flabby and feeble. They love sit-ups first, then Heath Bars.

Have you felt any physical sensations during worship or devotion? What fans into flame love for God in your heart? Reading? Listening to preaching? Praying? Fellowship with other people? Enjoying creation? What do you love? Are you becoming like what you love? Let’s not hide our light, but shine! This week, check your heart, and ask if your love for God has to compete with love for the world. Worldly honors tempt pride, so let’s instead look for ways to deflect any praise we get to God from whom all blessing flow. Let’s build up our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Let’s regain spiritual eyesight and focus on God’s Kingdom.

Editorial Note: Stanley Scism founded and presides over Scism Christian Institute (named after his grandfather, Ellis Scism,) teaches there, pastors Yesu Mandali in Nepal and Yesu Kalishia in India, speakes in various places, edits Glory magazine, writes books, songs and articles, and rejoices that more people are coming to know Jesus Christ.

Where is Jesus?

By Laurel D. Williams

As a child, my parents expected us to behave ourselves whenever they took us shopping. But, as children often do, we soon became bored with the process of shopping. The racks of clothes seemed to be the perfect spot to hide. What was the harm in hiding among the clothes and jumping out at your brothers? Despite repeated warnings, we continued in our games of hide and seek.

During one hiding phase, my parents became lost. When I discovered that my parents were not where they should be, I looked down the next aisle. Too short to look over anything, I continued to search as fear took hold. Finally, crying, I approached the saleslady. She announced for all the World at Montgomery Ward that "there was a little lost girl named Laurie and would her parents please come and get her."

My mother was not ecstatic to see me or overjoyed that her lost baby was found. Instead, she called me "Laurel Dawn." I was reminded of the importance of staying with her, listening to her, obeying her. She hoped I had "learned a lesson." I had.

Jesus and his parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. They traveled with kinsfolk and acquaintances. They celebrated and worshipped at the temple. On the way home, after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph discovered that their twelve year old son was missing. His parents returned to Jerusalem and searched for him for three days! How distraught, relieved, aggravated, and overjoyed they must have felt when they found him in the temple! His mother asked Him, "Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."(Luke 2:48 NLT) But Jesus replied, "Why were you searching? You should have known that I must be about my Father’s business." (v.49) His parents didn’t understand. Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient. But Jesus was plainly saying; Where else would I be? You know where I must be and what I must do.

So many people are searching for God. They thirst after Him, their souls hunger for Him. They look here, they look there. They try this, they try that. They philosophize and expound, "Where is God?" They are frantic in their searching, spend years and lifetimes trying to find Jesus. It’s really quite simple. He is in His church! Why are you looking anywhere else ? He is in the temple!

Jesus is in the temple. Jesus is in the church! Surprise! Don’t you know He must be there? When we give ourselves to Christ and bury the old man, we become a new creature in Christ Jesus. That new creature is the temple of God! You are God’s temple! (I Corinthians 3:16-17) There He is, in me! No more frantic searching, He must be there doing the Father’s work in His temple! He must be there - making me like Him! Here He is; "above all, through you all, and in you all!" (Ephesians 4:6) Rest in the knowledge, worship in the awesome revelation. He is right here every minute of every day of your life. He is right here in all His power, majesty, and glory. God is in His temple: Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient!

Where is He? Here!

"O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship you in your Temple." Psalm 48:9 (NLT)
"But the Lord is in His holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." Habakkuk 2:20 (NLT)
"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;…" Acts 17:28
"…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." Revelation 21:3

Editorial Note: Laurel is the daughter of Charles and Betty Austin. The Willams family lives in the Orange, Texas area and attends the Pentecostal Church in Vidor, where they are a vital part of the body of Christ.

Breaking Away

By Lori (Kalajian) Wagner
 

Breaking away from the earth
Soaring high above
Looking down on the world that's kept me bound
As I fly on the wings of God's love

The effort exerted to break free
Is the most difficult part of the flight
But then I glide on invisible currents
That lift me from height to height

Carry me, Oh Wind of God
High above this land
That I might see a new perspective
And understand your plan

Then return me safely back to Earth
To use the lessons learned
And share the visions You impart
With those who wait for Your return

.


Editorial Note: This poem was written in 1997 on the eighth floor of the Karmanos Cancer Center. My husband, afflicted with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, lay in the hospital bed. I sat looking out the window at the people walking by, busy with their lives, running here and there. I watched a bird pump hard to lift off the ground then rise in flight and this poem came to me as I watched it soar above the ground. I hope it is a blessing to you.