How Do We Discern The One Who Is True?

GuardianAngelStore · Newbie Joined: Jul 07, 2015 Posts: 40 Status: **Offline**

He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, "Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house." And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith. ( Matthew 13:54-58 )

We should ask ourselves, what filters our learning? What tells us whether we should listen to a stranger or a friend? By what criteria do we develop trust for those we encounter? By what means do we evaluate what we are told? How do we discern what is wise, right and just?

Our learning is best assessed by the lens of His Word, but if we do not know the Word, by what can we test what is said to us? Who can we trust to reveal to us what is right and just? How can we know the prophet of truth over those sent by the evil one to mislead the people?

The answer is found in the greatest of commandments, the commandments to love (Matthew 22:36-34). If the end-state of what is presented is not love, we should be wary. Rather than judging the one who speaks by their appearance and what is presented on the surface, we should examine that which is within. We should search what is told to us for the light of selflessness, humility, hospitality, prudence, justice, charity, fortitude, temperance, forgiveness and love. If, however, what is preached guides us to selfishness, arrogance, rudeness, imprudence, corruption, greed, laziness, indulgence, intolerance, and hate; the one who speaks is not of the light.

If we find ourselves confused over that which we are told because the good is used to hide the bad, we may ask for the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 14:26). While in prayer, the Holy Spirit will help us discern what is right and just and that which fulfills His commandments to love. If we ask, He will reveal truth to our hearts so that we might see through the false prophet and discern those who speak His truth.

Blessed are those who discern by His Word, for they shall find that which is right and just.