What is discernment? The standard, dictionary definition is the ability to judge rightly and generally this is applied to decision making between right and wrong. Back in 2010 when this blog was in its infant stages, I wrote a couple of posts on the necessity for discernment. In that little series, the emphasis was on the encroachment of the Emerging/Emergent, Seeker-Sensitive, Purpose Driven models upon evangelicalism. But now, we return to the subject and a different enemy is afoot. I’ve written recently on the second front, or the two-pronged battle that is shaping up from both liberalism and Christless conservatism. In light of that, discernment is needed in order to wade through all of the misinformation/disinformation that is flying around from both sides. It should come as no surprise that we are engulfed in an information war, largely a kind of information D-day within the last 4-5 years, and with that inundation of information of all varieties, combined with the vacuum of truth that we find going on all around us, the need for discernment is at an all-time high.
The Old Testament uses the word for discernment frequently. It is sometimes translated as understanding and other times related to perceiving or perception. The New Testament really only mentions discernment explicitly a couple of times, occurring Hebrews 5:14 and Philippians 1:9-10, and other times English versions translate words as understanding or discerning as in Ephesians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 1:19, or Romans 12:2 for example. The theme can be found in other passages, notably, and one that we will highlight here, Ephesians 4:11-14
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Ephesians 4:11-14
Chapter 4 of this Ephesians letter introduces for us the imperatives, which follow upon the outline of the indicatives given in chapters 1-3. This particular passage serves to highlight the victorious triumph of Christ’s descension and ascension in giving gifts to men. Context seems to imply that the gifts given here are not the usual charisma (from which we get our word charismatic), but instead refers to people who are designated as apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. These functions are fulfilled by those whom Christ calls and gifts. Furthermore, we are told the purpose for their calling, “to equip the saints for the work of the ministry”. In other words, those whom Christ calls and gifts do not have the burden of performing all of the ministerial work in a particular gathering or in a particular geographic location for that matter, rather they are to equip, literally to prepare others, “for the work of the ministry”.
As an aside, it is interesting to note that ministry here is the word translated from diakonias, from which we get the transliterated word for deacon or deaconing. Uses like these, and others which I’ve highlighted elsewhere on this blog, should cause us to rethink our use and application of what it means to be a deacon, i.e. minister or servant.
Returning then to the main thrust of our passage, we have seen those who are called and gifted for the purpose of equipping those who would in turn do the work of ministry, are to do so for a defined period of time, that is “until we all attain…” which is followed by three descriptions each synonymous with a unified, mature body of believers. Finally, we see that this has a long-term goal, that is, to keep us from being immature in our faith and subsequently unstable or tossed around both inside and outside our gatherings by:
- Every wind of doctrine
- Human cunning
- Craftiness in deceitful schemes
The contrast between a unified body that is mature and individual children tossed around like a ship in the ocean could not be more stark. Following that we are warned of three potential areas to be on the lookout for. The first relates to doctrine or teaching (recall those who are gifted). While Paul does not specify what this teaching might be in this letter, whereas in others he is very explicit, the application certainly would be anything that contradicts gospel teaching which they have heard. This would definitely include those things which he had outlined in the first three chapters. Second, we see the phrase human cunning or what is elsewhere translated as trickery of people. In Greek literature, as Clinton Arnold points out, this phrase is often used in context of gambling or dice playing and refers to deception that would occur in those settings. Related and building upon this point, third we see the warning against trickery in deceptive schemes. This final danger is more methodical and premeditated, offering a capstone for the entire list.
While implicit, this entire passage falls under the umbrella of discernment, that is perceiving, knowing, and understanding right from wrong. The passage explicitly states, again, that those who are called and gifted are to build up and edify other believers, for the work of the ministry – which is the entry point, so that we’re not tossed around by the dangers outlined above, for the duration or exit point of a unified, mature body. The path for discernment is paved with teaching, that is doctrine, and practice, or putting into action those things which we have learned until it becomes second nature. Then, when there are those things that arise by those “dice players” or methodical, premeditated schemes, we are able to discern what is good and right as opposed to those things which aren’t.
Turning briefly to a second passage, this time from the aforementioned Hebrews 5:14, we find that training in God’s Word and becoming skilled in our handling of it is the solid food necessary for exercising discernment. In that passage, we find that our “powers of discernment” are exercised or trained by constant practice which allows us to distinguish good from evil. The little phrase constant practice conveys the idea of being habitual but is often used in reference to maturity. While laziness and being dull of hearing are preventatives to developing discernment, constant practice is the exact opposite. Discernment is like exercising muscles. As long as we use them regularly, they will maintain their strength, even grow. But once we stop using them, atrophy sets in.
Having gone now through a brief Scriptural look at discernment, we need to return to our opening of why it is so needed now. We are in perilous times particularly with the increased influence of social media and the rise of mis- and dis- information, especially in the arena of politics. As alluded to, the two-pronged assault from both left and right will require extreme discernment going forward. Lord willing, I will have more to say about misinformation soon, but for now we will leave it as a weapon being utilized by all parties against both sides.
Discernment is needed now. Devote yourself to the teaching of God’s Word and consistently exercise your powers of discernment.
Soli Deo Gloria
