 Discernment - Should We be Actually Walking in it?Many years ago we attended a church that was big and growing by leaps and bounds. They had to build a bigger place because so many were being added every week. In the end the place could hold several thousand people. Every Sunday the worship team got everyone going. Thousands of people lifting their hands and jumping in worship. They had a staff of about ten pastors and the main pastor was highly respected by most. He could preach in a way that could move people.
This church had guest speakers continually over the years we were there and you would know them if I named them. They were the biggest names and the people most respected in the church world as being men and women of God. Everything not only looked just fine but looked great. People would jump and dance and pray in tongues, every kind of class and group you could think of could be found there and all the things we know should be happening seemed to be happening. In all the years we went there, I always had a bad feeling about the pastor but wrote it off as a personality conflict. I didn’t like him but figured that was just my problem. I just asked the Lord to help me from judging people wrongly. I ignored my “gut” feeling. In the end, after about 8-10 years we left the church. Not long after that we found out the church was going through a really hard time as the pastor was found out to have been having a long standing affair for almost the whole time he was in ministry. Several of the assistant pastors computers were audited because of this about the pastor coming to light, and it was then uncovered that several of the assistant pastors had pornography “issues”. You don’t have to agree with me on this, but as for me and my family I don’t want them to be sitting under the teaching and authority of those living in sin. Period. How could all those people and all those famous ministers miss it, and for so very long? Was there no one walking in any degree of discernment? I blame myself as well because I was in the same boat. I talked to the Lord about this and when I asked Him “where are those with discernment”, He said “You be the one.” That was not just a statement for me but for all of us. He was telling me that it is each one’s responsibility to hear God’s voice clearly and discern good from evil, truth from lies, and what is of God and what is not. Having discernment is especially critical for those desiring to be used of the Lord in ministry. It’s critical for deciding in whose care to place your children. It’s critical for choosing who you join to and who you don’t. There is no getting away from this responsibility. (In my opinion) So… the cat is out of the bag. Feel free to comment in any way you choose. Do we bare any responsibility for walking in discernment or is it all on God or does it even matter? You tell me. I may sound a bit hard here. If so, I’m sorry. I don’t like to see people get hurt. with love, Mike
18 Comments
Shirley Rappach-Criteser
8/11/2019 05:27:54 pm
I have just recently found out sonething similar in a church that I was attending. God gave me a dream, and the interpretation I got told me that a legalistic spirit was i present. So, I left that church. Now I am praying about telling the pastor about my dream.
Troy Smith
8/15/2019 07:12:21 am
This is so true. There have been many times when I have overrun my heart with my head and run into trouble dismissing bad feelings about people or things as "just my flesh acting up" when in fact it was my spirit giving me direction. Thanks for the article.
Dianne Cooper
8/26/2019 09:31:27 am
More than ever I believe that the church needs to operate in the gift of discernment. Everything that looks good is not always as it appears. There is so much “fake” today we can be easily mislead.
John Marshall
8/26/2019 02:42:10 pm
These are all good reasons why I think people within the body with the gift of discernment should be given a more prominent and senior role within the church - all of the gifts are to be used for the healthy building up of the church. Another mistake which leads to these situations is having one man lead a church (the pastor) who can choose to not be accountable to anyone. The bible model is always for the most mature in the faith to father the church as a group (elders), recognising and utilising those people with gifts, like discernment to be actively used for the benefit of the whole body. 8/26/2019 07:11:30 pm
Absolutely true, Mike! We have to walk in discernment. The devil and his collaborators aren't going to like it, but the alternative has proven to be devastating to the church.
Charlotte savage
8/27/2019 03:51:28 pm
I pray that the church would get back to the altars and the teachings by anointed teachers on the gifts and callings of the Holy spirit. The babies are craving the truth and the leaders have given them deception.
Marisa Dallamora
8/28/2019 06:30:21 am
It's a tricky issue actually. It seems I have this gift, but when others don't, they assume its my issue ie that I have a 'problem' with the person in question so take no notice. And because I hold no particular office, no one is keen to hear. This can often convince me that I have no real right to say anything, especially if no-one is asking. We value 'names' and leaders, instead of the functioning of the whole body. Generally our form of church government fosters this. But God has hidden some if his best gifts in nobodies, perhaps to test us all.
Charles Owen
10/7/2019 03:17:35 pm
I totally agree. It is one of the most misunderstood gifts in the body of Christ! Brother Mike 's instructions are precious and life giving, and he and myself are so similar in anointing and purpose. I have been through much damage through the years,in my Spiritual growth,but counting it as for joy. Mike's book (Supernatural Provision) can be a powerful equipper to us all! Provision is not his monitary and wealth not just stuff. Mr. Mike is right,wisdom is more precious than gold or rubbies. Finally,what breaks my heart Pacific intamcy is not taught or stressed in our church family today! Blessings. Chaz 😎
Pamela
11/3/2020 04:15:28 am
I pray for others as an intercession ... oftentimes my discernment is heightened. A few weeks ago during worship the Lord spoke to me to pray for one of the very anointed young pastors regarding his choosing a wife... that he would seek the Lord and receive wisdom and discernment to choose the wife God wanted for him. I began to pray for this and very shortly after, a young woman began to sit with him and pray with him ministering to others after service. I discerned that this young woman had no freedom to worship and no joy. I felt that she was the one to pray for?
Tammy Smith
5/4/2021 11:42:06 pm
How do we grow in discernment?
Terrance perkins
5/24/2021 10:45:31 pm
Pray for my Family, God Bless. 9/15/2021 12:18:32 pm
The Lord use to make me learn The ways of the Major Prophets and I had to learn Prophet Jeremiah I couldn't sleep at times either to read it fully or listen to CDS. Now I have to listen to Jeremiah 23 and First Timothy. When you read Jeremiah 23 he is rebuking The Five fold callings. Being prepared and seated in their rightful calling and church. God is changing the guardians of his word. Many are called few are chosen, It is time for the End time Prophets to rise up. Haggai 2 and Hebrews 12 and Matthew 24 must come to pass so is his words so be it unto us. He is closing many church doors and replacing leadership in many churches. Pray for God's will for Afghanistan believer's. Vengeance is God's he will repay for the innocent lifes that are lost worldwide. You are being promoted receive it in Jesus Christ name. Up root and tear down the works of the devil. Arise O God and show them proof of your blessings and peace and powers. 2021 will never be the same going out and preparing 2022. Enjoy your blessings release always and forever more
Gary Meissner-Frisk
4/6/2022 08:54:05 am
I just wanted to say thank you for saying all that Plus you also prophesied & I received that upgrade.
FrankO
5/8/2022 09:52:37 pm
Good article. My question is in hindsight, if you could do it over again, what you have done different? You had the discernment but didn’t realize it was discernment, and you didn’t have any concrete facts while at the church other than not liking the pastor in the context of what seemed like a thriving exciting church. You later had the benefit of knowing about the exposures that came about shortly after you left the church. Maybe for some folks the exposure never comes. In the same or similar situation of feeling what you felt but not knowing the facts of what is truly goin b on, what is the response? Prayer? Would you have been intentional about seeking the Lord as to staying there or leaving? Maybe you would have only been there 6 months rather than 10 years, and left for no tangible, concrete reason other than trying to obey what you felt the Lord was leading you to do. What are your thoughts?
Sarah
5/14/2022 04:08:14 pm
I agree with you, except I have been harshly judged and injured by other Christians. We have such high expectations of others sometimes, including myself. Even now I have a work relationship that has gone bad because though I try very hard to be accountable in all things to the Lord, this other Christian thinks she can read my mind and has misinterpreted things that I have said. I try to give others the benefit of the doubt and I wish others would do the same for me
Michell
5/15/2022 05:02:07 am
Strategies to increase discernment include
Yadré
5/15/2022 12:30:09 pm
Thank you for your book *Supern.. Transp...*
Nicole Larsson
11/13/2022 07:13:15 pm
I agree. I was in a ministry for a long time that was corrupt. I December there were issues but I didn’t ask God about it. Eventually I asked Him about it and in just a few days all was revealed. I’ve gotten a little better at this over the years and just this year accelerated in this as my relationship with the Lord is growing even more so. Leave a Reply. |
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