DISCERNMENT Paul’s Four-Pronged Test for the Church at Corinth

A Father’s Day Tradition I get the day my way!

A Father’s Day Tradition I get the day my way!

A Father’s Day Tradition I get the day my way! (“My way” now means “exactly what my family wants”)

What I really want… Is for my children to grow deeper in love with the One who redeemed them and to be equipped to use God’s Word effectively to discern the difference between truth and error.

We Need Discernment “Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They exhibit little ability to measure the things they are taught against the infallible standard of God's Word, and they unwittingly engage in all kinds of unbiblical decision-making and behavior. In short, they are not armed to take a decidedly biblical stand against the onslaught of unbiblical thinking and attitudes that face them throughout their day” (John MacArthur).

We Need Discernment “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

Discernment Delights Our Lord “‘So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’” (1 Kings 3:9).

Discernment Delights Our Lord “‘So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this” (1 Kings 3:9-10).

Discernment Should Be Pursued by Those Who Follow God “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes…Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me” (Psalm 119:125,133).

Discernment is Given Generously “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5).

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong?

Paul offers the church in Corinth a four-pronged test through which they could discern truth from error in their daily encounters.

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong? Paul offers the church in Corinth a four-pronged test through which they could discern truth from error in their daily encounters. We, too, can use this as a lens through which to discern truth from error in our own daily encounters.

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong? 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12—The “enslavement” test

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong? 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12—The “enslavement” test 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9—The “stumbling-block” test

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong? 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12—The “enslavement” test 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9—The “stumbling-block” test 3 rd Test: I Corinthians 10:31—The “diminishment” test

So how can we use God’s Word to discern right from wrong? 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12—The “enslavement” test 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9—The “stumbling-block” test 3 rd Test: I Corinthians 10:31—The “diminishment” test 4 th Test: I Corinthians 15:33—The “corruption” test

The 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12

“‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.”

The 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12 “‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.” Test #1: Could my going down this path lead to something else being my master?

The 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

The 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” Test #2: Could my going down this path cause other believers to be harmed in their walk with Christ?

The 3 rd Test: I Corinthians 10:31

“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

The 3 rd Test: I Corinthians 10:31 “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Test #3: Could my going down this path cause God’s glory to be diminished?

The 4 th Test: I Corinthians 15:33

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

The 4 th Test: I Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” Test #4: Could my going down this path cause me to be corrupted by others who do not share my love for Christ and, thus, cause me to drift from my relationship with Him?

God’s Reveals Himself In His Word “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

God’s Reveals Himself In His Word “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). God promises to speak to us and He speaks to us through His Word.

Using God’s Word Sets Us Apart “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11).

Using God’s Word Sets Us Apart “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” (Acts 17:11). True believers use God’s Word to examine and discern the difference between truth and error.

Therefore, Use God’s Word to Discern Truth from Error 1 st Test: I Corinthians 6:12—The “enslavement” test 2 nd Test: I Corinthians 8:9—The “stumbling-block” test 3 rd Test: I Corinthians 10:31—The “diminishment” test 4 th Test: I Corinthians 15:33—The “corruption” test