1. Discerning Between Good and Evil
Hebrews 5:12-14

2. Hebrews 5:12-14
“12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV)

3. God Commands Christians to Grow
1 Peter 2:1-2
2 Peter 3:18
Ephesians 4:11-15
1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 14:20
Only Proper Spiritual Growth Will Equip Us To Discern Between Good and Evil!
1 Pet. 2:1-2 - Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
2 Pet. 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Eph. 4: READ
1 Cor. 3:1-3 - And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Cor. 14:20 - Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

4. Must Exercise Senses to Discern Between Good & Evil
Senses - properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:-senses. – Strong
Exercised -Our “senses” are our “faculties (the human mind)” (LS 23). The mind must be “exercised” (gumnazo) = “to train naked, train in gymnastic exercise: generally, to train, exercise... practice... to practice gymnastics”

5. Must Exercies Senses to Discern Between Good & Evil
Discern - 1 a: to detect with the eyes (discerned a figure approaching through the fog) b: to detect with senses other than vision (discerned a strange odor) 2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate (discern right from wrong)3: to come to know or recognize mentally (unable to discern his motives): to see or understand the difference.
- Webster
To “discern” (diakrisis) = “separation, dissolution... a decision, judgment” (LS 189).

6. Albert E. Barnes Comments
Have their senses - The word used here means properly “the senses” - as we use the term; the seat of sensation, the smell, taste, etc. Then it means “the internal sense,” the faculty of perceiving truth; and this is the idea here. The meaning is, that by long experience Christians come to be able to understand the more elevated doctrines of Christianity; they see their beauty and value, and they are able carefully and accurately to distinguish them from error.
To discern both good and evil - That is, in doctrine. They will appreciate and understand what is true; they will reject what is false.
Those who truly desire truth will have their “senses exercised to discern good and evil.” Our “senses” are our “faculties (the human mind)” (LS 23). The mind must be “exercised” (gumnazo) = “to train naked, train in gymnastic exercise: generally, to train, exercise...practice... to practice gymnastics” (LS 170). To “discern” (diakrisis) = “separation, dissolution... a decision, judgment” (LS 189).

7. Discerning Between Good & Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?

8. Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Some things may be “RIGHT,” but if they hinder spiritual growth, and service to the Lord – Then it is evil!
Matthew 10:37; Luke 8:14
The Lord will only accept FIRST PLACE!
Matthew 6:33
We must cast off anything that hinders our growth and service to God!
Hebrews 12:1-2
Matt. 10:37 - He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Luke 8:14 - And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Matt.6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Heb. 12: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

9. Growth Can Be Hindered By:
Dullness of Hearing - Luke 8:10
Lack of Endurance - Luke 8:13
Continuing in Lawlessness - Matthew 24:12
Doctrines & Commands of Men - Matthew 15:7-9
Spiritual Fatigue - Galatians 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13
Forgetfulness - 2 Peter 1:9
Neglect - Hebrews 2:1-3
Stumbling Blocks Laid by Others - Matt. 18:6-10
Luke 8:10 - And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luke 8:13 - They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Matt. 24:12 - And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Matt. 15:7-9 - Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Gal. 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
2 Thess. 3:13 - But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2 Peter 1:9 - But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Heb. 2:1-3 - Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Matt. 18: READ

10. I Must Deny All Activities That Hinder…
Me from STUDYING the Bible!
Me from PRAYING as I should!
Me from GIVING as I should!
Me from ATTENDING ALL possible Bible classes and worship services!
Me from TEACHING others!
Me from being HOSPITABLE to others!
My OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

11. Discerning Between Good & Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Will it Corrupt My Heart?

12. Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Things allowed in our mind can corrupt or preserve us:
2 Corinthians 11:3; Matthew 6:22-23; Philippians 4:8
If it violates your conscience, it is sinful:
Romans 14:23
If it causes you to turn from Christ, is it good or evil?
2 Cor. 11: For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Matt. 6: The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Phil. 4:8 - Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}
Rom. 14:23 - And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

13. Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Gambling?
Drugs & alcohol consumption?
Social drinking?
Immodest apparel, Mixed swimming?
Dancing?
Filthy and suggestive language on TV, in movies, in music?
X-rated movies?
Pornography?

14. Effects of Pornography
“Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20, 30 years ago. There is no protection against the kind of influences that are loose in society…what alcohol did in conjunction with, let’s say, my exposure to pornography, was alcohol reduced my inhibitions; at the same time the fantasy life that was fueled by pornography eroded them further…”
(Ted Bundy: A serial killer that raped and murdered at least 20 women)

15. Discerning Between Good & Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Can it Harm My Body?

16. Can It Harm My Body? We must not sin against our body!
1 Corinthians 6:18
Our bodies are on loan to us from God!
1 Corinthians 6:19
Must glorify God in our body; present them as a living sacrifice!
Romans 12:1-2
When we do things that cause harm to our bodies that are of no redeeming value and unnecessary, we sin!
James 4:17
1 Cor. 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
1 Cor. 6:19 - What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
Rom. 12: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Jas. 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

17. Can It Harm My Body? Fornication? Using tobacco? Gluttony?
Drug & alcohol use and addiction?
Recreational drug use?
Gruen VonBehrens is a 25-year old man who began using smokeless tobacco at 13 and was diagnosed with oral cancer at 17. Today, 30 operations later, his lower face is severely disfigured and half of his tongue has been removed, along with his teeth, half of his neck muscles and nearby lymph nodes. I recently had the opportunity to attend one of his presentations and was amazed by the dynamic effect he has on his audience.
Do you do things that are unnecessary which weaken and destroy your body?
Effects of Meth Addiction

18. Gruen Von Behrens’ Missing Jaw
Started using smokeless tobacco at age 13; Addicted at age 14
Developed cancer - squamous cell carcinoma
Lost 70 pounds, his lower teeth and half of his jaw bone and tongue and neck muscles
40 operations; Died September 8, 2015 at age 38
Gruen Von Behrens (May 14, 1977 – September 8, 2015)[1] was an American motivational speaker and victim of mouth cancer caused by smokeless tobacco.[2] After his diagnosis and during his multiple treatments, he became nationally known for raising awareness against the dangers of smokeless tobacco use.[3] He was a national spokesman for Oral Health America's National Spit Tobacco Education Program and participated in tobacco awareness campaigns, such as the Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids and The Truth Campaign.
As part of his efforts, he spoke to high school and junior high school children in all 50 American states and 10 Canadian provinces.[2] In 2010, he testified before a U.S. Senate hearing about the dangers of tobacco in professional sports.[3]
Von Behrens started dipping at age 13[9] and was diagnosed with mouth cancer by age 17.[6] Von Behrens said the cancer began as a white spot, the size of a pinpoint, on the side of his tongue. He said he didn’t give it a second thought because white spots are not uncommon among chewing tobacco users. But it didn’t go away. In one of his interviews, he was quoted saying that one day, his tongue actually split in half because the cancer was inside the tongue and then split it.[4]
He subsequently endured more than 40 operations[9] on his face, neck, and mouth, radiation treatments and chemotherapy. Doctors removed half of his tongue muscles and his jaw. They also took out half of his neck muscles.[4] Doctors took sections of healthy skin from his legs and grafted them to his face and neck.[10] Because of radiation treatments, all of his teeth were removed, and at age 19, he had to start using dentures. His lower jaw was replaced with fibula bone from his lower leg.[4] He was left severely disfigured by the surgeries.[6] After a long battle with mouth cancer, Von Behrens died in his home in Stewardson, Illinois, on September 8, 2015, at age 38.[3]
Von Behrens died of mouth cancer at the age of 38.

19. Discerning Between Good and Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Can it Harm My Body?
Can It Harm My Influence?

20. Can It Harm My Influence?
As Christians, we must influence others for good!
Matthew 5:13-16
We do not live to ourselves!
Romans 14:7-8; Philippians 2:3-8
Anything that destroys our influence is evil!
Luke 14:34-35
Matt. 5: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Rom. 14:7-8 - For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Phil. 2:3-9 - READ
Luke 14: Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

21. Can It Harm My Influence?
Attendance Habits?
Bad Attitudes – Rudeness, Hatefulness, Disrespect?
Dishonesty, Hypocrisy & Immorality?
Cursing – Dirty Jokes, taking God’s name in vain?
Immodest Apparel?
Smoking & Social Drinking?
A damaged influence is almost impossible to repair!
Are you doing things that damage your influence?

22. Discerning Between Good and Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Can it Harm My Body?
Can It Harm My Influence?
Could it Harm Others?

23. Could it Harm Others?
Anything that would cause “unjust” harm to another person is evil!
Matthew 7:12; Galatians 6:10; James 4:17
Anything that we may do that would cause another person to sin is evil!
1 Corinthians 8:10-12; Galatians 2:11-14
Matt. 7:12 - Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Gal. 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Jas. 4:17 - Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
1 Cor. 8: For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Gal. 2: But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

24. Could it Harm Others?
Parental neglect?
Gossiping?
False Accusations & Slander?
Hypocrisy - turning others away from the truth?
Immodest Clothing?
Social Drinking?
Smoking?
Gambling?
Pornography?
Are you engaging in behavior that can cause harm to others?

25. Discerning Between Good & Evil
Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?
Will it Corrupt My Heart?
Can it Harm My Body?
Can It Harm My Influence?
Could it Harm Others?
Is it Authorized?

26. Is it Authorized?
Most assume that if the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn a thing – then, it can be done!
Some say, “it doesn’t say not to” - then they assume that it can be done!
BUT…
The Bible teaches that whatever is done religiously MUST be done “in the name of” Christ - by faith!
Colossians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 10:17
Col. 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
2 Cor. 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

27. Is it Authorized?
True doctrine can ONLY be proven from the Scriptures!
True worship can be established ONLY by finding book, chapter & verse!
ONLY authorized practices are those that can be supported with N.T. scripture!
Whether its doctrine, worship or practice – if Bible authority cannot be found – it is evil!
Matthew 7:21-29; 28:18-20
Does the Bible authorize all that you believe, teach and practice?
Matt. 7: READ
Matt. 28: And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

28. Are You Doing GOOD Or EVIL? Which?
It Is Evil If It…
Hinders My Spiritual Growth!
Corrupts My Heart!
Causes Unnecessary Harm To My Body!
Harms My Influence!
Causes “unjust” Harm To Others!
Is NOT Authorized!
Are You Doing GOOD Or EVIL? Which?
James 4:17

29. “What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37
An alien sinner must…
Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17
Believe - Romans 10:10
Repent – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ - Acts 8:37
Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38
An erring Child of God must…
Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22