Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11
I would like to take this opportunity to inform those who have so graciously followed my blog that I have, recently, made some changes – to include a name change!
*While the blog name has changed, the web address will remain the same.
Over the last couple of years, the Lord has been showing me some areas where my belief in Him has been extra-biblical…or just plain wrong. These beliefs are reminiscent of my days in the new age. These same beliefs – though subtly shrouded – have also made their way into mainstream Christianity.
Just because a belief or practice is mainstream, or popular, doesn’t mean that it is TRUTH. That is why, since December 2018, I have been exposing new age beliefs and practices – and other worldly ideologies – that have made their way into the Church… and I will continue to do so.
Moving from a more devotional style of blogging to “discernment” blogging was not my initial intention. When I wrote Poking the “Spiritual” Bear, in 2018, I was not planning to write anything else about alternative belief systems, beyond that post. But, here we are.
For more than two years, the Lord has been lifting the veil from my eyes. I can see the many places in which my beliefs, and teachings, were in error. And for that, I repent. And I ask forgiveness for those areas in which I may have created a stumbling block through my misinterpretation, or mishandling, of the Word of God.
Relying on teachings of “popular” preachers, teachers, “prophets” and “apostles,” as well as, taking Scripture out of context, had blinded me from simple and clear truths that God has laid out for us in His Word. Much of the Church has lost its ability to discern truth from deception, and righteousness from unrighteousness. Because of this, many of us, who call ourselves Christ followers, have allowed alternative beliefs and practices to intermingle with our Christian faith, leading us to pursue another Jesus, a different spirit, and a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4), even as we declare how much we love Jesus! Oftentimes, we trust our feelings over the truth found in the Bible… especially if those truths are hard to swallow in light of today’s worldly beliefs and ideologies.
So, in my little corner of the world, I want to expose the darkness (Ephesians 5:11) that we have allowed to infiltrate our faith. And I would like to encourage my fellow brothers and sisters, in Christ, to be more discerning. To examine the Scriptures, every day, as the Bereans did, to see if what Paul was teaching was true (Acts 17:11). Because they did this, they were considered to be more noble in character. If the Bereans were weighing the Apostle Paul’s teachings against the Word of God, shouldn’t we be doing the same with current teachers and teachings?
I will also add that this blog will not be a place for torches and pitchforks. I’m not interested in “heresy hunting.” Too many people in “discernment ministry” are quick to attack others. I’m not interested in attacking people. We should pray for those who are believing things that fall outside of the Word of God. I will, however, talk about teachings (to include the teachers of those teachings), and beliefs, that do not align with the Bible. Not out of malice, but out of compassion, and concern for the consequences that come from believing false teachings. These are real people; whose eternity is at stake.
I have chosen the name “Discernment Unfolding” because I feel like that is what has been happening to me over the last 2+ years. Discernment unfolds as we grow in the knowledge and wisdom found in Jesus Christ, as we read the Word of God (in context, interpreting Scripture in light of Scripture), with the help of the Holy Spirit (who testifies, teaches, convicts and advocates).
Discernment is discriminating between right and wrong, righteousness and unrighteousness. While flat-out lies can be easier to identify, deception is often disguised within some truth. This is not surprising since the devil is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44), often disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). If we are not discerning – actually taking the time to look beyond what is being presented to us, at face value – it easy to be deceived.
I believe there are some pretty dark days ahead, for both the western church, and the western world. Now, more than ever, our foundation needs to be firm and secure. Our security, strength, comfort, and hope can only be found in TRUTH, and that TRUTH is only found in Jesus Christ. Not the world’s definition of Jesus. Not the New Age Jesus. Not the New Apostolic Reformation Jesus, the Word of Faith Jesus, or the Progressive Christianity Jesus.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit. John 1:1-5
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Jesus is the Word. And if we truly love Jesus, shouldn’t we love the Word? And shouldn’t we examine it – in context – in order to know what pleases God, instead of twisting it in order to please our itching ears?
Even though the content has changed, a bit, I really hope you will stick around. I already have a list of topics that I would really like to cover. Since I am returning to school on Monday, I may be slow going in posting, but I’m hoping the posts will pick up once I get back into my school routine. Many of my posts will include links and videos to people who have experience with the subject matter. I highly recommend that the additional resources be utilized – that is the reason I include them.
Whether you decide to continue to follow this blog, or not, I do pray that you will spend much time praying, and meditating on the Word of God. For there is no safer place to be, than in God’s will and in God’s Word.
Thank you for taking the time to read my post(s). May God abundantly bless you as you continue to learn and grow, in Him.
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Jude 1:3-4
Discernment Unfolding 