Discernment" Witness Pt. 3 - Apr. 26th, 2026 - Pastor Bennett Glubish

Apr 26, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: Wind, Quake, Fire, Whisper

Elijah stood on Mount Horeb, exhausted and defeated. A hurricane-force wind shattered rocks—but God wasn’t in the spectacle. An earthquake shook the ground—still no God. Fire blazed—again, absence. Then came a faint whisper. God met Elijah not in chaos but in quietness, speaking purpose to his despair. [41:15]

God chooses intimacy over intensity. He bypassed cosmic displays to address Elijah’s aching soul. The same God who whispered to a broken prophet still speaks through Scripture, prayer, and Spirit-led nudges—if we still our hearts to listen.

How often do you equate God’s presence with emotional highs or dramatic signs? His voice often comes clearest when we pause the noise. Where do you need to silence distractions today to hear His whisper?

“After the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and stood at the mouth of the cave.”
(1 Kings 19:12–13, NLT)

Prayer: Ask God to quiet your inner chaos and attune your heart to His whisper.
Challenge: Spend 10 minutes in silence today. Write down any promptings you sense.

Day 2: The Spirit’s Raw Material

Jesus promised the Spirit would guide believers into all truth. He doesn’t shout over our agendas or compete with our egos. Like a surgeon, the Spirit probes beneath surface-level habits and half-hearted prayers, targeting the soul’s deepest needs. [38:34]

The Spirit’s voice cuts through self-deception. He aligns our desires with Scripture, replacing shallow impulses with eternal priorities. Just as He redirected Elijah from self-pity to mission, He reshapes our chaos into clarity.

Are you listening for correction as eagerly as comfort? The Spirit often speaks through conviction before affirmation. What habit or attitude have you resisted letting Him address?

“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard.”
(John 16:13, NLT)

Prayer: Confess one area where you’ve preferred ego over the Spirit’s correction.
Challenge: Open your Bible to Proverbs 2:1-6. Circle every action verb (ask, search, etc.).

Day 3: Silver and Hidden Treasure

Solomon begged God for discernment instead of wealth. Proverbs pictures wisdom as silver mined through effort—digging into Scripture, persisting in prayer, rejecting quick fixes. Discernment grows when we value truth over convenience. [44:48]

God doesn’t ration wisdom. He floods those who seek it wholeheartedly. Like Elijah’s journey from cave to calling, discernment turns our “Why am I here?” into “How can I obey?”

What decision feels foggy? Have you sought God’s input as urgently as others’ opinions? Where might Scripture already provide clarity?

“Cry out for insight… Search for it as for silver… Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord.”
(Proverbs 2:3–5, NLT)

Prayer: Thank God for three specific ways His wisdom has guided you this year.
Challenge: Text a friend: “What’s one choice you’re facing? Let’s pray for discernment.”

Day 4: Milk to Solid Food

The Hebrews writer rebuked believers stuck on spiritual basics—still needing milk, not meat. Maturity comes through “constant practice” in discernment. Like Elijah learning to trust whispers over fire, we grow by applying Scripture daily. [48:32]

Discernment isn’t a gift for a select few. It’s a muscle all believers develop. Every time you choose God’s Word over gossip, patience over reactivity, or integrity over shortcuts, you’re training to distinguish holy from hollow.

What “milk” have you outgrown? Where is God urging you to chew on harder truths?

“Solid food is for the mature, who through training… distinguish good from evil.”
(Hebrews 5:14, NLT)

Prayer: Ask God to highlight one area where He wants you to mature this week.
Challenge: Memorize Hebrews 5:14. Repeat it when facing a decision today.

Day 5: Test the Echo

Paul told the Thessalonians to “test everything” but “hold fast to what is good.” Discernment isn’t skepticism—it’s verifying if words align with God’s character. Elijah tested Jezebel’s threats against God’s promise and chose faith. [56:53]

Every teaching, trend, or trial echoes either heaven’s truth or hell’s deception. Testing requires knowing Scripture so well that counterfeits jar your spirit.

What teaching or habit have you assumed was “Christian” without verifying it against the Bible?

“Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:21, NLT)

Prayer: Pray for courage to reject any teaching that distorts God’s Word.
Challenge: Read 1 John 4:1-3. Write down three marks of a “spirit from God.”

Sermon Summary

The eight-week series centers on Acts 1:8 and argues that lives become effective witnesses because the Holy Spirit empowers believers. It unfolds the Spirit's role first as a person to be known, then as the source of specific gifts, focusing here on the gift of discernment. Discernment receives a working definition as the Spirit-given ability to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, and good from evil by applying scripture to real life. The teaching stresses that discernment shapes how other gifts operate, since spiritual power without sober judgment risks misdirection and harm.

A biblical case study of Elijah shows how God sometimes speaks not with spectacle but in a whisper, requiring patient listening rather than craving constant miracles. Moments of emotional low after spiritual highs become training grounds for sustained attentiveness to the Spirit. The practice of silence and the discipline of daily prayer sharpen the ear to that still, small voice and build a pattern of responsiveness that outlasts fleeting experiences.

Scripture stands as the anchor for discernment. Regular study, meditation, memorization, and prayerful reading equip the heart to test impressions and confirm God’s voice. The Bible cannot be outsourced entirely to leaders; personal engagement with the text paired with the Spirit produces maturity able to distinguish good from evil. The talk urges pursuit of wisdom like hidden treasure and recommends asking boldly for the Spirit’s guidance.

Discernment also serves as protection against false teachers and charismatic deceptions. Christians must test prophecies and teachings against scripture and the discerned knowledge within their conscience. The enemy can masquerade as piety while magnifying ego, so discernment exposes empty showmanship and reveals what truly builds up the soul. Practical formation includes the Ignatian examen, a five-step evening review that trains attention to God’s activity, highlights missed cues, calls for repentance, and renews direction for the next day.

The overall call invites persistent practice: ask for discernment, root decisions in scripture, practice daily examination, and learn to hear the whisper amid noise. The conclusion issues an open invitation to receive Christ and the Spirit, framing discernment as both a gift and a lifelong discipline that turns daily choices into faithful witness.

Key Takeaways

1. Discernment empowers all other spiritual gifts Discernment orders spiritual power so gifts serve God rather than ego. Without the ability to test impressions and motives, miraculous signs can mislead both giver and receiver. Discernment trains the heart to align experience with the truth of scripture and character of God. Practicing it prevents spiritual gifts from becoming sources of harm. [35:49]
2. God often whispers, not shouts God’s most decisive directions sometimes arrive as quiet nudges rather than dramatic signs. Learning to recognize the still, small voice requires patience, silence, and the willingness to refuse constant emotional stimulation. Responding to whispers builds steady obedience that survives spiritual highs and lows. The practice of listening reframes ordinary moments as places of revelation. [41:15]
3. Root discernment in scripture Scripture provides the measuring rod for every impression and prophecy, so private reading matters as much as public teaching. Regular, prayerful engagement with the Bible trains conscience and vocabulary for spiritual testing. The Spirit illuminates written truth; together they form reliable criteria for decision making. Mature discernment grows from knowing the Word deeply. [46:48]
4. Ask boldly for wisdom Requesting discernment with faith brings clarity to ambiguous choices and moral gray areas. God invites courageous, believing requests that persist rather than being tentative or half-hearted. Bold petitions reshape attention and open eyes to what would otherwise remain hidden. Prayer becomes the hinge between uncertainty and faithful action. [45:33]
5. Test teachings, expose hidden error Not every persuasive voice bears divine origin; testing prophecies and teachings protects the soul and the church. Comparing claims to scripture and accumulated discernment reveals motives and consequences. Exposing that which contradicts God’s character opens space for genuine truth to flourish. Discernment safeguards witness by separating light from shadow. [53:09]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:19] - Series introduction and context
[35:01] - Acts 1:8 as the anchor
[35:49] - Introducing the gift of discernment
[36:28] - Defining biblical discernment
[41:15] - Elijah and the quiet whisper
[44:00] - Silence, listening, and practice
[46:48] - Rooting discernment in scripture
[53:09] - Beware of false teachers
[59:52] - The Ignatian examen homework
[67:42] - Invitation and prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NLT)
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

Acts 1:8 (NLT)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Observation Questions

In 1 Kings 19:11-12, what contrasts exist between how God could have spoken (wind, earthquake, fire) and how He actually spoke to Elijah?
According to Acts 1:8, what is the relationship between the Holy Spirit’s power and being a witness for Jesus?
What practical disciplines were mentioned as ways to sharpen discernment, such as daily prayer or reviewing God’s activity? [59:52]

Interpretation Questions

Why might God choose to speak in a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12) rather than through dramatic displays of power? How does this relate to sustaining faith during emotional or spiritual lows?
Acts 1:8 connects the Holy Spirit’s power to effective witness. How does discernment (as described in the sermon) ensure this power serves God’s purposes rather than human ego? [35:49]
James 1:5-8 encourages believers to “ask boldly” for wisdom. What barriers might prevent someone from asking confidently, and how does doubt hinder discernment?

Application Questions

When have you expected God to speak through a dramatic sign or answered prayer, only to realize later He was nudging you quietly? What distracted you from hearing His whisper in that moment?
What is one step you could take this week to engage more deeply with Scripture (e.g., memorizing a verse, meditating on a passage, or prayerful reading) to strengthen your discernment? [46:48]
How might incorporating a daily practice of examining God’s presence (like the Ignatian examen) help you recognize His guidance in ordinary moments? [59:52]
Is there a teaching, habit, or relationship in your life that needs to be “tested” against Scripture? What specific questions or verses could you use to evaluate it? [53:09]
Boldly asking for discernment requires humility. What decision or situation do you need to bring to God with courageous faith this week, trusting He will clarify His will? [45:33]

Sermon Clips

35s

#HearHisWhisper

“``If you want to hear his comforting voice, you have to listen to his convicting voice. And it's often what we want to hear least that we need to hear the most. Trust me though, You want to hear what he has to say. Are you ready to tune out the noise? To pay attention to the whisper of God? The nudging of the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to spend time in silence? You comfortable with that? Because silence isn't passive waiting. It's actually proactive listening, saying, God, I'm here. Speak to me.”

33s

#CryOutForWisdom

“Are you crying out for wisdom? Are you crying out for discernment? Are you praying, Lord, give me discernment and that's enough? Are you actually spending time saying, Lord, give me the discernment I need. Lord, I do not know what to do next. Lord, I'm on my knees before you. Lord, speak to me. Are you crying out from the depths of your soul asking for it? James one verse five to eight in the message says, if you don't know what you're doing, pray to the father. He loves to help.”

30s

#PostSpiritualHigh

“Certainly Elijah has experienced God's sovereignty over nature and has benefited from miraculous fire, but what he needs now is a definitive word from the Lord. Have any of you ever felt like Elijah? You came off of a high powerful moment where you saw God at work. You felt everything in this worship service in an evening and you're like, I am ready to take on the world. And then a day later, you're feeling depressed. You're feeling lonely. You're feeling isolated.”

35s

#SeekWisdomLikeSolomon

“Are you constantly questioning your purpose, your direction in life? Pray. Ask for wisdom. Ask for discernment. Be like king Solomon who could have asked for anything from the Lord, but he said, Lord, give me wisdom, understanding, and the ability to discern right from wrong. Proverbs two verse three to six says, cry out for insight. Ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver. Seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord and you will gain knowledge of God.”

34s

#ClearTheNoise

“Oh, wait. But what happens when it gets foggy and gray and it's not so obvious what I need to do? When it seems like there's a thousand choices, which one of them should I be doing? Where is this power? Where is the Holy Spirit? Why is God not speaking to me in those moments? And then I ask the question back to you. Are you so sure that God wasn't speaking to you? Or did you just not hear it? Was there too much noise and distraction in the way that you missed it altogether?”

31s

#DiscernmentInTheSmallMoments

“And that power that you just saw seems so far gone. You don't even know how to discern anything anymore. Looking at right and wrong just becomes a chore. Are we seeking miracles? Are we seeking the power of God? Or are we truly seeking a relationship with him? Allowing him to speak to us. And this is where discernment is formed. It's not formed in the powerful moments and the miraculous on display. It's formed in the little moments where we're spending time listening to him.”

36s

#GuardAgainstFalseVoices

“And then there are still others in this room that when you hear about discernment and God's voice, it only brings back painful memories of people who may have deceived you under the phrase of, but the Lord told me this. And you've experienced that pain. Tyler Staten says, to hear and live by God's voice, it would seem, is one of the most potent and most dangerous aspects of Christian spirituality. Nothing matters more than learning to discern the voice of God, and yet few things in life are more susceptible to pain, abuse, delusion, and deception.”

40s

#KnowScriptureToDiscern

“But if we do not know scripture, if we're unaware of what it actually says, then how can we know how to respond and take an honest look at the world, at our lives, at our futures, at decisions we face every day. How do we feel comfortable making them if we don't know what this book has to say? How can we truly discern? You wanna hear from God to tell you every single moment, but he's already given us his word here. And if you don't spend time in this word, don't expect him to speak to you when you're sitting at the side of your bed waiting for If you never open these pages, he's already given you his words.”

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Discernment" Witness Pt. 3 - Apr. 26th, 2026 - Pastor Bennett Glubish

Devotional

Day 1: Wind, Quake, Fire, Whisper

Day 2: The Spirit’s Raw Material

Day 3: Silver and Hidden Treasure

Day 4: Milk to Solid Food

Day 5: Test the Echo

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Discernment" Witness Pt. 3 - Apr. 26th, 2026 - Pastor Bennett Glubish

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