Prioritizing Scripture for Spiritual Discernment and Guidance
Summary
In my sermon, I emphasized the importance of reading and understanding the Bible for spiritual discernment. I stressed that it is crucial to set aside time each day to read the scriptures, digest their meaning, and pray about what we've read. This daily practice allows us to test the spirits, discerning between truth and falsehood, light and darkness, Christ and Antichrist. I also highlighted the responsibility we have to guide others towards the truth, even when it may be uncomfortable or met with resistance. I urged the congregation to prioritize reading the scriptures over other activities, as it is the only book that contains the words of eternal life and the path to salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- Daily reading and understanding of the Bible is crucial for spiritual discernment. [ 37:13]
- We have a responsibility to guide others towards the truth, even when it may be uncomfortable. [ 37:59]
- Prioritizing reading the scriptures over other activities is essential, as it is the only book that contains the words of eternal life. [ 38:40]
- We should test the spirits and be engaged in our faith. [ 33:04]
- We need to discern what is right and wrong, and follow the spirits of Truth while avoiding the spirits of error. [ 01:34]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 John 4:1-6 #!!27:59!!#
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 #!!29:23!!#
3. Psalm 119:105 #!!30:05!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does 1 John 4:1-6 tell us about the importance of discerning spirits?
2. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 relate to the importance of knowing the Bible?
3. What does Psalm 119:105 suggest about the role of scripture in our lives?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does 1 John 4:1-6 guide us in discerning between truth and falsehood?
2. How does 2 Timothy 3:16-17 explain the role of scripture in teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness?
3. How can we apply the guidance of Psalm 119:105 in our daily lives?
Application Questions:
1. How can you prioritize reading the Bible in your daily routine?
2. Can you think of a recent situation where you could have applied biblical discernment? How would it have changed the outcome?
3. How can you help others in your life understand the importance of knowing the Bible and discerning truth from falsehood?
4. What is one way you can apply the teachings of the Bible to improve your relationship with someone you find difficult to love?
5. How can you use your understanding of the Bible to guide someone who is straying from the path of truth?
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritize Scripture Reading
The importance of setting aside time daily to read and understand the scriptures cannot be overstated. It is through this practice that we become intimately familiar with God's word, enabling us to discern truth from falsehood and light from darkness. This is not just a task, but a spiritual discipline that enriches our relationship with God and equips us to guide others on the path of righteousness ([37:13]).
Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. How can you make reading the scriptures a priority in your schedule?
Day 2: Test the Spirits
John encourages us to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God. This requires a deep understanding of the scriptures and a discerning heart. It is our responsibility to ensure that the teachings we accept align with God's word and His character ([33:04]).
1 John 4:1 - "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Reflection: Think about a recent teaching or sermon you heard. How did you ensure that it aligned with God's word?
Day 3: Share the Truth
Knowing the truth is not enough; we are called to share it with others. This may be challenging, especially when the truth is not what others want to hear. However, our love for others should compel us to guide them towards the truth, even when it is difficult ([38:40]).
Ephesians 4:15 - "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the truth? How can you share it with them in a loving and respectful manner?
Day 4: Discernment through Scripture
The ability to discern truth from falsehood is crucial in our spiritual journey. This discernment comes from a deep understanding of the scriptures. By immersing ourselves in God's word, we equip ourselves to distinguish between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error ([32:26]).
Hebrews 4:12 - "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when your understanding of the scriptures helped you make a crucial decision. How did it guide you?
Day 5: Love through Sacrifice
True love, as shown by Christ, involves caring for others more than ourselves. It requires us to live sacrificially for the good of others. This is the kind of love we are called to exhibit as followers of Christ ([03:14]).
John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate sacrificial love in your relationships this week?
Quotes
1. "Ingest and digest the scriptures because nothing is more important or more beneficial to you in Life or for eternity. Only when we know the scriptures, only once God's word is so much a part of us and a part of our being as our blood and our bone, can we easily and correctly test the spirits and walk in the light of Jesus Christ more faith." - 37:59
2. "If you see someone headed down the road to destruction then the most unloving thing you can do is not tell them and show them the better way. The only loving thing we can do is tell them the truth, show them the truth, to beg and plead with them to turn away from what we know will be a tragic ending." - 39:22
3. "We all have the same 24 hours each day and we do not need to sacrifice sleep to find time. If you have time to watch TV, to scroll through Facebook, to read the newspaper or watch the 24 7 News cycle but think that you do not have time to read God's word, then I tell you your priorities are wrong." - 35:10
4. "Only one third of people like us read their Bible daily. This suggests that one in three of us present here are intentional about taking the time daily to read and know the only book of True Value and substance, the only book which contains the words of eternal life and the only book that can tell you where you are going and how you're going to get there." - 31:45
5. "The world is not a friend to Christians, it is never friendly towards us especially when it seems to be inviting and accommodating towards us. Whenever the world acts like that, it is being deceitful and trying to corrupt us and transform us, to remake us into its own image." - 04:53
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