We live in an age, where more than ever before, we are overloaded with information 24/ 7, whether this is through TV, radio, social media and the movies and music we listen to. We don’t have to pursue it, it pursues us thought tweets, alerts and emails to our phone, laptops and internet feeds that are constantly updating. It’s difficult to twitch off or get away from. Therefore, as Christians we need to be able to discern what is ‘valuable, excellent, pure, good, admirable and praiseworthy’ (Philippians 4:8) in this torrent of information. It’s not just about working out what we agree with, it’s about asking the right questions, listening closely to God’s Spirit, and thinking intelligently to understand and discern Truth.

Last lesson, we explored Christian ethics and we discovered that for the Christian person, living ethically means ensuring that all our words and actions are in alignment with God’s truth found in His Word. If we are to act ethically, therefore, it is vital that we learn how to discern what that truth is.

DISCUSS

• What are the two main places that you get your information from and what is the nature of the information that you get from each of these places?
• At the moment, how do you work out right from wrong?

Read: What is Biblical discernment and why it is important?

Watch: How Can I Develop Spiritual Discernment?

Answer the following question in the quiz.

• Read Philippians 4:8-9. How do we as Christians discern what is true, right, and pure when we are confronted with so much information?

It’s easy to dwell on the negative when life is hard, disappointing, or painful. That’s why it’s so important to follow this verse of instruction; it’s here to help us through the tough times and appreciate the great moments.

When Satan wants to get to you, he’ll often start with lies and condemnation whispered into your mind until you (maybe not even realizing Satan was doing so) start to believe them and then react with despair, sadness, anger, or any other thing that seeks to separate you from the love of God.

But with this verse, Paul gave a way to combat Satan’s efforts. We are to feed our minds with blessings from God and the good things we can find in our lives or situations. We are to think about what is true rather than the lies Satan would have us believe. We are to dwell on what is noble and right so our actions will follow our thoughts. We are to feed our minds with whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—all the things that help us stay focused on God’s love for us and Christ’s sacrifice for us.

This radical way of filling our minds with truth and all good things is a challenge, especially during the most trying times. But as we actively practice this, even in the most difficult moments, we can fight painful situations, trials, and all the difficult things we face. It’s a way to reclaim and live out our lives with love, hope, faith, and gratefulness in the full blessings and love of God.

Answer the following question in the quiz.

• After considering the variety of sources, in your own words, define what Biblical discernment is, why it is important and how we can develop it? You can start by using this link.