Everyone is talking about the Asbury Revival in Wilmore, Kentucky. In case you haven’t heard about it yet, students at Asbury University began a normal chapel service on February 8, 2023. At the end of the service, the speaker offered the students an invitation to stay and pray after the service ended. Some stayed to pray. Some began to worship. Others joined in. News spread and the revival is still going on as of now (February 18th). I learned about this revival two days ago. Since then, I’ve read several articles about what is or what might be going on there. Some believe a sincere revival is taking place at Asbury University. Others believe it is something else. Some articles are written using the author’s personal opinion as the only source while other cite specific Bible verses about discernment.
Because of the articles, I’m curious about what is going on there, but without more knowledge or a personal visit, I can’t offer an opinion. Is it any of our business? Well, as Christians, are warned to beware of false teachers, wrong theologies, and anything not Biblical. I am not saying that what is happening at Asbury University is not Biblical. They could be experiencing a true revival and one of the greatest ever. What I am saying is that we are warned to practice discernment in all walks of life. How do we practice discernment? We gain knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and discernment by spending time in the Bible. The Bible tells us that God gives wisdom freely when we ask for it. The Holy Spirit helps us discern right from wrong. I’ve compiled a short list of Bible verses about discernment.
Bible Verses About Discernment
Indeed, the Bible teaches us to use all the spiritual tools God has given to those of us who know Him in order to recognize false teachers and false teachings. With the help of the Holy Spirit, knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, and wisdom given freely by God, we can discern right from wrong. Here is a short list of Bible verses about discernment.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1 (NIV)
Obviously, we are warned to test the spirits to see if they are from God. We aren’t being “judgy” or “holier than thou.” We are being obedient to God when we test to see if something is from God or not.
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NIV)
Surely, if we aren’t careful, false teachings will “take us captive” to worldly human traditions instead of to Jesus Christ.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
Fear is a reverent respect for a just God. God is loving but He is also just. He will not tolerate mockery for His character or His Word. Fools despise wisdom and instruction but Christians crave it. Fools despise wisdom and instruction because they bring about conviction. Fools don’t want to give up any habitual sins or immoral practices. Fools do not want to repent of their sin. As Christians, we have a desire to know and understand what God’s Word says and live Godly lives according to scripture.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Ephesians 5:6 (NIV)
Without a doubt, we must be careful so that we are not deceived by false teachings. False teachings can lead us astray, causing us to be disobedient to God.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Ephesians 5:6-10 (NIV)
Certainly, we need to look for the fruit. If someone claims to be a Christian or claims that an event is a revival or bathed in the Holy Spirit, is there evidence of spiritual fruit to support the claim? Is the person claiming to be a Christian acting like one? Are they displaying the fruits of the spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self control? If someone is claiming an event is a revival or something similar, is there evidence of spiritual fruit in the community as a result of such event? If not, then we have reason to question the validity of the claim.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
This verse speaks loudly to our current culture. We cannot change or twist Scripture to fit a cultural agenda. If the Bible says something is a sin, it’s a sin. We can’t change Scripture verses or passages to make a wrong become right. We know that a claim is false if it doesn’t align with what the Bible says. A true Bible teacher or leader will never knowingly lead anyone in a direction that does not align with Scripture.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
How do we discern what is best? How do we discern what is pure and blameless? We discern these things by gaining knowledge and insight. If we have already studied the Bible on our own, we will recognize a false teaching when we hear it.
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
Solid food is the spiritual nourishment of the Bible. By constantly using it, we train ourselves to discern good and evil.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
As I stated in the beginning of this post, God gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it.
I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. Psalm 119:125
We can and should ask God to give us discernment.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
If we trust the Lord with all our hearts, He will always lead us down the right paths in life. The Holy Spirit will never tell us to do anything that is not in line with Scripture. If we feel like we are being led to do something that contradicts Scripture, then it is not God telling us to do it. We must be careful to make sure that we are listening to God and not the enemy who can deceive us.
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people. 1 Corinthians 14:33
God is a God of order and peace. When we feel confused about something we think we are being led to do, be careful. God is not a God of confusion. In fact, as we see in the next verse, Satan is the author of lies and lies lead to confusion.
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
Truth is not confusing. It is truth. The world wants us to believe that truth is whatever we want it to be. The world says that your truth may not be my truth but they are both true. This is a confusing statement. If two statements say different things, then they are either both true or only one is true. They can’t both be true. There is not “your truth” or “my truth.” There is only one truth. We can trust that God’s Word is true. If anyone tries to twist Scripture to fit their own version of truth, it is not truth. Satan is a confusing liar. God’s Word is true. Let’s make sure we know who we are listening to.
These are only 13 Bible verses about discernment – how to discern truth from lies, bad or good, holy or unholy. There are so many more. The Bible teaches us how to gain knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and discernment all throughout Scripture. Ideally, we need our own Bibles for studying God’s Word. If you don’t have one, you’ll find suggestions here on my “Recommended Items” page. Your own Bible should be your first source for discernment. If you don’t have one yet, BibleGateway is a good resource for reading and studying the Bible. If you have your own Bible, BibleGateway offers a huge variety of resources, including commentaries, to help you study. You can go there now to learn more about these topics: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment
If you’re reading this and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, go here to learn how you can enter into a personal relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit is the only One we can trust to always lead us in paths that align with Scripture. You can trust Him with your life right now.
May you always trust Jesus with your life and gain a heart of wisdom and discernment.
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