“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”as
Charles Spurgeon
Passage
5But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5–8 (NASB95)
Background
Quote- Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day.
Spurgeon was pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel in London for 38 years. Spurgeon authored sermons, an autobiography, commentaries, books on prayer, devotionals, magazines, poetry, and hymns. He is said to have produced powerful sermons of penetrating thought and precise exposition, and many Christians hold his writings in exceptionally high regard among devotional literature.
Passage-The book of James is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). James the half-brother of Jesus wrote it approximately 48-49 A.D. It was likely the first New Testament book (letter) to be written. The key personalities of this book are James and Persecuted Christians. James wrote this book to Jewish believers to encourage them to endure and live bold Christian lives. James is a book about practical Christian living that reflects a genuine faith that transforms lives. In many ways, it is similar to the OT book of Proverbs.
Opening Statement
Even when we know we are on God’s path for our lives figuring out where the next step should be is difficult. God is more than willing to help us there too. It is only helpful if we are willing to listen to His guidance though.
Ask: What’s the difference between “doubt” and “Wisdom?”
Point: Wisdom is choosing right over wrong where we know the difference. Doubt is being told that difference and not believing it.
Ask: Does God tell us the difference between right and wrong?
Point: Yes. Please read the following:
15And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
16“This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says,
17“And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:15–17 (NASB95)
Ask: If we already know the difference between right and wrong as what God likes and doesn’t like then what is holding us back from discerning His path?
Point: Believing it is true.
Ask: Why don’t we believe God’s Word is true?
Point: Because we don’t trust what we read as His way.
Ask: Is there another word for trust that can be used here?
Point: Yes. Please read the following:
1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
4“And you know the way where I am going.”
John 14:1–4 (NASB95)
Ask: What answer do you see in that scripture to the previous question?
Point: Faith is another word for trust.
Ask: How does faith replace or eliminate doubt in God’s Word?
Point: Please read the following:
5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11:5–6 (NASB95)
Ask: How is seeking Him equaling having faith?
Point: Because we believe what He says is true and want to be more like Him, so we study His word to learn more ways to become like Him
Ask: What then is faith?
Point: Please read the following:
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2For by it the men of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1–3 (NASB95)
Ask: What do we do if we think we have “evidence” before our eyes that contradicts God or His Word?
Point: Please read the following:
5Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.
6Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—
7for we walk by faith, not by sight—
8we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:5–8 (NASB95)
Closing Statement
5Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:5–7 (NASB95). 7for we walk by faith, not by sight— 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB95). 1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NASB95). 12Sighing deeply in His spirit, He said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:12 (NASB95). 31“But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:31 (NASB95). 29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29 (NASB95)
Questions for the Week
Question 1 Read all the scripture in the closing statement in your Bible at home including as much before and after as you are led to include.
Question 2 Does your discernment remove your doubt?
Question 3 How can you use discernment to remove doubt?
Question 4 What tool or tools do you use to reinforce your faith that God is real and Jesus is who He says He is?
Question 5 If you don’t think you have tools to use for Question 4, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to those tools.
Definitions
discernment
dih-surn-muhnt
noun
1. the faculty of discerning; discrimination; acuteness of judgment and understanding.
2. the act or an instance of discerning.
discern
dih-surn, -zurn
verb (used with object)
1. to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; see, recognize, or apprehend: They discerned a sail on the horizon.
2. to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate: He is incapable of discerning right from wrong.
verb (used without object)
3. to distinguish or discriminate.
doubt
dout
verb (used with object)
1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe: The police have good reason to doubt his alibi.
2. To distrust; regard with suspicion: I doubted the salesman, so we decided to check with other dealers.
3. Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.
verb (used without object)
4. to be uncertain about something; be undecided in opinion or belief: The priest told me that it was normal to doubt, but encouraged me to nurture my faith.
noun
5. a feeling of uncertainty about the truth, reality, or nature of something: We all had our doubts about your mysterious Canadian girlfriend since no one has ever seen her in person.
6. distrust or suspicion: Voters naturally held some doubt about the abrupt change in policy direction issued by city hall.
7. a general feeling of uncertainty, worry, or concern: As soon as I'd dropped out of school to become a full-time musician, I was full of doubt—what if I’d made a terrible mistake? Set your doubts aside, and listen to my business idea with an open mind.
8. a state of affairs such as to occasion uncertainty.
9. Obsolete. fear; dread.