⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read
Many people view discernment in the wrong way. Some Christians think discernment is just the pastor’s job as he watches the flock. This is partially correct as most of the calls for discernment in the New Testament are issued to church leaders (1 Tim 4:6-7, 13, 16; Titus 1:9). Every pastor is required to be skilled in teaching the truth of God’s Word, and be able to refute unsound doctrine. The same careful discernment Paul demanded of pastors and elders is the duty of every Christian. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 is written to the entire church to examine everything carefully. In his book The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment pastor, author, and blogger, Tim Challies seeks to help Christians understand the call, challenge and heart of discernment. His work takes a look at the gift and danger of discernment, and how one can develop, practice and engage in being discerning.
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment will serve to assist Christians to not only understand what discernment is, but also how one can be discerning. With clarity and great care, Challies walks his readers through the Bible’s teaching on discernment. He helps his readers to learn what discernment is and how to be discerning without being persnickety so they can contend for the faith, once and for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3), by speaking the truth in love. This very helpful, well-written, and easy-to-read book is loaded with biblical references and personal examples designed to help the reader understand the difference between biblical doctrine and false doctrine so that he or she can proclaim biblical truth in a doctrinally confused world.
