⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 7 min read
Contending for the Word Q&A is a short form podcast from Servants of Grace that aims to help Christians think biblically about life, doctrine, and discernment in a confused world.
Show Summary
Question: Why is biblical discernment necessary in every generation?In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why discernment is not a specialty for a few, but a biblical responsibility for every Christian. Each generation faces new forms of old lies. False teaching, cultural pressure, and spiritual confusion may change in appearance, but the enemy’s strategy remains the same. God’s people must learn to distinguish truth from error and stay anchored in the unchanging Word of God.Hosted by
Dave Jenkins, Servants of GraceListen and Watch
Listen to the episode:Watch:Key Scriptures
- Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
- 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But test everything, hold fast what is good.”
- Genesis 3:1 “Did God actually say…”
- 2 Peter 2:1 False teachers who secretly bring in destructive heresies.
- Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
- Ephesians 4:14 So that we may no longer be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.
- Jude 1:3 Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Episode Highlights
- Discernment is not an optional gift, it is a responsibility for every Christian who loves the truth of God’s Word.
- Biblical discernment means the ability to distinguish truth from error, good from evil, and sound teaching from deception.
- From the Garden of Eden onward, Satan’s strategy has always been to question and twist the Word of God.
- False teachers multiply in every generation and often appear loving, winsome, and persuasive.
- Culture constantly shifts, but the Word of God remains the same. The Bible does not evolve with the times, it stands over every age.
- Discernment protects the church, strengthens believers, and keeps God’s people from being tossed about by every wind of doctrine.
- True discernment grows through devotion to Christ, time in Scripture and prayer, humility, and obedience.
Full Article
What Is Biblical Discernment?
Discernment is not a spiritual hobby for a small group of Christians who enjoy analyzing everything. Scripture presents discernment as a mark of maturity for every believer. The word itself speaks of the ability to distinguish, to separate what is true from what is false, what is good from what is evil, and what is sound from what is deceptive.Hebrews 5:14 tells us that the mature have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. That means discernment does not happen by accident. It grows as we know and obey the Word of God.In the Old Testament, Israel was called to discern between what was holy and what was common, what was clean and what was unclean. In the New Testament, the church is commanded to test every spirit (1 John 4:1) and to examine everything carefully, holding fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Discernment is not about cynicism or suspicion. It is about loving truth enough to reject what is false.1. The Truth of God’s Word Is Constantly Under Attack
Every generation faces fresh attacks on the same old truth. From the very beginning, in Genesis 3, Satan’s tactic has been to question and twist the Word of God. He does not usually begin with open denial. He begins with doubt: “Did God actually say…” (Genesis 3:1).The enemy repackages ancient lies in modern language. He uses technology, trends, and cultural movements, but his aim does not change. He wants to undermine confidence in the authority, clarity, and sufficiency of Scripture. Discernment protects the church by exposing deception before it takes root in hearts, pulpits, and ministries.2. False Teachers Multiply in Every Generation
Scripture warns plainly that false teachers will arise inside the church. 2 Peter 2:1 tells us that false teachers will secretly bring in destructive heresies. They do not usually introduce error with a warning label. They come in quietly. They often sound compassionate, humble, and loving. They may use Christian language and speak often about Jesus, but their teaching corrupts hearts and leads people away from the Christ of Scripture.Because this danger is constant, each generation must consciously guard the gospel. Paul told Timothy, “Guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14). When one generation neglects discernment, the next inherits confusion, compromise, and doctrinal drift.3. Culture Shifts, but God’s Word Remains the Same
In every age, the culture around the church pressures believers to conform. Sometimes the pressure is political, sometimes social, sometimes emotional. The message often sounds like this: “If you want to be loving, you must adjust what you believe.” Under that pressure, many are tempted to reinterpret Scripture through the lens of cultural assumptions.Yet Romans 12:2 commands believers, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Discernment helps us resist cultural compromise and stay anchored in God’s timeless truth. The Bible does not evolve with the times. It judges every time and every culture, including our own.4. Discernment Protects the Church and Strengthens the Faithful
Discernment is vital for the health of individual Christians and the church as a whole. Without sound doctrine and spiritual maturity, Ephesians 4:14 warns that believers will be tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.Discernment is one of the ways the Lord protects His people. It keeps local churches from drifting into error, from building ministries on personality instead of truth, and from embracing the spirit of the age. When Christians grow in Scriptural discernment, they stand firm together, preserve unity in the truth, and shine the light of Christ in a dark world.How Christians Grow in Biblical Discernment
First, discernment begins with devotion. A discerning heart grows from time spent in God’s Word and in prayer. We cannot recognize counterfeits if we do not know the real thing well.Second, discernment requires a teachable spirit. The Lord uses faithful teachers who handle the Word of God rightly and who model godly living. We grow in discernment as we sit under solid preaching, read trusted resources, and walk with wise believers.Third, discernment calls us to reject spiritual fads. The newest movement or message is rarely the truest. Everything must be tested by the unchanging Word of God. Trends come and go, but Scripture stands.Finally, true discernment is practiced in love. It is not harsh, proud, or eager to tear others down. Biblical discernment is humble and gentle. It speaks the truth in love, aims at restoration, and seeks the good of Christ’s people and the honor of His name.Deception never rests, and neither should our devotion to the truth of God’s Word. The church in every age is called to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints, to shine light in darkness, and to hold fast to sound doctrine. When God’s people know His Word well, they can stand firm, no matter how the winds of falsehood blow.Takeaways and Reflection Questions
- Where do you see the truth of God’s Word questioned or twisted in our own day?
- Are there areas where cultural pressure is tempting you to soften or change what Scripture clearly teaches?
- How can you grow in discernment through regular time in the Word, prayer, and fellowship with mature believers?
- Who in your life needs encouragement to stand firm in biblical truth with both courage and love?
