(FYI: These posts have been turned into an updated book, available for purchase at this link.)
It is here on this page that you will find each post in the Learn to Discern series. I hope you find these helpful as you try to process what is going on in our world–and, even more importantly, in the church–and compare it all to what the Bible teaches us.
I believe Jude 3-4 gives us the perfect wisdom as we search for truth and light in the midst of these evil and dark days–
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God[b] and our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are to contend for the faith. As ungodly men twist and pervert the Gospel we are to contend. This is a word that implies strong feeling and action. Synonyms include assert, claim, argue, insist, declare, and profess. How opposite this word contend is to words like ignore and overlook. And how opposite this is, too, to the compromise we see almost daily now in ministries of trusted pastors and authors, who concede key doctrines in the name of unity. Oh, this is not what the Bible teaches us to do! May we remember this–
A warped, perverted gospel is no gospel at all!
So let’s keep fighting boldly and bravely–always relying on God’s Word as our anchor and for our answers!
February, 2024 UPDATE: This series has been updated and turned into a book from which you can find HERE.
Read this post first: Before We Can Learn to Discern
Here are the posts available in this series (more will be added as they become available)–
Learn to Discern: Introduction
Read this first to understand the biblical call and importance of discernment. Here I also explore why so many of us choose not to discern.
Learn to Discern: What Is Biblical Christianity?
This post is an essay written by Pastor Dean on what Christianity is according to scripture. There is so much nonsense that is attributed to God these days, that I thought a good, solid foundation of what Christianity is according to God as written in His Word would be a great place to start.
Learn to Discern: The Corruption of Christianity
This is the second post written by Pastor Dean in this series. Here he shows six ways that Christianity has been corrupted. While these six things have always existed in one form or another since the inception of Christianity, they are all now working together to bring the church into the coming one-world religion. Read this to find out what you should be looking out for!
Learn to Discern: What Is Your Paradigm?
Before we can do any discerning at all, we have to determine what we are going to use as our barometer for truth. This post looks at this question in light of the Word of God. As Christians, this is our gold standard and becomes the basis for our world view.
Learn to Discern: Who Do You Follow?
A curious phenomenon that has been taking place over the past 25-30 years is the obsession with celebrity. We often sacrifice our loyalty to the Word of God for the loyalty to a man (or woman). Read here to find out why this is a big problem and what we can do to make sure we personally do not fall for this trick of Satan’s.
Learn to Discern: Acknowledging the War
It is impossible to discern if we do not acknowledge the war that is raging in the supernatural world. Scripture makes it clear that Satan is our enemy. Learn why it is critical that we understand this before we can discern properly.
Learn to Discern: Living in the Light
Discernment can be a lonely and discouraging road to take, as people tell us we are critical and ridiculous and talk about us behind our backs. As we become more and more informed of the darkness around us and that has infiltrated the church, we can start to feel hopeless and sad about the future of ourselves and our families. Read here to find out what encouragement God has for us in His Word as we learn to discern.
Learn to Discern: Preparing Your Heart and Mind
Six things we need to BE (or at least be working on) before we can effectively discern. Are these part of your life?
Learn to Discern: Philosophies in Opposition
In this post, I present ten specific philosophies purported by many in the mainstream church that are in direct opposition to what the Bible teaches. This is not an exhaustive list but merely a short list to encourage believers to open their eyes to what is going on around them.
Learn to Discern: Reawakening the Conscience
Does worldly entertainment affect our ability to discern? This post explores this question, while also providing testimonies that back up its premise. Don’t miss this one!
Learn to Discern: How Do You Determine What Is True, Right, and Good?
Does the fact that something is helpful make it true or right or good? Read this to find out how pragmatism has invaded the church and how this deadly philosophy is changing the method that Christians use to determine truth.
Learn to Discern: Knowing When to Speak Up
How do we know when something is worth the confrontation? Here are a few guidelines that will help.
Learn to Discern: When You Need a Little Help
Some helpful resources along with some guidelines to help you find trusted sites.
Learn to Discern: How Do I Share What I Am Learning?
Some guiding principles that we should consider as we talk with others about discernment.
May God bless you as you seek to know the truth in God’s Word. The book of Jude ends with these wonderful verses. May they be an encouragement to you as you learn and grow–
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.
I was starting to watch the videos you recommended from the fuel project.. What are your thoughts on the New World Order?
Hmm…not exactly sure what the context of your question is but I believe that the NWO is part of Satan’s plan to bring about the one world government that is referred to in scripture in the last days. The video series you mentioned is such a great overview. I hope you are enjoying it!
As I watched the first video, I saw some of what I thought was the new world order signs that people talk about.. So I just wanted to know your thoughts.. And then I wasn’t sure if I cared for the fuel project.. Maybe just being overly cautious.. Then I looked at their page on Facebook.. They reference a few things that I do not care for.. Of course that is my opinion.. Generally I try to stay away from sites that have certain references… For one when a site seems to promote by way of pictures or mentioning names of a show or person that seems to not be a good example then i tend to avoid the site.. So one thing that I noticed in several fuel project videos on their Facebook page was the use of the movie son of god, which I found to be very anti-Biblical… So that was an automatic red flag for me.. But I am curious about the video series you mentioned by fuel project.. Praying and trying to discern if it is wise for me to watch them.. Just wondering what your thoughts are on other things the fuel project has included on their Facebook page such as the son of god movie…I can’t seem to find any info on them.. I was looking to see what others thought too.. I guess my big question is do you find all of their info Biblically sound? I truly am asking for wisdom here from you? I hope I don;t sound accusatory.. I’m just trying to be discerning in all things. Thanks so much!, Tammy
Good questions! I do not give blanket approval to all that the Fuel Project has done mostly because I have not done any research on them. I recommend the series because it gives an awesome overview of world history and corroborates and confirms what I already know to be true. I have done a lot of reading and research (actually my dad has done a lot of reading and research!) and this goes along with all that we have learned through the years. This series uses scripture and many historical references. It’s an excellent video series and I recommend it without reservation. That being said, though, I do emphasize that my recommendation was only for this particular series and not for any other of their projects, as I am not all that familiar with them and would agree with you about their lack of discernment, given what you said was on their page, although I have not personally checked it.
I read and listen to John MacArthur and trust his biblical truth ,recently I have listened to a couple of messages from Robert Morris and as always trying to discern truth, I like to truth he is preaching. Wondering what your thoughts are if you’ve listened to him.
I’ve not heard of him. But use good discernment principles. I find the Holy Spirit will often reveal red flags if a person or ministry isn’t biblical. Pray for wisdom. If I hear anything about him, I’ll let you know.
Leslie, my wife recently found your site and shared with me. It’s incredible! I’m a Youth Leader at our Church and I’ve found so much vital and inspirational information on your site. Thank you for your dedication to Christ and the Word of God. It’s a great educational site.
Thank you so much!. Your comment is so very encouraging to me. Few youth leaders are interested in knowing the truth of God’s Word and then sharing it with their teens. How blessed they are that you care about more than just entertaining them. :)
Is John MacArthur a Calvinist? Do you have any good information or resources on the problems and unscriptural beliefs of Calvinism?
Calvinism as taught by John Calvin was not unscriptural (see John 6:44 and Ephesians 1). It has been twisted in the wrong way however in some cases in the proceeding years. MacArthur teaches that election and free will are parallel truths that run side by side and never touch. And that man, in his finite mind, can’t understand how they work together. Listening to his sermon called “twin truths” helped me so much. I highly recommend.
Macarthur teaches that one can take the mark and still be saved. He also teaches that the blood of Christ doesn’t save, only his death. I don’t expect this to be well received because Macarthur is beloved (I see him as an idol) in the church. His summer youth camp also had games one year that involved a (real) pig’s head. He seems to promote the social justice gospel. And the tenets of TULIP are unbiblical. I strongly suggest a thorough examination of him. Beware.
While I am not going to speak to the TULIP issue, as I have yet to study that in-depth, I am very aware of the issues with MacArthur and have been trying to remove any mention of him or his ministry from this website. As I’ve been blogging for almost 14 years and only figured him out a few years ago, this has been an ongoing project. Please be assured that I am already very aware and nothing here on the blog written in the past few years points people to him.
What modern bi me revision is this based on? How do you feel about the attack on the gospels themselves with words being omitted from new age revisions? Is there a part here for learning to discern corrupted bible revisions, perverting the gospel?
I am actually researching this now but I have not written on it. Suffice it to say, I have only recently become aware of the issues with modern translations and am planning to look into this further.