DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL
DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Heb. 5:14 KJV).
Discernment is a mark of maturity, but the Hebrews were not mature. Apparently. they couldn’t tell the difference between good and evil. They should have been able to understand deep truths about Melchizedek, but they couldn’t. They were too immature. They were like children who are slow to learn. They should have been teaching others, but they needed someone to continue to teach them the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. They needed milk and not meat. Solid food is for the mature, but they were still babies. Solid food is for those who have their “senses” “exercised” to discern good and evil. Something is wrong when children do not mature!
Both words, “senses” and “exercised”, are familiar to most in our modern world. The Greek word translated as “senses” is “aistheterion” from which we get our modern word “esthesia”. Esthesia is defined by Webster as “the capacity for sensation and feeling”. “Anesthesia” is something that keeps you from feeling. That’s why surgeons give a patient anesthesia before operating.
The Greek word translated as “exercised” is “gegumnasmena” from which we get our modern word “gymnasium”. It refers to those who engage in vigorous exercise like an athlete preparing for competition. This word is used in Heb. 12:11 to refer to the way that chastening can encourage us to “exercise”. It is also used in 1 Tim. 4:7-8 to encourage Timothy to “exercise” himself unto godliness. Physical “exercise” is of limited value for it only improves your body. Exercising unto godliness, however, is profitable for all things. It not only helps you in this present world, but also in the world which is to come.
JESUS IS OUR BEST EXAMPLE
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Jesus exercised Himself unto godliness! His every day was filled with spiritual exercise. •
“Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52). •
Because Jesus matured He could always discern “good” and “evil”.
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Because of His discernment, Jesus was tempted in every way like we are, yet He never sinned (Heb. 4:15).
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Jesus left us an example that we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).
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We need to be careful how we live (Eph. 5:15). Jesus taught us to pray that God would not lead us into temptation but would deliver us from evil (Matt. 6:13).
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Because Jesus “exercised” Himself unto godliness, He had the ability to “feel” or “sense” the traps the devil was setting and avoid them.
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Therefore, Jesus always escaped the snares of the devil. He never sinned!
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Young Christians are prone to make mistakes for they are immature.
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With spiritual exercise they can grow to maturity and learn to discern good and evil.
Let us illustrate the success of Jesus by focusing on just one aspect of his ministry, His death on the cross. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. This was an essential assignment given Him before the creation of the world (1 Pet 1:18-20). So from the very beginning of our Lord’s ministry unto the very end, the devil did everything he could to trap Jesus and stop His sacrificial death. Jesus, of course, successfully recognized and resisted every one of these temptations.
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At the beginning of our Lord’s ministry He was baptized (Matt. 3:13-17). Immediately after Jesus was baptized He went into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil for 40 days. One of these temptations involved avoiding the cross. God promised to exalt Jesus after His death on the cross (Phil. 2:5-11). The devil, however, promised Jesus all the kingdoms of this world without dying on the cross. Jesus, of course, chose to worship God, not Satan (Matt. 4:8,9). •
At the end of our Lord’s ministry, while Jesus was on the cross, Satan prompted the Jewish leaders to say: “Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe in Him” (Matt. 27:41-43).
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Jesus, of course, didn’t do it! Jesus didn’t quit! Jesus obeyed God unto the very end and was faithful until death!
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As we have already pointed out, the cross was essential to God’s victory. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from your empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake” (1 Pet. 1:18-20).
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Consequently, many Old Testament Scriptures predicted the death of Jesus centuries before He was born. For example: Is. 53; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 22; Dan. 9:26; Zech. 12:10, 13:7; etc.
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John the Baptist pointed out to his disciples that Jesus was the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29).
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Peter was so immature, however, that the devil tricked him into encouraging Jesus to avoid the cross. Please note:
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Jesus told His disciples that: “He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life”.
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“Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ‘Never Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’”
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“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind he things of God, but the things of men’” (Matt. 16:21- 23).
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After feeding the 5,000 the worldly multitude tried to force Jesus to be their king (Jn. 6:15). Faced with this temptation Jesus immediately sent His disciples away in a boat while He went up in the mountain to pray (Matt. 14:22-23).
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In Gethsemane Jesus prayed so earnestly about the cross that his sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground. That’s when an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him (Lk. 22:42-44).
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We too have angels that minister to and strengthen us (Heb. 1:14).
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Jesus could have also called 12 legions of angels to rescue Him but how then would the Scriptures have been fulfilled (Matt. 26:53-54).
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JESUS SUCCESSFULLY RESISTED EVERY TEMPTATION. HE REFUSED TO DIE UNTIL HE HAD FINISHED EVERYTHING GOD HAD COMMANDED HIM TO DO (JN. 19:30).
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BECAUSE JESUS WAS FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH “GOD EXALTED HIM TO THE HIGHEST PLACE AND GAVE HIM THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND
ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER” (PHIL. 2:9-11).
THE EXAMPLE OF MANNY PACQUIAO
Manny Pacquiao was born in the Philippines on December 17, 1978,. He rose from abject poverty to the pinnacle of success. As a boxer he is world famous for winning more boxing titles in more weight classes than any other boxer in history. His unprecedented success led to commercial endorsements, movies, television shows, CDs, and his picture is even on a postage stamp. In 2003 he was named Person of the Year in the Philippines. In 2010 he was elected to the legislature by an overwhelming margin. He was reelected in 2013. In 2016 he became a senator. Most important of all, Manny is a Christian and also a pastor. Therefore, he exercises spiritually as well as physically. Manny says: “The Word of God strengthens my faith and protects me from evil . . . That’s why I always read the Bible.”
Here is Manny’s physical exercise routine. On Mondays and Wednesdays: Running for 10 miles (stamina building), 8 rounds of shadow boxing, 15 rounds of sparring, 10 rounds of speed bag, 10 rounds of heavy bag, 7 rounds of Jump rope, 2 sets of Ab crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of knee ups of 100 reps, 2 sets of diagonal crunches (both sides) of 100 reps, 2 sets of alternate bicycles of 100 reps, 2 sets of leg scissors of 100 reps, 2 sets of vertical leg crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of side crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of floor wipers of 100 reps, 2 sets of Russian twists of 100 reps, 10 rounds of agility ladder drills (speed workout). On Tuesdays and Thursdays: 15 rounds of mitt training, 10 rounds of speed bag, 10 rounds of heavy bag, 7 rounds of jump rope, 2 sets of ab crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of knee ups of 100 reps, 2 sets of alternate bicycles of 100 reps, 2 sets of leg scissors of 100 reps, 2 sets of vertical leg crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of side crunches of 100 reps, 2 sets of floor wipers of 100 reps, 2 sets of Russian twists of 100 reps, Plyometric exercises. On Friday: Warm up exercises (stretching) 3 sets of shadow boxing of 3 minutes, 8-20 rounds of mitts, 3 sets of double end bag of 3 minutes, 3 sets of speed bag of 3 minutes, 3 sets of jump rope of 3 minutes, 6 sets of shadow boxing of 3 reps, 10 sets of ab exercises of 100 reps. On Saturday: Stamina building workout (running/sparring). On Sunday: rest.
Paul wrote: “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Cor. 9:25).
AS WE HAVE SAID, MANNY PACQUIAO, LIKE PAUL, IS ALSO EXERCISING UNTO GODLINESS AND STRIVING FOR “THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL AWARD TO ME ON THAT DAY – AND NOT ONLY TO ME BUT ALSO TO ALL WHO HAVE LONGED FOR HIS APPEARING” (2 TIM. 4:8).
SPIRITUAL EXERCISES
The following is a short list of spiritual exercises. These, of course, are only a starting point. If you truly desire to be like Jesus He will guide you into other spiritual disciplines to help you mature in Christ. With maturity you will be able to discern “good” and “evil”. Remember! You can successfully exercise yourself unto godliness because the Holy Spirit helps you to have self control (Gal. 5:22,23).
It goes without saying that only exercising a little is not enough. A little exercise will not enable you to develop maturity. Only a little spiritual exercise will not enable you to successfully defeat the devil. Only a little exercise will not help you to discern the difference between “good” and “evil”. Your spiritual exercise must become a way of life!
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BIBLE STUDY – Let us start with Bible study. It is essential for spiritual health.
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Jesus said: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).
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Paul said: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16).
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The psalmist said: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105).
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Hellen Keller was blind, deaf, and dumb yet she is said to have read her Braille Bible until her fingers bled. She regarded the Bible as her most beloved book and wrote: “I cannot take space to name here all the books that have enriched my life, but there are a few that I cannot pass over. The one I have read most is the Bible. I have read and reread it until in many parts the pages have faded out – I mean, my fingers have rubbed off the dots, and I must supply whole verses from memory, especially the Psalms, the Prophets, and the Gospels. To the Bible I always go for confidence when waves of doubt rush over me and no voice is near to reassure me.”
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THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR NOT STUDYING THE BIBLE!
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PRAYER
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“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Lk. 18:1).
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Jesus practiced what He preached. He always prayed and never gave up!
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The Scriptures are filled with references to the prayers of Jesus.
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If Jesus had time to pray, certainly we also have time to pray.
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Jesus did not teach His disciples how to “preach”, but He did teach them how to “pray” (Lk. 11:1-13).
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The church was born in prayer. Remember that the disciples of Jesus gathered in the upper room and joined together constantly in prayer (Acts 1:14).
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The early church was steadfast in prayer (Acts 2:42).
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The apostles of Jesus gave themselves constantly to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).
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Paul said to pray continually (1 Thess. 5:17).
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After telling us to put on the whole armor of God Paul wrote: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prays and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18).
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Prayer is an essential weapon in spiritual warfare and discipline (2 Cor. 10:3-6).
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There is no reason or excuse for not praying.
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CHURCH ATTENDANCE
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Perhaps one reason why the Hebrews had not matured is that some of them failed to attend church regularly. Note: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of
doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
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Jesus promised His disciples: “Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matt. 18:20). There is nothing wrong with worshiping by yourself, but there is something special about worshiping with others.
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The apostles were together for three years before Jesus was crucified. After His crucifixion they continued to meet together (Jn. 20:19, 26). Note that even though the doors were shut and locked Jesus still came inside to meet with them.
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Others also joined in meeting with the apostles in the upper room until their number grew to about 120 (Acts 1:12-17).
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On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 were baptized and added to their number (Acts 2:41). •
These new believers met together and “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
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When a burning coal is removed from the fire it will soon grow cold. So also those who forsake the assembly of the saints will lose their passion for Christ.
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We must not only attend church, we must also encourage others to do so (Heb. 10:25). •
There is no excuse for not assembling every week with those of like precious faith!
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CONTRIBUTING TO THE NECESSITY OF THE SAINTS
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Generosity is a Christian virtue!
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Jesus reduced our worship to only two choices. He said: “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” (Matt. 6:24).
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Therefore Jesus said: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-021).
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We are to “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Rom. 12:13).
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Paul taught people to give systematically and proportionately on the first day of the week: “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income . . .” (1 Cor. 16:1-2).
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John wrote: “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (1 Jn. 3:17).
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When the brethren in Macedonia heard the needs of their poor brethren in Judea they earnestly pleaded for the privilege of sharing with those needs. In spite of their extreme poverty they gave beyond their ability and even did it with joy (2 Cor. 8:1-7).
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On Judgement Day Jesus will say to the saved: “Come, you who are blessed of my Father; take your inheritance the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you have me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matt. 25:34-36).
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When the righteous didn’t remember these acts of generosity the king replied: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40).
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There is no excuse for not giving in a systematic and proportionate way (1 Cor. 16:2).
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WITNESSING TO THE UNSAVED
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The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Lk. 19:10). We must do the same. •
In the days of Elisha the prophet the people of Samaria were starving. Four lepers, however, discovered an abundance of food, clothing, silver, and gold right outside of the city gate. After eating, drinking, and hiding the wealth they found, they said to one another: “We’re not doing what is right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves” (2 Ki. 7:9). They immediately shared this “good news” with the starving people in Samaria. We need to also share “good news”!
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It isn’t right for us to enjoy the “good news” and hide the fact that we have eternal life! If we love our neighbor as ourselves we must share with them the Gospel!
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Peter said that even if we suffer for what is right we should not be afraid: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord, always be prepared to given an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect . . .” (1 Pet. 3:15).
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The word translated as “answer” in 1 Pet. 3:15 is “apologia” from which we get our word “apologetics”. This refers to a reasonable defense of our faith. Paul, for example, defended his faith even though he was a prisoner (Phil. 1:7,16). We need to do the same!
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Paul said that our conversations with the unsaved should be “full of grace” and “seasoned with salt” so that we may know how to answer everyone (Col. 4:5,6).
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One easy place to start witnessing is by sharing your own personal testimony. You are the world’s greatest authority on what Jesus has done in your life. The early Christians overcame the devil “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Rev. 12:11).
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We can overcome the devil in the same way!
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We have no reason or excuse for not sharing our faith with others!
INEXPRESSIBLE AND GLORIOUS JOY
Christian people are the happiest and most joyful people on earth. Exercising yourself unto godliness helps make that joy a reality in your life. Please prayerfully consider these inspired words of Peter. Peter wrote these words when he was older and more mature (1 Pet. 5:1).
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an
inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Pet. 1:3-9)
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE BLESSINGS WAITING FOR YOU WHEN YOU EXERCISE YOUR SENSES TO DISCERN GOOD AND EVIL!
(This study was written by Boyce Mouton. No rights are reserved! You are free to use this material in whole or in part for the glorification of Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom)