11

Discerning Between Good Discerning Between Good and Evil and Evil

Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14

22

Hebrews 5:12-14Hebrews 5:12-14

““For though by this time you ought to be For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (NKJV)discern both good and evil” (NKJV)

33

God Commands Christians to GrowGod Commands Christians to Grow

1 Peter 2:1-21 Peter 2:1-2 2 Peter 3:182 Peter 3:18 Ephesians 4:11-15Ephesians 4:11-15 1 Corinthians 3:1-2; 14:201 Corinthians 3:1-2; 14:20

Only Proper Spiritual Growth Only Proper Spiritual Growth Will Equip Us To Discern Will Equip Us To Discern Between Good and Evil!Between Good and Evil!

44

Must Use Senses to Discern Must Use Senses to Discern Between Good & EvilBetween Good & Evil

SensesSenses - properly, an organ of perception, i.e. - properly, an organ of perception, i.e. (figuratively) judgment:-senses. (figuratively) judgment:-senses. – Strong– Strong

DiscernDiscern - 1 a: to detect with the eyes (discerned a - 1 a: to detect with the eyes (discerned a figure approaching through the fog) b: to detect with figure approaching through the fog) b: to detect with senses other than vision (discerned a strange odor) senses other than vision (discerned a strange odor) 2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : 2: to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminatediscriminate (discern right from wrong)3: to come to (discern right from wrong)3: to come to know or recognize mentally (unable to discern his know or recognize mentally (unable to discern his motives): to see or understand the differencemotives): to see or understand the difference - - WebsterWebster

55

Albert E. Barnes CommentsAlbert E. Barnes Comments Have their sensesHave their senses.. The word here used means, The word here used means,

properly, the senses-as we use the term; the seat of properly, the senses-as we use the term; the seat of sensation, the smell, taste, etc. Then it means, the sensation, the smell, taste, etc. Then it means, the internal sense, the faculty of perceiving truth: and this internal sense, the faculty of perceiving truth: and this is the idea here. The meaning is, that by long is the idea here. The meaning is, that by long experience Christians come to be able to understand experience Christians come to be able to understand the more elevated doctrines or Christianity; they see the more elevated doctrines or Christianity; they see their beauty and value, and they are able carefully and their beauty and value, and they are able carefully and accurately to distinguish them from error.accurately to distinguish them from error.

To discern both good and evilTo discern both good and evil.. That is, in doctrine. That is, in doctrine. They will appreciate and understand that which is They will appreciate and understand that which is true; they will reject that which is false. true; they will reject that which is false.

66

Discerning Between Good & EvilDiscerning Between Good & Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?

77

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?

Some things may be “RIGHT,” but if they hinder Some things may be “RIGHT,” but if they hinder spiritual growth, and service to the Lord – Then it spiritual growth, and service to the Lord – Then it is evil!is evil! Matthew 10:37; Luke 8:14Matthew 10:37; Luke 8:14

The Lord will only accept The Lord will only accept FIRST PLACEFIRST PLACE!! Matt. 6:33Matt. 6:33

We must cast off anything that hinders our We must cast off anything that hinders our growth and service to God!growth and service to God! Hebrews 12:1-2Hebrews 12:1-2

88

Growth Can Be Hindered By:Growth Can Be Hindered By:

Dullness of Hearing - Luke 8:10Dullness of Hearing - Luke 8:10 Lack of Endurance - Luke 8:13Lack of Endurance - Luke 8:13 Continuing in Lawlessness - Matt. 24:12Continuing in Lawlessness - Matt. 24:12 Doctrines & Commands of Men - Col. 2:18-23Doctrines & Commands of Men - Col. 2:18-23 Spiritual Fatigue - Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13Spiritual Fatigue - Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13 Forgetfulness - 2 Peter 1:9Forgetfulness - 2 Peter 1:9 Neglect - 1 Peter 2:2Neglect - 1 Peter 2:2 Stumbling Blocks Laid by Others - Matt. 18:6-10Stumbling Blocks Laid by Others - Matt. 18:6-10

99

I Must Deny All Activities That I Must Deny All Activities That Hinder… Hinder…

Me from STUDYING the Bible!Me from STUDYING the Bible! Me from PRAYING as I should!Me from PRAYING as I should! Me from GIVING as I should!Me from GIVING as I should! Me from ATTENDING ALL possible Bible Me from ATTENDING ALL possible Bible

classes and worship services!classes and worship services! Me from TEACHING others!Me from TEACHING others! Me from being HOSPITABLE to others!Me from being HOSPITABLE to others! My OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH!My OWN SPIRITUAL GROWTH!

1010

Discerning Between Good & EvilDiscerning Between Good & Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart?

1111

Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart?

Things allowed in our mind can corrupt or Things allowed in our mind can corrupt or preserve us:preserve us: 2 Cor. 11:3; Matt. 6:22-23; Phil. 4:82 Cor. 11:3; Matt. 6:22-23; Phil. 4:8

If it violates your conscience, it is sinful:If it violates your conscience, it is sinful: Rom. 14:23Rom. 14:23

If it causes you to turn from Christ, is it good If it causes you to turn from Christ, is it good or evil?or evil?

1212

Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart?

Gambling?Gambling? Drugs & alcohol consumption?Drugs & alcohol consumption? Social drinking?Social drinking? Immodest apparel, Mixed swimming?Immodest apparel, Mixed swimming? Dancing?Dancing? Filthy and suggestive language on TV, in movies, in Filthy and suggestive language on TV, in movies, in

music?music? X-rated movies?X-rated movies? Pornography?Pornography?

1313

Effects of PornographyEffects of Pornography

"Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid "Pornography can reach out and snatch a kid out of any house today. It snatched me out of out of any house today. It snatched me out of my home 20, 30 years ago. There is no my home 20, 30 years ago. There is no protection against the kind of influences that protection against the kind of influences that are loose in society…what alcohol did in are loose in society…what alcohol did in conjunction with, let's say, my exposure to conjunction with, let's say, my exposure to pornography, was alcohol reduced my pornography, was alcohol reduced my inhibitions; at the same time the fantasy life inhibitions; at the same time the fantasy life that was fueled by pornography eroded them that was fueled by pornography eroded them further…”further…”

(Ted Bundy: A serial killer that raped and murdered at least 20 women)(Ted Bundy: A serial killer that raped and murdered at least 20 women)

1414

Discerning Between Good & EvilDiscerning Between Good & Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body?Can it Harm My Body?

1515

Can It Harm My Body?Can It Harm My Body?

We must not sin against our body!We must not sin against our body! 1 Cor. 6:181 Cor. 6:18

Our bodies are on loan to us from God!Our bodies are on loan to us from God! 1 Cor. 6:191 Cor. 6:19

Must glorify God in our body; present them as a living Must glorify God in our body; present them as a living sacrifice!sacrifice! 1 Cor. 6:12; Rom. 12:1-21 Cor. 6:12; Rom. 12:1-2

When we do things that cause harm to our bodies that are When we do things that cause harm to our bodies that are of no redeeming value and unnecessary, we sin!of no redeeming value and unnecessary, we sin! James 4:17James 4:17

1616

Can It Harm My Body?Can It Harm My Body?

Fornication?Fornication? Using tobacco?Using tobacco? Gluttony?Gluttony? Drug & alcohol use and addiction?Drug & alcohol use and addiction? Recreational drug use?Recreational drug use?

Do you do things that are unnecessary which weaken and destroy your body?

Effects of Meth Addiction

1717

Gruen Von Behrens' Missing JawGruen Von Behrens' Missing Jaw

• Started using smokeless tobacco at age 13

•Addicted at age 14

• Developed cancer - squamous cell carcinoma

• Lost 70 pounds, his lower teeth and half of his jaw bone and tongue and neck muscles

• 40 operations

1818

Discerning Between Good and EvilDiscerning Between Good and Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body?Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence?Can It Harm My Influence?

1919

Can It Harm My Influence?Can It Harm My Influence?

As Christians, we must influence others As Christians, we must influence others for good!for good! Matt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15-16Matt. 5:13-16; Phil. 2:15-16

We do not live to ourselves!We do not live to ourselves! Rom. 14:7-8; Phil. 2:3-8Rom. 14:7-8; Phil. 2:3-8

Anything that destroys our influence is Anything that destroys our influence is evil!evil! Luke 14:34-35Luke 14:34-35

2020

Can It Harm My Influence?Can It Harm My Influence? Attendance Habits?Attendance Habits? Bad Attitudes – Rudeness, Hatefulness, Disrespect?Bad Attitudes – Rudeness, Hatefulness, Disrespect? Dishonesty, Hypocrisy & Immorality?Dishonesty, Hypocrisy & Immorality? Cursing – Dirty Jokes, taking God’s name in vain?Cursing – Dirty Jokes, taking God’s name in vain? Immodest Apparel?Immodest Apparel? Smoking & Social Drinking?Smoking & Social Drinking? A damaged influence is almost impossible to repair!A damaged influence is almost impossible to repair! Are you doing things that damage your Are you doing things that damage your

influence?influence?

2121

Discerning Between Good and EvilDiscerning Between Good and Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body?Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence?Can It Harm My Influence? Could it Harm Others?Could it Harm Others?

2222

Could it Harm Others?Could it Harm Others? Anything that would cause “unjust” harm to Anything that would cause “unjust” harm to

another person is evil!another person is evil! Matthew 7:12; Gal 6:10; James 4:17Matthew 7:12; Gal 6:10; James 4:17

Anything that we may do that would cause Anything that we may do that would cause another person to sin is evil!another person to sin is evil! 1 Cor. 8:10-12; Gal. 2:11-141 Cor. 8:10-12; Gal. 2:11-14

2323

Could it Harm Others?Could it Harm Others? Parental neglect?Parental neglect? Gossiping?Gossiping? False Accusations & Slander?False Accusations & Slander? Hypocrisy - turning others away from the truth?Hypocrisy - turning others away from the truth? Immodest Clothing?Immodest Clothing? Social Drinking?Social Drinking? Smoking?Smoking? Gambling?Gambling? Pornography?Pornography? Are you engaging in behavior that can Are you engaging in behavior that can

cause harm to others?cause harm to others?

2424

Discerning Between Good & EvilDiscerning Between Good & Evil

Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth?Can It Hinder My Spiritual Growth? Will it Corrupt My Heart?Will it Corrupt My Heart? Can it Harm My Body?Can it Harm My Body? Can It Harm My Influence?Can It Harm My Influence? Could it Harm Others?Could it Harm Others? Is it Authorized?Is it Authorized?

2525

Is it Authorized?Is it Authorized?

Most assume that if the Bible doesn’t specifically Most assume that if the Bible doesn’t specifically condemn a thing – then, it can be done!condemn a thing – then, it can be done!

Some say, Some say, “it doesn’t say not to”“it doesn’t say not to” - - then they then they assume that it can be done! assume that it can be done!

BUT… BUT… The Bible teaches that whatever is done The Bible teaches that whatever is done

religiously MUST be done religiously MUST be done “in the name of”“in the name of” Christ - by faith!Christ - by faith! Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17Col. 3:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17

2626

Is it Authorized?Is it Authorized? True doctrine can ONLY be proven from the Scriptures!True doctrine can ONLY be proven from the Scriptures! True worship can be established ONLY by finding book, True worship can be established ONLY by finding book,

chapter & verse!chapter & verse! ONLY authorized practices are those that can be ONLY authorized practices are those that can be

supported with N.T. scripture!supported with N.T. scripture! Whether its doctrine, worship or practice – if Bible Whether its doctrine, worship or practice – if Bible

authority cannot be found – it is evil!authority cannot be found – it is evil! Matthew 7:21-29; 28:18-20Matthew 7:21-29; 28:18-20

Does the Bible authorize all that you Does the Bible authorize all that you believe, teach and practice?believe, teach and practice?

2727

It Is It Is EvilEvil If It… If It… Hinders My Spiritual Growth!Hinders My Spiritual Growth! Corrupts My Heart!Corrupts My Heart! Causes Unnecessary Harm To My Body!Causes Unnecessary Harm To My Body! Harms My Influence!Harms My Influence! Causes “unjust” Harm To Others!Causes “unjust” Harm To Others! Is NOT Authorized!Is NOT Authorized!

Are You Doing GOOD

Or EVIL? Which?

James 4:17

2828

““What Shall We Do?” What Shall We Do?” Acts 2:37Acts 2:37

An alien sinner must…An alien sinner must… Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17Hear the Gospel - Romans 10:17 Believe - Romans 10:10Believe - Romans 10:10 Repent – Acts 17:30Repent – Acts 17:30 Confess Christ - Acts 8:37Confess Christ - Acts 8:37 Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38Be Baptized in water - Acts 2:38

An erring Child of God must…An erring Child of God must… Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22Repent and Pray - Acts 8:22