Discerning Teachers

Carol Plafcan
Dec 8, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Jan 30

What is Spiritual Discernment?

The Bible repeatedly says that discernment is an important gift that Christians should desire. To discern means to understand something correctly. Spiritual discernment is the ability to see good from evil, even if that evil is cloaked like a wolf in sheep's clothing. It is the ability to see people and deeds as God sees them.

We don't just become Christians and the next day have discernment. Discernment requires prayer and study. The more we understand God's word and the more we pray and ask for discernment the better we will have the ability to discern.

False Teaching and the Danger of Deceptive Motives

In 2 Peter we are strongly warned against false teachers and false prophets. In 2 Peter 2:3(A) Peter tells us this, "By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words;". The thing that drives these false teachers and prophets is greed. Greed for money and greed for power. Discerning teachers is critical so we are not lured away by their false teachings.

False teaching does not always appear extreme or obviously unbiblical at first. Often it sounds convincing, uses familiar Christian language, and appeals to our emotions or desires. That is why discernment cannot be based on tone, popularity, or personal charm. Truth must always be tested against the whole counsel of Scripture. When teaching elevates personal experience, success, or feelings above God’s Word, discernment should cause us to pause and examine carefully what is being said and why it is being said.

Spiritual Maturity and Handling the Word of Truth

In Hebrews 5:12-14 we are told to desire "solid food" not "milk." A mature Christian should be ready to understand and teach at a deeper level (solid food) than one who has just come to know the Lord (milk). The mature Christian has used their senses to understand and "read" good and evil.

2 Timothy 2:15 explains that we should,

" Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Diligence requires work, we are called unashamed workers, we are people who study and act rightly because of our efforts to present ourselves approved. We work diligently to be approved by the Lord. As such people, we can rightly divide the word of truth and be discerning. We can be people who hear the word of God and understand it.

Wisdom That Helps Us in Discerning Teachers

James 3:13-18 helps us to discern good from evil works. In this passage we are told some important things. If we have wisdom then:

Our works should be done with wise meekness.
Our wisdom should be pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, merciful, and fruitful.
Our wisdom should not show favoritism or be hypocritical.
We should sow peace by making peace which, in turn, yields righteousness.

But if we are not wise and understanding, then our works will be done from a place of envy, self-seeking, boastfulness, even lying against truth. If this is our motivation then it comes from an earthly, demonic force that causes confusion and evil. The gift of wisdom helps us to discern what is our motivation and the motivations of others.

Seeking Discernment and Holding to Sound Doctrine

In Proverbs 2:3-6 Solomon tells us if we seek discernment whole heartedly then we will fear the Lord and have knowledge of God. He says it is God who gives wisdom. Knowledge and understanding also come from Him.

So if we want discernment and seek after it diligently the Lord will give it to us. What is our goal? Are we seeking to know and understand our Lord better so as to be approved by Him? Or do we follow after teachers who cause us to have, as Paul says, "itching ears", who tell us things we like to hear more than the truth (2 Timothy 4:3-4)?

We need to hold to sound Biblical teachings and avoid pointless bickering over small, less important details. We do this by being able to discern. That discernment will come as we study and pray and are motivated by our desire to please our Heavenly Father in all things.