Discernment in an Age of Deception
Beloved, we stand in an age where the lust for instant gratification reigns supreme. In this fleeting world, the siren call of the immediate often drowns out the whispers of the eternal. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). How necessary it is, therefore, to cultivate the discipline of discernment!
Discernment is not the mere accumulation of knowledge, nor the simple ability to differentiate between good and evil. No, it is the divine insight, granted by the Holy Spirit, to see beyond the façade of the moment and into the eternal consequences of our choices. “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going” (Proverbs 14:15).
Our age is saturated with distractions, with sweet-tasting poisons that promise pleasure but deliver pain. What may seem delightful to the senses, my dear reader, may be the very venom that poisons the soul. The enemy of our souls has mastered the art of deception, transforming himself into an angel of light. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). How then shall we, frail and fallible as we are, guard our hearts from his snares?
We must seek the discernment that comes from above. This heavenly wisdom is not a mere intellectual exercise, but a spiritual discipline requiring vigilance, prayer, and an intimate walk with the Savior. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).
Discernment is a choice, a discipline cultivated in the quiet chambers of our hearts, far from the maddening crowd. It is choosing the path of righteousness over the path of convenience, the way of the cross over the way of the crowd. It is a heart aligned with the will of God, a mind transformed by His Word, and a spirit yielded to His leading.
Do not be deceived by the glittering allure of this present age. Test every spirit, weigh every teaching, and examine every impulse against the immutable Word of God. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). For what may appear as light can cast shadows upon the heart if it is not rooted in the truth of Christ.
In our choices, let us seek not mere entertainment, but true enlightenment. Let our eyes be fixed not on the fleeting pleasures of this world, but on the eternal joy of knowing and serving our King. The discipline of discernment is not optional; it is essential for those who would walk in the footsteps of the Master.
Choose, then, with the discerning eye of one who seeks not the transient thrill but the everlasting truth. In this, you will find life, not just for the moment, but for eternity. “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
May we, with hearts aflame and eyes enlightened, navigate this age of deception with the wisdom and discernment that only our Lord can provide. Amen.