Discernment or Accusation?

It is important for us to understand and recognize the difference between discernment and accusation. We do not want to be guilty of mis-representing the heart of God and we do not want to use God given information for purposes not intended by the Giver. Spiritually mature people can distinguish between the two and like most things in the Kingdom of God, the learning is a lifelong process.

It is easy to fall into the trap of operating in a spirit of criticism and accusation. Anyone who reads news feeds or checks social media knows that spirit runs free in the culture and the church. We may think we are operating with the heart of God, when we are actually coming into agreement with the wrong voice--the voice of the enemy. The enemy's voice can sound very self-righteous and indignant, appealing to the religious spirit that easily targets Christians. If we are not spiritually mature enough to check our inward attitudes, we can easily come into agreement with this voice and become a conduit for judgment and criticism.

Do you have people in your life who think they are being helpful by pointing out everything they think is wrong? The operative phrase here is “THEY think.” People who operate this way are in a very dangerous place because they have stepped into agreement with the “accuser of the brethren.” They sow division instead of love. They beat down and discourage instead of buildup and encourage. Instead of being controlled by the Spirit of God, they are the master of their own thoughts, opening themselves up to deception.

God has called us to be agents of healing and love, not division. Be very careful that your discernment doesn't cross the line into accusation.

When we are operating in true discernment from the Holy Spirit, our hearts will overflow with love for people and we will respond like Jesus. Jesus laid His life down for others. If we ever discern something negative in someone's life, that does not give us the right to bring the correction we think is needed, unless (1) we are specifically told to do so and (2) are in such a relationship or place of authority in that person's life that we are able to have that type of conversation. Years ago, I had a pastor that said “you have to earn the right to speak into someone’s life” and I could not agree more.

The main purpose for discernment is to drive us to prayer. If we lay down our lives for others in loving intercession, then God's hand will move in their hearts. He will bring the change that is needed and we won't even have to say a word. It is actually a form of spiritual pride to think we are God's agent of correction. Our job is to pray with a right spirit and then speak only if we have earned that place in a person's life through a loving relationship, trust, and humility. Proverbs 27:6 says "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." The key word here is "friend." These wounds are easily healed because they are full of heartfelt love.

As a young Christian I was taught to pray for people that I had a problem with. You can’t pray for someone and not end up having your heart toward them changed. You have someone in your life that works your last nerve? Pray for them and God will change YOUR heart.

I was also taught to pray for my husband when I had issues with him, submitting to the authority God created in my home. My husband has to answer to God, not to me. Even if he tuned me out I know He listens to God and the Holy Spirit would surely get his attention!

When the Lord showed me things my kids were involved in that needed to change ASAP, I prayed. Sometimes He directed me to say something but more often than not He told me to keep my mouth shut and just pray. I placed scriptures under their mattresses, I anointed their bedrooms and prayed through every inch of our house. Holy Spirit can reach so many more places than I can even imagine and He is our comforter and friend. He has our back in ALL situations.

Jesus would confront sin when needed, but at the same time would offer perfect love with a heart of mercy and restoration. Sometimes we can trick ourselves into thinking that our words will be a help when they actually can hinder what God is doing in someone’s life. God’s message to me on so many occasions is “get out of the way!”

Have you ever been to an Emergency Department of a hospital either as a patient yourself or as someone bringing a person that needs immediate lifesaving help?

In the ED everyone springs into action, each doing their own part; be it check in, triage, lab work, nurse or doctor. The goal is that all work in unison to help save the person who has come for help.

They do not judge why the person is there. They do not berate them for possible bad choices made, avoidable risks taken or family history. They get only what facts they need to stabilize the patient.

I realize that this is the goal and not always what the process looks like in practice, but we can learn something from this protocol. The time for discussions about treatment, lifestyle changes, etc., will come in due time. But in an emergency situation you act to save the life of the patient!

We are surrounded by people that are in life's Emergency Department and satan wants people to feel guilty and filled with shame. The worse a person feels about themselves, the less likely they are to feel accepted by God. When we operate in accusation and criticism, we are reinforcing the shame that has been laid upon them like a heavy weight.

When we operate in discernment fueled prayer, that guilt and shame can be transformed into Godly sorrow that produces repentance. The Holy Spirit has already triaged the patient and determined that they are in need of a life saving dose of the love of our Savior. The discernment the Spirit gives should compel us to sincerely intercede for the one whose soul is sick and in need of healing.

The prince of this world has already been judged. (John 16:11) Sin condemned all of us but Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17)

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1,2)

Like the doctor who is treating the patient in emergency care, the only facts we need are those that will save the patient's life. The Lord brings people into our orbit that are broken and need fixing. They need Jesus just like we need Jesus. They need to be filled with God’s love and experience His forgiveness and restoration. Their sin load is already too heavy for them to bear. Remember that you were once under that same burden before you took Jesus’ yoke upon you!

How many refuse to come into the Kingdom of God because they have been judged, accused and condemned by Christians?

How many have missed out on the joy of experiencing a clean heart and right relationship because they felt too unworthy to run home to their Father?

How many have been driven away by the religious, pious, self-righteous performance of ‘saints’ who act like they know it all but are in fact just ‘white washed tombs,' operating from their own brokenness?

God's joy and peace often has to be fought for because satan and sadly Christians, will try very hard to convince you that you deserve shame instead of joy. Remember, satan is a liar. Resist him and start rejoicing by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17). The Word of God tells us to resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7) We also have to resist the people who are acting as his agents either knowingly or unknowingly.

We are most filled with joy when we are most filled with God's love. When we know and embrace His love we won’t let our thoughts be occupied by what others are doing wrong. We will be filled with more and more of HIM.

Our message is this - 2 Corinthians 5:19 says, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting men's sins against them." He HAS forgiven you, He DOES love you, and He will NEVER leave you or forsake you (Psalm 37:25)

When God desires to change us, He does so in love. "Grant me Thy law graciously" (Psalm 119:29b). God is in the business of convicting us (John 16:8), whereas satan is in the business of condemning us (1 Timothy 3:6).

Let’s let the Holy Spirit triage the wounded and determine who needs what. Let’s take our orders from Him and not allow discernment to be devoured by our flesh and contorted into accusation and criticism.

1 Corinthians 4:3 and Romans 14:4 tell us we are not qualified to judge ourselves, much less anyone else. Very few of us are in the place of authority to bring correction to anyone else. The Holy Spirit will convict of sin. Our job is to pray that the lovingkindness of the Lord will lead people to repentance.

Set a guard over your mouth so you do not say anything rashly or be used by any spirit other than the Spirit of God. (Psalm 141:3)

Don’t rely upon your own thoughts. Listen to the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:15)

Don’t be guided by your feelings. Let your actions be controlled by the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

That is His message to us. Let us discern HIS heart and pray that those He has surrounded us with will know His love and His delight!