Thankfulness

Overview:

We are still on the series of spiritual blindness. A sure way to loose your ability in the spiritual realm is to get offended.

Offended

When we talk about someone “getting tripped up,” we mean they were caught in some error. This English idiom is similar to the Greek meaning behind the word “offend.” This word skandalizō means “stumbling block” or “snare.” The term refers to the trigger that springs a trap; therefore, “offend” in the New Testament means anything that hinders someone from doing what is right, causes one to sin, or causes someone to fall away from the faith.

1. skandalon (σκάνδαλον, 4625) originally was “the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached, hence, the trap or snare itself,

Revelation 2:13–14 (NKJV)

• 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. -14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.

Philippians 1:9–11 (NKJV)

• 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
• 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
• 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Discernment in this verse means:have capacity to understand, have insight, have sapient knowledge

Discernment

Discernment is given by God, through his Holy Spirit. It is received through God’s word and through the insight of a renewed mind. Discerning believers seek to grow in their understanding and knowledge of God’s truth.

2 Timothy 3:1–9 (NKJV) - Perilous Times and Perilous Men

• 1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
• 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
• 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
• 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
• 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
• 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
• 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;
• 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

2 Peter 1:5–9 (NKJV) Fruitful Growth in the Faith

• 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
• 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
• 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
• 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Sport .

If we want to hold up the medal we need to fight the fight. Wimbeldon

• You cannot be a Wimbledon champion by being a spectator.
• If you want to be the champion you will have to go through all the pain to become a champion and compete
• As a spectator you will never be the victor, even though you can see everything that went wrong, or should have been done.

Many times we want to be the victor and hold up the trophy without actually fighting the fight.

Colossians 1:9–10 (NKJV) Preeminence of Christ

• 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
• 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

## Research

Verses

1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV) Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

• 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

Philippians 1:9–11 (NKJV)

• 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
• 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
• 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Acts 24:16 (NKJV) 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Proverbs 4:20–22 (NKJV)

• 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
• 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
• 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20–22 (NKJV)

• 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
• 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
• 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

Commentary

Without offence (ἀπρόσκοποι). See on Acts 24:16. It may be explained, not stumbling, or not causing others to stumble, as 1 Cor. 10:32. Both senses may be included. If either is to be preferred it is the former, since the whole passage contemplates their inward state rather than their relations to men. Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 3, p. 418). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Without offence—not stumbling; running the Christian race without falling through any stumbling-block, that is, temptation, in your way. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Php 1:10). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

Offend

Greek expression: skandalizō - Pronunciation: skahn dahl EE dzoh Strong’s Number: 4624

KEY VERSES

Matthew 5:29; 13:21; John 6:61; 1 Corinthians 8:13

When we talk about someone “getting tripped up,” we mean they were caught in some error. This English idiom is similar to the Greek meaning behind the word “offend.” This word skandalizō means “stumbling block” or “snare.” The term refers to the trigger that springs a trap; therefore, “offend” in the New Testament means anything that hinders someone from doing what is right, causes one to sin, or causes someone to fall away from the faith.

According to the New Testament, there are three ways in which people stumble.

• (1) There may be something bad in an individual that causes him or her to stumble. Jesus expressed the seriousness of this, and, though speaking metaphorically, indicated some steps for cure (Matt. 5:29–30; 18:8–9).
• (2) There may be something in a person that causes offense to others. Jesus said, “Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” (Matthew 18:7, KJV). There are, in fact, many New Testament passages which insist that one should live in a way that does not cause others to stumble (Rom. 16:17). The apostle Paul says, “Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these things in themselves. But it is wrong to eat anything if it makes another person stumble. Don’t eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another Christian to stumble” (Rom. 14:20–21, NLT; 1 Cor. 10:32; 2 Cor. 6:3).
• (3) People may be offended at the truth through no fault of the person who presents it. In the time of Jesus’ ministry, there were those who were offended by Him—by His lowly birth and by what He said and did (Matt. 13:57; 15:12). Even some of Jesus’ disciples were offended and stopped following Him (John 6:61). In the end, all were offended and fled from Him (Matt. 26:31, 56).
  • Isaiah predicted that people would be offended by the Messiah. Jesus was “a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall” (Isa. 8:14, NLT). The New Testament writers, Paul and Peter, applied Isaiah’s words to people who were offended by the gospel of Christ (Rom. 9:32–33; 1 Pet. 2:8). Paul wrote that people were offended by anyone, including himself, who spread the message of the Gospel. He could have chosen to preach a popular message and thus avoid persecution (Gal. 5:11). He chose, however, to preach about Jesus even though it was a stumbling block to Jews and would cause persecution (1 Cor. 1:23).

Carpenter, E. E., & Comfort, P. W. (2000). In Holman treasury of key Bible words: 200 Greek and 200 Hebrew words defined and explained. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers

OFFENCE

A. Nouns.

1. skandalon (σκάνδαλον, 4625) originally was “the name of the part of a trap to which the bait is attached, hence, the trap or snare itself, as in Rom. 11:9, rv, ‘stumblingblock,’ quoted from Psa. 69:22, and in Rev. 2:14, for Balaam’s device was rather a trap for Israel than a stumblingblock to them, and in Matt. 16:23, for in Peter’s words the Lord perceived a snare laid for Him by Satan.

   “In NT skandalon is always used metaphorically, and ordinarily of anything that arouses prejudice, or becomes a hindrance to others, or causes them to fall by the way. Sometimes the hindrance is in itself good, and those stumbled by it are the wicked.”*

   Thus it is used (a) of Christ in Rom. 9:33, “(a rock) of offense”; so 1 Pet. 2:8; 1 Cor. 1:23 (kjv and rv, “stumblingblock”), and of His cross, Gal. 5:11 (rv, ditto); of the “table” provided by God for Israel, Rom. 11:9 (see above); (b) of that which is evil, e.g., Matt. 13:41, rv, “things that cause stumbling” (kjv, “things that offend”), lit., “all stumblingblocks”; 18:7, rv, “occasions of stumbling” and “occasion”; Luke 17:1 (ditto); Rom. 14:13, rv, “an occasion of falling” (kjv, “an occasion to fall”), said of such a use of Christian liberty as proves a hindrance to another; 16:17, rv, “occasions of stumbling,” said of the teaching of things contrary to sound doctrine; 1 John 2:10, “occasion of stumbling,” of the absence of this in the case of one who loves his brother and thereby abides in the light. Love, then, is the best safeguard against the woes pronounced by the Lord upon those who cause others to stumble. See fall, B, Note (3).¶ Cf. the Sept. in Hos. 4:17, “Ephraim partaking with idols hath laid stumblingblocks in his own path.”

2. proskomma (πρόσκομμα, 4348), “an obstacle against which one may dash his foot” (akin to proskopto, “to stumble” or “cause to stumble”; pros, “to or against,” kopto, “to strike”), is translated “offense” in Rom. 14:20, in v. 13, “a stumblingblock,” of the spiritual hindrance to another by a selfish use of liberty (cf. No. 1 in the same verse); so in 1 Cor. 8:9. It is used of Christ, in Rom. 9:32-33, rv, “(a stone) of stumbling,” and 1 Pet. 2:8, where the kjv also has this rendering.¶ Cf. the Sept. in Ex. 23:33, “these (the gods of the Canaanites) will be an offense (stumblingblock) unto thee.”

3. proskope (προσκοπή, 4349), like No. 2, and formed from the same combination, occurs in 2 Cor. 6:3, rv, “occasion of stumbling” (kjv, “offense”), something which leads others into error or sin.¶ Cf. the Sept. in Prov. 16:18, “a haughty spirit (becomes) a stumblingblock” (i.e., to oneself). Notes: (1) In the kjv of Rom. 4:25; 5:15 (twice), 16-18, 20, paraptoma, “a trespass,” is translated “offense.” See trespass. (2) In 2 Cor. 11:7, kjv, hamartia, a sin, is translated “an offense.” See sin.

B. Adjective.

aproskopos (ἀπρόσκοπος, 677), akin to A, No. 3, with a, negative, prefixed, is used (a) in the active sense, “not causing to stumble,” in 1 Cor. 10:32, metaphorically of “refraining from doing anything to lead astray” either Jews or Greeks or the church of God (i.e., the local church), rv, “no occasion of stumbling” (kjv, “none offense”); (b) in the passive sense, “blameless, without stumbling,” Acts 24:16, “(a conscience) void of offense;” Phil. 1:10, “void of (kjv, without) offense.” The adjective is found occasionally in the papyri writings.¶

OFFEND

skandalizo (σκανδαλίζω, 4624), from skandalon (offense, No. 1), signifies “to put a snare or stumblingblock in the way,” always metaphorically in the NT, in the same ways as the noun, which see. It is used 14 times in Matthew, 8 in Mark, twice in Luke, twice in John; elsewhere in 1 Cor. 8:13 (twice) and 2 Cor. 11:29. It is absent in the most authentic mss. in Rom. 14:21. The rv renders it by the verb “to stumble,” or “cause to stumble,” in every place save the following, where it uses the verb “to offend,” Matt. 13:57; 15:12; 26:31, 33; Mark 6:3; 14:27, 29.

Notes: (1) In Jas. 2:10; 3:2 (twice), kjv, ptaio, “to stumble,” is translated “offend;” see fall, stumble. (2) In Acts 25:8, kjv, hamartano, to sin,” is translated “have I offended;” see sin.

OFFENDER

opheiletes (ὀφειλέτης, 3781), “a debtor,” is translated “offenders” in Luke 13:4, rv (rv and kjv marg., “debtors;” kjv, “sinners”). See debtor. Note: In Acts 25:11, kjv, adikeo, “to do wrong,” is translated “be an offender” (rv, “am a wrong-doer”).

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 03:08 PM 25 October 2014

Fruit, spiritual

Synopsis

The spiritual life and growth of believers is likened to a fruit-bearing tree. As the fruit is evidence of the health and vigour of the tree, so the believer’s life, attitudes and behaviour should reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Believers should exhibit evidence of their conversion

• Jas 3:13
• James 3:13 (NKJV) — 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
• See also Mt 3:8 ; Mt 7:15–20 ; Mt 12:33 ; Jn 15:16 ; Ro 7:4–5 ; Tt 3:14 ; Jas 2:14–26
• Matthew 3:8 (NKJV) — 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,
• Matthew 7:15–20 (NKJV) — 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
• Matthew 12:33 (NKJV) — 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
• John 15:16 (NKJV) — 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
• Romans 7:4–5 (NKJV) — 4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.
• Titus 3:14 (NKJV) — 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
• James 2:14–26 (NKJV) — 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

The nature of spiritual fruit

• Ga 5:22–23
• Galatians 5:22–23 (NKJV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
• See also Ro 8:5–6 ; Php 1:9–11 ; Jas 3:17
• Romans 8:5–6 (NKJV) — 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
• Philippians 1:9–11 (NKJV) — 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
• James 3:17 (NKJV) — 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

The sources of spiritual fruit

Acceptance of the gospel

• Lk 8:15
• Luke 8:15 (NKJV) — 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

The old way of life put to death

• Jn 12:24
• John 12:24 (NKJV) — 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
• See also Ro 6:6 ; Ro 6:11–14 ; Ro 8:13–14 ; Ga 5:24 ; Eph 4:22–24 ; Col 3:5–10
• Romans 6:6 (NKJV) — 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
• Romans 6:11–14 (NKJV) — 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
• Romans 8:13–14 (NKJV) — 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
• Galatians 5:24 (NKJV) — 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
• Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV) — 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
• Colossians 3:5–10 (NKJV) — 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,

Actively living a new life in Jesus Christ

• Ga 6:7–9
• Galatians 6:7–9 (NKJV) — 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
• See also Ro 6:11–14 ; Ga 5:25 ; Eph 5:8–9 ; Col 1:10 ; Col 3:12–15 ; 2 Ti 2:22 ; 2 Pe 1:5–8 ; Tt 3:14 ; 1 Jn 3:18
• Romans 6:11–14 (NKJV) — 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
• Galatians 5:25 (NKJV) — 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
• Ephesians 5:8–9 (NKJV) — 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
• Colossians 1:10 (NKJV) — 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
• Colossians 3:12–15 (NKJV) — 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
• 2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) — 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• 2 Peter 1:5–8 (NKJV) — 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Titus 3:14 (NKJV) — 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
• 1 John 3:18 (NKJV) — 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Remaining close to Jesus Christ

• Jn 15:4–5
• John 15:4–5 (NKJV) — 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Submission to God’s discipline

• Heb 12:10–11
• Hebrews 12:10–11 (NKJV) — 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
• See also Jn 15:1–2
• John 15:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Nature of discernment

Synopsis

Discernment is given by God, through his Holy Spirit. It is received through God’s word and through the insight of a renewed mind. Discerning believers seek to grow in their understanding and knowledge of God’s truth.

• Discernment as sound judgment
• Judging the right course
  • Pr 15:21; Php 1:9–10
  • Proverbs 15:21(NKJV) —21Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,But a man of understanding walks uprightly.
  • Philippians 1:9–10(NKJV) —9And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,10that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,
  • See also Pr 3:21–23 ; Pr 8:8–9 ; Pr 10:21 ; Pr 11:12 ; Pr 18:1 ; Pr 24:30 ; Ho 14:9
  • Proverbs 3:21–23(NKJV) —21My son, let them not depart from your eyes—Keep sound wisdom and discretion;22So they will be life to your soulAnd grace to your neck.23Then you will walk safely in your way,And your foot will not stumble.
  • Proverbs 8:8–9(NKJV) —8All the words of my mouth are with righteousness;Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.9They are all plain to him who understands,And right to those who find knowledge.
  • Proverbs 10:21(NKJV) —21The lips of the righteous feed many,But fools die for lack of wisdom.
  • Proverbs 11:12(NKJV) —12He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor,But a man of understanding holds his peace.
  • Proverbs 18:1(NKJV) —1A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all wise judgment.
  • Proverbs 24:30(NKJV) —30I went by the field of the lazy man,And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
  • Hosea 14:9(NKJV) —9Who is wise?Let him understand these things.Who is prudent?Let him know them.For the ways of theLordare right;The righteous walk in them,But transgressors stumble in them.
• Distinguishing good from evil
  • 2 Sa 14:17
  • 2 Samuel 14:17(NKJV) —17Your maidservant said, ‘The word of my lord the king will now be comforting; for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king in discerning good and evil. And may theLordyour God be with you.’ ”
  • See also Ge 3:22 ; Job 6:30 ; Job 34:3–4 ; Is 7:15
  • Genesis 3:22(NKJV) —22Then theLordGod said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—
  • Job 6:30(NKJV) —30Is there injustice on my tongue?Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?
  • Job 34:3–4(NKJV) —3For the ear tests wordsAs the palate tastes food.4Let us choose justice for ourselves;Let us know among ourselves what is good.
  • Isaiah 7:15(NKJV) —15Curds and honey He shall eat, that He may know to refuse the evil and choose the good.
• Distinguishing holy from common
  • Le 10:10; Le 11:47; Eze 22:26; Eze 44:23
  • Leviticus 10:10(NKJV) —10that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean,
  • Leviticus 11:47(NKJV) —47to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’ ”
  • Ezekiel 22:26(NKJV) —26Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.
  • Ezekiel 44:23(NKJV) —23“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
• Seeing through outward appearances
  • Pr 28:11
  • Proverbs 28:11(NKJV) —11The rich man is wise in his own eyes,But the poor who has understanding searches him out.
  • See also 1 Sa 16:7 ; Is 11:3
  • 1 Samuel 16:7(NKJV) —7But theLordsaid to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lorddoes not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but theLordlooks at the heart.”
  • Isaiah 11:3(NKJV) —3His delight is in the fear of theLord,And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;
• Understanding the significance of events
  • Dt 32:29–30
  • Deuteronomy 32:29–30(NKJV) —29Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this,That they would consider their latter end!30How could one chase a thousand,And two put ten thousand to flight,Unless their Rock had sold them,And theLordhad surrendered them?
  • See also 1 Ch 12:32 ; Es 1:13 ; Mt 24:32–33 ; Lk 12:54–56
  • 1 Chronicles 12:32(NKJV) —32of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;
  • Esther 1:13(NKJV) —13Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times (for this was the king’s manner toward all who knew law and justice,
  • Matthew 24:32–33(NKJV) —32“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.33So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
  • Luke 12:54–56(NKJV) —54Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is.55And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is.56Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?
• Exercising judgment to rule
  • 1 Ki 3:9
  • 1 Kings 3:9(NKJV) —9Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
  • See also Pr 8:14–16 ; Pr 28:2 ; Pr 28:16 ; Je 23:5
  • Proverbs 8:14–16(NKJV) —14Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;I am understanding, I have strength.15By me kings reign,And rulers decree justice.16By me princes rule, and nobles,All the judges of the earth.
  • Proverbs 28:2(NKJV) —2Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;But by a man of understanding and knowledgeRight will be prolonged.
  • Proverbs 28:16(NKJV) —16A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
  • Jeremiah 23:5(NKJV) —5“Behold, the days are coming,” says theLord,“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;A King shall reign and prosper,And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
• Discernment as insight into spiritual realities
• Distinguishing between spirits
  • 1 Co 12:10
  • 1 Corinthians 12:10(NKJV) —10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
  • See also 1 Ki 22:19–23 ; 1 Ti 4:1 ; 1 Jn 4:1–3
  • 1 Kings 22:19–23(NKJV) —19Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of theLord: I saw theLordsitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing by, on His right hand and on His left.20And theLordsaid, ‘Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner.21Then a spirit came forward and stood before theLord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’22TheLordsaid to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And theLordsaid, ‘You shall persuade him, and also prevail. Go out and do so.’23Therefore look! TheLordhas put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours, and theLordhas declared disaster against you.”
  • 1 Timothy 4:1(NKJV) —1Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
  • 1 John 4:1–3(NKJV) —1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
• Discerning true and false prophecy
  • Dt 13:1–3; Dt 18:21–22; 1 Co 14:29
  • Deuteronomy 13:1–3(NKJV) —1“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder,2and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’3you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for theLordyour God is testing you to know whether you love theLordyour God with all your heart and with all your soul.
  • Deuteronomy 18:21–22(NKJV) —21And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which theLordhas not spoken?’—22when a prophet speaks in the name of theLord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which theLordhas not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:29(NKJV) —29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
• Characteristics of discerning people
• The discerning grow in wisdom
  • Pr 1:5
  • Proverbs 1:5(NKJV) —5A wise man will hear and increase learning,And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
  • See also Pr 9:9 ; Pr 10:14 ; Pr 14:6 ; Pr 15:14 ; Pr 17:24 ; Pr 18:15
  • Proverbs 9:9(NKJV) —9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
  • Proverbs 10:14(NKJV) —14Wise people store up knowledge,But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
  • Proverbs 14:6(NKJV) —6A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it,But knowledge is easy to him who understands.
  • Proverbs 15:14(NKJV) —14The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness.
  • Proverbs 17:24(NKJV) —24Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
  • Proverbs 18:15(NKJV) —15The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
  • The discerning accept rebuke
  • Pr 17:10; Pr 19:25
  • Proverbs 17:10(NKJV) —10Rebuke is more effective for a wise manThan a hundred blows on a fool.
  • Proverbs 19:25(NKJV) —25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
• The discerning keep God’s law
  • 1 Ch 22:12; Ps 119:34; Pr 28:7
  • 1 Chronicles 22:12(NKJV) —12Only may theLordgive you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of theLordyour God.
  • Psalm 119:34(NKJV) —34Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
  • Proverbs 28:7(NKJV) —7Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
• The source of discernment
• Discernment is given by God
  • Da 2:21
  • Daniel 2:21(NKJV) —21And He changes the times and the seasons;He removes kings and raises up kings;He gives wisdom to the wiseAnd knowledge to those who have understanding.
  • See also Pr 9:10 ; Da 2:27–28 ; 1 Co 2:12–15
  • Proverbs 9:10(NKJV) —10“The fear of theLordis the beginning of wisdom,And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
  • Daniel 2:27–28(NKJV) —27Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king.28But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:
  • 1 Corinthians 2:12–15(NKJV) —12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.15But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
• Discernment through God’s word
  • Heb 5:14
  • Hebrews 5:14(NKJV) —14But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
  • See also Ps 19:7 ; Ps 119:98–100 ; Ps 119:130 ; Ro 2:18
  • Psalm 19:7(NKJV) —7The law of theLordis perfect, converting the soul;The testimony of theLordis sure, making wise the simple;
  • Psalm 119:98–100(NKJV) —98You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;For they are ever with me.99I have more understanding than all my teachers,For Your testimonies are my meditation.100I understand more than the ancients,Because I keep Your precepts.
  • Psalm 119:130(NKJV) —130The entrance of Your words gives light;It gives understanding to the simple.
  • Romans 2:18(NKJV) —18and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
• Discernment through a renewed mind
  • Ro 12:2
  • Romans 12:2(NKJV) —2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  • See also Je 31:33 ; 1 Co 2:16
  • Jeremiah 31:33(NKJV) —33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says theLord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:16(NKJV) —16For “who has known the mind of theLordthat he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
• Asking for discernment
  • Ps 119:66
  • Psalm 119:66(NKJV) —66Teach me good judgment and knowledge,For I believe Your commandments.
  • See also Ps 119:27 ; Ps 119:125 ; Jas 1:5
  • Psalm 119:27(NKJV) —27Make me understand the way of Your precepts;So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
  • Psalm 119:125(NKJV) —125I am Your servant;Give me understanding,That I may know Your testimonies.
  • James 1:5(NKJV) —5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Romans 1:21 (NASB95)

-21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Ephesians 4:17–32 (NASB95)

The Christian’s Walk

• 17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
• 18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

Gratitude directed towards God, generally in response to God’s concrete acts in history. Thanksgiving was central to OT worship.

thankfulness - Heartfelt gratitude to God, expressed in response to his love and mercy.

Spiritual and spiritual blindness

1 Corinthians 12:1 (NKJV) Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

• 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

John 6:63 “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

2 Corinthians 3:4–6 (NKJV)The Spirit, Not the Letter

• 4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God.
• 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
• 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

John 3:6 (NKJV)

• 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Galatians 5:22–26 (NKJV)

• 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Titus 3:5 (NKJV)

-5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Revelation 3:22 (NKJV)

-22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”