How to Level Up Your Discernment: Spotting Truth in a Culture of Flash


 


In a world saturated with voices, platforms, and personalities, the believer must cultivate a sharp, Spirit-led discernment. Not everything that sounds spiritual is scriptural. Not every dazzling message carries divine weight. Today, a new wave of charisma, influence, and "solutions" demands not just our attention, but our wisdom.

It’s easy to be impressed. But it’s wiser to be grounded.


1. Watch the Message: Is the Gospel Being Rewritten?

The first and most important test is doctrinal integrity. What is being said about God, the cross, grace, and humanity?

• The Nature of God: One Person in Three, or One Actor with Three Roles?

True biblical teaching affirms that God is one in essence, yet eternally three in Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When teachings suggest that God merely switches masks (like a single actor playing different roles), we enter dangerous territory. Jesus didn’t pray to Himself. The Spirit isn’t just Jesus in a different mode. The Triune nature of God is foundational, not flexible.

• The Cross: Complete or Incomplete?

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” the debt of sin was fully paid. Yet some teachings suggest Jesus had to finish atonement in hell or be “born again” spiritually after death. This undermines the sufficiency of the cross and distorts the power of His blood. The atonement was not continued underground—it was finished at Calvary.

• Sons of God, Not Little gods

Scripture affirms our adoption as sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:15), seated with Christ (Ephesians 2:6), and clothed in His righteousness. But to say we are “little gods” possessing divine essence crosses a theological boundary. We are redeemed humans, not fragments of deity. The Creator-creature distinction must remain sacred.

2. Examine the Fruit: Lives Lived, Not Just Words Preached

Jesus said, “By their fruits you shall know them.” This isn’t just about miracles or energy—it’s about long-term evidence.

• Financial Integrity vs. Flashy Manipulation

Are financial appeals built on biblical stewardship, or manipulative promises of tenfold returns? Does the leader’s lifestyle reflect servanthood or self-glorification? True biblical leadership is marked by generosity and transparency—not extravagance cloaked in “favor” language.

• Authority: Servant or Sovereign?

God calls leaders to equip and edify, not to dominate or isolate. If a leader demands blind loyalty, claims exclusive revelation, or demonizes any form of critique, you’re not in a healthy spiritual environment—you’re in a control structure.

• Faith Blame: Condemnation Masquerading as Correction

Teaching that blames all hardship on your lack of faith creates shame, not growth. Scripture is full of righteous people who suffered—not as a failure of faith, but as a testament to it (Hebrews 11). Suffering, when allowed by God, has a redemptive role.

• Self-Exaltation: The “Last Prophet” Syndrome

If someone elevates themselves as a final authority—beyond Scripture, beyond accountability—it’s not spiritual boldness; it’s spiritual pride. God does raise leaders, but never to replace Christ or rewrite canon.

3. Test the Balance: Does the Message Prepare You for Real Life?

A truly biblical message doesn’t skip over suffering or sanctification. It prepares believers for both joy and trial.

• The Role of Suffering

The Christian life includes both miracles and perseverance. Some trials are not demonic attacks or faith failures—they are refining fires permitted by God. To preach a life free from hardship is to remove the cross from the Gospel.

• Grace That Trains, Not Tranquilizes

Grace is not passive. It teaches us to say no to ungodliness (Titus 2:11–12). Beware of any message that downplays obedience, repentance, or discipline in the name of grace. Grace is power to change, not permission to coast.

4. Grow Your Discernment: Spiritual Wisdom in Practice

How can you sharpen your discernment in a noisy world?

  • Know the Word. The more familiar you are with Scripture, the faster you’ll recognize what doesn’t align with it.

  • Listen to the Holy Spirit. He leads into all truth (John 16:13). Don't ignore the check in your spirit.

  • Be Willing to Test Everything. Even beloved preachers and viral moments must pass the test of Scripture.

  • Surround Yourself with Accountability. Wise counsel preserves clarity and keeps you from drifting toward deception.

Final Word: Not Everything Loud Is Anointed

Discernment isn’t suspicion—it’s wisdom. It's not about hunting down heretics for sport, but about protecting your soul and the souls of others. The greatest deception will always be partly true, which is why only those rooted in the Word and led by the Spirit will endure.

Refuse to trade depth for display. Stay grounded, stay humble, and walk boldly in truth. The real anointing doesn’t need a spotlight—it bears fruit that remains.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Rejection: A False Verdict That Doesn't Define You

Image
Rejection doesn’t break you — but your interpretation of it might. I used to say, “accept yourself,” thinking that was enough. But I’ve seen now that the ache to be chosen runs deeper than self-help can heal. Rejection doesn't mean there is something wrong with you — sometimes it’s actually a divine boundary. A line drawn by God to pull you away from false attachments and into truth. In the past, I ran toward people who didn’t want me. I handed them the pen to write my worth. Each "no" felt like erasure. But now I ask: Why does their validation determine my stability? If Christ calls me beloved, why do I treat human silence like divine judgment? What if rejection isn’t what we’ve believed? What if rejection isn’t  not the end. It’s redirection. What if rejection isn’t s hame? what if It’s separation from what doe...
Read more

Who Told You You Weren’t Enough?

Image
  Who Told You , You Weren’t Enough?  Adam hid when he realized he was naked. But the question God asked wasn’t “Why are you naked?” It was, “Who told you that you were?” (Genesis 3:11) This is where the false scripts begin — someone says something or doesn't say anything at all — and we start building an identity out of insecurity. I used to think “accepting myself” meant being okay with my flaws.  I spent years asking, ‘Who told me I wasn’t enough?’—until I realized the louder question was, ‘Who told me  their opinion  was the verdict?’   Now I believe that even the flaws are not just lovable but loved by the one whose Love can truly heal. Self-help tries to make you okay with it, to accept something you hate deep down but The Gospel enables you to accept and love yourself because you now fully loved and accepted by a person that was willing to do anything to have a relationship with you...
Read more