Authentic Discernment

“...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) In a world overflowing with religious ideas, spiritual sounding phrases, and groups that appear “Christian” on the surface, it can be hard to know what's truly grounded in God’s Word. Many beliefs may sound right, even familiar—like the idea that being good enough earns you a place in heaven—but when we compare them to the truth of Scripture, they fall short. That’s why authentic discernment is so crucial. In 1 John 4, we’re given a clear call to test the spirits, to measure every teaching by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not every message that claims to represent Christ actually does—and recognizing the difference is essential for a genuine, saving faith.