Discernment and Witness

Only the holy spirit can enable Christians to distinguish between scholarly advances with deepened spiritual insights, and unbelief and denial of truth couched in clever terms. There has never been a time when such perception was needed more than now.

Furthermore, only the Holy Spirit can give Christians the grace and wisdom to stand against clever unbelief in a spirit of love and humility.

The cause of Christianity has suffered much at the hands of those who would deny its essential truths. It has also suffered from those who have fought for the faith in a spirit of contentiousness and lovelessness.

The Apostle Paul lays down some simple guidelines for those who find it necessary to witness for truth and against a denial of that truth. Writing to the church of the Thessalonians he says, โ€œIf anyone refuses to obey the command given above, mark that man; do not associate with him until he is ashamed of himself. I donโ€™t mean, of course, treat him as an enemy, but reprimand him as a brotherโ€ (2 Thess. 3:14, 15, Phillips). Yet how prone we are to regard those with whom we contend as enemies rather than brothers.

Paul speaks clearly to our day in his final letter to Timothy: โ€œRemind your people of things like this, and tell them as before God not to fight wordy battles, which help no one and may undermine the faith of some who hear themโ€ (2 Tim. 2:14). โ€œWordy battlesโ€ continue to this day, often over minor interpretations of the Scripture that have, for some, assumed major importance.

Such battles are not confined to one era. Paul, in the third chapter of this same letter, warns of the last days, dangerous days when men will be โ€œfull of big wordsโ€ and will have a form of godliness but deny its power. โ€œThey will no longer listen to the truth, but will wander off after man-made fictionsโ€ (2 Tim. 4:4).

A characteristic of our times is the invention of new phrases that are often without meaning, we believe, even to those who coin them. The clear counsel and simple truth of the Gospel is often hidden in a plethora of high-sounding words. All of us need to guard against such foolishness.

Another characteristic of a faithful witness is gentleness and patience. Paul says, โ€œAnd the Lordโ€™s servant must not be a man of strife: he must be kind to all, ready and able to teach: he must have patience and the ability gently to correct those who oppose his message. He must always bear in mind the possibility that God will give them a different outlook, and that they may come to know the truth. They may come to their senses and be rescued from the snare of the devil by the servant of the Lord and set to work for Godโ€™s purposesโ€ (2 Tim. 2:24โ€“26).

We may witness for the truth in sorrow but never in anger, with love but never with bitterness, with deep conviction but always in patience and humility.

Again we would emphasize that only with the help of the Holy Spirit can we sense what is false and affirm what is true. God has given us a norm by which to judge, a means whereby truth and aberrations from truth may be distinguishedโ€”and this is the Holy Scriptures.

Those who would be faithful to their Christian witness need to distinguish between the findings of reverent scholarship and the denials based on philosophical presuppositions against the divine revelation. They also need to sense the spiritual implications of truth on the one hand and human deviations on the other. Here again only the Holy Spirit can make clear which interpretations can be a blessing and which are untrue.

Although some are unwilling to accept the Scriptures as determinative, we believe that at this point there can be no compromise. In a game, both contestants must agree to the rules and abide by them. In maintaining Christian truth one must take his stand with the clear affirmations of the Scriptures and against those who would deny them. Let the Word speak for itself while we keep silent.

In this controversy the Christian must be prepared to be misunderstood. Often we create problems and even make enemies by flailing and railing when we should be quiet. Some of us who would most earnestly witness for the truth discredit that truth by showing plainly that the Gospel that we wish to defend has never brought about the fullness of Christian grace within our own hearts.

But on essentials the Christian cannot compromise. Paul says to Timothy, โ€œYou must go on steadily in those things that you have learned and which you know are trueโ€ (2 Tim. 3:14). But he makes it plain that such an unwillingness to compromise on the basic content of the Christian faith will cost us popularity and position. โ€œPersecution is inevitable for those who are determined to live really Christian lives, while wicked and deceitful men will go from bad to worse, deluding others and deluding themselvesโ€ (2 Tim. 3:12, 13).

Then Paul points to the basis of our faith, the source to which we must turn to discern truth from error: โ€œโ€ฆ the holy scriptures, which can open the mind to the salvation which comes through believing in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the faith and correcting error, for resetting the direction of a manโ€™s life and training him in good living. The scriptures are the comprehensive equipment of the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of his workโ€ (2 Tim. 3:15โ€“17).

There is never any question about the Christianโ€™s duty, for he lives and witnesses in the sight of his Saviour and Lord: โ€œโ€ฆ preach the Word of God. Never lose your sense of urgency, in season or out of season. Prove, correct, and encourage, using the utmost patience in your teaching. For the time is coming when men will not tolerate wholesome teaching. They will want something to tickle their own fancies, and they will collect teachers who will pander to their own desires. They will no longer listen to the truth, but will wander off after man-made fictionsโ€ (2 Tim. 4:2โ€“4).

โ€œMan-made fictionsโ€! How Christians need the Holy Spiritโ€™s guidance to distinguish between that which is of God and the wordy and fictitious doctrines of men!

Paul had fought a glorious fight. He had kept the faith. He was sure of his place for eternity and of the One who had made that place sure. Chained in a Roman prison and knowing that his execution might be very close, he poured out his heart to his spiritual son. In that letter there is a message for each Christian today.

There is so much that is good for us to believe and live by. There is also so much that is false, calculated to destroy faith and our witness for the Lord. This is a time when we must put on the whole armor of God and, having done all, stand. By his Spirit and the Sword of his Spiritโ€”the Word of Godโ€”a faithful and consistent witness is possible, and the victory is sure.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Our Latest

Why Canโ€™t We Talk to Each Other Anymore?

Online interactions are draining us of energy to have hard conversations in person.

Review

Church Disappointment Is Multilayered

Jude 3 Project founder Lisa Fields speaks about navigating frustrations with God and fellow believers.

The Robot Will Lie Down With the Gosling

In โ€œThe Wild Robot,โ€ hospitality reprograms relationships.

How Priscilla Shirer Surrenders All

The best-selling Bible teacher writes about putting God first in her life and how healthy Christian discipleship requires sacrifice

The Bulletin

Second Hand News

The Bulletin talks presidential podcasts, hurricane rumors, and the spiritual histories of Israel and Iran.

Which Church in Revelation Is Yours Like?

From the lukewarm Laodicea to the overachieving Ephesus, these seven ancient congregations struggled with relatable problems.

Be Afraid

Be Afraid Bonus Episode 3: Scott Teems

Sometimes, thereโ€™s safety in numbers.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube