Week 2 – Friday – Discerning What is best

Read Philippians 1:9-11
In these few verses Paul lists out 4 distinct goals for his prayer that the church of Philippi would be full of real love that abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Three of the goals are personal tangible changes in their lives and one is more of an indirect result of the other three. We’re going to spend the few days talking about these goals. < > What are the three personal tangible change type goals of love?
(Hint: two are in vs. 10 and one is in vs. 11.)
<> Do you see these goals taking shape in your life?

Before we talk about them anymore, take some time to pray that God would continue working these goals out in your life.

Goal #1: Discerning what is Best
Discernment is the ability to differentiate between the truth and a lie. It is made up of open eyes and ears to hear and see reality and a well-trained mind that recognizes deception. It is an incredibly important gift for a number of reasons. If you haven’t been paying attention, the culture we live in is somewhat addicted to lies. Our enemy has a certain gift for fooling humans into believing things that are completely opposed to the truth of God. Without discernment, we will fall for crafty false teachings and interpretations of Scripture that ultimately glorify us instead of God. (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Along with false teachers, discernment helps you avoid the danger of wasting your life. I love the phrase Paul uses in Phil. 1:10; “able to discern what is best.” Discerning what is best goes beyond avoiding false teaching and sin, diving straight into the core of our heart’s motivations. When you understand that God has bought you at the price of Christ’s blood on the cross and has called you personally (and us communally) into His mission, many things that are morally-neutral just aren’t worth our time anymore. There can even be GOOD things in our lives that aren’t BEST. They aren’t what God has specifically called us to.
Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 and 10:23-24
<> Are there things in your life that you are allowing to master you?
<> Why does Paul reference sexual immorality specifically in chapter 6?
<> What are some permissible things that you are allowing to consume large amounts of your life that really aren’t beneficial?
<> How is discernment a result of real love?

Love that Grows Discernment
At the end of the day, we are NOT able to discern what is best for our lives without help. This help is completely the result of Jesus being at work in our lives and He gave a regular tool that He plans to use: other Christians who are willing to speak the truth into your life. As they do, we grow in our ability to recognize our own sin faster, to repent faster and to ask for help faster. When you really love people towards Jesus you should not only help them see what is true for their life RIGHT NOW, but also how to see it coming in the future.
<> Do you have people in your life who are willing to speak the truth in love?
<> If so, have you willingly invited them to do so? If not, when are you planning on willingly inviting some godly people to do so?
<> Have you taken time to thank people who regularly speak the truth in love to you?
<> How do you see God growing your discernment as a result of their correction?