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June 22, 2026

Why the Church Needs Discernment Now More Than Ever 

By Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Acts 17:10-15; Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:9-10

One of the biggest needs I see in the Church today is discernment. If I may be so bold, we can be easily duped by those who knock on our door and claim they are Christian, yet as the conversation progresses, we recognize the Jesus they believe in is not the Jesus of the New Testament. The same could be said regarding those who claim they died and visited heaven. While it may sound heartwarming, if their stories contradict what the scriptures teach, we should disregard that person’s experience.

Developing this kind of scriptural guardrail requires more than just good intentions. While there are essential moral virtues, such as self-control, honesty, compassion, humility, and patience, we must be equally diligent to cultivate intellectual virtues. Philosopher Ken Samples, in his book A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test, writes this: 

Intellectual virtues such as discernment, reflection, testing, analysis, and renewal of the mind are biblical imperatives. Therefore pursuing the ‘life of the mind’ to the glory of God is an important component in the Christian’s overall devotion. Using divinely given faculties to think clearly and carefully about the most important issues of life pleases God. By contrast mental sloth, gullibility, prejudice, and especially intellectual dishonesty bring dishonor to Christ. A mindless or anti-intellectual approach to the Christian faith does not correspond to a genuine understanding of many Old and New Testament passages.

This summer, take time to think through the implications of what you read and hear, especially remarks that claim to teach truths concerning God. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who “…were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (ESV). They measured what they heard by scripture. We ought to do the same. To help you with your discernment skills, I highly recommend reading Ken’s book this summer.

Discussion Questions

  1. Conversations sometimes reveal a different "Jesus" than the one in the New Testament. What are some common cultural descriptions or misconceptions of Jesus today that don't align with Scripture?
  2. Ken Samples notes that intellectual virtues like reflection, analysis, and testing are "biblical imperatives." Why do you think the "life of the mind" is sometimes overlooked or viewed with suspicion in modern church culture?
  3. The Bereans received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to verify it. How can we balance an open, welcoming heart with a sharp, discerning mind in our daily interactions?
  4. When hearing extraordinary personal testimonies (like the heaven visitations mentioned), how can we gently but firmly use Scripture as our primary anchor without becoming overly cynical?
  5. What is one practical step you can take this summer to actively cultivate your "intellectual virtues" and grow in discernment?