Are They From GOD? (John 7) - Part 1 Discernment
Discover how to cultivate spiritual discernment by examining the calculated, God-centered choices Jesus made in the Gospel of John.
Learning Discernment from Jesus
In John 7, we see Jesus navigating a complex environment where his own brothers and the religious leaders are pressuring him to conform to their agendas. By examining how Jesus operates, we can learn how to cultivate the gift of discernment in our own lives.
How Jesus Practices Discernment
Jesus understood the temperature of his environment. In verses 1–10, he chooses to go to the feast privately rather than publicly. He understood that being the center of attention would create unnecessary conflict. Those who are truly from God mirror this behavior: they are not self-seeking and do not chase the spotlight. Instead, they align their movements with the will of the Father.
Discernment isn’t just about recognizing the spirits that people carry and their intentions towards you, but also about how you can better reach those people who are seeking for God.
Key Aspects of the Gift of Discernment
- ✦Spiritual detection: Picking up when something is spiritually “off,” even if it sounds Christian on the surface.
- ✦Truth-testing: Measuring teaching, prophecy, and advice against Scripture.
- ✦Motive awareness: Seeing hidden agendas like pride or manipulation without needing external proof.
- ✦Fruit evaluation: Recognizing what something produces over time—whether it leads to holiness or confusion.
- ✦Protection: Guarding your walk and the church from deception.
Refusing to Be Controlled
Jesus' brothers pushed him to go public, driven by motives of shame or fame. Jesus did not bite. He understood that other people’s sense of urgency is not necessarily God’s timing for our obedience. The Holy Spirit is our guide in recognizing when a suggestion that sounds “reasonable” is actually rooted in pride or manipulation.
The Principle of Righteous Judgment
When the religious leaders challenged Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, he exposed their inconsistency—they were obsessed with legalism while ignoring the suffering of others. He gave us a vital principle for living:
Real discernment is not based on "vibes" or personal feelings; it is righteous judgment. It is the ability to see through the surface to the truth of a matter, ensuring we are not led astray by hidden motives or deceptive appearances.
Redemptive Discernment
Discernment is not purely defensive. It is also redemptive. At the end of the feast, Jesus invites the thirsty to come to him and drink. His movements were always calculated, not by the world's standards, but by the Father's perfect timing. As you walk with God, ask him to sharpen your discernment—not just to spot the traps, but to see the opportunities to point others toward the living water of the Holy Spirit.
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