www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology True verses False Discernment

Discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit which follows the virtues of prudence and wisdom. It is deeper than these two and can be likened to instinct in nature. Animals, birds, and fish are born with instincts which help them survive in the wild. These instincts also dictate behavioral patterns such as the swallows’ return to Capistrano every year.

In the spiritual realm, discernment is a necessity in distinguishing good from evil. Many never obtain the depth of this virtue. They mistake evil for good and vice versa.

Discernment—to be real—comes from deep within the soul. It cannot be fingered or indexed. It is a feeling from within. It is not unlike viewing several fine paintings, but feeling from within that one is better than all the rest because it is painted in a more skillful, masterly way.

Discernment mounts from many spiritual experiences. There is danger then, when someone presumes they have discernment because they have other gifts, or thinks they have other gifts. Many have been led astray in this way. Many who should have this gift, because they are in positions of authority, do not.

Discernment is not synonymous with authority. It is not rash judgment based on leaping to conclusions. It is an opinion based on sifting out the truth from falsehood. It is like a ship’s compass holding the vessel on course. Discernment keeps your soul on track of good.

Many proclaim this gift, feign this gift, and presume to have this gift. These are the ones to beware of. These are the ones who, in reality, have only spiritual pride. True discernment is like a gourmet palate which, when introduced to a fine wine, recognizes and appreciates the depth and richness of it. The gourmet does not make a snap judgment. Rather, he savors the wine slowly, allowing it to interact with the sensitive taste buds—a gift God has given him. There is nothing superficial about the conclusion he draws concerning the wine. He does not base his conclusion on preconceived opinions, but on the experience of his own interaction with the wine.

How true this is in regard to spiritual discernment. So often pride is the judge, and the gift of discernment is not even present. Messages from Heaven must touch the soul. They must interact with the spirit. Like fine wine, they must be savored—their essence felt before a conclusion is drawn.

So much damage is done by those who proclaim faulty discernment. It is an important tool in the hands of Satan—a tool he uses freely to destroy much of Heaven’s work. It is only through pride he can succeed in this.

Peoples’ opinions are not the same as the gift of discernment, though they may be presented as such. Beware!

To conclude we can say that true discernment is inspired by the Holy Spirit, supports and defends the Truth of God, does not allow human emotion to rule its final opinion, is unbiased, and seeks ALL information and carefully prays for discernment.
False discernment is a product of human intelligence, convolutes the truth to suit a personal agenda, has a preconceived opinion and seeks to support it, and judges rashly.

Oppositeman:

Christ is in our midst!!

I've followed your posts since you've become a member and I have a question. What are your sources for the topics you've posted?

In the Christian East, spiritual advice is usually identified with quotes from the Fathers of the Church or some monastic source known for spiritual gifts. Could you add the sources for the posts you've made?

Thanks.

Bob

Hello Bob - sure I would be happy to - my source is God - enjoy your day!!! - Peace, Charles

Sorry, Charles, but that is not an acceptable answer.

You claim that the Lord Himself is directing your answers? Such a response would never be given by an orthodox Christian. Holy Tradition and Scripture (its first and foremost product) warn strongly against such false prophets.

Going forward, I ask you to specifically document where you are getting your information from. We understand that all of it may not be from official sources (like Scripture, or Church documents). Sources such as Sunday's sermon or a book are fine, as long as they are documented. If these are just your thoughts, please identify them as such and don't claim private divine revelation. If you can't abide by these standard rules of charity please refrain from posting.

Prayers and best wishes,
John - Admin

The above is copied from the "revelations" of Jesus to Maureen Sweeney Kyle [holylove.org].

They have been condemned by the Bishop of Cleveland [dioceseofcleveland.org]

This is correct - I did copy this from the Holy Love site - Does that make what is said above not true? - I just want to make the point that people need to examine something for what it is - I wonder if there is anyone who read the post above and thought "this is true" and now that they know where it came from has changed their mind and now think it's not true. As far as obedience to the Catholic Church I would say this. If a person thinks and feels that being obedient to the Catholic Church,in all good conscience, is wrong because there is something greater here; that being the Truth of God, then I would agree that the person should do what they think is right. In this case the above post is along the lines of Catholic teaching, and you must agree or else it wouldn't be posted, so I saw no reason not to send it in for posting. I just cant't imagine for the life of me why people get caught up in the messenger - if the message can stand it's ground who care where it came from. Some will say obedience to the Church is what is important and their guidance in these matters is what's important. I don't argue that point at all - if that's the way someone feels that's fine and it's certainly the safe thing to do. I will send in anything again from this site or any other site containing unapproved apparitions.

Everything else posted here I have written myself and will say so next time I send in a post.

Oppositeman:


In the Catholic Church, of which you self-identify as a member, bishops are set up to judge what is true in accordance with the Faith and what is not. The bishop of Cleveland has, at the direction of Rome, made a definitive judgement on the source of the things you post and that they are not to be taken as part of the truth of the Faith. We don't make those decisions for ourselves. In fact, in all the Apostolic Churches, that is the function of bishops.



If you believe that the Catholic Church is wrong, why are you still staying as a member? The Church self-identifies as having the Truth of God, that is, Jesus Christ, and His promise to stay with His Church to the end of the age to protect Her against falling into error. We believe that when the bishop speaks, in communion with all the other bishops, it is Christ Who speaks.


The bishop of Cleveland disagrees with the first portion of this statement. And, no, I don’t have to agree if something is merely “along the lines” of Catholic teaching. We are warned in the Scripture of listening to a Gospel other than the one we have received. The woman who started this site has been identified as not being Catholic and her thoughts as not being within the “lines of the Faith.” Do you believe the false idea that anything posted on the Internet is ipso facto true?



But it can't, according to the bishop of Cleveland who has been deputed to make a definitive judgement on this and other things posted on this site.



We have a saying in my family: "This life is not a dress rehearsal." We have one chance to get it right with the Lord. We don't get a second chance once we die and discover "oops"; got it wrong somewhere along the way. Even in the Apostles' times there were people who tried to get their own interpretation accepted by people. And the Church has always tried to fight against what is not absolutely consistent with Her teaching, received from the Lord. In fact, our many divisions have often come about because of this focus on keeping the Faith as it has been received. The message the bishop of Cleveland is sending is that there is no new revelation here to put one's faith in; only things dangerous to the soul. So you've got the same choice we all have--will we accept those who have the lawful authority to make judgements about what is and what is not part of the truth or defiantly decide to follow our own way?

Please take note of the wise post by our admin and rethink further posts from this site.

Bob
Moderator

And all along, I simply thought that you (oppositeman) were a frustrated preacher and that these were all your own spiritual admonitions to us...

Alice
Moderator

Actually when I read the opening post I had some troubled feelings. The statement seems to be a contradiction...implying that the thought must be pondered and rolled over in one's mind, but then saying that discernment is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The analogies to a ship and fine wine also seems out of place for Heavenly inspiration....it sounds more secular to me. Actually discernment sometimes comes in a flash.
Bob caught that it was a quote from something, and not your thought....this appeared obvious to me also. We don't try to "sneak" in questionable quotes.

May the Holy Spirit grace you with true discernment.