Discretion...Proceed with Caution

 

MATTHEW 7:13-20

Theme: When we reject a fake righteousness, it will enable us to reject a false system of judgment also.

Relevance: The Lord wants us to exercise wise judgment regarding ourselves, other people, and the Lord himself.

Introduction: Discretion is the quality of being discreet; using good judgment; care in speech or action; wise caution. Unfortunately, many people rushed into things because they are popular and gratifying; however, the disciple must show discretion—we must look beyond the appearance of things and note what is really happening. 

There is also a need to be determined in the matter of using discretion throughout the course of life and discipleship. After presenting the true way of access into His anticipated kingdom, Jesus gave a warning about false prophets. Since there are false prophets in the world, we must always be careful of deception.

Message:

I.               Discretion: Stay on the Straight and Narrow Because It Is the Path of Life (Matt. 7:13-20).

But the greatest danger is self-deception. The scribes and Pharisees had fooled themselves into believing that they were righteous and others were sinful. It is possible for people to know the right language, believe intellectually the right doctrines, obey the right rules, and still not be saved. Jesus gives us reliable advice to help us judge ourselves and others righteously.

a.    Determine to Stay With The Narrow Way Because it is the Right Way (Matt.. 7:13-14).

These verses have a wonderful application to the gospel by depicting the two roads and destinies of the human race. The wide gate and broad way lead to destruction (Prov. 16:25). The strait gate and narrow way lead to life. Jesus is both the gate (John 10:9) and the way (John 14:6).

But while this is a valid application of the passage, the interpretation is for believers. The two ways mentioned here are not the way to heaven and the way to hell, but the way of discipleship contrasted with a wasted life.

                                                    i.     From the Beginning: We Must Choose the Strait Gate and Avoid the Wide Gate.

a.      The Lord warns that the gate to Christian discipleship is strait [small, narrow, and difficult to enter] and the road way is narrow and difficult also. 

                                                                                                                i.     But those who faithfully follow His teachings find the abundant life he promised (John 10:10).

                                                                                                              ii.     Jesus presented the clear way of access into a righteousness lifestyle. The righteousness He demanded (Matt. 5:20) comes through adherence to His teachings alone which emphasize internal transformation and not mere external requirements. 

b.     On the other hand, there is the wide gate—the life of self-indulgence and pleasure.

                                                                                                                i.     Jesus was comparing the wide gate and the broad roadway to the outward righteousness and external requirements of the Pharisees.

                                                                                                              ii.     If people followed the Pharisees’ teachings, their path would lead to certain ruin. The end of such a life is destruction. This is not referring to losing one’s soul, but of a failure to live out a truly righteous life--- the purpose of one’s existence as a disciple.

                                                  ii.     During the Journey: We Must Choose the Narrow Way and Avoid the Broad Way.

a.      Jesus is saying that to follow Him would require faith, discipline, and endurance. But this challenging life is the only life worth living.

                                                                                                                i.     The reason is not difficult to discover: The way of life is narrow, lonely, and costly; it is marked with sufferings, troubles, and afflictions.

                                                                                                              ii.     We can walk on the broad way and keep our “baggage” of sin and worldliness. But if we enter the narrow way, we must give up those things. 

b.     Here, then, is the first test: Did your profession of faith in Christ cost you anything?

                                                                                                                i.     If not, then it was not a true profession. Many people who “trust” Jesus Christ never leave the broad road with its appetites and associations. They have an easy Christianity that makes no demands on them.

                                                                                                              ii.     Yet Jesus said that the narrow way was hard. We cannot walk on two roads, in two different directions, at the same time.

                                                iii.     Despite Conditions: We Must Choose the Life Few Leads and Avoid the Life the Majority Lead.

a.      True discipleship is a minority position, a matter of deliberately opting out from the mainstream, but it is a matter of life and death.

                                                                                                                i.     If you choose the easy way, you will have plenty of company, but you will miss God’s best for you.

                                                                                                              ii.     The broad way is the easy way; it is the popular way. But we must not judge spiritual profession by statistics; the majority is not always right. The fact that “everybody does it” is no proof that what they are doing is right. 

b.     Quite the contrary is true: God’s people have always been a remnant, a small minority in this world.

b.    Determine To Stay Away from the Influence of False Prophets Because they Will Lead You Astray (Matt. 7:15-20).

Wherever the stern demands of true discipleship are taught, there are false prophets who advocate the wide gate and easy way. They water down the truth until, as C. H. Spurgeon said, “There is not enough left to make soup for a sick grasshopper.”

                                                    i.     Realize they are Wolves and Only Appear to be Sheep (Matt. 7:15).

a.      These men who profess to be speaking for God come in sheep’s clothing, giving the appearance of being true believers.

                                                                                                                i.     They present themselves as insiders, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

                                                                                                              ii.     Their intention is destructive; they are vicious unbelievers who prey on the immature, the unstable, and the gullible.   

b.     So not all alleged preaching, teaching, Christian books, music, and videos are to be taken at face value; it must be tested (1Jn. 4:1-6).

                                                                                                                i.     How can one determine the character of false teachers? The test is not the prophets’ profession but their fruit. We need only look at the fruit they produce. Are they influencing people regarding true inner righteousness of the heart?

                                                                                                              ii.     The meaning of fruit usually indicates behavior which is genuinely pleasing to God (Matt. 3:8–10; 12:33–37; 21:43). 

                                                  ii.     Recognize that Good Fruit Comes from Good Trees (Matt. 7:16-18).

a.      This is God’s detection system for the false prophets: ye shall know them by their fruits. Their licentious lives and destructive teachings betray them.

b.     A tree or plant produces fruit according to its character.

                                                                                                                i.     Thorn cannot bear grapes; thistles do not bear figs. A good tree bears good fruit and a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.

                                                                                                              ii.     This principle is true in the natural world and in the spiritual world. The life and teaching of those who claim to speak for God should be tested by the Word of God: “If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isa. 8:20).

                                                                                                            iii.     The Savior gives the correct test of their character.

1.     Generally we do not judge a fruit tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit it bears. The flowers may be beautiful and fragrant, the foliage thick and green; but these are merely extras. It is the “fruit” that is of primary benefit to people; and we form our opinion of the nature and value of the tree by that fruit.

2.     The same is true about those who pretend to have saving faith and to engage in Christian service. Their claims may be clear; but the “conduct”-the fruit-is the determining factor about the true nature of the person.

3.     Those religious leaders, who seemed to be good men, who taught spiritual truths about Messiah and His kingdom were exposed by the Lord. Jesus made it clear they were not good for they were leading others astray. 

c.      The two trees show that true faith in Christ changes the life and produces fruit for God’s glory.

                                                                                                                i.     Everything in nature reproduces after its kind, and this is also true in the spiritual realm. Good fruit comes from a good tree, but bad fruit comes from a bad tree.

                                                                                                              ii.     The second test is this: Did my decision for Christ change my life?

1.     False prophets who teach false doctrine can produce only a false righteousness (see Acts 20:29). Their fruit (the results of their ministry) is false and cannot last.

2.     The prophets themselves are false; the closer we get to them, the more we see the falsity of their lives and doctrines. They magnify themselves, not Jesus Christ; and their purpose is to exploit people, not to edify them.

3.     The person who believes false doctrine, or who follows a false prophet, will never experience a changed life. Unfortunately, some people do not realize this until it is too late. 

                                                iii.     Remember the End for False Preachers is the Fire (Matt 7:19-20).

a.     The destiny of the false prophets is to be cast into the fire. The doom of false teachers and prophets is “swift destruction” (2 Pet. 2:1). Like the tree that produces rotten fruit they too will be cut down and thrown into the fire. If they do not fulfill their purpose for existence, they should be removed.

b.     They can be known by their fruits. “Wherefore, by their fruits you shall know them” (Matt. 7:20).

 

Conclusion:

When we reject phony righteousness, we become able to eliminate false systems or sanctimonious standards of judgment also. Our Lord invites us to exercise wise, loving, sensitive, compassionate discernment towards ourselves and other people. Will you accept his generous invitation?

1.  How shall we test our profession of faith? By popularity? No, for there are many on the broad road to destruction. And there are many who are depending on words, saying “Lord, Lord”—but this is no assurance of salvation. Even religious activities in a church organization are no assurance.

2. How then shall we judge ourselves and others who profess Christ as Savior?

The two ways tell us to examine the cost of our profession. Have we paid a price to profess faith in Christ?

The two trees tell us to investigate whether our lives have really changed. Are there godly fruits from our lives?

 

Thinking Biblically & Hearing From God

Will God’s plan for me simply pop into my head someday or should I actually do something to obtain His guidance? Can I simply pray asking for wisdom from God, or do I have other responsibilities that I must satisfy to obtain wisdom from God? These are good questions! Some teachers say that all we need to do is ask and God will give us wisdom in generous measures (James 1). Other teachers tell us that we must research the Bible with a commitment to act on the wisdom God gives—through diligent study of the Bible we gain wisdom. The first prescription requires little of the believer while the second depends almost entirely on the believer’s efforts. Which way is correct? Before I answer the question consider this passage:

A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: He will guide his affairs with discretion. (Ps. 112:5)

Personal generosity is healthy and good, but it should be exercised with a fair amount of discretion. That is, we must be discreet, responsible and restrained exemplifying sound judgement and prudent management. Discretion is generally the ability to make sound decisions. We are challenged to “guide” our “affairs with discretion.” Thoughtfulness, planning, measurement, and care are to be exercised as we address matters of personal and commercial business.  

Furthermore, discretion involves carefulness, maturity, prudence, and good judgment in spiritual decision making as well (Ps. 112:5). It is the ability to use God-given discernment while making decisions pertaining to routine and peculiar matters. Such capability can be learned by the people of God. Yes, sound decision making that fulfills God’s plan for our lives can be learned through the Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, and disciplined decision making. Understand, this quality must be cultivated, developed, and intentionally pursued. Each believer should make a conscious choice to cultivate spiritual discretion.

The answer to our original questions is “both.”  Yes, we are to pray earnestly to God for wisdom, but we must also cultivate the development of spiritual thinking for the sake of making decisions consistent with God’s Word and will. Yes, we can hear from God through thinking biblically, and God imparts wisdom when we ask and as we study the Word. 

Theme: as responsible believers, God expects us to actively cultivate discretion related to His will

GOD’S WORD ASSURES US SPIRITUAL DISCRETION CAN BE CULTIVATED.

The Bible repeatedly makes this claim and assures us that each child of God’s life can be an exercise of discretion.  God uses His Word to develop within us discernment—a sense of right and wrong, good and bad. The Spirit helps us distinguish between character and image, and substance and vanity.  God helps us realize what ‘right’ looks like so that we can recognize the right from the wrong, and decide between good, better, and best in a given situation.

In order to lead a life that reflects God’s wisdom and discretion, and to limit our susceptibility to misconceptions we must cultivate spiritual discernment.

Phil 1:9-11, And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; [moral discernment in ethical matters]10, That ye may approve [recognize as genuine through examination—appraisal] things that are excellent [better, or of greater value]; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11, Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

In effective service for the Lord, we must use our intelligence and exercise discernment. Otherwise, our efforts are apt to be futile. So Paul is here praying not only that the Philippians will continue in the display of Christian love, but also that their love will be exercised in full knowledge and all discernment.

Love that is thus enlightened will enable them to discern the things that are more excellent. In all realms of life, some things are good and others are better. The good is often the enemy of the best. For effective service, these distinctions must be made.

Love that is enlightened will also enable them to avoid what is questionable or downright wrong. Paul would have them sincere, ⁴ that is, utterly transparent, and blameless in view of the day of Christ. –Believer’s Bible Commentary

Think Session:

Moral Discernment Exercise: What if someone who is truly saved and genuinely loves the Lord desires to unite with the church, but they are HIV positive and have openly communicated this fact? Should this be a condition for excluding from membership? Would it be morally wrong to pry into his or her past? Do we feel a moral obligation to inquire about how they contracted the disease?

Appraisal Discernment Exercise: I know that it is time to purchase another automobile for my family of six. What should I buy? How much does my budget allow? What would actually meet our needs?  Consider that it is good to buy a reliable vehicle that satisfies our needs—everyone in the family fits safely and it gets us from point A to B. It is better to buy a pre-owned (minimal depreciation) one that fits our budget—we can actually afford the car note, insurance, and maintenance. It is best to purchase a car in cash or with a huge down payment; a car that can be readily serviced here in the area.

GOD’S WORD SPELLS OUT HIS WILL FOR US IN SPECIFIC MANDATES.

Our tendency to misread God’s plan can be significantly reduced by “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17). God’s will can be known and understood by us!  Eph. 5:17,  says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding [connect concepts together in the mind] what the will of the Lord is.” Understanding is like collecting the pieces of a puzzle and putting them together. The mind grasps concepts and sees the proper relationship between them. This requires serious thinking on our part—exercise your mental muscles.

“Understanding” implies placing precept together with practice as well. That is to mentally comprehend in order to govern ourselves according to God’s pleasure and will. This largely reduces misunderstandings, misconceptions, misapplications, and general misreading of God’s will! Again this demands discipline and exertion of mental energy. 

God’s Plan for our lives is not hidden, incomprehensible, nor mysterious. In fact God desires for His people to be well informed and actuating His will daily. But it may require engaging all our mental powers to arrive at what the Lord wants to achieve through us.

To guard against misconceptions related to God’s will, gain a practical awareness of specific Bible statements related to God’s will and their Implications.

Colossians 1:9-10, For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Note This Prayer for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:9).

Paul’s primary request was that God would fill them with the knowledge of His will. There are two key words, “filled” and “knowledge” to consider. “Filled” refers to a filling out to completeness, and “knowledge” suggests a full, deep understanding. This is not an inner impression or feeling, but a deep and thorough knowledge of the will of God that is finally and completely revealed in the Word of God (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:18; 1 Tim. 2:4; 1 Pet. 2:13, 15; 4:19).

·        Such knowledge of God’s will does not come from a fleshly mind (which “puffs up,” 1 Cor. 8:1), but the Holy Spirit enlightens a believer’s inner person (1 Cor. 2:5-6, 13), with the Word of God.

·        “Wisdom” is, practical know-how which comes from God (James 1:5; 3:15), and it is also the ability to accumulate and organize principles from Scripture. Wisdom applies knowledge in the best way.

·        “Spiritual Understanding” speaks of clear analysis and decision-making in applying spiritual knowledge to various problems—the application of Bible principles to daily living. Understanding sees what agrees and what conflicts with God’s will. God’s will, revealed in the Bible, is made known to believers by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry.

Note This Purpose for the Knowledge of God’s Will (Col. 1:10).

Why did the Apostle Paul want the Colossians to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? [1:10] Was it so they might become mighty preachers or sensational teachers? Was it so they might attract large followings to themselves, as the Gnostics sought to do?

·        No, the true purpose of spiritual wisdom and understanding is to enable Christians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him. Here we have a very important lesson on the subject of guidance. God does not reveal His will to us in order to satisfy our curiosity. Neither is it intended to cater to our ambition or pride. Rather the Lord shows us His will for our lives in order that we might please Him in all that we do. –Believer’s Bible Commentary

Exercise:

What does the Bible say about God’s will for us?

1.     God Wills that We Be Saved (2Pet. 3:9; 1Tim. 2:4).

2.     God Wills that We Be Spirit-Filled (Eph. 5:15-18).

3.     God Wills that We Be Thankful in Everything (1Thess. 5:18).

4.     God Wills that We are set apart from sin and unto His purposes (1Thess. 4:3-5).

5.     God Wills that We Be Submissive to Legitimate Authority (1Pet. 2:13-15).

6.     God Wills that We Suffer for Christ’s Sake (1Pet. 4:12-16, 19).

7.     God Wills that We Glorify Him with all our Opportunities (1Pet. 4:16; 1Cor. 6:20; 10:31).

The Lord Jesus epitomized all of these mandates and is the supreme example for all aspects of God’s will (see John 4:4; 5:19, 30; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2). Honestly if we truly lived this way in the energy of the Holy Spirit, there would be little else to consider or to decide upon with regard to God’s plan. Also bear in mind that God does afford us a measure of latitude and freedom in decision making. There are times and instances when He in His sovereignty literally leaves the choice with us.

Conclusion:

Eph 5:15, See then that ye walk circumspectly [exactly, precisely, diligently, accurately], not as fools, but as wise,   (Also Col. 4:5)

Walk or proceed with clear direction from God. Live each day knowing exactly what God expects and with confidence in the type of life He prescribes. Once you know what He requires, proceed with precise adherence and compliance. Walk circumspectly before your Lord. Much like a person walking a tight rope across the Grand Canyon proceeds with preciseness and accuracy; let us walk with exactitude in the plan of God for us. Again He has disclosed His will in His Word there is no reasoned to be mystified regarding His plan.

Yes, there will still be times when we need to make a decision and we will feel uncertain about how to proceed. This is no indication that God has failed to direct. It may mean we need to dig some in the Word and pray far more for wisdom from God. It may also mean we need to connect spiritual principles one with another like the pieces of a puzzle in order to discern God’s plan in a particular matter. I am afraid God has been blamed far too often for hiding His will when the key to knowing it is a matter of research on our part.

The Lord never intended for His will to be mysterious or confusing. He does not hide it and taunt us as we try to find it or figure it out. God’s will is not hidden nor is it lost! Through the Word, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and prayer we can understand exactly what God’s will is and make decisions in the light of it. In doing so, we limit and reduce our vulnerability to deceptions related to His plan for our lives. God not only want us to know His will but to execute it daily with precision and accuracy to His glory!