The Source of Our Blessings

 “The Source of Our Blessings”

1 Chronicles 29:9-20

SUBJECT: STEWARDSHIP

THEME: Trust the Lord as your Source for all things.

RELEVANCE: recognizing the Lord as the real source of our blessings encourages us to endure the discomforts of financial reverses, become good stewards, and give generously to his work. Though the Lord may use a second job, a promotion, a relocation, a new company, another position or an entrepreneurial endeavor; it is imperative that we view Him as our complete Source first. This is one key to being more optimistic and hopeful during major financial reverses. We must trust Him to satisfy our needs. 

INTRODUCTION:

The Bible is filled from cover to cover with the goodness of God. Our heavenly Father is always giving, always loving, always generous toward His children especially as we walk in obedience. In Genesis, He gives the man and woman a perfect Garden of Eden. In Revelation, we read about our ultimate home, a perfect and eternal heaven. In all the books in between, we read how God delighted in blessing His people. At the outset of the New Testament, we read how God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as His ultimate gift of all spiritual blessings to us. The Scriptures reveal what God is like.

MESSAGE:

I.  God is the Source to Satisfy All Our Needs.

1 Chron. 29:11, Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

1 Chron. 29:14, But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. (Also see verse 16).

    — God truly is the Author of all of life; eternal life and many fortunes are included in His great plan. The sovereignty of God over all material affluence is stated clearly in 1 Chronicles 29:9–14. These words of King David also reflect the general attitude we should have toward God’s provisions.

    — If we were to summarize David’s statement while applying these concepts in three short sentences, we would likely say:

            1. The Lord is the real owner of everything.

            2. The Lord gives generously to His people—His children.

            3. We would be wise to give Him thanks and praise for what He has given us.

    — Jesus certainly held to this same conclusion when He taught His disciples to conclude their times of prayer by saying, “. . . For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matt. 6:13).

    — God owns everything, has all authority to dispense with it as He chooses, and is worthy of all praise for what He does forever. And let it be so!

A.  GOD DESIRES TO BESTOW MANY BLESSINGS UPON HIS CHILDREN.

    1.  Notice the Promises of Blessings to Israel.

When David reflected about going up to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, he sang,

Psalm 122:6-7, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. [7] Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

He gave us a prayer that we can pray for all Believers, a prayer that is totally in line with God’s will for His people. Now notice the promise of God in the days of King Jehoshaphat: 2 Chron. 20:20, And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah prayed and were told by the prophet Jahaziel that the battle was not theirs, but God’s. They were called to action by having faith in God and his prophets before they go out to face their enemies. They were not to be afraid, and they would not have to fight on this occasion, as the Lord would fight for them. The next morning, Jehoshaphat rallied the people, urging them to believe in the Lord their God to be established and to believe his prophets to prosper. So, the people then went out to face the enemy, with singers leading the way and praising the Lord. As they sang, God defeated the enemy army, and when the people arrived at the battle site, they found all their enemies dead. Through an act of trust, God came through for His people again!

    2.  Notice the Promises of Blessings to Us as Christians.

The Scriptures are filled with verses that tell us of God’s goodness, His inexhaustible resources, and His desire to advance His people. God’s desire for you is victory (knowing and executing His purpose)—that you might have all you need to operate on His behalf and the capacity to enjoy doing so.  As you read the verses below, apply them to your life.

James 1:17, Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Ephesians 1:3, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Philip. 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

We have received every spiritual blessing from God through Jesus Christ. Certainly, we are right to be thankful and appreciative people who readily admit our needs and our utter dependence upon Him for everything. God has already met our spiritual needs, and He is willing to meet our material needs as well as we trust Him. This is especially true for those who have sacrificed their needs to see His plans advance.

B.  GOD NATURALLY PROVIDES FOR HIS PEOPLE.

Psalm 34:8-10, O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. [9] O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. [10] The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 

We are invited and encouraged to experience God’s goodness for ourselves; we must trust Him to bless us accordingly. We are also urged to revere (fear or respect) the Lord, assured that we will not be disappointed if we do. When we contrast the temporary hunger of young lions with the eternal provision for those who seek the Lord, we are further promised we will not be deprived of any good thing.

    1. Our Resources are Limited.

When we limit ourselves to our own ability and resources, we find that we run out of both ability and resources very quickly. The situation is marked by scarcity, shortages, and depletion due to multiple wants. It is no surprise that such depletion becomes our reality. Strictly speaking, our supplies are finite, and our services are essential for life and production, creating scarcity and forcing harder choices about their use. This idea applies to physical resources, as well as intangible ones like time and skills. Because our resources are finite, individuals, businesses, and societies must prioritize and make trade-offs, considering the opportunity cost of their decisions. It is how we function with serious limitations.

    2.  God’s Resources are Unlimited.

When we focus our faith on what God can do for us, we encounter an infinite supply that cannot be measured and therefore cannot be depleted. He has unlimited resources in Heaven and Earth, because He created it all. And God knows exactly how to supply our needs and some of our wants. His power, wisdom, and blessings are all unlimited. He has more than enough to meet any need we may have. God’s resources are 100 percent inflation-proof, depression-proof, and recession-proof.

Psalm 139:1-18 reflects on God’s complete knowledge of our situation, from our thoughts to every action. We are encouraged by God’s inescapable presence in heaven, hell, and all parts of the earth. Beloved, it is appropriate to conclude with praise for being “fearfully and wonderfully made,” with all of life’s days written in God’s book before they even happen.

The very nature of God gives us assurance of His abundant provisions: (Ps. 139:1-18). We can see God’s intimate knowledge, His inescapable presence, His power over darkness and light, and His creative authority and plan!

So, when it comes to All-knowing—God knows your need. He knows it even better and before you do.

So, when it comes to All-powerful—God has all power to supply to you what you need.

So, when it comes to Ever-present—God is at work even now to meet your needs.

Remember Psalm 23:1 states, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”. This metaphor of a shepherd describes God’s care and provision for His followers, assuring us that our needs will be satisfied. God is a loving protector, provider, and guide, so our needs will be satisfied under His care. We are correct to look to Him for direction and grace.

C.  GOD’S PROVIONS SHOULD BE REFLECTED ON OFTEN.   

Not only do you and I have the character of God as our assurance that He is going to provide for us, but we also have testimony of God’s past performance in providing for His people. Beloved, this is fertile deep-thinking territory for us all! The Scriptures repeatedly point to Him as a faithful Source:

• He made a way for His people to cross the Red Sea and be delivered from their enemies.
• He provided manna for the people to eat in the wilderness.
• He caused water to gush forth from a rock to quench His people’s thirst.
• He gave His commandments to the people when they were without moral fiber.
• He healed His people when they were struck by poisonous snakes.

Ponder and meditate on these events carefully; think deeply and consider what God’s record shows! Give yourself permission to focus on this idea…allow yourself to understand this in a more meaningful capacity. His provisions for His people were complete, in every area of their lives. We need to keep this uppermost in our contemplations. Life is filled with all types of anxieties, imperfections, frustrations, and disappointments but let us choose to believe God and trust Him to be our absolute Source, Supply, and Satisfier! This is just one key to being more optimistic and hopeful during the substantial financial setbacks we are experiencing. We must persevere by trusting our Lord to satisfy our needs still.  

Live Right

 

“Live Right”

Philippians 4:9 

SUBJECT: ANXIETY

THEME: Part of the Secret to Victory Over Anxiety is Right Living, coupled with the “God of peace” to guide us and the “Peace of God” to shield us emotionally and intellectually through periods of worry.                              

RELEVANCE: Often, we forfeit the joy of the Lord through worries that plague our minds and hearts. Fears, worries, uncertainties, and even people can literally rob us of our joy, leaving us anxious.

INTRODUCTION:

What does the Bible says about dealing with anxiety, and fears that assume the worst things may and can happen? What strategies enable us to face life’s stress? Really the opposite of anxiety is “peace.” God’s brand of peace overcomes worry. Let’s focus more on this idea.

The great apostle yearned for the “God of peace” to dwell with these believers. He wanted God’s inner tranquility—encompassing peace with God and internal peace of mind—to characterize these believers. That is exactly what God wants for you as a believer instead of anxiety!

More importantly, the Lord wants us to have a heart that is joyful and uninfluenced by the many uncertainties life will throw at us as we maintain trust in Him. We can have great peace when we Pray, Think, and Live right, but we must rely on the “God of Peace” to give us the “peace of God” as we meet these conditions.

MESSAGE:

RIGHT LIVING; PEACE THROUGH A CORRECT LIFESTYLE.  (Phil. 4:9)

Philippians 4:9 says, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”. Paul urges believers to put into practice the teachings they have received and witnessed in his life, as a path to experiencing God’s peace.  

A. THE LINK BETWEEN PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE.

We cannot separate outward action and inward attitude. Sin always results in unrest (unless the conscience is seared), and purity ought to result in peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” (Isa 32:17). “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). Right living is a necessary condition for experiencing the peace of God. To be clear, living in alignment with God’s will is not merely a path to peace, but is its very work, a predictable outcome of peace because of practicing righteousness.

When we turn away from sin towards God through repentance, the inner turmoil caused by guilt and a conscience troubled by misconduct is removed. The Holy Spirit enables us to overcome negative patterns and rest in Christ’s work, which naturally produces inner quietness and peace. The fundamental nature of God’s kingdom is not about dietary restrictions or outward rituals, but rather about a transformed inner life characterized by being right with God, experiencing peace, and finding joy through the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.  

B. THE BLESSINGS OF A GREAT EXAMPLE!

A great spiritual example inspires positive godly change by establishing clear behavioral standards, fostering trust and respect, boosting motivation and productivity, and creating a positive and unified church culture. The encouragement to follow committed leadership is restated multiple times in the NT.

Phil 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

1 Cor 4:16, Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Phil 3:17, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Col 2:6, As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:

1 Thess 4:1, Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Great spiritual examples show commitment to values, encourage collaboration, bridge the gap between theory and practice in instructions, and demonstrate self-discipline and holy resilience. 

Great Leaders Provide Great Examples:

• They Foster Trust and Respect: Leaders who set a positive example earn the trust and respect of the people, making people more likely to follow their lead and feel invested in common goals. 
• They Motivate and Inspire: Positive role models inspire others to embrace passion, dedication, and similar positive behaviors, leading to higher motivation and engagement. 

Certainly, we are challenged to be good example of peace for the benefit of other Christians and to influence others to trust Christ completely.

C.  THE HEARING AND OBEYING OF GOD AND HIS WORD.

Paul balances four activities: “learned and received” and “heard and seen.” It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man (see 1 Thess 2:13). Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have truths in the heart.

By internalizing and accepting truth we embark upon lasting personal change. Such transformation involves a shift in our core beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, this is a “renewing of the mind” (Rom. 12:1-2). Beloved, we have great need to humble ourselves and come into connection with the power God to fully realize his truth in us and through us. 

In Paul’s ministry, he not only taught the Word but also lived it so that His listeners could see the truth in his life. Paul’s experience ought to be our experience. We must learn the Word, receive it, hear it, and do it. “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).

D. THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR INVOLVEMENT AND COLLABORATION WITH GOD.

Again Philippians 4:9 says, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”.

Reflect on this perspective of a cooperative relationship between divine action and human effort. I am saying that while each believer must fulfill their responsibilities and strive for God-given goals, God will provide support, wisdom, and power. This is especially true when we demonstrate our commitment through faith and obedience to His will. In this respect believing in Him and following His guidance, with the understanding that true effectiveness comes from being ‘attached to God’ and relying on His strength rather than our own. 

Each of us must invest ourselves in maturation to realize greater freedom and agility in the Lord. God does not operate alone in our lives; he wants our cooperation and effort. It is true that the good out of our experiences are His productions, but he desires that we take the journey with Him. It is not a solo act on God’s part or ours, but an interactivity between the divine and human. This is what God intended in the very beginning of the creation of mankind.

In John 15:5, Jesus echoes: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”. This vine and branches metaphor illustrates that believers must remain connected to Christ to bear spiritual fruit, as we are powerless to do anything significant apart from Him.

Philippians 4:19, reads, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. God promises He will provide for our needs from his plentiful, magnificent storehouse, through Jesus Christ. God will do His part!

E.  THE TEST OF OUR WALK WITH THE LORD.

“The peace of God” is one test of whether we are in the purpose of God. Again, we want the peace Christ gives to protect us like a referee in our thoughts and emotions. If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercises influence over our core ideas. Whenever we disobey, we lose that peace and we usually come to realize we have done something wrong.  

The peace of God should act as an umpire in our hearts. If in anything we are in doubt, we should ask ourselves the questions: “Does it make for peace?” or “Would I have peace in my heart if I went ahead and did it?”

This verse is especially helpful when seeking guidance from the Lord. If the Lord really wants you to embark upon a certain course of action, He will most assuredly give you peace about it. If you do not have that peace, then you should not proceed. As has been said: “Darkness about going is light about staying.”^[a]

And even though Abraham (Gen. 22) did not feel good about offering up his son, Isaac, as a burnt sacrifice, he headed to Mt. Moriah anyway trusting guidance God had clearly given over his personal feeling or questions. God’s direction made the call!

CONCLUSION:

Right praying, right thinking, and right living: these are the conditions for solid peace and victory over worry. There is no middle ground. Either we yield heart and mind to the Spirit of God and practice right praying, thinking, and living; or we yield to the flesh and find ourselves torn apart by worry. Again, worrying is sin! We have the peace of God to guard us and the God of peace to guide us!

Again, many are motivated to protect their ‘peace,’ and they navigate through circumstances and conditions while making decisions to protect their own brand of ‘peace.’ Usually such pursuits demand avoiding drama, disorder, confusion, and chaos generated by anyone else. This vein of activity also saves money, time, and energy. They consciously select an external environment occupied with quietness, tranquility, predictability, calmness, and some boredom which is admirable in many regards. But, in contrast, we can be thankful that God’s brand of “peace” provides internal protection for us! His “peace” keeps us…garrison about us and protect us like a soldier from excessive anxiety regardless of the external conditions. Certainly, we must make correct decisions also, but we wisely place yourself in His capable hands and we are free of anxiety.

Psalm 19:14, Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. We yearn for our spoken words, and internal thoughts to be pleasing and acceptable to our Lord. So, we fully embrace the connection between our inner thoughts and outward expressions. We seek alignment between our external speech and internal reflections and want harmony with God’s will and character. There is an inner longing for an entire life of integrity, where thoughts and words are rooted in God’s eternal truth, bringing honor to the Lord as our strength-giving constant Rock and Redeemer. Beloved, this is our prayer to our Father.  

Lastly, please note Romans 15:33, “Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” In this concluding blessing, the Apostle Paul prays for the “God of peace” to be with these believers. He desires God’s tranquility, unifying presence, encompassing peace with God, internal peace of mind, and unity among believers. Now read again Philippians 4:9 which states, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you”. This “God of Peace” is who I want for all believers as well instead of anxiety. Life with our Lord is so much better for us all regardless of the circumstances. One key to success over anxiety is accurate living, joined with the “God of peace” to direct us and the “peace of God” to shield us emotionally and intellectually through those periods we are inclined to worry.

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^[a] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 2011.

Critical or Discerning?

 

“Critical or Discerning?”

Matt. 7:6 

Matthew 7:6, Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

SUBJECT: Judgment

THEME: Discern appropriate times to share God’s truth, our faith, or a spiritual insight and readily choose silence over self-defense.

RELEVANCE: God’s truth can be mishandled, treated with contempt, dismissed, rejected, argued, and not appreciated. We must exercise judgment to present the truth with clear motives and to entrust it with those we have appropriately considered. We must first assess the condition of a person’s heart before sharing God’s precious insights with them.

INTRODUCTION:  

According to Matthew 7:6, with the Lord’s help, we are to exercise wisdom and discernment when sharing sacred or precious things to avoid rejection, mocking, or even harm from people. The “dogs” and “swine” are hostile or unworthy and will not appreciate the spiritual truth. By sharing with them, we hazard or blaspheme the truth and risk negative repercussions. 

MESSAGE:

Some key features to consider:

I.                Jesus Commanded Discernment, Not Hypocrisy  

Jesus encourages discernment, which is the ability to distinguish between those who are receptive and those who are not, rather than being a hypocritical judge who pretends to abide by a higher standard or has superior uprightness. Being fake or disingenuous is frowned upon, but Christ-like authenticity is highly valued by the Lord Jesus!

II.             Jesus Prescribed Protection of the Sacred  

We are warned to protect the value of holy things—wisdom is crucial to spiritual perpetuation, to preserve the sanctity of sacred things for future generations, and precious truths by not exposing them to people who will disrespect, disregard, or ruin them. 

As God’s people, we are privileged to handle the ‘holy things’ of the Lord. He has entrusted to us the precious truths of the Word of God, and we must regard them carefully. 2 Cor. 4:7, says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

“That which is holy” and “pearls” picture the teaching of the gospel of the kingdom (see Matt. 13:45-46 where the kingdom of heaven is compared to a pearl of great value).

III.           Jesus Suggested we can Avoid some Hostilities

God also suggests that those who are hostile to the truth may not only reject the message but may also turn to attack the messenger. While we cannot eliminate all of this we can reduce some of it.

Jesus explained the futility of teaching the gospel to people who do not want to listen; such people will only tear apart what we say. ‘Pigs’ do not realize the value of “pearls”; all they know is that they cannot eat them, so they spit them out and then trample them into the mud. Disapproving, sinful people cannot grasp the value of the gospel, so they scornfully cast it away. We should not stop giving God’s Word to unbelievers, but we should be wise and discerning so as not to bring scorn to God’s message or hostility to ourselves.

It is important to remember that God calls us to be witnesses to “every creature” and when we discover a person or a group that is not receptive, we simply move on to the next opportunity. It is God’s will to walk away from unwelcoming scenarios (Matt. 10:11-14). Refuse to allow the rejection to hinder you in your quest to be a witness. Go ahead and restart with someone else who is receptive. We are called to be witnesses who testify, not ‘lawyers’ who win arguments!

IV.           Jesus Required Us to Exercise Wisdom in Evangelism

One immediate application is obviously sharing the Gospel of Christ. As believers, we are to be wise and cautious about whom we share the message with. 

When is evangelism wrong? Is evangelism ever inappropriate?

a.      Sometimes our witnessing requires discretion. There are times and places when witnessing can be uncouth and unfitting. As a result, the gospel will be ridiculed.

b.     When you witness, there will always be resistance to the message. Don’t be put off. Resistance is normal.

c.      But when your witness provokes anger, slander, or ridicule, consider another time, person, and perhaps place.

d.     All people need to hear the gospel, but effective witnessing occurs in appropriate settings.

While it is true that we must carry the Gospel “to every creature” (Mark 16:15), it is also true that we must not cheapen the Gospel by a ministry that lacks discernment and appropriateness. Even Jesus refused to talk to Herod (Luke 23:9), and Paul refused to argue with people who resisted the Word (Acts 13:44–49).

V.              Jesus Disclosed the Tendencies of the “Dogs” and “Swine”  

These individuals are closed-hearted (emotionally unfeeling and unsympathetic), they are more concerned about preserving themselves/position and guarding against more pain or trauma, they fail to appreciate God’s truth, they unknowingly ridicule spiritual things, they are reluctant to be vulnerable with us believing they are showing weakness, or they are generally hostile towards spiritual facts. 

What about offering reasons or explaining our intensions? You may feel like the smartest thing to do is share your thoughts, defend your position, or share your story. But, there is no guarantee that your logical explanations will fall on listening ears or be received entirely. The best course of action is to close your mouth…directly to that person, to the authorities, to people you once respected or who once respected you. Continue to live with integrity and character and let these be your means of communication. Trust God to address the misrepresentations or lies in His way and at His pace. Do not seek validation through social media! No doubt, it is surprising what people will listen to or believe without even hearing your side of the matter. Yes, former friends will treat you wrong based on that half-truth or lie, you may have to explain yourself to an authority when pressed but entrust the entire matter to the Lord and he will see that we are vindicated eventually.

Notice again that Jesus always dealt with individuals according to their needs and their spiritual condition. He did not have a memorized speech that He used with everybody. Jesus actually deeply understood his subject! He discussed the new birth with Nicodemus, but Jesus spoke of living water to the Samaritan woman at the well. When the religious leaders tried to trap Him, He refused to answer their question (Matt. 21:23–27). It is a wise Christian who first assesses the condition of a person’s heart before sharing the precious pearls.

This strategy can also be applied to students in Bible college, members in a church, in counseling situations, a colleague at work, in preaching, with a neighbor, while witnessing, a friendship, when teaching a class, and in marriage scenarios.

CONCLUSION:

To be clear, it is not that we might condemn others, but that we might be able to minister to them appropriately. So, when trying to help others, we must exercise care to do what would be good, appreciated, helpful, advantageous, and beneficial. We should never entrust sanctified concepts to secular souls who are unprepared for them. We must depend on God-given discernment to arrive at that conclusion. 

Choose rather to be a living example of God’s truth! So, instead of forcefully sharing the gospel, or meticulously defending ourselves, Jesus encourages us to live out our faith with character, commitment, joy, and peace, because these are a more powerful form of communication for those who are not otherwise receptive. 

The need to be deeply spiritly focused is ever before us as believers. To govern ourselves as discerning and not critical or judgmental requires resources that we do not naturally possess. To scientifically diagnose a situation may be applicable at times, but we obviously need more than the ability to listen well, see perfectly, reason appropriately, or even smell decisively. What God requires is action (discretion, judgment, decisions) rooted in faith, the Word, and his Spirit’s leadership. Resources that are only available to us through healthy fellowship with the Lord Jesus. We cannot merely depend on our natural senses alone to be discerning in God’s estimations. This truth humbled our prideful self-sufficiency and perceived independence! Beloved, we must depend on God utterly to know how to conduct ourselves in any given witnessing, teaching, testifying, or preaching situation. The wonderful reality is that God can be trusted. He is entirely reliable. 

In essence, we must use wisdom and discretion when sharing God’s divine realities and teachings, recognizing that some people will mock, reject, and even become hostile when presented with things they do not value or understand. 

Christians must exercise discernment because everyone is not a sheep. Some people are dogs or hogs, and some are even wolves in sheep clothing! Clearly, we are the Lord’s sheep, but this does not mean we should let people pull the wool over our eyes!