DISCERNMENT IN THE LAST DAYS

DISCERNMENT IN THE LAST DAYS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

Key Verse: “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 11:3

Supporting Texts: Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24; Acts 17:10-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22; 1 John 4:1-6; 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 13-17; 2 Timothy 4:3–4; Hebrews 5:14; Ephesians 4:14-15; Colossians 2:8; Revelation 2:2-5

Description: Discernment in the last days means recognising truth and error, testing spiritual claims by God's Word, and remaining faithful to Christ amid increasing deception.

INTRODUCTION

The Bible repeatedly warns that the last days will be characterised by spiritual deception, false teachers, false prophets, and teachings that can lead people away from the truth. Jesus warned His disciples to take heed that no one deceives them, while Paul warned the Corinthians that their minds could be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Spiritual deception is dangerous because it does not always appear openly evil. False teaching can come through attractive messages, impressive personalities, religious language, supernatural claims, or teachings that contain some truth while subtly introducing error. Paul compared this danger with the serpent's deception of Eve, showing that Satan's methods can be subtle and persuasive.

The Church therefore needs spiritual discernment. Discernment is not suspicion of everybody, nor is it the rejection of every new idea. It is the ability to distinguish what is true from what is false by the standard of God's Word. In the last days, believers must know Scripture, test spiritual claims, listen to the Holy Spirit, examine fruit, and remain firmly devoted to Jesus Christ.

1. UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF LAST-DAYS DECEPTION

Jesus and the apostles clearly warned that deception would increase as the end approaches. Believers must therefore take spiritual warnings seriously.

a. Deception Will Be A Major Danger (Matthew 24:4-5) — Jesus began His warning about the last days by telling His disciples to take heed because many would come claiming His name while leading people astray.

b. False Prophets Will Arise (Matthew 24:11) — Jesus warned that many false prophets would arise and deceive many people.

c. Deception Can Be Very Convincing (Matthew 24:24) — Jesus explained that false christs and false prophets could display signs and wonders with the potential to deceive even the elect.

d. Satan Uses Subtlety (2 Corinthians 11:3) — Paul compared spiritual deception with the serpent's subtle approach to Eve.

Biblical Example: The serpent did not openly announce that he wanted Eve to rebel against God. Instead, he subtly questioned God's Word and gradually led her into disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6).

2. KNOW THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD

Discernment begins with knowledge of truth. A believer who does not know God's Word can easily be influenced by error.

a. Scripture Is Given By God (2 Timothy 3:16-17) — God's Word equips believers for doctrine, correction, instruction, and righteous living.

b. Know The Word Of Christ (Colossians 3:16) — God's Word must dwell richly within believers so that truth shapes their thinking and conduct.

c. Continue In Biblical Truth (2 Timothy 3:14) — Paul instructed Timothy to continue in the things he had learned rather than being carried away by deception.

d. Truth Brings Freedom (John 8:31-32) — Jesus taught that continuing in His Word leads to genuine discipleship and freedom through truth.

Biblical Example: The Bereans listened to Paul's teaching but searched the Scriptures daily to verify whether what they heard was true (Acts 17:10-12).

3. TEST EVERY SPIRITUAL CLAIM

Not every spiritual experience, prophecy, teaching, or manifestation is necessarily from God. Believers must examine spiritual claims carefully.

a. Test The Spirits (1 John 4:1) — John instructed believers not to believe every spirit but to test them because many false prophets have gone into the world.

b. Examine Prophetic Messages (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) — Scripture says believers should not despise prophecies but should test everything and hold firmly to what is good.

c. Compare Teaching With Scripture (Acts 17:11) — God's Word provides the standard by which spiritual teaching should be examined.

d. Reject What Contradicts The Gospel (Galatians 1:8-9) — Any message that contradicts the true gospel must not be accepted, regardless of the reputation of the messenger.

Biblical Example: The Bereans demonstrated healthy discernment by receiving Paul's message eagerly while also examining the Scriptures to verify his teaching (Acts 17:11).

4. DEVELOP SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Discernment grows as believers mature in their understanding and application of God's Word.

a. Exercise Your Spiritual Senses (Hebrews 5:14) — Mature believers develop the ability to distinguish between good and evil through constant practice.

b. Do Not Remain Spiritual Children (Ephesians 4:14) — Spiritual maturity protects believers from being tossed about by every changing doctrine.

c. Grow In Grace And Knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) — Christians are called to grow continually in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

d. Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15) — Spiritual maturity involves holding firmly to truth while expressing it with love.

Biblical Example: Apollos was already knowledgeable in the Scriptures, but Priscilla and Aquila helped him understand God's way more accurately, demonstrating the value of humility and continued growth (Acts 18:24-26).

5. DISCERN FALSE TEACHERS BY THEIR FRUIT

Jesus taught that spiritual leaders should not be evaluated merely by appearance or claims. Their fruit also matters.

a. Examine Their Character (Matthew 7:15-16) — Jesus warned about false prophets and taught that they could be recognised by their fruits.

b. Examine Their Conduct (Matthew 7:20) — A person's life and actions provide important evidence concerning the nature of their ministry.

c. Watch For Ungodliness (2 Timothy 3:1-5) — Paul described last-days behaviour and warned believers about people who maintain an outward form of godliness while denying its power.

d. Look For Christlike Fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) — The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in the believer's life.

Biblical Example: Jesus warned His disciples about false prophets who would appear outwardly harmless but could be recognised by the fruit produced through their lives and ministries (Matthew 7:15-20).

6. GUARD YOUR MIND FROM FALSE DOCTRINES

The mind is an important battlefield in spiritual warfare. Wrong teaching can gradually influence beliefs, attitudes, and conduct.

a. Do Not Be Taken Captive By Philosophy (Colossians 2:8) — Believers must beware of philosophies and traditions that are not according to Christ.

b. Guard Your Thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) — Wrong arguments and thoughts that exalt themselves against God's knowledge must be brought into obedience to Christ.

c. Reject Doctrines Of Demons (1 Timothy 4:1) — Paul warned that some would depart from the faith by giving attention to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

d. Think On What Is True (Philippians 4:8) — Believers should deliberately fill their minds with things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

Biblical Example: Jesus resisted Satan's temptations in the wilderness by responding with the Word of God, demonstrating the importance of knowing and using Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11).

7. KEEP CHRIST AT THE CENTRE OF YOUR DISCERNMENT

True discernment is not merely about identifying what is false. It is about knowing Jesus so deeply that error becomes easier to recognise.

a. Know The True Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4) — Paul warned against receiving another Jesus. The believer must remain grounded in the biblical revelation of Christ.

b. Keep Your Eyes On Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) — Jesus must remain the focus and foundation of the believer's faith.

c. Abide In Christ (John 15:4-5) — Spiritual stability comes from remaining connected to Jesus rather than depending upon human wisdom.

d. Let Christ's Word Govern You (Colossians 3:16) — When Christ's Word dwells richly within us, it helps shape our decisions, beliefs, and spiritual responses.

Biblical Example: The disciples remained close to Jesus and received His teaching directly, allowing them to distinguish His truth from the religious errors around them (John 6:66-69).

8. REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTIL THE END

Discernment must ultimately produce steadfastness. Knowing truth is not enough; believers must remain faithful to Christ.

a. Hold Fast To Your Faith (Hebrews 10:23) — Christians are called to hold firmly to their confession because the God who promised is faithful.

b. Continue In The Apostolic Faith (Jude 1:3) — Believers are called to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

c. Do Not Lose Your First Love (Revelation 2:4-5) — Spiritual knowledge and activity must not replace genuine love and devotion to Christ.

d. Be Faithful Until Death (Revelation 2:10) — Christ calls His followers to remain faithful even when faithfulness becomes costly.

Biblical Example: Paul remained faithful despite persecution and hardship and could testify near the end of his life that he had fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

CONCLUSION

The last days require a discerning Church. Deception may come through false teachers, distorted doctrine, impressive spiritual claims, worldly philosophies, or subtle compromises that gradually move believers away from Christ. We must therefore know God's Word, test every spiritual claim, examine fruit, develop spiritual maturity, and guard our minds against error.

Do not allow the spirit of the age to corrupt your devotion to Jesus. Remain rooted in Scripture, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and committed to the truth of the gospel. Keep your eyes on Christ and hold firmly to your faith. In a generation of increasing deception, may you remain discerning, steadfast, faithful, and spiritually awake until the coming of the Lord.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, give me spiritual discernment to recognise truth and reject error, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, protect my mind from every deception of the last days, in Jesus name.

3. Father, establish me deeply in the truth of Your Word, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, give me grace to test every teaching and spiritual claim by Scripture, in Jesus name.

5. Father, deliver me from every false doctrine and deceptive influence, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, make me spiritually mature and able to distinguish good from evil, in Jesus name.

7. Father, help me to recognise the fruit of every ministry and teaching around me, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, keep Jesus Christ at the centre of my faith and discernment, in Jesus name.

9. Father, preserve me from drifting away from the truth of the gospel, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, give me grace to remain spiritually awake, faithful, and steadfast until the end, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall receive increased spiritual discernment in these last days.

2. Every deception designed to corrupt your faith shall fail.

3. Your mind shall remain established in the truth of God's Word.

4. You shall recognise false teaching and refuse every doctrine that contradicts Christ.

5. You shall not be carried away by deceptive signs, teachings, or spiritual influences.

6. You shall grow in spiritual maturity and discern truth from error.

7. Your spiritual eyes shall be opened to recognise the fruit of every influence around you.

8. You shall remain firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and His gospel.

9. Your love for Christ shall not grow cold in these last days.

10. You shall remain spiritually awake, discerning, faithful, and steadfast until the end.