Musing - Does the Church have Biblical Discernment?

 Hebraic Musing - Does the Church have Biblical Discernment?

What is “discernment”?  Charles Spurgeon says “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong.  It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”  How does that apply to our Biblical Worldview?  Our worldview is like a lens that we see everything through.  How do you view Morality, Politics, Society and Social issues?  Research shows that even committed Christians struggle with application since an overwhelming majority of U.S. adults lack Biblical basics; they don’t even know their Bible!  Ouch!

According to Barna’s study 65-80% of U.S. adults claim to be Christian, but only 4-7% hold a Complete Worldview defined as Biblical Authority, Absolute Truth, God’s Nature, Human Sinfulness, Salvation, Life’s Purpose, and Biblical Obedience.  Alarmingly, only 1-2% of those younger than 25 years old hold a Complete Worldview according to Barna!

Where does this begin?  Of the senior pastors in the U.S. only 37-41% have a complete Biblical Worldview according to Barna!  The rest hold to a form of syncretism blending Biblical theism with fragmented secular subjective ideas.  Jesus contended with this.  “You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:3   And 98% of the pulpits are not preaching about the 2^nd coming.  Most Christians now have a version of “Replacement Theology” and distance themselves from Israel’s role.

Were these days expected?  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NKJV

Would Jesus claim that we have become lukewarm like the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3:14-22?   “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  NKJV   Read that again; does that sound like today’s church?

We had a similar warning from John MacArhur. “There is no one further from the truth that the one who makes an idle profession but never experiences genuine saving faith.  No one is harder to reach for Christ than a false Christian.”

In contrast, we look ahead to our heavenly inheritance as Peter advised us.  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, “ 1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV    And “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” Romans 11:5    Might this refer to our role?  What are we to be doing?   “in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,” 2 Timothy 2:25

Here’s a “Baptism Questionnaire” from a church in South Asia.  How would our congregations answer?
  - Are you willing to lose your job?
  - Are you willing to go to the village of those who persecute you, forgive them, and share God’s love?
  - Are you willing to be beaten rather that deny your faith?
  - Are you willing to go to prison?
  - Are you willing to die for Jesus?

In Summary –   Remember James’ words. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1.27 NIV     So: “… do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 NKJV

Points to ponder

Are today’s churches Hot, Lukewarm or Cold?   Your church?   You?

What are we to do when the Worldview is promoted in our church(es)?

Should we evangelize even those who claim to be a Christian?

Has the time come when “they will not endure sound doctrine”?  2 Tim.4:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              June 16, 2026 

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Recap of Pastor Jason Buss’ message on May 31, 2026 at Immanuel Baptist Church