When it comes to discernment, there is one area that deserves particular attention. We find it in I John 4:1-3: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God.”
One of Satan’s consistent attacks on Christianity – where he most often seeks to undermine our faith – is regarding the person and nature of Jesus Christ. Every heresy, every cult, and every form of evil is characterized by denying who Jesus really is. Every thing, thought, relationship, situation, person, philosophy, action, or teaching that denies Jesus is evil.
When all these attacks are boiled down, we find that evil typically involves denying one or more of the following five aspects of the person and nature of Christ:
1. Denying his God-head.
2. Denying his manhood.
3. Denying his death and work of salvation on the cross.
4. Denying his resurrection.
5. Denying his continuing ministry to the Church and in the world.
Therefore, when we apply our minds to situations, actions, relationships, and thoughts to discern whether they are good or evil, one of the key questions we should ask is: Does this deny Christ in some way? If so, then avoid it at all costs.
** Like this? Download this Bible study: "Good vs. Evil: The Discipline of Discernment." **