Philippians 1:9

How to Live in Victory in Uncertain Times

***We must develop some godly discernment…….

Discernment –  means to investigate, question, scrutinize and examine things carefully which enables us to distinguish between what is right and wrong, good and evil and true or false…….  1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

***We must pray for discernment – Proverbs 30:1-8

-this is the only prayer found in Proverbs – Proverbs 30:1-8

-Agur wrote Proverbs 30

verse 1 – Agur means collector – Proverbs is a collection of wisdom

—his utterance – means inspired words from the Lord

vs2-3 – these are words of humility…he is saying he needs the Lord…….

v4 – 5 Questions are asked and we surely know only the Lord can do these things ….

v5 – 1.) Every Word of God is tested and pure

-we can test the Word and see that it works – all of the Word

        2.) The Word of God is a shield – the Word helps us make it through every trial

v6 – Never add to the Bible.  The Word itself rebukes us for trying to change it

vs7-9 ————– Agur’s Prayer

Agur askes 2 things:

1. Just meet my needs – vs8b-9

2. Help me in the area of discernment – v8a

-keep me from believing the lies of the enemy

-keep my lips from lieing so I may not deceive others

-Give me discernment Lord

WHY DO WE NEED DISCERNMENT?

1. Because the Lord is coming back soon – 2 Tim 3:1-5/Daniel 12:4

2. Because there is a spirit of deception invading the world – Matt 24:4-5,11,25

Deception – means to roam away from truth and safety.  to wander and go astray…It refers to the picture of the planets being out of orbit and their normal rotation which leads to catastrophe…

          a. this is a spirit of deception from the enemy – 2 Thess 2:9-10

     HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE WILL NOT BE DECEIVED AND WALK IN A SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT?

1.) MAKE FRIENDS –

a. Make The Holy Spirit One Of Your Best Friends – John 14:27 & 1 John 2:26-27

-the Holy Spirit is a person to talks to us

-the Holy Spirit tells us what is right & wrong—true or false

b. Gather around you stable, strong & mature people – Proverbs 27:6

-we need discernment who to let into our lives

-we need honest faith people in our lives to help us to grow

2.) BE A LOVER OF TRUTH – John 8:32-38 & John 14:6

-this is being consumed with the Word of God

-the Bible tells us what is right or wrong…true or false…lies from the enemy or truth

3.) KNOW THE LORD INTIMATELY – Jeremiah 24:7

-I want to get to know Jesus who is total truth

-we do not need to know the false.  We need to know the true who is Jesus…..