Acts 15:28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.

1 Cor 6: 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful… I will not be brought under the power of any.

James 2:12: So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

2 Cor 5:10 we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive things done in the body…good or bad.

Discernment between true and false teaching

Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 "You will know them by their fruits….18 "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Mark 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

1 Tim 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for so you will save yourself and those who hear you.

Col 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Discussion Questions:

A.      What does a false prophet in sheep’s clothing look like in our day and age?

B.       How can you ‘test the spirits’, how can you test whether a teacher is a false prophet or not?

C.       Are those who spread false teaching always aware that it’s unbiblical?

D.      What are dangerous lies that false teachers make you believe about salvation (justification, sanctification, glorification)?

Discernment between wisdom and foolishness: redeeming the time, future inheritance

Eph 5: 15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,16  redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.

1 Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Ga 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does this ‘redeeming the time’ mean? Why is it mentioned twice in connection with walking in wisdom?
2. Can we understand God’s will? How?
3. What can we do to gain more wisdom?
4. What does the inheritance of the kingdom of God mean? Is this about getting to heaven? Can believers loose it?
5. Why would Satan want to deceive us about what affects our inheritance?

Discernment about yourself 

1 Co 3:18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise… let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Jas 1:14  each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed….Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Discussion Questions:

A.      When do we ‘think we stand’? How can we make sure that we don’t ‘fall’?

B.       How is it that we can know our thoughts and fears about ourselves better than anyone else around us, and yet be blind to our short-comings in many cases?

C.       How can we make sure we are not being deceived about ourselves?

Discernment about others

1 Cor 15:33  Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

1Ti 5: 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

2 Peter 3:17  You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

What God Wants - Part 2

Discussion Questions:

1. How can we live in the world and yet prevent from being corrupted by ‘evil company’?
2. If evil company corrupts good habits, can godly company help reinforce good habits?  If so, why do people in Biblical teaching churches get caught up in sinful patterns.
3. What does ‘sharing in other people’s sins’ mean? Are you tempted to do things you know are wrong when in the company of certain other people? How can you guard yourself against that? Can you play with fire without getting burned?
4. Are certain personality types more susceptible to dangerous peer pressure? Does spiritual maturity play a role?
5. What are the consequences of being ‘led away’?