DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

Hebrews 5:12-14

Hebrews 5:12-14

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

1. IS IT CONDEMNED IN GOD'S WORD?

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 John 92 John 9

Whoever transgresses and does not Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. and the Son.

DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

1. IS IT CONDEMNED IN GOD'S WORD?2. WILL IT HARM ME SPIRITUALLY?

Romans 8:1-2Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. sin and death.

Romans 8:3-4Romans 8:3-4

For what the law could not do in that it For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. the Spirit.

Romans 8:5-8Romans 8:5-8

For those who live according to the flesh For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. please God.

Romans 8:9-11Romans 8:9-11

But you are not in the flesh but in the But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:12-15Romans 8:12-15

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."Father."

Romans 8:16-17Romans 8:16-17

The Spirit Himself bears witness with The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. glorified together.

Galatians 5:16-18Galatians 5:16-18

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22-26Galatians 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

1. IS IT CONDEMNED IN GOD'S WORD?2. WILL IT HARM ME SPIRITUALLY?3. WILL IT HARM ME PHYSICALLY?

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Romans 12:1

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Galatians 5:19-21Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident, Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

1. IS IT CONDEMNED IN GOD'S WORD?2. WILL IT HARM ME SPIRITUALLY?3. WILL IT HARM ME PHYSICALLY?4. WILL IT LEAD OTHERS INTO SIN?

Romans 14:1-4

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Romans 14:5-7

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

Romans 14:8-11

For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."

Romans 14:12-15

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another any-more, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

Romans 14:16-18

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Romans 14:19-21

Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Romans 15:1-3

We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."

DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL

1. IS IT CONDEMNED IN GOD'S WORD?2. WILL IT HARM ME SPIRITUALLY?3. WILL IT HARM ME PHYSICALLY?4. WILL IT LEAD OTHERS INTO SIN?