Message
Today’s memory verse tells us that the natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. This means that such a fellow cannot follow God’s direction, as he or she cannot understand spiritual things and will even consider them foolish. Those who walk in the spirit, however, know how to discern spiritual things.
For instance, when it seems that several people are trying to get a Christian angry, it could be that the devil is seeking to open a window through which he can attack him or her. If the believer cannot spiritually discern the devil’s plan, he or she might eventually give in to anger, thereby giving the devil access to carry out his attack. Likewise, if a Christian keeps encountering people in need, especially if they are fellow Christians, it could be that God wants the believer to help them so that He can open windows of blessings over his or her life. However, if the Christian cannot spiritually discern what is happening and ignores the people in need, he or she would miss out on God’s blessing. Spiritual discernment is crucial in the journey of every Christian.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
In today’s Bible reading, Balaam's donkey began to behave strangely when he was on his way to meet Balak despite God’s initial instruction forbidding him from going (). Balaam was so spiritually insensitive that he didn’t know the actions of the donkey were for his own good. When his donkey didn’t move as he wanted it to and kept turning away from the path it was supposed to take, he hit it in an attempt to force it to obey him. Even when the donkey spoke, which was very strange, Balaam was too spiritually insensitive to sense the danger ahead until God opened his eyes. I pray that your spiritual senses will be sharpened enough to see any dangers that are ahead of you, and you will be prudent enough to hide yourself, in Jesus’ name.
The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed so many homes and ended so many lives prematurely. This is why spiritual discernment is a must-have for you in your walk with God, relationship with others, and dealings with the world. I pray that the Almighty God, in His mercy, will sharpen your discernment and help you see things as they really are, in Jesus’ name.