Discernment Detractors: Calling Good Evil By Warren B. Smith (May 15, 2012)

Discernment Detractors: Calling Good Evil

By Warren B. Smith (May 15, 2012)

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
—Isaiah 5:20

In the first book of Kings, God comes to Solomon in a dream and tells him he can ask for anything that he wants:

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
—1 Kings 3:5

Solomon asks for discernment: He wants to be able to discern the difference between what is good and bad—between good and evil. He answers God:

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

—1 Kings 3:9

God is pleased with Solomon’s request, noting that he asked solely for discernment rather than selfish things for himself:

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
—1 Kings 3:10-11

While our Adversary furiously attempts to undermine the importance of discernment by ridiculing it, we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).

Some of the many accusations made by discernment detractors

1) If you hate deception and evil and try to expose it, you are a hater—but the Bible says:

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:
—Proverbs 8:13

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [expose] them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved [exposed] are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
—Ephesians 5:11-13

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
—John 15:18

2) If you contend for the faith, you are contentious—but the Bible says:

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye shouldearnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
—Jude 1:3

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
—1 Timothy 6:12

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
—Ephesians 6:11-13

3) If you sound an alarm, you are an alarmist—but the Bible says:

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
—Joel 2:1

If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
—Ezekiel 33:3

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
—1 Corinthians 4:14

4) If you try to expose heresy, you are a heresy hunter—but the Bible says:

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies…
—2 Peter 2:1

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
—1 Corinthians 11:19

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
—Ephesians 5:11-13

5) If you critique false teachings, you have a critical spirit—but the Bible says:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [expose] them.
—Ephesians 5:11

6) If you name the names of false teachers, you are a name caller—but the Bible names names:

Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
—2 Timothy 4:14

This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
—2 Timothy 1:15

And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred…
—2 Timothy 2:17-18

7) If you exercise righteous judgement, you are considered judgmental—but the Bible says:

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
—John 7:24

8) If you separate yourself from the things of the world, you are a separatist and into separation—but the Bible says:

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
—2 Corinthians 6:17

9) If you think the way is narrow, you are narrow-minded—but the Bible says:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
—Matthew 7:14

10) If you think Jesus is the only way, you are exclusivistic and way off—but the Bible says:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
—John 14:6

11) If you mark them which cause divisions contrary to doctrine, you are divisive—but the Bible says:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
—Romans 16-17

12) If you warn about deception, you are a deceiver—but the Bible says:

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
—Isaiah 5:20

Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
—Matthew 27:62-63

13) If you warn about the wild grapes, you are sour grapes—but the Bible says:

Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill: And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
—Isaiah 5:1-4

14) If you believe Jesus’ prophetic words in the Book of Revelation that the battle of Armageddon will happen one day, then you are a “Doomsday Deceiver”—but the Bible says:

And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
—Revelation 16:16

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
—Revelation 1:3

15) If you say “no” to the false teachings of the world, you are a “naysayer”—but the Bible warns:

But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
—Matthew 5:37

16) If you expose Satan (Beelzebub), you are called Satan (Beelzebub) too—but the Bible warns:

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
—Matthew 10:25

Encouragement

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:
—Matthew 5:11-12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
—2 Timothy 3:12-17

*Bold and italics added

Source: http://www.spiritual-research-network.com/discernment_detractors_warren_smith.html

Miscellaneous subjects covered in Warren Smith articles

"New" Gospel, "New" Spirituality, A Course in Miracles, Adolf Hitler,, Alice Bailey, Aquarian Conspiracy, As Above So Below, Barbara, Marx Hubbard, Benjamin Creme, Bernie Siegel, Bhagwan Shree, Rajneesh, Brian McLaren, Brian McLaren, Brian Swimme, Bruce Lipton, Bruce Wilkinson, C. Peter Wagner, Church Growth Movement, Conversations with God, Cosmic Christ, Crystal Cathedral, David Spangler, Deceived on Purpose, discernment, Eckhart Tolle, Eric Butterworth, Eugene Peterson, False Christ Coming, Florence Scovel Shinn, Fractals, Fritjof Capra, Gary Zukav, George Mair, Gerald Jampolsky, Global P.E.A.C.E. Plan, Global Renaissance Alliance, God's Dream, Henri Nouwen, Hermes Trismegistus, Holy Laughter, Jim Ballard, John Marks Templeton, JZ Knight, Ken Blanchard, Kundalini Energy, Lead Like Jesus, Leonard Sweet, M. Scott Peck, Maitreya, Margaret Wheatley, Marianne Williamson, Marilyn Ferguson, Matthew Fox, Neale Donald Walsch, Norman Vincent Peale, Oprah Winfrey, panentheism, Paul Young, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, preterism, prophecy, Quantum Physics, Quantum Spirituality, Richard Abanes, Rick Warren, Robert Muller, Robert Schuller, Rodney Howard-Browne, Swami Baba Muktananda, The Alternative to Armageddon, The Aquarian Conspiracy, The Daniel Plan, The Different Drum, The Message, The Peace Alliance, The Purpose Driven Life, The Road Less Traveled, The Selection Process, The Shack, Thomas Merton, Toronto Blessing, W.A. Criswell, Watchman Fellowship, What the Bleep Do We Know!?, Willis Harman and more.

"WOE to THOSE WHO CALL EVIL GOOD" by Darren Smith

NOTE:  Sadly, I believe the below word applies to the entire
western world - not just America...  - Andrew Strom

I am sickened at the state of this country and truly sad that it's at
a point of no return. The tide has turned and those who seek
justice and righteousness are no longer the majority. Now we are
at the time to confess that we let America and what she stands for
slowly slip away while we sought after comfort and prosperity and
self fulfillment.

Our land has become a place of greed and self promotion, shallow
and spiritless. I know as soon as I send this out many will
say to "remove me from your list" or call me unpatriotic, but I'm
beyond the point of restraint and holding back words because they
are controversial and offensive. Political correctness means nothing
to me and I will not be quiet any longer.

Isa 5 is a perfect picture of America today - a nation that lost it's
soul. We need to admit where we are and what we have become
and quit walking in step with the false notion that we are a "just
nation". I want to start with the gay issue that dominates our media
today. The very fact that you can't say that being gay is against
God's Word is ridiculous, but now as a nation we call - in fact we
promote homosexual activity - call it good. Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!

I don't hate homosexuals at all. In fact we reach out to them with
Christ, but I cannot condone their behavior and I will never call it
good when God says it is wrong! Lets move on down the list of
indictments.

Abortion is considered birth control, not murder. Again - our
nation calls it good for women to be able to choose whether
to have a child or to kill it. The argument is that a woman
should have a right to have control over her own body. But
the very reason they use is faulty at the core. If a woman
has a right to choose what she does with her own body
then why does this nation's laws have her arrested for being
a prostitute? Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying prostitution
is not wrong, but if you are going to hold the position that a
woman has the right to control her body, then be consistent
with what you believe.

The sad truth is that abortion is a several billion dollar industry
that has bought our leaders and they have spent billions
spreading lies with their partners in the media to numb your
minds. Abortion is murder, cut and dry, and its effect on devaluing
human life cannot be reversed. I have met and prayed with scores
of women that themselves were victims of abortion. I have never
met one that was glad they chose to abort, yet as a nation we
call abortion good. Woe unto a nation that calls evil good!

We still say that we are a chosen nation, even though we
have the highest rates of drug use in the world, the highest
alcohol abuse rates in the world, and the highest crime rates.
Do you realize that you are more likely to be killed in Chicago
and many other major cities than you are in a war zone?

What we are seeing is the breakdown of society playing out
before our eyes. The cheapening of life and the increase of
people with no compassion for others multiply at a mind
blowing rate. Why? Because we call evil good and woe is
befalling us as we speak. Yet we as a people are too busy
seeking comfort and entertainment to open our eyes. We
are far more concerned with sharing our opinion on
Facebook, while we post selfies and try to make our life
look interesting to others.

How did we ever come to a point where selfie could ever
become a word - much less an action - we take pride in?
Jesus tells us to be selfless and not to promote our self
with things. People should find us interesting, if we belong
to Christ, because of our love and our actions. We are at a
point in our land where you can't hold a conversation with a
person because they can't look at you for looking at their
phone.

We celebrate bad behavior by making people famous and wealthy
because we like to watch their bad behavior on TV to entertain
ourselves in a righteous land. Could the Kardashions or Pdiddy or
any others of the hosts be a role model? Would Jerry Springer or
any of the other freakshows get any airplay?... Woe unto a nation
that calls evil good!

We celebrate greed in our nation by our fascination with the
wealthy. Would you trust Donald Trump with your kids? We
give the greedy a prominent position in society because of
what they have and because we are jealous and want or even
think we deserve to have it too.

We have gone so far that we have modeled our churches
after the world and the world's business plan - the bigger, the
better, the more comfortable, the more holy we are. But truth
can't be found in this model, nor can courage, just more
entertainment. We even treat the rich better than others so
we can gain from them. Jesus said in Luke that you cannot
measure a man by the abundance of his possessions. But we
still do.

As a nation, we try to tell the rest of the world how to act
when we are a total mess ourselves. We even export our
greed as well as our false doctrines to anyone who will listen.
I will close with this last point. If God's people would stand for
truth and justice, no matter what the personal cost, we would
make a difference. If men who say they are called to preach
would preach truth instead of feel-good humanism and
prosperity, a fire would ignite that could not be contained.

What has brought us to this point is conforming to the world
instead of conforming to Christ. There is no difference in the
modern church and the world. They are one in the same. The
modern church just feels better about itself after hearing the
motivational speech and the upbeat music a couple times a
week. A real preacher - preaching and living the Gospel - will
cause a stir every time he speaks, instead of not rocking the
comfortable boat he is cruising in.

I really don't care if you think I'm too radical or that I'm unpatriotic.
I cannot yield to this false system any longer. I will not defend
the actions of a nation and government that has turned it's back on
God, nor will I defend a church system that has done the same. I'm
looking for people who feel the same way and are willing to stand,
take action and live the Gospel. We can't wait any longer to act
but nothing good comes without a fight. We need to network
together and make a difference.