Introduction
We’ve spent this week identifying the who in our spiritual battles—the world, the flesh, and the devil. Today, we get intensely practical and talk about the how. How do we know where a specific struggle is coming from? How do we develop spiritual discernment so we can respond correctly instead of just reacting?
Being able to identify the source of a struggle is like a doctor diagnosing an illness; you can’t apply the right remedy until you know the root cause. So let’s equip ourselves with a biblical framework for discernment.
A Framework for Discernment
While the three fronts often work together, our struggles can often be primarily driven by one. Learning to ask the right questions can help us identify the source.
- Is this the FLESH? Struggles originating from the flesh often feel internal and familiar. They are connected to our natural desires that have been twisted by sin. To discern the flesh, ask:
- Does this struggle appeal to my selfish desires, my pride, or my physical appetites? (Galatians 5:19-21 lists things like impurity, hostility, jealousy, and selfish ambition).
- Is this a recurring pattern of sin I’ve dealt with before?
- Does this feel like a pull from within me toward self-gratification?
The remedy for the flesh is to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and consider ourselves dead to sin (Romans 6:11). It’s a battle of surrender.
- Is this the WORLD? Struggles originating from the world often feel like external pressure. They are connected to cultural norms and values. To discern the world, ask:
- Is this struggle pushing me to conform to a standard that is contrary to God’s Word?
- Does this temptation promise me happiness through possessions, position, or performance? (1 John 2:16)
- Do I feel a pressure to “fit in” or a fear of being different?
The remedy for the world is non-conformity, renewed by the transforming of our minds (Romans 12:2). It’s a battle of discernment and intentional separation.
- Is this the DEVIL? Struggles originating directly from the devil often feel like external attacks on our mind and faith. To discern the enemy, ask:
- Is this thought an accusation against me or a distortion of God’s character? (Revelation 12:10 calls him the “accuser”).
- Is this struggle creating division, fear, or confusion?
- Is it a direct lie that contradicts a clear promise or command in Scripture? (John 8:44).
The remedy for the devil is to resist him, standing firm in the faith and wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (James 4:7, Ephesians 6:17). It’s a battle of authority and truth.
Practical Steps/Takeaways
Let’s put this into practice with a scenario. You feel a wave of intense jealousy and comparison after scrolling through social media. How do you discern the source?
- 1. Pause and Analyze: Don’t just react to the feeling. Stop and ask the questions.
- (Flesh): Is this tapping into my own insecurity and selfish ambition? Yes, my flesh craves the approval others are getting.
- (World): Is the social media platform itself creating a system of comparison and a desire for what I see? Yes, the world’s system is pressuring me to want what others have.
- (Devil): Is there a lie here, like “Your life isn’t good enough” or “God hasn’t been good to you”? Yes, the enemy is using this to accuse me and question God’s goodness.
- 2. Apply the Right Remedy: In this case, all three are at work! So you respond on all three fronts.
- (Flesh): “Holy Spirit, I confess my envy. Help me to surrender this desire and be content in you.”
- (World): “I recognize this pressure to compare is not from God. I choose to renew my mind with the truth that my worth is in Christ, not in likes.” You might even decide to take a break from the app.
- (Devil): “I reject the lie that my life is lacking. The Word says God has given me everything I need for life and godliness. I resist this accusation in Jesus’ name.”
Conclusion
Spiritual discernment is not a mystical gift for a select few; it is a skill that every believer can develop through practice and knowledge of God’s Word. By learning to pause, analyze the source of our struggles, and apply the correct biblical remedy, we move from being victims of our circumstances to being victorious soldiers in God’s army.
