The Logic of Discovery Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV Testing/discern – One word, two ideas. To test. To discern. Paul chooses the Greek verb dokimazo. It means, “to watch, to determine what is reliable, of value.” In the TDNT, Grundmann notes, “Set under God’s searching eye, Christians come under the twofold testing denoted by the verb dokimázein. a. They must learn the will of God by testing (cf. Rom. 12:2; Eph. 5:9–10; Phil. 1:10; 1 Th. 5:21). This protects them from caprice and brings them seriously under God’s will for their lives. In the same way they are to test the spirits (1 Jn. 4:1). b. At the same time, they are to test themselves (2 Cor. 13:5). In particular, the disorderly Corinthians are to examine themselves when they come to the Lord’s table (1 Cor. 11:28). c. Jesus also demands that his followers should test the times, reproaching the people because they can interpret material phenomena but not detect the signs of God’s direction of history (Lk. 12:56).”[1] The process of testing, trying it out, results in discernment, knowing what works. But obviously, those who wish to analyze and evaluate before trying it will never get to the place of practical experience. Of course, this does not mean the Bible promotes trying anything. The biblical record clearly tells us that some practices are not to be tried. God and others have already tested and determined the verdict on a good deal of human possible choices. Some just don’t work at all. Learn to avoid them. But when it comes to the invitation into God’s Kingdom and His practices, the best policy is “try before you buy.” That’s pretty much what Yeshua meant with His analogy of “counting the cost.” Get into the culture. Practice what other followers are already doing. Let it absorb you. Then you will know “the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The Western world takes a decidedly different approach. Since the Greek-based culture is a kingdom of the mind, it follows the course of the serpent. “See, doesn’t that look great? Wouldn’t you like to have it? Don’t worry about what God actually said. You can make up your own mind on such things. Decide for yourself if it would be good for you!” In other words, just like Havvah, most of us sin before we actually pick the fruit. We have already measured God’s instruction of the basis of our standard, that is, what’s good for us. The entire process happens in our heads before we even reach for the fruit. But the biblical world takes a different approach. Do what God has already determined is good and acceptable and perfect. DO IT! Then decide if it works out for you. Testing and deciding are the same thing, just temporally separated. But notice it isn’t deciding and testing. So if we are to do before we determine, then we better have some pretty clear instructions to follow, right?
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:54:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015