I remember once when I was in grade school our teacher was explaining how our senses work together to produce the sensations we experience in or lives. The teacher told us to plug or noses and then gave us a piece of raw potato and a piece of raw apple and discern which is which. They have the same appearance and texture but certainly not the same taste. Without the sense of smell it was hard to determine the difference.
Can you imagine the frustration and even the danger of not having proper discernment? Have you ever been tricked by someone putting salt in the sugar bowl or deceived by shaving cream on your ice-cream sundae? When my little brother was a toddler before he learned some discernment my quick-thinking Mom had him in to have his stomach pumped at least twice. He thought my grandmother’s medications were candy and drank stove oil to quench his thirst. He didn’t understand the danger of not knowing the difference between right and wrong.
The Bible is God’s instruction manual for this life and the next. In Isaiah 5:20 the prophet warns us, “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!” In the New Testament the Apostle Paul instructs the Hebrews as well as all others in 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil:”social
People today are discouraged from using discernment today because our society wants everyone to be foolish enough to overlook and condone and excuse their evil. That causes confusion and danger in the form of gender identity, lawlessness, promiscuity, family break-ups, and so many other evils that are called “social ills”.
Innocent ignorance of right and wrong and good and evil is one thing. Children can be taught the difference and dangers with discipline. However, ignoring God’s warning and calling right wrong, and evil good is absolute foolishness. One who purposefully believes that bad is good and good is bad can only expect ominous consequences of such foolish lifestyle.
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