Chapter 5
The Wise shall understand
Who can know times and seasons? The Word is quite clear about this: “And not one of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” Dan 12:10
The wise ones in the Lord are able to understand the things of God. This is why wisdom is so important, why it’s an End Time characteristic, and why we should seek the Lord for its impartation (Jms 1:5). Wise ones see the things of God, they hear the things of God, and they do the things of God. Spiritual discernment enables them to know what the Times and Seasons are about.
However, even though discernment is a gift, it still needs to be nurtured, developed, and definitely treasured. The ability to flow in discernment requires a quieted mind, and a soul that’s in order with the ability to control one’s thought-life. A believer with a “loose” mind, one whose mind is forever darting here and there, will find it hard to discern in a consistent manner.
I’ve noticed that “discernment” by itself isn’t the issue; it’s the ability to consistently discern issues with clarity that counts. Most Spirit-filled believers are able to discern, but for many it’s rather an ad-hoc thing. What’s needed most is mature believers who can regularly discern what’s going on and are able to counsel what to do with the knowledge, based on the Word.
Sadly far too many believers today let their minds float here and there, not disciplining their thought-life. I once heard a pastor say “You can speak in tongues, but can you think in tongues?” There’s a point to that question, because “thinking in tongues” (as strange as it might seem) helps to control loose minds and wayward thoughts. Try it for yourself; there’s a definite benefit in it. The Holy Spirit will show you how; lean on Him, He’s your Teacher. So, discernment will flow deeper and richer if we learn to keep our thoughts in check. I’ve found that this is really one of the pre-requisites for moving freely in the gift.
Spiritual discernment is a gift from the Lord that enables our spirit-man to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in making correct and beneficial choices. The Holy Spirit moves in the gift to show the Body what its Head wants it to do. He influences the assembled saints so that they can discern what to do. The operation of the Spirit amongst the believers is to exalt Christ as Head of the Body, and to bring the Body into a greater measure of maturity. Such maturity only occurs within the context of corporate relationships and accountability.
Individuals who move in discernment are wonderful assets to the Body because they help it to adjust to what the Lord wants. It’s a particularly important gift when sizing up the times and seasons that confront us as believers. Discernment can save us much time, as well as much heartache! Discernment forewarns the believers about issues; it alerts the elders about potential problems that are momentarily hidden; and it can quickly identify a person with a wrong spirit, or the presence of an evil spirit.
It’s most helpful when wrong doctrine is being aired, even though the language might sound “biblical”. Quite a few times I’ve heard someone start to preach, share or instruct, when all of a sudden the Holy Spirit has quickened discernment within me to warn of pending error. And sure enough, a little later into the sermon or teaching, some erroneous doctrine surfaces; usually it’s the favorite subject of the person, and they’re going to tell you about it one way or the other.
At times like this discernment helps the eldership to head off such things, and to deal with the issue quickly and efficiently. On one such occasion I had to intervene part-way through a message to politely but firmly warn a guest speaker. He was gracious enough to accede to my request, I allowed him to continue with his message, and afterwards the eldership dealt with it in an amiable but biblical way, adjusting the brother where it was needed.
This had a three-fold benefit: the congregation was guarded from hearing something that was unhelpful and potentially distracting; the brother involved was gently chastised and corrected; and the public use of the gift strengthened the reality and importance of that gift to all present. All good things, and the brethren were edified by it.
Some general principles relating to discernment might help at this point in our study:
1. It must not be human intuition, nor the “wisdom” of the learned and power-brokers.
2. It must not be supposition based on human experience, even if it seems “good”.
3. It may be subjective, but must be subjectivity based on the objectivity of God’s Word and character, not on the subjectivity of man’s opinions or desires.
4. It must not be man's interpretation of what might happen through vain imagination.
5. A marked consequence of proper discernment is that it’ll re-align people and situations back to God’s will, if it’s acted upon.
6. For yourself: moving in discernment doesn't necessarily mean your life will be trouble-free!
You’ll know that the gift of discernment is operating when:
1. There’s a clear focus on the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ;
2. Agape love is the governing factor;
3. The issue at hand is “What does Scripture tell us?” and we’re pointed to the Word in a clear and concise manner without man’s opinions getting in the way;
4. The brethren are encouraged, educated and strengthened by the use of the gift;
5. Rather than bring division and hurt the operation of the gift binds the unity and brings healing, even though there may be a momentary sense of tension or unease;
6. It will cause the unruly, the unteachable and the proud to show their true colors;
7. It causes those present to value the giftings more highly, and there’s a heightened desire to move in them more often;
8. It exposes error, cuts through confusion, sets things in order, and provides a biblical way out of the problem or situation;
9. And finally, it warns those who may be in sin to turn back to the Lord for restoration; the use of this particular gift will often bring strong conviction, even to the one who’s done the discerning.
How can we become more sensitive to discernment?
1. Regularly check to see if you’re loving the brethren.
2. Ask yourself if you’re accountable for the words you speak, on small issues as well as big ones.
3. Abide more often in His presence.
4. Never fail to acknowledge and honor the Holy Spirit’s place in the expression of the gift.
5. Walk daily in humility.
6. Learn to quieten the mind and pay attention to those fleeting, passing thoughts that come (often they’re suggestions from the Holy Spirit).
7. Act quickly but not hastily, always obeying the urgings of the Spirit.
The connection between discernment and the ability to know Times and Seasons is two-fold: humility and a desire for inward truth. Over the years I’ve especially noticed that those who move well in this gift are those who’ve learnt the lesson of humility. They’re also those who have an insatiable thirst for truth. Not the “truth” as voiced popularly at the latest conference or in the most recent Christian best-seller. But the truth that seems to be ever-present in the deep recesses of the heart; that nudging of the Spirit that whispers softly but firmly that there’s more to know; that sense of being satisfied yet not fully satisfied; that ever-increasing sense of mystery and awe.
These things engage the heart of the seeker more and more and when the gift of discernment operates all sorts of echoes seem to go off deep inside. You know you’ve touched something supernatural and very precious. It's a most unusual, startling and delightful thing, this gift of discernment. While the gift is most commonly used to “check things out” as the Holy Spirit gives direction, it however leaves a residue behind. Those who see the gift operating in a church meeting, or during an evangelistic outreach, or at a prayer meeting, cannot but be impressed by the immediate effect it has on those present.
There seems to be something quite tangible happening as a word of discernment is spoken. The recipient is often taken quite by surprise, the onlookers (if they’re believers) are delightfully encouraged, and the other (unbelieving) onlookers are a little stunned. The atmosphere is frankly, a little electric! All present know that something’s just happened quite out of the ordinary, and it challenges their logic. You can almost feel the “buzz”.
I love it when it happens like that! It’s like the rug has been pulled out from under someone and they're forced to consider that there might be a God after all. It’s as though God has snuck up on them from behind, confronted them, and made them sit up and take notice. Great stuff! However, when such occasions happen and the gift has been operating, a residue of anointing seems to linger in the one who discerned and gave the word. It’s as though each time the gift is used something more is added deep inside the person to discern even greater things. Things like “times and seasons”. If you think about it, there’s a definite connection between discerning something about a person or situation, and discerning certain times and seasons of God. They're both to do with revelation and timing.
Discernment focuses on accuracy, and it’s this accuracy that makes people sit up and take notice. So whether it’s discernment used on a one-to-one basis, or discernment used to define a certain time or season, the accuracy of the gift is it’s great virtue.
To discern well we must continually abide with Him who is the Fullness of Revelation. As we dwell with He who is holy, we become holy. As we gaze upon He who is truth, we become truer. As we spend time with He who is the Great Discerner, who become more discerner ourselves. We are increasingly changed into His likeness. We become like that which we gaze upon - this is one reason why God forbade idol worship. Discernment sharpens issues and brings into light things that are out-of-order. Light will always bring order. As discernment operates it exposes lies, deceit, barriers and blindness, and any accompanying confusion.
“The entrance of Your Word gives light, giving discernment to the simple.” Psa 138:24
When discernment tests Times and Seasons it puts things into an eternal focus. Should an individual or a congregation be going through a time of despair and confusion, the gift of discernment sheds light on the issue, letting us see things as God sees them. We’re allowed to see as Heaven sees. In a flash, that which was difficult to comprehend, that which made our head whirl, that which made us focus on the negatives, is all re-arranged so we see the greater picture.
Mind you, we never fully see the complete picture, but we do get a comforting glimpse of what’s really going on. This is nearly always accompanied by a re-assurance from the Lord that there’s an answer. I find this to be one of the great blessings of discernment; it brings divine re-assurance. With all this comes a wonderful sense of security. Peace seems to reign; the heart and mind become rested. Thus we can discern whether the discernment is truly from God or not, because His discernment brings a sense of peace.
Having said all that, there’s that inevitable exception to the rule. A revelation that God is in control can actually make us feel “out of control”, and lacking inner peace. We see this happening to Daniel:
“But you shall shut up the vision, for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel, fainted, and I was sick for days. Afterwards, I got up and did the king's business. And I was amazed at the vision. But there was no understanding.” Dan 8:26-27.
And I said...sorrows have overwhelmed me because of the vision, and I have no strength left. As for me, there is no power left in me; there is no breath left in me. Then one as in the form of a man came and touched me, and made me strong.” Dan 10:16-18
Here we find Daniel physically shaken and emotionally stretched as he considers the revelations given him. He is sick, and he’s distraught. While peace usually accompanies insight from God, it can also bring great un-ease.
A young man in our Fellowship testified that he came into salvation after hearing the audible voice of the Lord in his house. He was living alone at the time, seeking for direction, looking for God, when the Lord graciously spoke to him. He said it was an actual voice, but like nothing he’d ever experienced. Loud, invasive, filling every nook and cranny of the house. He said the building literally shook, and he was scared out of his wits!
This kind of thing is more common than generally supposed; and its biblical (1 Sam 4:5; Psa 29:8; Psa 68:8; Isa 6:4). A reaction to this can be to cry out to God to stop! In the Psalms David actually cries out to God to stop gazing upon him because he’s losing his strength: “Remove Your gaze from me, and let me recover my strength.” Psa 39:13
The young man mentioned above has since said that he really doesn’t want to hear God’s voice like that again. It was too much to bear! So it can be when discerning people, circumstances, or times and seasons that a physical and emotional reaction happens. Why this is so is not clear, but no doubt it has something to do with the Eternal touching the temporal. Our physical frame simply cannot cope with too much of the spiritual reality, so it reacts. We also see this in Scripture when people are confronted by an angelic being.
Nevertheless in normal discernment the accompanying sensation to the deliverer is one of peace. This acts as a kind of confirmation for the source of the discernment.
In regards to discerning times and seasons we need to be extremely cautious. We’ve all heard teachings and “prophecies” that indicate a certain time or season of God is about to happen. This is a regular feature of the Jehovah Witnesses, who regularly change and juggle dates once a set date passed without evidence. It also happens in what we call “good Bible believing” ministries. I have a publication on my bookshelf that boldly declares all things pertaining to the End would be completed by the year 2000, and if it didn’t the author would cheerfully give a refund on the price of the book. I don’t think any further comment is needed on this!
We’ve all heard of such things. So what do we do about discerning times and seasons? Is ignoring it all the safest bet? Or should we dabble a little in it, but not get too involved? Some people of course simply give up altogether. But surely, like all things in the Word, there’s revelation waiting for those who are diligent, humble, true seekers of truth, and patient.
One thing is certain: if we approach discerning the times and seasons with an attitude of humility, then we’re more likely to see the truth than not. Those who do not seek to “push their own barrow”, but have a proper attitude of patient waiting on God, will certainly discern the truth when it’s due.
I cannot but stress this last point too much; when it is due. If you want to know the secret of God’s precise timing then you’ll probably be disappointed. “Timing” is part of God’s special economy and He doesn't share that insight very widely, and certainly not flippantly. “Timing” is one of God’s secrets kept for a very few of His choosing. He’s more concerned with the rest of us knowing “what to do” as the time approaches.
When the set season is due for manifestation God may well allow us to glimpse something of what’s coming, but usually what He desires is that the we act wisely and appropriately as the season unfolds. So God isn’t so much concerned with us knowing the timing, but us knowing how to respond. Hence our discernment doesn't so much see what’s coming, but rather it alerts us to what is expected from us during the season.
It’s therefore more a matter of knowing what the specific season is highlighting, what we are to do, what sacrifices are required, and what may be gained for the kingdom as a result, rather than knowing the actual moment. Nevertheless the Lord does teach truth and understanding to the wise ones. “And He changes the times and the seasons; He causes kings to pass away, and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells in Him.” Dan 2:20-24
So we find that Daniel, the recipient of great truth and insight, understands that the Lord could actually change times and seasons. Daniel then links the changing of times and seasons to the removing of Kings and governors over nations. But Scripture makes it abundantly clear that wisdom and knowledge are given to those who already have certain attributes; wisdom is given to those who are already wise, knowledge to those who already have understanding.
“He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
Here we see a whole new level of discerning times and seasons. The wise receive more wisdom, and those who already understand receive further understanding. Much of this multiplying of revelation comes from how the recipient handled truth in the first place. It’s a basic principle in the Word that we only receive more insight when we’ve been faithful to earlier insight. Many believers fail to move into the deeper things of God simply because they’ve either been unfaithful with, or complacent about, earlier revelation.
This actually happened to me during a time in my life when I cried out to the Lord to receive an anointing for wisdom. Graciously the Lord gave me a measure of insight and revelation about people and circumstances that proved wonderfully beneficial in my ministry. It gave me an incredible buzz and my spiritual life rapidly sprung forward. During times of counseling I found that the gift of wisdom rose up quite often, and was just the word needed to rectify the situation in a person’s life. This naturally gave me a great thrill, as well as giving help to those who came for ministry. The only thing was that over time I unwittingly became proud.
The kind of pride that I had wasn’t so much one of arrogance, but of complacency. As the gift of wisdom began to operate more freely and more often in my ministry I tended to rely on myself rather than the Holy Spirit. The result was that the gift began to dissipate. When the Spirit of God convicted me of my complacency, the anointing I had almost entirely disappeared.
This caused me much heart searching and angst. Upon realizing my folly I sincerely repented and asked for the Lord to restore wisdom back to me in the time of His choosing. Sadly I can say now that it’s never returned in quite the same measure. To this day I still cry out to the Lord that in His timing, He might restore to me an even greater measure of that wonderful gift.
I share this personal insight to encourage you not to be either complacent nor proud when asking and receiving the gift of wisdom, or indeed any gift from the Lord. It’s a very precious thing to receive God’s gracious gifts, we therefore need to be extremely wise and sensitive in honoring Him as the giver.
That’s why I am totally convinced that operating in the gifts of knowledge, understanding and wisdom requires humility and great sensitivity to the Spirit. If I could give you some true biblical counseling it would simply be this: never take the Lord’s blessings for granted at any time. (The wise will understand this). In fact not being thankful for God’s blessings will actually cause us to move in a spirit of complaining and criticism. Think for a moment of some believer you might know who’s like that; forever grumbling and picking fault. You can be sure that they’ve become complacent about being thankful to God for His gracious blessings.
How often we’ve missed the best of what God has for us because we simply didn’t care enough to seek or search diligently. And how often we’ve missed God’s best because of pride, complacency or foolish laziness. We have a wonderful access to the heavenly Father through faith in Christ, the work of the Spirit and the precious gift of prayer. So let’s be among those that seek His face “continually” with thanksgiving. It’s not only a wise thing to want to move in wisdom, it’s also a wise thing to appreciate the presence of wisdom once you’ve received it.
Spiritual understanding comes only through the vehicle of the Holy Spirit, whether He uses the Bible, a dream, a brother or sister speaking truth to us, or that precious “inner voice”. It cannot be mentioned too often that the Holy Spirit is the One who moves upon our hearts and minds, whilst in the heavenlies Christ prays for us. This is a glorious thing and we should probably reflect on it much more than we do.
Here I want to look at some of the things that will help make us wise. Now that sounds strange doesn't it? How can we be “made wise”? Well there are some very fundamental principles that every believer should get straight before embarking on any spiritual quest. I would like to address some of these now, because if we heed them we’ll find wisdom will make a place in us out of which we can live and minister. By taking to heart some very important spiritual principles we’re honoring the Spirit that imparts heavenly wisdom; it’s in this way that we gradually “become wise”. The Holy Spirit always responds to spiritual activity on our part, that is, when such activity keeps Christ pre-eminent in our thinking.
Wisdom is both a gift from the Lord as well as something that can be “learnt”. I’ve found that by slowly and reflectively reading through the Book of Proverbs a very great deal of wisdom is imparted - simply by reading! Try it and see.
Let’s now look at some fundamental but rich foundational principles relating to the work of the Spirit upon our spirit.
1. While faith in Christ makes us a regenerated believer, it’s obedience to the Holy Spirit that makes us a spiritual believer. These work in tandem to bring about the mature man within us.
2. Faith in Christ deals with the sin of the flesh, while obedience to the Holy Spirit makes us more aware of the flesh. Why is this? Because the more spiritual we become the more we confront the flesh. This is why great men and women of God, who attain to certain spiritual heights, struggle so greatly with the flesh. Hence there’s a fundamental need to deal strongly with the flesh at the start, so that we can grow spiritually strong afterwards. It’s an intriguing truth that a good work done at the Cross will lead us onward to the Holy Spirit, and it’s the good work of the Holy Spirit who’ll often lead us back to the Cross if we haven’t allowed it to do a deep work in us in the first place.
3. What’s required most in order to become wise, is a willingness of heart to fulfill the conditions for an ongoing anointing of the Spirit. Preparation is vital if we’re to understand things of the Spirit, especially times and seasons.
4. Hence it’s very important not only to believe in the Christ, but also to obey the Spirit. By doing so our inner-man is greatly made alive, and wisdom is increased in us mightily.
5. So what makes a spiritual man become a wise man? It’s the recognition that Christ desires our soul and body to be kept sound and blameless awaiting His return (1 Thess 5:23). We need to ask ourselves if we’re co-operating with God for this to happen?
6. A spiritual man is one who’s been taught deeply by God’s Spirit, and sanctified by Him through and through. The life and work of the Spirit has entirely saturated such a person so that he functions out of the Holy Spirit’s life, not his own.
7. A spiritual man doesn’t live by his emotions, desires, ambitions or the soul. He has learnt to bring all these under the direct control of the Spirit of the living God, so that these no longer operate independently in his mind.
8. A spiritual man is one who belongs to the Holy Spirit, and is governed by the sanctified inner-man.
These are only a few of the many principles that enable us to become wise sons of God. Like almost anything in the spiritual life, it’s easy to read and talk about but difficult to walk in. Nevertheless that shouldn’t deter us from embarking on such activity, otherwise we’ll always be learning but never arriving.
It may sound bold to say it like this, but the secret of a blessed spiritual life is to Obey the Word and Trust the Holy Spirit. Any vulnerability in either area is likely to weaken our faith walk. Like anything in the spiritual realm the way forward is really quite simple, yet paradoxically it’s difficult to appropriate within oneself. The knowledgeable will understand this truth, but the wise will act on it!
Obedience and trust are co-partners with faith, and faith is part and parcel of understanding times and seasons. Faith actually endures time. When we can’t fathom out what’s going on in life, we’ll have to endure a season of waiting, but it’s faith in Jesus Christ that enables us to endure time. A wise believer is one who’s learnt to “hope in hope” no matter how long a time it will take until the breakthrough comes.
For most of us this is a life-long learning process. That might sound despairing but God isn’t as worried about time as we are. What He’s most concerned about is whether we learn the lesson of preparation during that time. The Father’s great desire is to bring many sons into glory (Heb 2:10) and sons aren’t born, babies are! We have to become sons, we have to grow up, we have to become wise. One of the greatest acts of wisdom you’ll ever possess is when you know the difference between God’s Purpose and His Plan.
The Father wants us to know, truly and really KNOW what His Purpose is for us. We usually know quite well what His Plan is - salvation through Jesus Christ. It’s the Purpose that’s not so well known, and frankly not even preached from many pulpits. To know this Purpose, to really know it deep within, requires revelatory vision. Without such vision everything we see will be fragmented and partial. So our vision, and therefore our wisdom will be limited. But once we seek the Father and yearn to know His Purpose as well as His Plan (see page 34 footnote), then our vision rapidly expands and we begin to know that God sees from eternity unto eternity.
Now that’s a truly precious word: eternity! It sums up everything we’re about as believers in Jesus and as Sons of the Father. Eternity. Eternal. These are more than words, they are truths that echo deep within a believer's heart. They make us quiver a little, they make us rise up, our inner-man begins to stir at such amazing concepts as “eternal”, we feel linked to something grand, great, awesome, something...eternal.
If you feel like this then be wise and pursue God’s ways more and more. Pursue Him, seek for wisdom, cry out for it, desire it, yearn for it, and by so doing you’ll indeed possess “life”. You will posses Him who is Life because He who is that Life will actually possess you! Read again (and again, and again) the Book of Proverbs, especially chapters 1 to 9, slowly and prayerfully. I can’t but stress that in order to understand times and seasons, we need wisdom.
There’s a fundamental and practical truth I’d like to share that might help us here.
When you begin to sense a spiritual growth happening to you, when you start to feel that God’s bringing forth something new in you, when you intrinsically know that you’re moving out of one phase into another, then it’s very important to give time to that change. You’ll need to give time and space to what?