Episode 959
Discernment in a Time of Disinformation 1 John 4:1-6
Discernment in an era plagued by disinformation is the central theme of our discussion today. Drawing from the profound teachings found in First John 4:1-6, we engage in a critical examination of the relentless barrage of misinformation that pervades our contemporary society. We explore the necessity of weighing and scrutinizing the myriad of voices that claim to speak for God, recognizing that not all who profess such authority are genuine. This episode emphasizes the imperative of collective discernment, urging us to seek diverse perspectives, particularly from communities directly impacted by pressing social issues. Through these reflections, we endeavor to cultivate a deeper understanding of truth that transcends superficial dichotomies and fosters authentic engagement with the world around us.
The dialogue presented in this episode focuses on the critical theme of discernment in an age characterized by the proliferation of misinformation. Drawing from the biblical text of First John 4:1-6, the speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating the messages one receives. He warns of the dangers posed by those who, while professing a connection to the divine, may in fact embody falsehoods. The podcast challenges listeners to engage in a thoughtful examination of their beliefs, fostering a sense of vigilance against misleading teachings that can obscure the essence of spiritual truth.
Moreover, the conversation navigates the complexities of binary thinking that often dominate religious discourse. Dr. Miller advocates for a progressive theological approach that encourages deeper inquiry and engagement with diverse perspectives. He highlights the significance of Jesus’ physicality as a reminder that authentic spirituality must address the tangible realities of life. This principle underscores the necessity for faith to engage with pressing societal issues, such as justice and environmental sustainability, thereby ensuring that spirituality is not divorced from the lived experiences of individuals.
Concluding the episode, the speaker proposes actionable steps for listeners, urging them to practice collective discernment. By seeking insights from various communities on critical social matters, individuals can cultivate a richer understanding of truth. This communal approach to discernment is particularly vital in a fragmented world, where diverse perspectives can illuminate the path toward genuine understanding. The episode wraps up with a prayer, calling for divine guidance in the pursuit of truth and wisdom, thereby reinforcing the episode’s overarching message that discernment is a collaborative effort rooted in community.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of discernment amidst the pervasive disinformation prevalent in contemporary society, urging listeners to critically assess the information they encounter.
- We are reminded that genuine spirituality necessitates engagement with the material realities of life, including social justice and environmental issues that affect our communities.
- The discussion highlights the significance of community discernment, advocating for collaborative efforts to seek truth in an age dominated by isolated viewpoints and algorithmic biases.
- Listeners are encouraged to practice collective discernment by exploring pressing social issues from multiple perspectives, particularly those of marginalized communities.
- The podcast stresses that not all who speak of God represent divine truth, and encourages a careful examination of teachings and their sources.
- Finally, the episode underscores the necessity of grounding faith in reality, asserting that authentic spirituality must address the tangible struggles faced by individuals in the world.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
Transcript
Discernment in a time of disinformation a reading from First John 4:1 6 on the Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised and Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's Today's reading from First John 4:1:6 Reading from the Message don't believe everything you hear my dear friends.
Speaker A:Don't believe everything you hear.
Speaker A:Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you.
Speaker A:Not everyone who talks about God comes from God.
Speaker A:There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.
Speaker A:Here's how you test for the genuine spirit of God.
Speaker A:Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came as an actual flesh and blood person, comes from God and belongs to God.
Speaker A:And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God.
Speaker A:This is the spirit of Antichrist that you heard was coming.
Speaker A:Well, here it is sooner than we thought.
Speaker A:My dear children, you come from God and belong to God.
Speaker A:You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.
Speaker A:These people belong to the Christ denying world.
Speaker A:They talk the world's language and the world eats it up.
Speaker A:But we come from God and belong to God.
Speaker A:Anyone who knows God understands us and listens.
Speaker A:A person who has nothing to do with God will of course not listen to us.
Speaker A:This is another test for telling the spirit of truth from the spirit of deception.
Speaker A:Well, in today's reflection here, friends, we're exploring this text that speaks powerfully to a struggle, indeed our current struggle, with truth, misinformation and authentic spirituality.
Speaker A:Let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first thing we're going to talk about is going beyond binary thinking.
Speaker A:This passage might seem to promote strict us versus Them divisions.
Speaker A:Progressive theology invites us to dig a little deeper.
Speaker A:The call to open quote carefully weigh and examine close quote suggests thoughtful discernment rather than a knee jerk react rejection of different perspectives.
Speaker A:In our polarized world, this carefully weighing becomes even more crucial.
Speaker A:The second point is about embodied truth.
Speaker A:The emphasis on Jesus coming as an actual flesh and blood person.
Speaker A:Close quote post points to an important principle.
Speaker A:Authentic spirituality must be grounded in material reality.
Speaker A:Any theology that ignores physical suffering, environmental destruction or bodily needs fails this test.
Speaker A:True faith must engage with real world struggles for justice and liberation.
Speaker A:Third point is about community discernment.
Speaker A:The text here speaks of a collective wisdom.
Speaker A:We come from God and anyone who knows God understands us.
Speaker A:This suggests that discernment isn't just individual, but communal.
Speaker A:In an age of algorithmic bubbles and isolated viewpoints, we need diverse communities of discernment to help us recognize truth.
Speaker A:Here's your action step this week.
Speaker A:Practice collective discernment.
Speaker A:That is choose some pressing issue, maybe it's a social justice concern or environmental crisis or racism or equality of some sort.
Speaker A:And intentionally seek perspectives from two or three different communities, particularly those who are impacted by the issue.
Speaker A:Notice how different viewpoints enhance the understanding.
Speaker A:Share your learnings.
Speaker A:Maybe you with your own community or build some collective wisdom about it.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a minute, but I want you to know that we are here to serve you in so many ways, including giving you your own at home Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:We call it the ABC123 Bible study method.
Speaker A:It's a very simple, straightforward process for your at home Bible study.
Speaker A:It's available to you free of charge@voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the source of truth and wisdom in a world of competing voices where lies often wears sacred clothing and truth gets buried under noise.
Speaker A:Help us develop keen discernment.
Speaker A:Ground us in communities of wisdom.
Speaker A:Connect us to the real needs of flesh and blood people.
Speaker A:Free us from the temptation of easy answers.
Speaker A:May we be people who carefully weigh and examine, who listen deeply to different perspectives, who who seek truth that liberates all.
Speaker A:In openness and wisdom we pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years of million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your daily Bible refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
