A Mind for Christ: Intellectual Discipleship 

Thinking Critically About Truth 

September 28, 2025 

Dr. Brad Hoffmann, pastor 

 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. —1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 ESV 

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. — Acts 17:10-12 ESV 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. — John 14:26 ESV 

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. —1 Corinthians 2:12-13 ESV 

Discernment is the spiritual ability to distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong, wisdom and folly, and even what is good and what is best. It involves clarity of thought, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, and alignment with the Word of God. 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. —John 14:6 ESV 

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. —1Corinthians 12:8-11 ESV 

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 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”— John 8:31-32 ESV 

The Discernment Grid 

1. Is it true? 

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. —John 17:17 ESV 

2. Is it good? 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? —Micah 6:8 ESV 

3. Is it wise? 

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. —Ephesians 5:15–16 ESV 

4. Is it beautiful? 

He has made everything beautiful in its time. —Ecclesiastes 3:11a ESV 

5. Is it forming me? 

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 

6. Is it fruitful? 

You will recognize them by their fruits. —Matthew 7:16a ESV