Avoiding Error and Deception in Spiritual Discernment
Avoiding Error and Deception in Spiritual Discernment
The biblical warning against deception is clear: "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ" [1]. This caution is echoed in various scriptural passages, such as Sirach 13:10, which advises, "Beware that thou be not deceived into folly, and be humbled" [3].
In the view of Reformed theologians, spiritual discernment is crucial for avoiding error. John Calvin emphasizes that true knowledge or spiritual discernment of divine things is due to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit [9]. According to Calvin, the best method of avoiding error is to consider the dangers that beset us on either side, namely, sloth and arrogance [10]. one tradition argues that believers must be cautious not to indulge in vain confidence or temerity, while also recognizing their own limitations and God's sovereignty.
The patristic tradition also stresses the importance of avoiding error. Augustine notes that error in the soul is "hideous and repulsive" and that it is our duty to avoid it as far as possible [7]. He examines the opinion of the Academic philosophers, who suggest that to avoid error, one should suspend belief in all cases. However, Augustine argues that this approach is not tenable, as it is impossible to attain to a happy life, or eternal life, without believing certain truths.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual discernment. Hodge cites 1 John 2:20, 27, which states that the anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches believers "of all things, and is truth, and is no lie" [6]. This anointing is seen as essential for true faith and spiritual discernment.
In the Catholic (Scholastic) tradition, Thomas Aquinas discusses the nature of error and deception. one tradition argues that the intellect is always true as regards what a thing is, but that deception and falsehood can creep in accidentally [5].
To avoid error and deception, believers must be vigilant and discerning. As Calvin notes, the will of God is immutable, and His truth is always consistent with itself [8]. Believers must be grounded in the truth of Scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit to navigate the complexities of spiritual discernment.
The biblical warning against deception is not limited to intellectual or doctrinal errors. It also encompasses practical aspects of Christian life, such as the danger of being deceived by "vain words" or "vain philosophy" [11]. As the apostle Paul advises, believers must be cautious not to be "defrauded" or deceived by false teachings or practices [2, 4].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:8 (BSB) — See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 7:5 (Geneva1599) — Defraude not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may giue your selues to fasting and praier, and againe come together that Satan tempt you not for your incontinecie.”
- Sirach “Sirach 13:10 (DRC) — Beware that thou be not deceived into folly, and be humbled.”
- Titus “Titus 2:10 (DRC) — Not defrauding, but in all things shewing good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, First Part (Prima Pars), Of the Mode of the Angelic Knowledge, Art. 5: Article: Whether there can be falsehood in the intellect of an angel? I answer that, The truth of this question depends partly upon what has gone before. For it has been said (Article [4]) that an angel understands not by composing and dividing, but by understanding what a thing is. Now the intellect is always true as regards what a thing is, just as the sense regarding its proper object, as is said in De Anima iii, text. 26. But by accident, deception and falsehood creep in, when we understand th”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 11: that unbelief consists in rejecting that testimony. The testimony of God is given through the Spirit, whose office it is to take of the things of Christ and show them unto us. The Apostle John tells his readers, “Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. . . . . The anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you: and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” ( 1 John ii. 20, 27 .)”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 17.--THE NATURE OF ERROR. ALL ERROR IS NOT HURTFUL, THOUGH IT IS MAN'S DUTY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID IT. (part 2): the true for the false, or to hold what is certain as uncertain, and what is uncertain as certain, and that error in the soul is hideous and repulsive just in proportion as it appears fair and plausible when we utter it, or assent to it, saying, "Yea, yea; Nay, nay,"--surely this life that we live is wretched indeed, if only on this account, that sometimes, in order to preserve it, it is necessary to fall into error. God forb”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: fact of his enlightening some with a present sense of grace, which afterwards proves evanescent. 12. Although faith is a knowledge of the divine favor towards us, and a full persuasion of its truth, it is not strange that the sense of the divine love, which though akin to faith differs much from it, vanishes in those who are temporarily impressed. The will of God is, I confess, immutable, and his truth is always consistent with itself; but I deny that the reprobate ever advance so far as to penetrate to that secret revelation which”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 30: anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.” These passages teach what all evangelical Christians admit. First, that true knowledge, or spiritual discernment of divine things, is due to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit; and secondly, that true faith, or the infallible assurance of the truths revealed, is due in like manner to the “demonstration of tine Spirit.” ( 1 Cor. ii. 4 .) The Apostle John also says: “He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the wit”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 38: 223 inquiry ought to take. The best method of avoiding error is to consider the dangers which beset us on either side. Man being devoid of all uprightness, immediately takes occasion from the fact to indulge in sloth, and having no ability in himself for the study of righteousness, treats the whole subject as if he had no concern in it. On the other hand, man cannot arrogate any thing, however minute, to himself, without robbing God of his honour, and through rash confidence subjecting himself to a fall. To keep free of both these ”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:6: Let no man deceive you with vain words,.... With vain philosophy, vain babblings, with foolish and filthy talking; suggesting that these were not sinful the apostle had condemned; or that they were small sins, the frailties of human life; and that God would take no notice of them, and they might continue in them with impunity: such deceivers there were, doctrinal and practical ones, who lay in wait to deceive men with such vain pretences; and there was danger of being carried away with their error; for the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and is easily tak”