Christians are urged to use “discernment,” the ability to
distinguish between that which is true, or of God, and that which is
false. They are also referred to as a “flock,” as in a “flock of
sheep.” This metaphor is used in the well-known Psalm 23 of David, in
which he calls the Lord his shepherd who leads him as a sheep would be
led. We must realize that David was part of the herding culture of
that time, and that the language and metaphors used in the Bible are a
reflection of the way people lived back then, before the appearance of
Christ.
The value and inerrancy of the Bible is found in the spiritual
lessons that are timeless. Discernment from the Holy Spirit is meant to
lead the believers (“sheep”) to spiritual truth that
transcends the worldly traditions and rituals of any particular era.
Unfortunately, many of today’s Christians glorify those parts of the
Bible that are peripheral to the spiritual message. How
many times have we heard little boys being taught in glowing terms about
David’s slaying of Goliath? Indeed, in his journey toward God’s truth
David was responsible for the death of many people, and he later asked
for God’s forgiveness for these transgressions. In addition, he
sacrificed thousands of animals. We have to remember that this was
before Christ, the final sacrifice. If we don’t put these actions in
perspective, the spiritual lesson is diminished or overshadowed by
visions of physical gore!
People who want to justify holding on to cruel, outdated lifestyles
will find plenty of examples of animal sacrifices, slavery, concubines,
multiple wives, etc. described in the historical accounts
of the Bible. We have to realize that the people God deals with live in
particular eras, and God has to deal with them during those specific
times and occurrences.
Today, two thousand years after Christ’s resurrection, we have no
excuse for continuing in ignorance. We are supposed to be perfect as our
Father in heaven is perfect. In Matthew 5:48 Jesus says:
48. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.”
We are not to return to our past sins or those of our ancestors. If
there is a more compassionate way, if there is a more peaceful way –
that is the path we are to follow.
