Lately, I’ve been grieving over a teacher who’s gone down a direction of teaching that I just don’t get. I found myself asking the Lord:
“Do I need a special degree like he has, in order to read the Bible like He does? Because when I read the Bible, I don’t at all see how He can view you God as He does. It feels like He’s put you in a box.”
From that question, I was drawn to the following…
One of the most sobering statements Jesus made was this:
“And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”
(Matthew 6:23, NLT)
Let that sink in for a moment.
Jesus isn’t just talking about people who are obviously lost.
He’s talking about people who think they are walking in light—but aren’t.
And the result?
A depth of darkness that is terrifying.
Light, Eyes, and the State of Our Souls
Jesus explained that our eye—what we focus on, what we perceive—is like a lamp for our whole body.
If your “eye” is clear and healthy, seeing rightly, your whole life will be illuminated.
But if your “eye” is clouded, unhealthy, or deceived, darkness fills your whole being.
In other words:
- What we believe to be true directs everything else.
- What we focus on either fuels life—or leads us into spiritual blindness.
The Danger of Mislabeling Light and Darkness
This isn’t a new problem.
The prophet Isaiah warned of it too:
“What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever.”
(Isaiah 5:20-21, NLT)
In every generation, there is a temptation to redefine reality.
To make what is wrong look right.
To call what is bitter “sweet.”
To claim that darkness is actually “light.”
And Isaiah says it leads to sorrow—not just personal sadness, but societal devastation.
Discernment: Our Critical Lifeline
We need discernment.
Deep, Spirit-led discernment.
Because not everything that glitters is gold.
Not every teaching that sounds spiritual is rooted in Christ.
Not every voice that claims to speak for God is telling the truth.
Discernment is not suspicion.
It’s not fearfulness.
It’s not criticism.
Discernment is seeing with God’s eyes.
It’s having a heart so tethered to the real Light that we instantly recognize when something false tries to sneak in.
It’s staying so close to Truth Himself—Jesus—that deception has no place to grow.
How Do We Grow in Discernment?
- Stay in the Word.
The Bible is not optional—it’s our anchor.
Test everything against Scripture. - Stay humble.
Beware of becoming “wise in your own eyes.”
Discernment flows from humility, not pride. (And pride is a sign of a heart needing healing.) - Stay in step with the Holy Spirit.
Ask Him daily: “Show me what is true. Warn me when I’m drifting.” - Stay surrounded by godly community.
We need wise, trusted people who sharpen us and challenge us when needed. - Stay focused on Christ.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Light of the world.
The more you know the real thing, the quicker you spot the counterfeit.
Final Thoughts
If the “light” we think we have is actually darkness… how deep is that darkness?
It’s a chilling warning.
But it’s also an invitation.
An invitation to come closer to the Light Himself.
To let His truth penetrate every hidden place.
To let our focus, our “eyes,” be made healthy again.
When we do, our whole lives will shine.
Circling Back
I found myself praying for this teacher (I mentioned above, and former mentor) some of the prayers I have shared in: “God, Show Me What You See.”
My Own Reflective Questions with Jesus:
Is my focus more on circumstances and opinions—or on the unchanging nature of you, Jesus?
Do I have heart wounds affecting my discernment? Does my heart need healing?
Where in my life might I be calling something “light” that is actually darkness?
Am I staying rooted daily in God’s Word, or am I relying more on my own feelings and opinions?
Have I invited you, Holy Spirit, to reveal areas where I may be deceived?
Who are the trusted, godly voices around me that help sharpen my discernment?
Merri Ellen Giesbrecht / www.merriellen.com
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Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box 
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