In this episode, Darren and Dillon have a conversation on biblical testing and discernment, focusing first on discerning humans—especially anyone claiming to represent God through authority, teaching, prophecy, or leadership. They discuss the seriousness of influence and agreement, the danger of being bound by lies, and why Scripture calls for testing apostles, prophets, and teachers, noting James 3:1 on stricter judgment for teachers because they represent what God is like. The conversation explores how modern Christian language around “calling,” fivefold roles, and “anointing” can become watered down or misused, sometimes equating personal desire or platform with God’s sending, and they contrast that with biblical examples of God commissioning people (Moses, Old Testament prophets, Paul) while also acknowledging the Great Commission applies broadly to all believers. Using Deuteronomy 18, they note predictive prophecy should be tested over time by whether it comes true, implying a waiting period and track record. From Deuteronomy 13 and Revelation 13, they argue that signs and wonders—even if real—do not prove someone is from God, because miracles can be part of a test and can deceive; discernment must evaluate whether the message leads toward loving the Lord. They read Matthew 7:15–20 to emphasize recognizing false prophets not by outward appearance but by fruit, and discuss how evaluating fruit takes time, patterns, and wisdom, including the difference between mistakes and persistent character issues. They warn against uncritical trust in influential leaders, conferences, and platforms, and point to Galatians 5’s works of the flesh versus fruit of the Spirit as a practical checklist for discernment, applying it to church leadership and broader authority. They end by pausing for a Part 2 to get more practical about how to test and discern and to discuss testing spirits, and they invite listeners to test and discern the hosts themselves.
