In mathematics there is a process of solving an equation called finding the least common denominator. In this process fractions are added together with different denominators by finding a least common denominator. The denominator is the number below the line in a fraction.
In this same way God expects believers to use discernment in viewing good and evil. When it comes to sin we need to determine what is the Source of the problem or what is the Symptom? Using discernment to determine right and wrong.
What is the source in the good taking place. What is the source in the bad taking place? A Source is the main thing from which anything comes. Whatever is coming from a situation reveals its source, whether good or evil.
Discern what is the symptom in the good that is happening. What is the symptom in the Bad that is happening? A Symptom is a sign or indication of something. It is the product or fruit that is made from something.
The source of all wrong and all evil is Sin. In Genesis there is a good picture of the source and the symptoms. Before Sin occurred Adam and Eve did not realized they were naked. Before Sin happened Adam and Eve did not hide themselves from God (Genesis 3:7,8.)
Sin polluted God’s pure creation when Adam and Eve decided to disobey God. Fear and being afraid came also to Adam and Eve after sin occurred. Before Sin occurred Adam and Eve had no fear of talking to God nor being in His presence (Genesis 3:9,10.)
| Symptoms | Sources | |
| Afraid | (Spiritual Response) | fallen Spirit |
| Naked | (Mental Response) | fallen Soul |
| Hiding | (Physical response) | fallen Body |
Other Symptoms
Shame, Blame, & Defame
The inner action of the body, soul and spirit will reflect the source of the heart. After sin came into God’s world symptoms of Sin appeared. Examples
like fear, nakedness, hiding came first. Followed next by shame, then blame, and then defame of God’s character.
All these actions are symptoms to the main source called Sin. Your actions will show you, if you want to know, what the inner source of your problem really is.
All outward action is a indication of the inner problems of Sin in the heart.
Adam and Eve outwardly showed fear, consciously realized their nakedness, and physically went to hide themselves. Then what came next was more inner layers
of their Sinfulness – blame, shame, and defame of God’s character.
When a doctor examines a patient for a illness, in order to define what the illness might be, the doctor must analyze the symptoms. The doctor looks at the
person’s tongue. The doctor might ask the person to open their mouth and say,
“Ahhh!” Jesus has already given us as believers this evaluation process in Matthew
12:34, ” for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
If we would only look at what we say and do then we would know the condition of our sinful heart. Romans 6, asks all believers a good question, “Shall
we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Shall we keep on sinning in order to get more of God’s grace?
Answer, “May God forbid.” No, God redeemed us so that we would stop sinning and living in it. What is Sin? Sin is disobeying God and rebelling against Him. All thoughts and actions that does not yield to the way God wants anything done is Sin.
In God’s eyes all Sin is against Him and it is against His will. There is no such thing as big sin and little sin. All sin to our Holy God is the same and it’s reward is death (Ezekiel 18:4.)
Therefore we need to set our hearts to dislike Sin. “How do you know when you are Sinning?” You know you are sinning when God’s Word the bible says so. You are sinning when you don’t do what the scriptures ask you to do. James 1:22-25 says to be doers of the Word.
You know you are sinning when the Holy Spirit convicts the sin in your life. Only believers get this alarm in their heart by the Holy Spirit. The conviction of sin in their heart on what is wrong and against God. St John 16:8 says that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin.
When it comes to discerning sin and righteousness we need to use our heads. Like the surgeon and the internist who where rushing to catch the hospital elevator. As they got to it, the doors to the elevator started to close. That’s when the surgeon instead of holding the doors open with his hands, stuck his head between
them.”
Don’t you think,” asked the internist, “That sticking your head between the doors is an odd way of getting them to stop?” “Not at all,” replied the surgeon. “I need my hands to operate.” When it comes to doing right God wants our heads and our hands.
Only by discerning the symptom can a person determine the source, whether it is evil or good. If a person continuously does evil, and if they sin all the time then their symptoms would suggest that they are probably lost. Evil symptoms reveal a evil source.
Such a person is probably lost in their sin. But praise the Lord, God can save them and anyone if they would only surrender to Him. Surrender to the finished
work of Christ on the Cross for Sin.
What about you? Have you found yourself continuously Sinning? Perhaps then you have not been saved from your sins. If you have not dealt with your sin or your
sinfulness, then you are still God’s enemy.
The only way to be God’s friend instead is to agree with Him about your sin and
believe in Christ’s death, burial and ressurrection. “Whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” (St. John :15,16.)
What is the source of your reaction? Does it tell you a lot about your symptoms? If you would only look at your symptoms then you would know the source.