Have you ever left a church service feeling hurt, confused, or wondering if what you heard was really from God? In this episode, I share a personal experience that changed how I view spiritual discernment. After hearing a pastor make an incredibly hurtful statement, my husband and I quietly made the decision to never return. That moment reminded me that the words spoken from a church platform carry tremendous weight.

Drawing from 1 John Chapter 4, we'll explore why Scripture tells us to "test the spirits" instead of automatically accepting every message that begins with, "God told me." Discernment isn't about being cynical or critical—it's about faithfully filtering truth from error. Just as church safety teams and law enforcement officers are trained to stay alert to physical dangers, Christians are called to stay spiritually alert as well.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why spiritual discernment is essential for every believer.
• What it means to "test the spirits" according to Scripture.
• How harmful teaching can wound people who are already hurting.
• Why claiming "God told me" doesn't automatically make a message true.

Whether you're a church leader, ministry volunteer, church safety advocate, or a law enforcement officer, this conversation will encourage you to anchor your faith in God's Word rather than human opinion.

If this episode encourages you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to help build churches that are physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe.