Theological Discernment Is For Moms Too

As a new mom, at times, I felt like I was drowning in decisions. Soothers or no soothers? Cloth diapers or disposable? Baby-led weaning or purees? Homeschooling or public school? But what overwhelmed me more as I held my sleeping baby, was the thought of the need for theological discernment ahead of me. A lump grew in my throat as I wondered how I would protect my baby from the false gospels he’d encounter as he grew. How would I show him the difference between the one true God and the many idols he’d face?

Perhaps the thought of theological discernment puts a lump in your throat too. Perhaps it seems like more work and more reasons to fear. Perhaps it’s an unfamiliar or confusing idea. Charles Spurgeon has said that discernment is the skill of seeing what is right from almost right. It’s the ability to recognize the truth about God and the gospel and recognize when it’s skewed. It’s one thing to do that for ourselves, it’s another to guide our children through it as well. 

Sister, let me encourage you that theological discernment doesn’t need to be intimidating. This may be a weighty task, but it’s also an honor we’ve been given as mothers in teaching and loving our families. It doesn’t need to be burdensome and fearful—rather, it can be rewarding and restful for the believer.

Continue reading at Risen Motherhood.