1 John 4:1-2
Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is the way to find out if they have the Spirit of God: If a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ became a human being, that person has the spirit of God.

Discernment is the process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. It is the ability to understand and use discretion. It is recognition, perceptiveness, and caution.

The Samaritan woman had discoursed with Jesus about her life. This portion of Scripture begins with discernment, “Sir I see that You are a prophet.” That was worship and reverence. Worship is recognizing Who God is and what he represents.

She then added, “Our fathers worshipped (past tense) on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place we must worship (present tense) is in Jerusalem.” The Samaritans had a past experience of worship and it was mountain worship. It was not the true worship because it was based on past tradition. The Jews on the other hand had a present experience of worship- in Jerusalem. It was the center of worship- the dwelling place of God.

The Samaritan woman had discoursed with Jesus about her life. This portion of Scripture begins with discernment, “Sir I see that You are a prophet.” That was worship and reverence. Worship is recognizing Who God is and what he represents.

She then added, “Our fathers worshipped (past tense) on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place we must worship (present tense) is in Jerusalem.” The Samaritans had a past experience of worship and it was mountain worship. It was not the true worship because it was based on past tradition. The Jews on the other hand had a present experience of worship- in Jerusalem. It was the center of worship- the dwelling place of God.