I found this short article useful for our understanding of this difficult area.
I do struggle with this area. Many times over the years I became quite involved with and enthusiastic about some popular and almost right ideas I encountered. I find I have to constantly check myself.
Spending a great deal of time in God’s Word can help and prayer is extremely valuable. I have to constantly check myself.
The second dimension is even harder…staying humble not arrogant or proud that one is right..
Quote references in the article.
Though its operation has changed since apostolic times (because of the completion of Scripture) it is still essential to have people in the church who are discerning. They are the guardians, the watchmen who protect the church from demonic lies, false doctrines, perverted cults, and fleshly elements. As it requires diligent study of the Word to exercise gifts of knowledge, wisdom, preaching, and teaching, so it does with discernment. [1]
I believe God still empowers some of His people to unmask false prophets and carnal hypocrites. He gives them insight to expose imitations and deceptions that most Christians would take as genuine. The gift of discernment, however, can easily deteriorate into a critical, proud, and self-righteous spirit. It can be judgmental instead of corrective when it is imitated in the flesh. But rightly used it is a great protection to God’s people.[2] – See End Notes
John MacArthur, 2012 published on Apprising Ministries
Or look up the original post from backing in 2012.
Rainbow Trout 