It isn’t difficult to discern the earth is being shaken with tumultuous events and change. I’m not sure personally I’ve ever experienced an era where we have so many “experts” giving opinions and advice. In each of the seven mountains that influence our society - media, government, education, economy, family, religion, and arts and entertainment, we are constantly bombarded with “This is the way,” when we may not even understand what we are agreeing with.
Those who walk in the gift of discernment are able to see right through any ruse or obstacle designed to disguise someone’s real intentions, as they uncover the truth. It comes to light from the truths taught in His word. Perception and insight comes from biblical knowledge, understanding and a solid belief in His word. We learn that His voice never contradicts His word.
Strong’s definition of discernment is: to separate mentally or distinguish, generally understand – attend, consider, be cunning, diligent, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, teach, think, understand, view, wisely.
True discernment is a gift that guides one to pray for situations and for others. Corrie Ten Boom taught that “Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to faultfinding.” Joyce Meyer also cautions us regarding spiritual discernment/perception: “Some people think they have discernment when actually they are just suspicious. Suspicion comes out of the unrenewed mind; discernment comes out of the renewed spirit.”
When we hear those quiet whispers in our “ear”, whether accusatory or encouraging, discernment is needed to understand which “voice” we are listening to. I still have to pause at times, when a negative or condemning thought comes to me and ask myself, “Is this truth or a lie?” After walking through years of living with critical people and negativity, it sometimes seems easier to “believe” the condemning or negative thought spoken over us as children, than to trust His word and Who He says we are as His children today. Watchman Nee addressed this dilemma when he taught regarding discernment: “…spiritual believers should learn how to discern the accusation of the enemy.”
First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The Apostle John, in 1 John 4:1 also gave the same advice when he taught regarding discerning of spirits. "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” According to the New Testament, discernment is not an option for the believer - it is requirement and a gift.
In the Bible, discernment is associated with spiritual maturity and development. As you grow in knowledge of the Word and intimacy in hearing His voice and understanding His ways, the gift of discernment within you will expand and become more reliable and trustworthy. Heaven’s guidance will become clearer to you. Isaiah 30:21 encourages us: “And your ears will hear a word behind you. ‘This is the way, walk in it’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”
We find Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:14 clarifying to his followers: “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and can not understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”
I have also found that undesirable trials can sometimes be the best teacher and tool to bring maturity, understanding and increased discernment. Once we walk through a challenge the lesson we learn can be foundational for our future. Romans 12:2 speaks to this: “Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Scripture encourages us to get wisdom, knowledge and understanding. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how unfathomable are his ways!,” (Romans 11:33). So as you walk through the coming days, I encourage you to read His word and get understanding. Talk with Him and learn of His ways. Ask Holy Spirit to come to you, help you and guide you. Ask him as your Paraclete to help give you counsel in your decision making. “If any of you lack wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to you,” (James 1:5).
Call upon God to help you develop a discerning spirit (1 Kings 3:9), and “see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elementary principles and spiritual forces of this world, rather than according to Christ, (Colossians 2:8). For solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil, (Hebrews 5:14).
Discernment is available to all who seek it. In these complicated times we all need heightened wisdom and understanding. Ask Him – and He will develop and expand your perception and insight helping you to see things not as they seem, but as they really are.
I close with this prayer for you from Paul who encouraged and prayed for those in Philippi:
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound still more and more, in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, and so be pure, sincere and blameless until the day of Christ, (Philippians 1:9-10).
In His Love,
