Have you ever talked to someone and sensed that what they are telling is somewhat correct but still it does not sit well with your soul? I had experienced that for many times in the past. During those early times of feeling that way, I asked myself, “Am I being judgmental? Do I posses a critical spirit? Is it out of my pride? Then I have read Hebrews 5:14 which talks about discernment which is given to maturing Christians. It is clearly stated there that strong meat (Word of God) belongs to those who have their own senses exercised to discern both good or evil.
If discernment is so important to determine both good and evil, what is discernment then? Discernment is defined by the secular sense that “the act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment and the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. In lay man’s term, it is the ability to judge well and carefully about something that is obscure or unclear. Have you read Paul’s exhortation about spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-10?
“For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”
Paul stressed the importance of discernment to avoid prevailing errors in the church. (Though there are gifts written that are no longer applicable today). Yet it does not only pertain to the church but also discernment must be exercised by every believer. The Scripture tells us that the “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Thus, discernment is supposedly given to believers who are walking accordingly.
The world has a lot of enticing philosophies and good wisdom. So as some of the churches’ seemingly good doctrines. An individual who has not exercised discernment can easily be swayed by these vain knowledges that are not from God.
How can we gain godly discernment then?
These practical principles help us exercise our discernment for the glory of God.
We must be rooted in God’s Word. The best method that we can do to gain discernment is to be rooted in God’s Word. God’s truth is the only and perfect source of right and truth. Knowing His Word by heart gives us the guidance that we can check whatever we see, hear, and read if it is according to His Word.
The Psalmist mentioned that “in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2). In the same way, having that Psalmist’s lifestyle to meditate God’s Word day and night is vital in our Christian life.
We test and prove all things based on God’s truth. One of the great lessons that I learned from my discipler before is to always check what people say in light with the Scripture. And we get this principle from 1 Thessalonians 5:21,
- “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
Prove means to demonstrate to be the specified thing by evidence or argument. How then we can prove things if we don’t go to the Scripture?
Everyone is prone to error even our leaders in church. Counter checking it all the time is a must. We have heard how these charismatic pastors and leaders penetrated the church through their wrong doctrines. Thus, no one is exempted. If we are not careful, we might believe the lies that they are teaching. That’s what the Berean brethren did upon gladly receiving the words of Paul and Silas. They examined the Scriptures whether what they received were true. They were even commended as more noble than the brethren in Thessalonica because of proving and testing what they have heard (Acts 17:10-15).
As we get to know God and His Word, it becomes easier for us to determine which one is true and which one is right.
Ask God’s wisdom to know the difference between right and almost right. In our present times, it is not only knowing the difference between right and wrong but because of many false doctrines and teachings inside churches, the thing now is, to know the difference between right and almost right. I have watched and listened to some of preachers and pastors who are tagged as false. And it is really hard to point which ones are correct and which ones are not. These false teachers seem to speak things from the Bible. But if we take a second look, we will know that it is not right. Lying, stealing, walking with the world, bribing, cursing – these can be easily point to be wrong and evil. However, biblical principles that are out of context can be deceiving.
I like how Charles Spurgeon states discernment as, “not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” I could not agree more.
Everyday we meet people. We encounter events. We listen to preachers and teachers. We read books. We listen to music. And as maturing Christians, our goal is to honor and glorify God even in the seemingly routinary activity in our everyday life. This is where discernment is needed the most. The little things where we exercise our discernment is the foundation of discerning greater errors in our Christian journey.
Walk with the wise. One best way to have godly discernment is to walk with the wise. Walk with the wise and we shall be wise – that’s a good advice from the Word. Yet it also warns us that if fools are our companion, we will be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20).
We often hear the saying, “birds of the same feather, flock together.” The friends that we choose or the company that we go with is most likely those who have the same mind as we are.
Wisdom and discernment come along side each other. And Scripture tells us that if we don’t have wisdom, we can ask God who gives liberally (James 1:5).
I believe that if our hearts are aligned with God’s will, we will receive wisdom and discernment from Him above. However, pride and evil works block wisdom. If we keep on walking with our own flesh, God’s wisdom will be hindered. We won’t have discernment as well.
May we continuously pray for wisdom and discernment so we can walk wisely and not foolishly in this present time.
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