We live in a world filled with many options, a vast array of opinions, and voices competing for our attention and allegiance. In social media, you will find opinions about everything. With the click of a button, you can get anything you want. To be a Christian who honors God in every circumstance, discernment is an essential skill in our day and time. We face life-altering decisions daily, leaving us wondering who to listen to, what is of God, and what is not!
Discernment is the spiritual ability to determine the will and the voice of God above other erratic voices and finally settle on what honors God. Discernment is God’s gift for each Christian who desires to walk and live in the will of God.
The Distinction
Discernment goes beyond common sense and intelligence, since many people possess those qualities yet are still blinded by falsehood. Discernment is deeply spiritual. Those with a discerning Spirit are mature believers with an impeccable ability to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). Discernment is a spiritual skill developed through intimacy with God, living in line with his word, and being sensitized to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives. It involves seeing beyond the surface. While many things may appear to make logical sense, not all of these things are God’s will for his people. The Bible speaks of a way that seems right to a man but ultimately leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). Discernment helps believers know God’s will in the moment a decision needs to be made.
Why We Need Discernment Today
We live in an era of information overload. Many advisors surround us, and social media bombards us with content right, left, and center. There are many false preachers in our day, and we are battling moral confusion, with no clarity on what is right. Jesus warned us about these days when many false prophets will arise and deceive many (Matthew 24:11). In a world where not every message is from God, we are called to be like the Bereans who always went back to the scriptures to discern God’s voice for themselves (Acts 17:11). By being like the Bereans, we protect ourselves from Spiritual manipulation, deception and compromising our walk with God. In the face of many decisions about relationships, ministry, career, finances, and moral dilemmas, discernment plays a crucial role if we are to honor God at all times. It is through discernment that we’re able to guard our hearts, as Proverbs 4:23 calls us to do.
Discerning the Voice of God
Jesus said that his sheep listen to his voice, that he knows them, and that they follow him (John 10:27). It is God’s desire that we learn to recognize his voice amid many other voices. From the scriptures, we see him speaking to his people through the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-10), godly counsel (Proverbs 15:22, 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and inner conviction (Romans 2:15). One key guide to note is that there is no one time that his voice will go against his word in the scriptures. Many times, we confuse God’s voice with our own fears, the fears of others, the voices of those we respect in the faith, or our personal preferences. Just because you want something, or because you are afraid of certain outcomes or people, shouldn’t be confused with God’s leading. Discernment in such moments helps us to differentiate emotional impulses from God’s guidance and will. Feelings come and go, and thus, they are not a reliable guide for life decisions. We are called to test everything against the scriptures and to seek the will of God in every situation, and prayerfully so (1 John 4:1).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a very crucial role in discernment. Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans but send them a helper who would guide them in all truth (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit reminds us of what the word of God says (John 14:26). He convicts on matters sin, even bringing judgment to God’s people as seen in the story of Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). He brings peace and unease regarding decision-making.
The more we mature spiritually, the more our discernment grows. We must learn to keep in step with the Spirit of God. Then we shall be able to overcome the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Disobeying God diminishes our spiritual sensitivity, but a close walk with God sharpens our discernment. To keep a close walk with the Holy Spirit, we must intentionally set aside time to pray, reflect on God’s word, and heed his promptings.
The Role of the Scripture
We must measure every voice against the word of God; Scripture is foundational for spiritual discernment. As the psalmist puts it, the Word of God is the lamp to our feet and light for our path (Psalm 119:105). It explains why the path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, ever brighter to the full light of day, but that of the wicked is like deep darkness, so that they don’t know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:18-19). The Bible offers clarity in moral dilemmas, helps us set boundaries as we interact with an evil world, and gives us an eternal perspective on life. We cannot, therefore, ignore God’s word even as we desire the gift of discernment.
The more familiar we become with the scriptures, the easier it is to discern truth and recognize error in our day-to-day engagements. It’s similar to how we recognize genuine currency: by how frequently we interact with it. Christians are sharpened by God’s word, which is truth. Christian discernment is not only about knowing truth, but it’s also about being renewed to be more Christlike. When our minds are renewed, our conscience is recalibrated, and we act in the best interest of the kingdom of God.
Barriers to Discernment
God desires that we be discerning as we walk in the world. Unfortunately, there is never a life without adversity. Among the many things that dull our joy in salvation is sin. Persistent disobedience hardens the heart and makes it difficult to hear God. In our day, we have become too busy, and the many distractions of our daily engagements keep us from our quiet time with God. When the noise around us is too much, the still small voice of God is easily ignored. At times, we are filled with anxiety about our daily needs, which keeps us from seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:34).
Many things can hinder a Christian’s growth in discernment. However, we have a duty to be intentional about our walk with God. Discernment is nurtured through prayer, Bible Study, the fellowship of believers, and the application of the scriptures in our daily lives. Growth in discernment does not imply that we shall not miss a mark at times. True discernment is a call to being sensitive to God’s leading. Once upheld, it brings great assurance in uncertain times, enabling us to rest in God’s sovereign will for our lives.
References
Conduct and Commitment for League of Kingdom Men. http://www.kingdomcitizens.org/conduct-and-commitment-for-league-of-kingdom-men.html