What is Discernment? Bible Meaning and Its Importance Today

　　“We need discernment in what we see and what we hear and what we believe.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll

　　

Table of Contents

DefinitionDiscernment in the BibleChristian QuotesImportance For Christians TodayHow to Develop Spiritual Discernment

　　

Discernment Definition

In general, discernment is accurately evaluating ourselves, people, and situations. We discern things correctly by clearly perceiving what is true, right, and essential.

　　Dictionary.com defines discernment as "the faculty of discerning, discrimination, acuteness of judgment and understanding."

　　The Cambridge.org definition of discernment is "the ability to judge people and things well."

　　According to the King James Bible Dictionary, "Discern" is "To examine, prove or test; scrutinize."

　　Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? (Luke 12:54-56)

　　

Discernment in the Bible

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that every Christian's responsibility is to be wise: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil."

　　The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, "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" (1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for the believer, it is required.

　　And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ ~ Philippians 1:9-10

　　But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. ~ Hebrews 5:14

　　To discern is to understand what is good and what is evil. Apostle Paul instructs that those of spiritual maturity should be able to “have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb 5:13).

　　What are the good things in your life you can cultivate? What evil things in your life do you need to prune back? Lent is the perfect season to tend to your spiritual garden.

　　"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” ~ 1 Kings 3:9

　　Do not be 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. ~ Romans 12:2

　　

Christian Quotes About Discernment

“Discernment in beginners is true knowledge of themselves; in intermediate souls, it is a spiritual sense that faultlessly distinguishes what is truly good from what is of nature and opposed to it; and in the perfect, it is the knowledge which they possess by divine illumination, and which can enlighten with its lamp what is dark in others.

　　Or perhaps, generally speaking, discernment is and is recognized as the assured understanding of the divine will on all occasions, in every place, and in all matters, and it is only found in those who are pure in heart and in body and in the mouth.” - St. John Climacus (Ladder of Divine Ascent)

　　"Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, and comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness." - Stephen R. Covey

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　　"Through discernment, we recognize the good and find peace in the decisions we make, progressing ourselves to the future that awaits us." - Christina Schneider

　　Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right. - Charles Spurgeon

　　To discern spirits, we must dwell with Him Who is Holy, and He will give the revelation and unveil the mask of satanic power on all lines - Smith Wigglesworth

　　

Importance for Christians Today

To live a strong life, you must be wise in all aspects of your life and make good choices. For example, failure to distinguish between truth and error leaves the Christian subject to all manner of false teaching. Wrong teaching leads to wrong thinking, which leads to unproductive and unruly behavior, a recipe for compromise.

　　Unfortunately, discernment is an area where most Christians stumble. They can't compare what they learn of God's Word and unknowingly make decisions and behave in ways that go against it. Simply put, they are not prepared to strongly oppose the non-biblical thoughts and attitudes they encounter daily.

　　Discernment intersects the Christian life at every point. And God's Word provides us with the needed understanding about every life issue. According to Peter, God "has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3).

　　The "true knowledge of Him" gives us everything we need to live a Christian life in this fallen world. How else do we have true knowledge of God but through the pages of His Word, the Bible? Peter says such knowledge comes through God's granting "to us His precious and magnificent promises" (2 Peter 1:4).

　　The ability to think biblically about all areas of life is essential to an unwavering life. It is incumbent upon the Christian to seize upon the wisdom God has provided for in His precious truth! Without it, Christians risk being "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14).