Gaining the Best Discernment
Yesterday I wrote about gaining wisdom. However, not just any wisdom, but rather, the wisdom of God (click link to read). Simply put, godly wisdom comes from God and it honors God. Today I want to look at gaining discernment. In contrast to wisdom, which is often defined as a deep understanding or application of knowledge being able to determine what should be, I view discernment as the ability make sound (wise) judgments by perceiving what might not be obvious. While wisdom and discernment are coupled together, they are also distinct from one another. I believe that to judge things wisely (discern), we first need wisdom.
Assuming my definition of discernment is correct, then spiritual discernment is the ability to know something (what is) through the power of the Holy Spirit. An example of this is found in the interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus says this to her – “The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” (John 4:18). How did Jesus know that? Had he previously met all five men? Probably not. Instead, through Spirit-initiated discernment, Jesus “knew” what is; that this woman had been married five times.
You say, of course Jesus “knew” that, He is God. But me, I don’t have that same ability or access to the mind of God. I will push back against that idea. It might be we lack because we don’t ask. The psalmist prayed “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in your commandments” (Psalm 119:66 NASB). In this verse, the word judgement comes from the Hebrew word ta’am, which means to taste; figuratively, to perceive. Another way to say the same thing: to (figuratively) perceive or evaluate, by reason, discretion or judgment. This is the same root word we find in Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”
Wisdom and discernment are often linked together throughout the pages of scripture. I find a good differentiation of the two in Hosea 14:9 – “Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” Another version – “Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them” (HCSB).
Proverbs 2 gives us the recipe for gaining God’s discernment (and wisdom). We are told that if we receive God’s words and treasure up his commandments (v.1), if we make our ear attentive to wisdom and our heart inclined to understanding (v.2), if we call out for insight (v.3), if we seek it with the same passion and diligence as when looking for hidden treasures (v.4), then, first, we will understand the fear [awe, reverence] of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (v.5), and after that, this promise from God – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (v.6).
As I said in yesterday’s writing regarding wisdom, we do not get God’s discernment as some grab and go transaction. Instead, it comes through walking hand in hand with him. It comes by doing the very things that help us better know God. It comes through humility. It comes in quietness. It comes by being able to learn and hear God’s voice among the endless voices of life. It comes by asking.
Are you hungering and thirsting to be wise and insightful? What are you doing to gain the best wisdom and best discernment? That process begins with a willingness on our part to tap into all that our good good God desires to give us!
If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.