What Does the Bible Say About Spiritual Discernment

We live in an exciting world of instant information. What a step up from Biblical times when handwritten letters and public readings were the “information superhighway!” We have more choices to make than ever before and unfortunately, some of them are neither accurate nor helpful! As believers, we are to use spiritual discernment to help guide our decisions. Let’s explore what the Bible says about discernment and ways to grow this vital aspect of our faith.

(As a matter of clarification, we are not discussing the spiritual gift of discerning of spirits that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12:10b. Paul is showing a distinct ability beyond that which the apostle John calls on all Christians to exercise in 1 John 4:1-6.) _¹

What is Spiritual Discernment?

We all want to serve and follow God, but sometimes it’s hard to know if the steps we’re taking or the advice we’re following are the right ones.

Biblical discernment is an essential quality for every believer. We’d love to see the street sign, have the GPS map, or hear His audible voice for the direction we are to follow.

But He has something better planned.

He has planned for us to be in relationship with Him.

When we are walking with Him, we receive God’s divine wisdom and understanding. It helps us separate what is true or false; right or wrong, and know the will of God. 

True discernment teaches us to separate the important from that which pulls us away from Jesus. It helps us know who to listen to, who to avoid, and what path to take.

Christ Jesus spoke of discernment in this way:

“When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,” and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” Luke 12:54-56.

These Bible verses show Him rebuking the people for not being discerning regarding the prophecies of His coming as the Messiah.

All the information they needed were in the Scriptures they were supposed to be studying! They let their own ideas cloud their understanding.

Unfortunately, we do the same thing today.

 Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us this instruction:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” 

Importance of Discernment

Why is it important to be a discerning person?

 To Walk Upright in a World Filled with Deception

 A failure to distinguish between truth and lies can lead us into false teachings and being led astray. Can you recognize false teachers or manipulation?

Deception is Satan’s specialty beginning in the Old Testament; using his tactics in the Garden of Eden.

False apostles were common during Jesus’ time on earth. They only prophesied what the king and people wanted to hear. False prophets are still active today.

Jesus warns of them:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will know them.” Matthew 7:15-16.

Jesus wants us to beware of those whose words sound religious but are motivated by money, fame, or power. We are to use discernment to evaluate their behavior and morals.

To Make God-Honoring Decisions

We will confront right and wrong, confusing situations, and overwhelming trials throughout our lives. The knowledge of God gives us the discernment we need to understand and walk through each one.

Peter reminds us we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower us with spiritual discernment:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3.

A discerning mind helps us stand firm in our faith and make decisions that reflect God’s Wisdom and plans. It transforms us so we can walk confidently in His truth.

To Grow Spiritually

Discernment is a sign of spiritual maturity in the Christian faith. As it develops, our relationship with Jesus Christ is strengthened. We become more effective in making decisions that help us serve and love others as He does.

The Apostle Paul prayed this over the church in Philippi:

“And this is my prayer; that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and my be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:9-10.

How Can We Develop and Grow Spiritual Discernment?

 “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15.

Spending Quality Time in Bible Study  

We can’t develop discernment on our own. It grows as we spend time in Word of God, soaking up God’s truth and spiritual wisdom. We allow it to shape the way we see the world and the way we think.

This foundation supports our life in Christ. The more we know, the more discernment we receive. We must dedicate ourselves to learning and growing in true knowledge.

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

 God has made His will very clear on many topics- it is our guidebook of life! Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us the things He hates, so we can strip them from our own lives and avoid those who glorify them.

Likewise, we know exactly what He loves- when we walk humbly with Him, love Him and others and show mercy and justice. (Micah 6:8)

“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 ESV.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10. [fear=awe]

Build a Rich Prayer Life

Jesus often withdrew to pray to His Father, seeking His will and drawing comfort from His love. We can experience these same things and experience a closer relationship with Him.

Pray for His direction to be made clear. Ask Him how to navigate a tough decision. Pray for clarity on a confusing question.

King Solomon, given the chance to have anything in this world, prayed for the ability to discern, understand, and consider what lay before him:

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3:9.

We can pray for the same!

Test Everything Against His Word

“Test everything. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Paul offered these instructions (John does the same in 1 John 4:1-6) because many false prophets had gone out into the world. They were to discern if they were from God.

Paul’s instructions still hold true for us today. Many of the ~ 450 English translations of the Bible are erroneous and inaccurate. Bible Study Tools gives a good explanation of the 5 most accurate translations and advice on choosing a Bible that is best for you.

False prophets still claim to hear and speak for God; they are all over the internet; influencing and deceiving many. 

Careful scrutiny of messages we read or hear helps us recognize what is truth. Does it pass the test given out in Deuteronomy 4:2-

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.”

Changing God’s Word assumes a position of authority over God. How could any of us, with our limited wisdom, edit His truth?

Listen to His Voice

We primarily hear from God through the Holy Spirit.

“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-14.

I don’t know about you, but I had to read that more than once.

Essentially, non-Christians cannot understand God, but we not only receive our wisdom from God, we can understand it with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Our Father’s goal has always been to reveal Himself to His people. Jesus has promised the Spirit to us:

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

Our connection with God isn’t intermittent; He is always there. Added to study and prayer, the voice, conviction, and guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead us into the truth.

Like any skill or ability, discernment grows with practice. Start with small decisions and seek His wisdom, allowing Him to guide your steps. Use the above steps to guide you. Over time, your ability to discern His voice will grow stronger.

Using Discernment in Everyday Life

Identifying God’s Will

As we seek to identify God’s will in a particular situation or informational content, consider the following:

~Does this decision align with Scripture? 

~Will it bring glory to God?

~Does it reflect love for others?

For example, when contemplating a big move (geographically, financially, etc.), pray and evaluate if the move aligns with Biblical values, allows you to honor God, and provides opportunities for you to serve others. 

In the case of informational content, is it “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy?” (Philippians 4:8) Does it reflect His character? Love for others? If not, how will you respond?

“But the wisdom from heaven is first of all pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.” James 3:17.

Be Alert for Spiritual Battles

Discernment helps us identify when we are up against spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:13-18 equips us with the armor of God that helps us recognize even the smallest tactics of Satan to pull us away from God.

The devil loves to distract us into walking by what we see, not by faith. He tries to lure us into darkness, so our sins blind us. Discernment shines the light of Christ to illuminate any dark places.

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesian 5:11.

 Paul urges us to expose (bring to light) sin so that others will not interpret our silence as approval. We are to avoid adopting the standards and ways of the ungodly, for the fruit of the light of Christ is goodness, righteousness, and truth”. (5:10) 

Paul’s letter to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3 and 4 are ominous warnings of times to come. We need to read about and watch for lovers of self and money, the boastful, proud, abusive, etc. We are to have nothing to do with them.

“Men will not put up with sound doctrine…they will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3a,4.

Evaluate Teachings and Influences

Discernment helps us evaluate sermons, teachings, books, YouTube channels, social media influencers, news outlets, etc. to ensure they align with Biblical truth.

When Paul and Silas traveled to Berea (now Macedonia), they praised the Bereans for receiving their message with “great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11.

Always compare what you read and hear with what the Bible says. A true message will never contradict or explain away anything found in God’s Word.

Encouragement for the Journey

Growing in discernment is a lifelong journey that bears tremendous fruit! As you stay in relationship with Him and seek His will, He promises to guide and teach.

Bible study, prayer, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit help us develop discernment that honors God and keeps our paths straight.

“Whether you turn to the right or left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21.

“The Bible is the only thing that can combat falsehood and evil. With it, we have the power to discern right from wrong and the ability to live by God’s truth.” – Billy Graham

Blessings!

AnnMarie

All Scripture is taken from the New International Version unless specified otherwise.

¹Barker, Kenneth, and Kohlenberger, John, Zondervan NIV Biblical Commentary, Volume 2 New Testament, 1 Corinthians 12:10, page 641, Grand Rapids, 1994.

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