WHAT IS DISCERNMENT?

 

[ Discernment ]  keenly selective judgment

 

Discernment is an ever increasing knowledge and identification of the truth and, therefore, clearly separating all other “truths,” errors, and falsehoods from the truth.

 

Biblical discernment is accurately and distinctly separating what is false from what is true. What is love from what is not love. What is important from what is not as important. What is truly needed from what is simply a desire or not needed at all. What is wrong and foolish from what is right and wise. What is bad, good, or better, from what is best. What is unbiblical from what is biblical and doing something about it - in the right way. True biblical discernment is motivated by a deep love for God, truth, Scripture, and other people. Biblical discernment may be better known by another name: wisdom.

 

Godly wisdom must always begin with the fear of God.

 

Proverbs 1:7; 9:10

 

 

Godly wisdom is maintained and matured by love for God and the truth.

 

Psalms 119:20, 163 | Ephesians 4:14-15 | Philippians 1:9-11

Hebrews 5:11-14

 

 

Godly wisdom absolutely depends on God’s Word of truth.

 

John 17:17 | Acts 17:11 |  2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-4:4 | Titus 1:9

 

Wisdom (or discernment) is the essential life-giving skill that allows us to live in the light, freedom, love, and truth of God [Jn 8:31-32; Ps 19:7-11; 119:130; Gal 5:1; 1 Jn 4:16] and to avoid needless darkness, delusion, and destruction [Ps 1; 119:11, 67, 105; Prov 1-31; Hos 4:6, 14; 2 Pet 1:3-11].

 

In contrast, if a person does not believe in the concept of truth, the certainty of truth, or absolute truth (as many do not, both in and out of the church), then there is no standard for deciding if something is right or wrong, real or fake, important or unimportant, harmful or helpful. What, exactly, does one lean on for guidance and good judgment? What kind of discernment and wisdom can one really have with an unsure, nebulous, and ever-changing standard—if there is one at all? These seemingly implausible mind-sets, however, explain most of the problems and teachings inside the church today. Why? Because so many doubt the standard [Gen 3:1] and alter it in order to fit it into their desires [2 Tim 4:3-4; Jer 23:16; Jud 17:6].