Spiritual Discernment
A Supernatural Sixth Sense or A Biblical Mindset?
Somewhere along the way I got the idea that spiritual discernment was like a 6th sense activated by God. Very subjective, very emotion-based, essentially a spiritual intuition.
I thought that people who had discernment were like thermometers who could gauge if something was hot or cold. Good or evil. They had a gift for knowing beyond what others could perceive.
With a quick Dictionary search, I find “discernment” defined as the ability to judge well.
The more I grow & learn, I come to realize that spiritual discernment is looking at things with scripture in mind. Spiritual discernment is the ability to judge well, an ability that is gained and refined as you grow in the wisdom of the Holy Spirit through studying God’s Word. It is allowing scripture to guide your view of things.
The Jews in Berea were exercising spiritual discernment when they examined the scriptures against the teachings about Christ that Paul brought to them. And they were called more honorable than Thessalonica’s Jews because of their willingness to study and look into the teaching.
Looking at the whole story, we see that before Paul reached Berea, he was in Thessalonica. The Jews there received the gospel with a knee jerk reaction- immediately causing trouble. They gathered a mob, caused an uproar, and took some of the believers by force to charge them before the secular authorities. They accused the believers in Jesus of spreading teaching that was against Caesar.
In contrast, the Jews in Berea were eager to learn and compare the teaching about Jesus with the scriptures. (see Acts 17)
I think it’s important to note that in both of these cities, the Jews should have been eager to know if indeed the awaited Messiah had come. They had all of the scriptures which spoke of an anticipated Deliverer. Yet, one group was unwilling to yield to the process of study and reason, being offended by the message and rejecting it immediately.
This offense was likely because of the widely popular belief that the Messiah would reestablish Israel as a nation, and Jesus certainly did not accomplish that task.
However, the Bereans, upon re-examining scripture, were apparently able to see the passages that spoke to the idea of a suffering servant, a Messiah who would become the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the people. They were able to believe the good news about Jesus being the Christ because they stopped and studied scripture again.
Is it possible that we sometimes reject the truth because of our unwillingness to stop and study, or re-study, God’s word on a matter?
I think that I have been guilty of this. I realize that I have carried opinions about scripture based on my mindset and understanding from the last time I read them. I’m always learning and growing, by the grace of God, and my understanding of His word grows every time I study it.
If I neglect to study the Word afresh, perhaps I am neglecting an opportunity to see things that I could not see as a younger version of myself.
Unfortunately, the popular church culture of today promotes feelings over scripture to the detriment of the sheep. Too many wolves and their dangerous doctrines go unnoticed, because biblical illiteracy is no big deal as long as you’re “experiencing God”.
It is more on brand for the majority of Christians to seek out insightful, anointed teachers and listen to their judgments about scripture & life than it is for us to actually sit in a devotional time with scripture alone.
It’s time the tide turns from this emphasis on experience & feelings to again promoting scripture, proper understanding of how to navigate the Bible, and sound doctrine.
I suspect we are missing much of God’s truth by our neglect of personal Bible study.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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 12:1–2, ESV
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
Ephesians 5:25–27, ESV
The scriptures are clear on this point: It is important to yield your mind to the Lord. The Word of God is the avenue which God uses to grow us in our discernment. It is the water that cleanses our minds so that we may conform our thinking to God’s way of seeing things.
Not only is our ability to discern the Word itself dependent on our studying scripture, but also our discernment in everyday life situations. The Word of God is meant to help us grow in wisdom and knowledge, so that we may determine the will of God as we live out our lives.
The discipline of reading, especially re-reading, is not glamorous.
In most of the known world today, reading is considered quite lackluster. God enjoys using the foolish things, the seemingly weak things, to demonstrate His power.
I pray that you would have a refreshed love for the Word of God. I pray that you would be granted the quiet discipline of a learner to re-examine the scriptures and allow your wisdom and spiritual discernment to grow.
Godspeed. Let’s go read!
““Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.””
Proverbs 4:4B-9, ESV
