Topical Encyclopedia
Discernment is a critical concept in Christian theology, often associated with the ability to judge well and distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong, or good and evil. It is considered a gift from God, enabling believers to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and understanding. The Bible provides numerous references to discernment, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of discernment is rooted in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. In
Proverbs 2:3-5 , it is written: "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." This passage highlights the pursuit of discernment as a noble and rewarding endeavor, closely linked to the fear of the Lord and the acquisition of divine knowledge.
In the New Testament, discernment is further emphasized as a spiritual gift. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, speaks of discernment as a gift of the Holy Spirit: "To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits" (
1 Corinthians 12:8-10). Here, discernment is described as the ability to distinguish between spirits, underscoring its role in spiritual warfare and the protection of the church from false teachings.
Practical ApplicationDiscernment is not only a spiritual gift but also a skill that can be developed through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews 5:14 states, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This verse suggests that discernment grows with spiritual maturity and the consistent application of biblical principles.
The Apostle John also warns believers to exercise discernment in testing the spirits: "Beloved, 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). This exhortation highlights the necessity of discernment in safeguarding the faith against deception and false doctrine.
Discernment in Daily LifeIn daily life, discernment involves making choices that align with God's will and reflect His character.
Romans 12:2 encourages believers to "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation and renewal of the mind are essential for discerning God's will in various situations.
Furthermore, discernment is vital in relationships and community life.
Philippians 1:9-10 expresses a prayer for the Philippians: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Here, discernment is linked with love and knowledge, guiding believers to approve what is excellent and live blamelessly.
ConclusionDiscernment is a multifaceted and indispensable aspect of the Christian life, enabling believers to navigate the spiritual and moral challenges they face. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the study of Scripture, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity, Christians are equipped to discern truth from error and live in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of discerning.
2. (n.) The power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another; power of viewing differences in objects, and their relations and tendencies; penetrative and discriminate mental vision; acuteness; sagacity; insight; as, the errors of youth often proceed from the want of discernment.
Greek
144. aisthesis -- perception... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aisthesis Phonetic Spelling: (ah'-ee-sthay-sis)
Short Definition: perception Definition: perception, understanding,
discernment...1922. epignosis -- recognition, knowledge
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epignosis Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ig'-no-sis) Short Definition: knowledge,discernment, recognition Definition...
1506. eilikrines -- judged by sunlight, unalloyed, pure
... 1506 (from , "" and 2929 , "to judge") -- properly, judged because seen in ;
(figuratively) in the , ie with (spiritual vision) which results in (discernment)....
4907. sunesis -- a running together, spec. understanding
... Spelling: (soon'-es-is) Short Definition: understanding Definition: a putting together
in the mind, hence: understanding, practicaldiscernment, intellect....
145. aistheterion -- organ of perception
... "145 (, noun) focuses on the of and especially its . 144 (the cognate) is the
brand of sense-discernment which shrewdly sizes things up....
4893. suneidesis -- consciousness, spec. conscience
... Jn 1:4,7,9; Gen 1:26,27). ["Conscience (4893 ) is andiscernment, self-judging
consciousness" ().]. Word Origin from suneidon Definition consciousness, spec....
1233. diagnosis -- a distinguishing, determination
... diagnosis Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ag'-no-sis) Short Definition: judicial examination,
decision Definition: judicial examination, decision; an act ofdiscernment...
1253. diakrisis -- the act of judgment
... Definition: distinguishing, deciding, passing sentence on Definition: distinguishing;
hence: deciding, passing sentence on; the act of judgment,discernment....
Strong's Hebrew
998. binah -- an understanding... Word Origin from bin Definition an understanding NASB Word Usage clearly (1),
consideration (1),
discernment (3), truth (1), understand (1), understanding (29
...8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... Word Origin from bin Definition an understanding NASB Word Usagediscernment (1),
reasonings (1), skill (1), skillful (1), skillfully (1), understanding (37)....
995. bin -- to discern
... clever (1), consider (8), consider carefully (1), considers (1), diligently consider
(1), discern (9), discerned (2), discerning (9),discernment (1), explain...
7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... 2), instructed (1), instructs (1), intelligence (1), prosper (2), prospered (3),
prospering (2), prospers (1), prudent (2), showdiscernment (1), showed (1...
2942. teem -- taste, judgment, command
... teem Definition taste, judgment, command NASB Word Usage accountable (1), command
(1), commanded* (1), commander* (3), decree (18),discernment (1), disregarded...
2940. taam -- taste, judgment
... Word Origin from taam Definition taste, judgment NASB Word Usage decree (1),
discernment (3), discreet (1), discretion (1), flavor (1), sanity (1), taste (4)....
Library
January the Seventeenth SpiritualDiscernment
... JANUARY The Seventeenth SPIRITUALDISCERNMENT. "My sheep hear My voice!"
"John 10:19-30. This is spiritualdiscernment. We may...
Love andDiscernment.
... IX. LOVE ANDDISCERNMENT.... (4) He prayed for discerning love; "that your love may
abound yet more and more in knowledge and alldiscernment" (RV)....
The Absurd Doctrine of Abaelard, who Attributes Properly and...
... says, as I have pointed out, that omnipotence properly belongs to the Father, and
He makes it to consist in the fulness and perfection of Rule anddiscernment....
Encouragement for the Depressed
... your knowledge. Yourdiscernment, too, is small. It... things of God. Your
discernment, however, seeming so small, need not afflict you....
What Manner of Man Ought not to Come to Rule.
... But one with a small nose is he who is not adapted for keeping the measure
ofdiscernment. For with the nose we discern sweet odours...
Philippians i. 11-Aug
... And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all
discernment; that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may...
Spiritual Gifts.
... of the Church. Then follows a different series of charismata, viz., tongues,
healing,discernment of spirits, etc. These non-official...
Solomon
... resting on him. He knew that he lackeddiscernment, and it was a sense of
his great need that led him to seek God for wisdom. In his...
Introductory Notice to Apocrypha of the New Testament.
... of them. It did not require any greatdiscernment to distinguish between
these and the canonical books of the New Testament. The...
Chapter xxix
... Those who are without spiritualdiscernment may consider the matter of this chapter
as being altogether off the spiritual plane and dropping to the level of...
Thesaurus
Discernment (43 Occurrences)... and tendencies; penetrative and discriminate mental vision; acuteness; sagacity;
insight; as, the errors of youth often proceed from the want of
discernment.
...Discerning (29 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I
will bring thediscernment of the discerning to nothing." (WEB ASV)....
Lacks (27 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 11:12 He that despiseth his neighbour lacketh understanding;
but a man ofdiscernment holdeth his peace. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... 11. (vi) Feeble of mind; wantingdiscernment; lacking vigor; spiritless;
as, a weak king or magistrate. 12. (vi) Resulting from, or...
Insight (39 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Power of acute observation and deduction;
discernment; perception. 2. (n.) A sight or view of...
Teach (172 Occurrences)
... tech, tech'-er, tech'-ing: I. OLD TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Discipline 2. Law 3.Discernment
4. Wisdom 5. Knowledge 6. Illumination 7. Vision 8. Inspiration 9...
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... tech, tech'-er, tech'-ing: I. OLD TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Discipline 2. Law 3.Discernment
4. Wisdom 5. Knowledge 6. Illumination 7. Vision 8. Inspiration 9...
Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... tech, tech'-er, tech'-ing: I. OLD TESTAMENT TERMS 1. Discipline 2. Law 3.Discernment
4. Wisdom 5. Knowledge 6. Illumination 7. Vision 8. Inspiration 9...
Blind (91 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not having the faculty ofdiscernment; destitute of intellectual light;
unable or unwilling to understand or judge; as, authors are blind to their own...
Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... This general idea, of course, persists throughout the revelation and enters largely
into our thinking of today, but the growing moraldiscernment of the...
Resources
How can I increase my spiritual discernment? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about discernment? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about discrimination? | GotQuestions.orgDiscernment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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