New Reminders: Discernment
by Ardith Hoff
Discernment is a word we hear often, in religious circles, in the context of making wise, just and well-thought-out decisions. For example, “We should use discernment in choosing who will teach our children in Sunday School”. The implication is that we should not pick the first person who is willing to do the job, but to know the applicants well, to know their biblical training and religious philosophy, how well they work with children and whether he or she is a good role model. In other words, discernment goes beyond judging on the basis of how the person appears and who we think they are.
Discernment, in the case described above, means to look deeply into the applicants’ backgrounds, knowledge, abilities and character. The noun discernment describes a wise way of judging among things and people, or a particularly perceptive way of seeing, especially things that are not obvious or straightforward. Discernment is judgment backed up by wisdom, reasoning, and seriousness of purpose. Some people seem to have the gift of discernment. They can use the word of God to test whether someone is a true believer and are steeped in the Bible’s teachings. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
Others have prayed for the ability of discernment. The following verses are examples of such prayers: “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 may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11. “So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”1 Kings 3:9. “Teach me good discernment and knowledge for I believe in your commandments.” Psalm 119:66
Others seek to understand God’s word better and to live according to His precepts. “The wisdom of the sensible is to understand His way, but the foolishness of fools is deceit.” Proverbs 14:8. “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.
Discernment is a gift worth praying for, having and using it in our everyday lives and to grow and blossom in our spiritual lives also.