What is it?
Hebrew 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
For years I struggled with understanding discernment. How do you acquire this? Who will teach me this skill? Is it even necessary?
We all are born knowing nothing, we are taught our name, and immediately we are introduced to the language we will primarily learn before learning another. Discernment is definitely not on that list directly, and then as we get older, we are not told we need to learn and practice this skill. Well, of course, “when I was a child, I spoke as a child, and as I aged, I put away childish things.” (We will get into this statement at a later time) A loose paraphrasing of 1 Corinthians 13:11
Okay, so now that I am aware that my education and language will evolve over time, I embrace this new information discernment! What the heck is this anyway? Ugh, is this something that is going to require a lot of reading and big words I don’t understand? The word itself is confusing.
Discernment: the ability to obtain sharp perception, which means to judge well and in a biblical context, receiving spiritual guidance and understanding to make informed decisions well.
So there we have it,
...discernment is the ability to use intuitive insight... process information by using prior knowledge, paying attention to signs, and using your senses even to help inform your decision or identify an issue/challenge.
The spiritual component of this requires the relationship cultivated with God. There are places only God can take you and revelations only God can uncover.
Unfortunately, many people lack spiritual discernment, because most people ignore the spiritual experience we are engaging with daily.
“For we don’t fight against flesh and blood but against principalities (evil rulers), against powers (authorities of the unseen world), against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness (evil spirits) in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NKJV/NLT
This passage from the Bible, which was inspired by God written by men (so I have been told), tells us, we are up against spiritual entities daily. No wonder we need discernment and, most crucial spiritual insight to protect ourselves, because people can be very insidious, crafty and treacherous actions that are subtle and gradual, appearing as good deeds with harmful effects.
Spiritual discernment can help with discovering behavior like this and reveal things that you didn’t know and even support your decision-making process; it helps you to apply wisdom to information and knowledge you already have.
Make better-informed decisions by applying spiritual discernment. Ask God for wisdom and, most importantly, spiritual discernment.
Be Advised: Spiritual discernment will make you uncomfortable because it reveals the truth where you may not want to accept it. It shows information that may be concealed.
Note: The way you put your faith to work, is how wisdom and spiritual discernment is applied to your daily life. These skills require regular practice and action on your part.
O.Silvera
