What Does The Bible Say About Discernment?

Discernment is an important concept in Christian theology that refers to the ability to judge well and make wise decisions. In today’s complex world, many believers wonder – what does the Bible say about discernment? Getting clarity on this topic is key for following God’s will.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible encourages discernment and provides wisdom for how to exercise it rightly. According to Scripture, discernment comes from God and is linked to spiritual maturity.

Christians are called to be discerning and display the fruits of the Spirit, but also to be gracious and humble.

The Bible Encourages Discernment and Seeks to Develop It

Discernment comes from God and is a gift of the Holy Spirit

The Bible teaches that discernment originates from God. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 states, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”

True spiritual discernment is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to believers.

In Hebrews 5:14, Scripture also connects spiritual maturity with practicing discernment: “Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” As Christians grow closer to God, He grants increasingly greater discernment through the Spirit to separate truth from lies.

Christians are called to exercise discernment and grow in spiritual maturity

Several biblical passages make it clear that Christians should be discerning to avoid deception and become spiritually mature. Philippians 1:9-10 states: “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.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 also exhorts believers: “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” As Christians pray for wisdom and study Scripture, their ability to exercise proper spiritual discernment should strengthen over time.

Scripture provides wisdom for using discernment rightly

Though Christians are called to discernment, they must ensure it is applied properly with the right mindset. Matthew 7:1-5 warns believers not to judge hypocritically but rather examine their own hearts first when discerning others’ behavior.

Ephesians 4:15 demonstrates that speaking the truth with discernment should be done in love.

Additionally, John 7:24 clarifies the importance of righteous judgment: “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” As believers mature in godly discernment, they must continue studying Scripture to sharpen their spiritual wisdom in applying it well.

True Discernment Displays the Fruits of the Spirit

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control

Discernment guided by the Holy Spirit will exhibit the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Where there is true spiritual discernment, there will be love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Discernment is not just about deciding between right and wrong or distinguishing truth from error. It involves doing so in a spirit of love, patience, and humility. True discernment seeks to build up, not tear down. It aims to restore and heal, not condemn and divide.

For example, when confronting a fellow believer about a sin or doctrinal error, discernment seasoned with the fruits of the Spirit will carefully and lovingly seek to restore that person through patience and kindness. It will not react in a swift or harsh manner, but will be gentle and deferential.

A discerning person full of the fruits of the Spirit will go about such correction in a spirit of humility, conscious of their own weaknesses and need for grace.

Without love, discernment can become judgmental and divisive

Discernment without love, patience and humility can come across as judgmental, divisive and arrogant. It can destroy relationships and divide communities instead of restoring them. It focuses on minor issues while ignoring more important matters like justice, mercy and love for others (Matthew 23:23).

Discernment is about distinguishing between right and wrong. But without love, it can degenerate into nitpicking and faultfinding over debatable matters. The corrected person feels judged and rejected, rather than restored.

True discernment must be done in a spirit of humility, conscious that our own views are imperfect and incomplete.

Discernment should build up others and the church

The goal of discernment is not just to decide between truth and error or right and wrong. It is also to build up others and strengthen the church (1 Corinthians 14:3-5, 12). Even when correction is needed, it should be done in a spirit of patience and kindness, seeking to restore those who have strayed.

True discernment also seeks to build others up in the truth, not just identify errors. It edifies others with teaching, revelation and words of encouragement (1 Corinthians 14:26). The one who discerns should be conscious of speaking words that build up and impart grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).

Practicing Discernment with Wisdom, Humility and Grace

Careful judgment, not quick condemnation

Discernment calls for careful, thoughtful judgment rather than a rush to condemn others (Prov 18:13, 17). We must be slow to judge and quick to listen, seeking first to understand rather than attacking others’ views. As GotQuestions.org notes, “true discernment exercises humility and grace.”

James 1:19 advises, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This thoughtful approach prevents rash judgments that divide rather than unite believers.

Check your own heart and motives first

Before confronting perceived wrongs in others, we must first examine our own hearts and motives. Jesus said to “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5).

Self-righteous judgment often stems from spiritual pride rather than godly discernment.

As believers, we all struggle with sin and self-deception. Approaching dissenting views with humility acknowledges our own limitations. “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom” (James 2:12).

Our discernment of others should reflect the gracious judgment we hope for ourselves.

Leave final judgment to God

While carefully weighing views and actions against scriptural truth, we must avoid assuming God’s role as final judge. As Jesus declared, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Paul makes clear that final judgment belongs to Christ alone (Rom 14:10; 2 Tim 4:1).

Though we can assess doctrines and behaviors as sound or errant, only God sees hearts. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Our fallible human discernment should “speak the truth in love” (Eph 4:15), leaving final judgment to God.

Conclusion

In summary, the Bible has much to say about discernment and provides invaluable guidance for practicing it rightly. As Christians seek to grow in spiritual maturity and make wise choices in line with God’s will, discernment is a vital ability.

However, it must be exercised with love, humility and grace while leaving final judgments to the Lord. By following biblical principles for discernment, believers can develop this crucial skill and bless others in the process.