How well do you see the truth, and can you separate nonsense from reality? It is alleged that P.T. Barnum said that a sucker was born every minute. Mr. Barnum was a showman and quick to sell a ticket to his shows. Most people are easy to convince that things are not necessarily what they seem. Discernment is the ability or quality of being able to comprehend, understand, and grasp what is ambiguous or unclear. Discernment is the ability to perceive something, the ability to see what is not obvious and confusing to the average person. Discernment could be described as seeing the truth in situations not easily understood. Discernment is difficult to develop in the everyday world, and then it is even more confusing when we try to develop discernment in our spiritual lives. A person needs a foundation of wisdom to understand, appreciate, and distinguish fact from error and truth from falsehood. This rare and special ability is called “spiritual discernment”.
Discernment is first addressed in First Kings 3:9, where King Solomon asks God for wisdom and discernment to govern His people. In First Kings 3:12, God grants Solomon “a wise and discerning mind” so that there will be no one like him ever before or after. In Second Corinthians, the devil gets involved and shows that many unbelievers are blinded and refuse to see the glory of Christ. Unbelievers often do not want to see the light, and this prevents them from seeing the truth. Paul talked at great length about spiritual blindness being different from physical blindness. Paul describes the power of the gospels that touches the heart and mind, compared to the darkness unbelievers endure.
Spiritual discernment is the ability to exercise wisdom and distinguish truth from error. Many have mistakenly seen spiritual discernment as a God-given ability to separate evil from good- the ability to see demons in the room. There may be those who can identify demons, but this is not what discernment means. In Matthew 13, Jesus speaks to the disciples and tells them that the Pharisees have not been given the secrets he has shared with them. The Pharisees only see what they can see from a strictly early view, which is not discernment. In Job 12, we find that there is no wisdom without God, and God gives discernment or takes it away. Wisdom is a very precious commodity.
Proverbs is a book that addresses many human and spiritual issues and talks about what mankind needs to live the life God wants. The very beginning of Proverbs teaches that true wisdom comes from a healthy fear of God. This fear is not being afraid, but the awareness that one cannot fully understand the immense majesty and power of God. God tries to show us how to live, to be righteous, and warns us that not seeking wisdom will end badly. First Corinthians 1:30 tells us that believers are only connected to Christ through God’s grace. This verse states, “But of Him are ye in Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” So based on this information, we can say that wisdom, which is the same thing as spiritual discernment, comes from knowing Jesus. Our wisdom and knowledge are, of course, different from God’s wisdom and knowledge. Our paths to wisdom and knowledge are much different from God’s knowledge. But without God sharing His discernment (discernment /knowledge), we would not be able to create, build, or develop philosophies. God shares but does not make His knowledge completely available. Limiting what God gives us directly prevents us from boasting in His presence.
Since Solomon asked God for wisdom, discernment has been a very important part of our lives. We probably rarely think about discernment, but it is involved in almost everything we do and think. Discernment is not about making swift, flawless decisions. Discernment is about gathering information, considering it, and making well-informed choices aligned with your values. By practicing reflection, critical thinking, and emotional awareness, you can strengthen this skill for all areas of life. “Discernment is a valuable endeavor in psychology that can lead to improved decision-making, better relationships, and personal growth. By employing techniques such as self-reflection, critical thinking, and mindfulness, individuals can enhance their discernment skills and navigate life’s complexities more effectively. Cultivating this skill is essential for achieving a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us. “ (Barstow, 2024)
Barstow, R. (2024, 6 1). The Healing Power of Discernment in Psychotherapy. Retrieved from Psynso: https://psynso.com/the-healing-power-of-discernment-in-psychotherapy/