Discernment is a good word. Everyone admires it. Everyone desires to have it, and have more and more of it. Can one learn to have it? Where does one go to get it? But before we go further, may I ask you what is it? What is discernment? How would you answer?
The dictionary says the meaning of discernment is “discrimination; acuteness of judgment and understanding.” Some say discernment is the ability to distinguish between, and recognize the moral implications of, different courses of action taken. Others say discernment is the ability to distinguish good from evil. Still others say it also includes the ability to distinguish the primary from the secondary, the essential from the indifferent, and the permanent from the transient. What do you think? With which do you agree? Personally, I can see there is truth in all these statements about discernment. But at least for now, can we all agree that discernment is really hard to define?
Does the word, “discernment” come up in our Bibles? Depending on how the English Bible editor chooses to translate, the Hebrew or Greek words translated, “discern”, “discerning” or “discernment” appear about thirty times. More importantly, what does the Bible have to say about discernment? What sort of things can you and I say about discernment from those verses?
DISCERNMENT IS THE ABILITY TO KNOW BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
The Bible says that discernment is the ability to know the difference between good and evil.
2 Samuel 14:17
“Then your maidservant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king be comforting, for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the LORD your God be with you.’”
Hebrews 5:14
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
But when some hear that discernment is the ability to know the difference between good and evil, they think to themselves, “How hard can that be?” The difference between good and evil is as clear as night and day. Telling them apart is a walk in the park! What’s so hard about that? Not so fast. Even though it seems easy to know the difference between good and evil, it may surprise you some struggle to tell them apart, others only sometimes. There are people who can tell the difference between good and evil. Then there are people who can really tell the difference between good and evil.
DISCERNMENT IS MENTIONED NEXT TO WISDOM, FREQUENTLY
In the Bible, discernment is frequently mentioned next to wisdom, side by side. Check this out.
Genesis 41:33
Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 1:13
Choose wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as your heads.
Deuteronomy 32:29
Would that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would discern their future!
Proverbs 10:13
On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding.
1 Kings 3:12
Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.
IS DISCERNMENT DIFFERENT FROM WISDOM?
Discernment and wisdom are frequently mentioned together in the Bible. But the question is, what is their exact relationship? Are they the same? Or are they different? Some think that while wisdom is a deep understanding or knowledge of a subject, discernment is the ability to determine the value and quality of a certain subject. Others say while wisdom is the application of knowledge, discernment is the ability to judge well. What do you think? Which would you rather have? Is discernment really different from wisdom? In my humble opinion, the answer is no. I believe they are synonymous to each other. These examples from the Bible seem to say that discernment and wisdom are interchangeable.
Hosea 14:9
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.
Isaiah 29:14
"Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men will perish, And the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed.”
If you recall, there was one day in Gibeon when God said to Solomon, “Ask what you wish me to give you.” As you already know, Solomon asked for the ability to discern between good and evil, and this pleased God very much. Which brings me to my last point:
DISCERNMENT COMES FROM GOD
1 Kings 3:9
“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?”
Just in case someone thinks that people prayed for discernment in the Old Testament only, here is proof that people prayed for discernment in the New Testament too. The Apostle Paul prayed for discernment for the believers in the Church of Philippi.
Philippians 1:9–11 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so 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.
So, there you have it. Discernment is the ability to know the difference between good and evil. It is frequently mentioned next to wisdom in the Bible, and it appears they are synonymous to each other. Finally, people throughout the OT and the NT have asked God for more of it. Your homework today is simple. Take a moment to pray to God and ask for discernment, and he will give it to you.