Growth in Godly Discernment

Discernment: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure: to distinguish or to separate

Spiritual Discernment

Moral insight and application of knowledge.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;Philippians 1:9

The ability to differentiate between good and evil.

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.Hebrews 5:14

The ability to wisely navigate spiritual matters.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.1 Corinthians 2:14-16

We must have a love with discernment.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.Proverbs 22:3

Our decisions must reflect discernment.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

Our discernment will be evident by our everyday living.

It begins in our heart.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.Galatians 5:22-23

It flows in our thoughts, actions, words and deeds.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.John 15:7-8

Discernment comes from the Word of God.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.Acts 17:11

Discernment comes from the Holy Spirit.

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.Ephesians 5:9-10

Discernment comes from a deliberate search for godly wisdom.

How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!Proverbs 16:16

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.Proverbs 19:20

Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.Proverbs 11:14

Lack of discernment comes from simplicity and ignorance.

Lack of discernment comes from a lack of intentional search for wisdom.

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?Proverbs 1:22

Walking in wisdom is not determined by age.

Walking in wisdom is not determined by how long you have been saved.

Walking in wisdom is determined by immersion in the Word and careful obedience to the Word.

Wisdom is freely available to all who would ask.

Discernment becomes sharper with practice.