Nature of discernment

Discernment as sound judgment

Judging the right course

Pr 15:21; Php 1:9–10

See also Pr 3:21–23; Pr 8:8–9; Pr 10:21; Pr 11:12; Pr 18:1; Pr 24:30; Ho 14:9

Distinguishing good from evil

2 Samuel 14:17 KJV 1900

Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee.

See also Ge 3:22; Job 6:30; Job 34:3–4; Is 7:15

Distinguishing holy from common

Le 10:10; Le 11:47; Eze 22:26; Eze 44:23

Seeing through outward appearances

Proverbs 28:11 KJV 1900

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

See also 1 Sa 16:7; Is 11:3

Understanding the significance of events

Deuteronomy 32:29–30 KJV 1900

O that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end! How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And the Lord had shut them up?

See also 1 Ch 12:32; Es 1:13; Mt 24:32–33; Lk 12:54–56

Exercising judgment to rule

1 Kings 3:9 KJV 1900

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

See also Pr 8:14–16; Pr 28:2; Pr 28:16; Je 23:5

Discernment as insight into spiritual realities

Distinguishing between spirits

1 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

See also 1 Ki 22:19–23; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 4:1–3

Discerning true and false prophecy

Dt 13:1–3; Dt 18:21–22; 1 Co 14:29

Characteristics of discerning people

The discerning grow in wisdom

Proverbs 1:5 KJV 1900

A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

See also Pr 9:9; Pr 10:14; Pr 14:6; Pr 15:14; Pr 17:24; Pr 18:15

The discerning accept rebuke

Pr 17:10; Pr 19:25

The discerning keep God’s law

1 Ch 22:12; Ps 119:34; Pr 28:7

The source of discernment

Discernment is given by God

Daniel 2:21 KJV 1900

And he changeth the times and the seasons: He removeth kings, and setteth up kings: He giveth wisdom unto the wise, And knowledge to them that know understanding:

See also Pr 9:10; Da 2:27–28; 1 Co 2:12–15

Discernment through God’s word

Hebrews 5:14 KJV 1900

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.

See also Ps 19:7; Ps 119:98–100; Ps 119:130; Ro 2:18

Discernment through a renewed mind

Romans 12:2 KJV 1900

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

See also Je 31:33; 1 Co 2:16

Asking for discernment

Psalm 119:66 KJV 1900

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: For I have believed thy commandments.

See also Ps 119:27; Ps 119:125; Jas 1:5