“Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong, rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right.” — Charles Spurgeon.
How do you know what is right or wrong? Or what is right and almost right?
Who do you trust?
How do you decide whom to follow? Who to listen to? Who to vote for?
There are many imposters in our world who want you to trust them, give them your money or give them your vote.
How do you know what is truth? A popular recent phrase is: “Live your truth.” News flash — there is only ONE truth. One absolute truth. It is the truth that grounds us and gives us true direction. It is the Word of God. It is Christ Alone.
A few weeks ago, my Good Word was authentic. Discernment is related to this same thought. To know whether something is counterfeit, you have to spend a lot of time knowing the real deal. I think that the best way for followers of Jesus to be wise in a crooked world is to spend much time with Him so it is much easier to identify phony people and their plots.
It is in His Word we gain wisdom and dare to live an unwavering life. Otherwise, we risk being “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,” Ephesians 4:14. It would serve us well to go deep in God’s word daily, surround ourselves with mature believers and pray that God will grant us wisdom while navigating dangerous places and people.
“Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:14
Share Your Good Words
Good Questions of the Week: What are some characteristics of discerning people? What are some ways we can be wise people in dark days?
Photo: She Is Safe
Good Unseen People
I invite you to read more about Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life With Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link to read more on my website.
We all come to crossroads in our lives and need discernment to know which way to go… Who should I marry? What career should I choose? What if I make the wrong decision? Here are some of my thoughts on discerning the path ahead. Read the story here: Questions at the Crossroads
A Good Hymn: My Daddy had a booming baritone voice. I can still hear him singing this peaceful and powerful hymn. I treasure the thought of spending time alone with God. And I love it best sitting alone in His creation. Listening to His voice supplies us with discernment. I Come to the Garden Alone - Alan Jackson
And He Walks With Me, And He Talks With Me, And He Tells Me I Am His Own; And The Joy We Share As We Tarry There, None Other Has Ever Known.
A Final Good Word
We are bombarded with thousands of messages and advertisements every day — texts, emails, television commercials, podcasts, social media. Everyone wants you to hear what they are saying and call you to some sort of action — give me money, read my book, join my group, come to my church. I’ve probably asked you to do all of those things. But how do you know the voice you follow is the one that has your best interest at heart? How do you know that the person, organization, or church points to the way, truth and life (John 14:6)?
I love your thought-provoking good words! You asked how we define and practice discernment. I do not think this can be answered apart from the Holy Spirit. Discernment is active and requires examination beyond the tangible. A discerning person demonstrates wisdom.
I love your thought-provoking good words! You asked how we define and practice discernment. I do not think this can be answered apart from the Holy Spirit. Discernment is active and requires examination beyond the tangible. A discerning person demonstrates wisdom.