God bestows discernment through his Holy Spirit. It is received through the teaching of God’s word and the wisdom of a fresh perspective. Faithful people strive to increase their comprehension of and familiarity with God’s truth.
Discernment as sound judgment
Judging the right course
Pr 15:21; Php 1:9–10
Also see: 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 Sa 14:17
Also see: 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
Pr 28:11
Also see: 1 Sa 16:7; Is 11:3
Understanding the significance of events
Deut 32:29–30
Also see: 1 Ch 12:32; Est 1:13; Mt 24:32–33; Lk 12:54–56
Exercising judgment to rule
1 Ki 3:9
Also see: Pr 8:14–16; Pr 28:2; Pr 28:16; Je 23:5
Discernment as insight into spiritual realities
Distinguishing between spirits
1 Co 12:10
Also see: 1 Ki 22:19–23; 1 Ti 4:1; 1 Jn 4:1–3
Discerning true and false prophecy
Deut 13:1–3; Deut 18:21–22; 1 Co 14:29
Characteristics of discerning people
The discerning grow in wisdom
Pr 1:5
Also see: 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
Da 2:21
Also see: Pr 9:10; Da 2:27–28; 1 Co 2:12–15
Discernment through God’s word
Heb 5:14
Also see: Ps 19:7; Ps 119:98–100; Ps 119:130; Ro 2:18
Discernment through a renewed mind
Ro 12:2
Also see: Je 31:33; 1 Co 2:16
Asking for discernment
Ps 119:66
Also see: Ps 119:27; Ps 119:125; Jas 1:5
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the son of God, and you died for my sins and rose again from the dead, I trust you for cleansing and forgiveness, and you have received me as a Child of God. If there is any resentment or unforgiveness for anyone, I lay it at your feet and ask you to forgive me. I ask your forgiveness for being involved in other religions, witchcraft, or the occult seeking other gods. I acknowledge this as sin and loose myself right now in Jesus name. And now, Lord Jesus, I come to and yield my body, mind, and spirit to you. I give you my all. Come into my heart and be my personal Saviour. I surrender my tongue to you to be an instrument of righteousness to worship you in a new language. By faith, I receive it now, Lord in Jesus name. Amen.