Character Quality – Discernment

Discernment in these last days is an extremely important character quality; however, the only source of true discernment is in Christ (Romans 12:2).

Dictionary Definition (Source: Webster’s Dictionary): the [character] quality of being able to grasp [get a hold of] and comprehend [understand] what is obscure [dark, dim, hidden by darkness, not clearly seen or easily distinguished (known the difference between), faint, not readily understood or clearly expressed, mysterious, relatively unknown, remote, secluded, not prominent or famous.]

Operational Definition (Source: S.M. Davis): The God-given ability to understand why things happen. (Opposite: Judgment).

Bible Verses:

1 Samuel 16:7 – But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

1 Kings 3:9 -- 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?

Ezekiel 44:23 – And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

1 Corinthians 2:14 – 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.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Questions:

1. Name someone you know that has the quality of discernment and tell us how they use that gift.
2. Give an example of a time where discernment would have helped you avoid trouble and what you learned that will avoid that same trouble in the future.
3. How can you know you are using God’s wisdom rather than man’s wisdom?

Discussion:
Reasons for Discernment and Logic (from ChristianLogic.com):

1. To Logically Defend Your Faith (Apologetics)

1 Peter 3:15 – But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

2. To Defeat the World’s Philosophies by Advancing Biblical Reasoning.

Colossians 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Acts 17:10-11 – These [of Berea] 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.

Jude 3 – [I] exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

3. To Prove Your Doctrines from the Bible.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

4. To Apply the Logical Implications of God’s Commands in Your Life.

Romans 12:2 – 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.

Colossians 1:9 – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

5. To Be a Good Steward of Your Mind.

Hebrews 5:14 – 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.

6. To Seek Wisdom in Living Your Life.

Proverbs 1:1-5 – . . . To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

7. Jesus Was a Logical Man

Jesus used logic in the following examples: when He was tempted in the wilderness, when he healed the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, when his authority was questioned (where did John’s baptism come from?), when he was asked whether taxes should be paid to the Romans, when he was asked about life after death (whose husband would she be?), when he was asked what is the greatest commandment, and when he was asked how David could call his offspring Lord unless He (Christ) was God the Son.