True discernment is impossible without divine power. We need the true Discerner—the Holy Spirit—to lead us into all truth (John 16:13).
We cannot fully understand what God is saying to us in His Word without the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. “The thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:11,
We have received . . . the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
1 Corinthians 2:12-15
Discernment ultimately depends on the Holy Spirit. As we are filled with and controlled by the Spirit of God, He makes us discerning. He leads us into all truth by granting us hunger for God’s Word and the ability to discern its true meaning—something the “natural human” is incapable of doing.
The illumination of Scripture through the indwelling Holy Spirit is the fundamental necessity of all discernment. And true discernment requires diligent study of God’s Word and prayer. Every other tool of discernment is contingent on this reality. No one can be truly discerning apart from mastery of the Word of God and prayer. All the desire in the world cannot make you discerning if you don’t study Scripture and pray for discernment. Obedience alone will not suffice. Good role models won’t do it either. If you really want to be discerning, you must diligently study the Word of God and have a consistent prayer life.
And God’s Word is where you will learn the principles for discernment. It is there you will learn the truth. Only there can you follow the path of spiritual maturity.
How? “Be diligent.” Being diligent pictures a worker giving maximum effort in his or her work. It describes someone driven by a commitment to excellence—“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God.” The Greek phrase literally speaks of standing alongside God as a co-laborer worthy of identifying with Him.
So the encouragement today is that we will be people of the Word and people who pray. We want the indwelling of the Spirit of God to guide our daily steps. May you discover a daily habit of being in God’s Word and creating space to pray. Start today so that you will effect tomorrow and the days that lie ahead. Blessings on your journey.