Understanding Discernment.

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.

You Can Do This (with God in your life).

I was in the Air Force Air Guard from 1989-1996. Our unit was activated for Desert Storm. I loved putting on the uniform and serving my country. But one of the beauties of serving in guard or reserve units is you get the best of both worlds. You serve in the military but you also have a civilian life.

Living for God and living by His wisdom is kind of like that. If you follow Jesus, you live in this world while pursuing the spiritual one as well. You live in the physical world while seeing everything through spiritual eyes. When you don’t have Christ in your life, you only see the physical world.

We all want smarts: the ability to live well, and live for something much bigger than we are. We need real wisdom to do that. Jesus says in Matthew 6, “Prioritize the Kingdom of God in your life, live like Jesus, and God will give you everything else you need.” God will give you wisdom, the smarts, if you simply ask him for it according to James. So, it’s time we prioritize Kingdom. But how do we do that?

First, ask God into your everyday experience. I’m not talking about planning for tomorrow. I mean inviting God into your today…those everyday small decision you and I make. Paul even says, “[everyday], think about heavenly things not the things of this earth” (Colossians 3:2).

Students will be made fun of for following Jesus on campus. We are going to help people and love on people despite COVID-19. We are going to pray for our difficult marriage even though our friends think we are crazy. Some of us will give up promotions at work in order to be home more with our kids. The list goes on of how we invite God into our everyday occurrences. People will look at you as if you’re crazy and that’s okay. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.”

Secondly, we going to involve God in our planning for tomorrow. When we recognize how larger than life our God truly is, the natural thing to do is bow in submission. We give him priority in our life. One way we honor God and show him respect is by involving him in our plans for tomorrow.

We have calendars and make plans but we know they never supersede the sovereignty of God. As we plan, we make sure the idea is “if it is the Lord’s will”. Who should I marry? Should I get married? Should I take this promotion? Do I need to move? Should I continue this relationship? Where should I work? While we make definite plans to answer all these questions, God should be included in each one. It is vital to having wisdom for our futures.

Finally, invest in eternity. By including God in all your daily and future decision-making, you are acknowledging there is a God and you are not him. See, this world is not our home. We are just passing through. Our treasure is not located here but in heaven. So have the wisdom that only God can provide. Set as the most important thing in your life the Kingdom of God. That is, his will and desire. Live that out every day and every tomorrow. Then, God will grant you everything else you need in life.

May the Spirit guide you as you discern direction. May you discover how God has called you to live. May you be empowered to include God in your life every single day. Blessings on your journey.