The preachers quoted here describe discernment as testing a thing to see whether it is genuine, and as an inner knowledge given by God through the Holy Spirit. They say it is scarce in the church, that hearers need it as much as preachers, and that it differs from the particular gift of discerning of spirits.
To discern is to tell things apart. The New Testament uses two word-groups: one meaning to distinguish or judge between,1 the other meaning to test and so approve, as metal is assayed.2 Solomon asked for it: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart ... that I may discern between good and bad" (1 Kings 3:9).
It is commanded of all believers. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bereans were commended because they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).
Its standard is God's word. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). The word itself "is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus added the test of life: "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16).
It is also a work of the Spirit. "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God ... because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14). Paul lists "discerning of spirits" among particular gifts given to some (12:10), which is narrower than the discernment expected of all.
And it grows. Mature believers are those "who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). Paul prays that love "may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent" (Philippians 1:9-10), and says the renewed mind is able to "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2). Jonathan Edwards, writing after a revival, judged that no experience is so sure a mark of true saints "as longing after a more holy heart, and living a more holy life."3
Discernment is not a critical spirit. The Lord who said "Judge not" (Matthew 7:1) also said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). It is love and truth working together, so that what is good is held fast and what is false is refused.
- Strong's Greek 1253, diákrisis: "judicial estimation".
- Strong's Greek 1381, dokimázō: "to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve".
- Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections, "XI. Another great and very distinguishing difference between gracious".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
Discernment is to test, to examine, to prove, to scrutinize, to see whether something is genuine or not.
James Jennings
in Discernment and Asking In Prayer
Listen at 15:17
Discernment is an inner knowledge given by God.
Carter Conlon
in The Last Day Return to Discernment Part 1
Listen at 4:35
Discernment is actually an innate characteristic of the Holy Spirit and so it is also a characteristic of the new life that indwells our spirit.
Albert Zehr
in Discernment
Read in context
Now, discernment is just about the scarcest commodity in the church today.
Vance Havner
in Discernment - Part 1
Listen at 5:05
Discernment is to know what you should do in any given state.
Jack Hibbs
in The Discipline of Discernment - 21
Listen at 3:02
Discernment is undefiled conscience and purity of feeling.
St. John Climacus
in Step 26 on Discernment of Thoughts, Passions and Virtues
Read in context
But spiritual discernment is different from the discerning of spirits.
Stephen Kaung
in Spiritual Discernment: Attaining Spiritual Discernment
Listen at 15:41
Discernment is just as important in hearing the truth as it is in preaching it.
Vance Havner
in Discernment - Part 1
Listen at 7:55
What Scripture says
- 1 John 4:1 believe not every spirit, but try the spirits
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good
- Hebrews 5:14 senses exercised to discern both good and evil
- Philippians 1:9-10 that you may approve things that are excellent
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 the things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned
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