Some people, called by God, have a burning passion for a deeper and more personal relationship with God. As David so eloquently wrote, “As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.” These people are not satisfied with a casual relationship with their creator but feel an irresistible tug for something more meaningful. Like Moses, they plead “I beseech thee, shew me thy glory” and thereby begin a journey with no marked route and an unknown destination.
As these spiritual wanderers study and pray, usually with an intensity that frightens even themselves, their knowledge expands and ultimately leads to the condition of discernment.
Discernment enables believers to distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong, and the will of God versus the deceptions of the world. Much like Paul, after encountering Christ, the scales have fallen from their eyes.
Yet some believers find they pay a terrible price for their trouble.
Mature believers possessing discernment are immediately confronted with the issue of speaking or remaining silent. This is no small dilemma. Speaking truth will make others uncomfortable; remining silent may allow them to fall. Truth will make sin “dig in its heels” and become even more resistant.
Those with discernment can easily become exhausted and confused, carrying the burden of knowledge and being unable to impact the outcome. Some speak boldly; there are times for that, but more often the outcome is poor.
There is a principal that can guide the discerning. Discernment among believers never divides; it only heals. This takes patience and practice. It begins in prayer, waiting patiently for the Holy Spirit. We must recall that the task is God’s, not ours. He may ask for our direct intervention but most likely he will not. He will ask us to lead by example and “let our light shine in the world” and perhaps give us other less direct methods of intervening that advances His Kingdom. We may be asked to “…be still and know I am God.” This is more likely.
It is a gift when we see truth, but discernment should never divide believers. The burden of discernment belongs only to God.
As these spiritual wanderers study and pray, usually with an intensity that frightens even themselves, their knowledge expands and ultimately leads to the condition of discernment.
Discernment enables believers to distinguish between truth and error, right and wrong, and the will of God versus the deceptions of the world. Much like Paul, after encountering Christ, the scales have fallen from their eyes.
Yet some believers find they pay a terrible price for their trouble.
Mature believers possessing discernment are immediately confronted with the issue of speaking or remaining silent. This is no small dilemma. Speaking truth will make others uncomfortable; remining silent may allow them to fall. Truth will make sin “dig in its heels” and become even more resistant.
Those with discernment can easily become exhausted and confused, carrying the burden of knowledge and being unable to impact the outcome. Some speak boldly; there are times for that, but more often the outcome is poor.
There is a principal that can guide the discerning. Discernment among believers never divides; it only heals. This takes patience and practice. It begins in prayer, waiting patiently for the Holy Spirit. We must recall that the task is God’s, not ours. He may ask for our direct intervention but most likely he will not. He will ask us to lead by example and “let our light shine in the world” and perhaps give us other less direct methods of intervening that advances His Kingdom. We may be asked to “…be still and know I am God.” This is more likely.
It is a gift when we see truth, but discernment should never divide believers. The burden of discernment belongs only to God.
