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Being able to discern good from bad and right from wrong, is one of the greatest gifts one can have. Discernment is the ability to make wise decisions about a matter. The young and inexperienced King of Israel, Solomon, made it his highest quest. God spoke to Solomon in a dream, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (1 Kings 3:5). Imagine the Creator of the universe, God, offering to give you anything you wanted? Solomon answered, “Give to your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). Because Solomon made wisdom and discernment his highest quest, God gave him all that his heart desired.

Good, Better, and Best

The hardest thing to get people to do is think. We would rather make decisions on feelings, the advice we like, and the last podcast we listened to. But learning to think is the work that hones our discernment gifting.

Life’s decisions are often not between good and bad, but rather about the good, the better, and the best. In other words, what’s the very best decision for you? That takes discernment.

Truth and Experience

Discernment is developed through knowledge of truth. If one is a truth seeker, then discernment is nurtured as one’s wealth of truth grows. In other words, it’s as we grow in what is true that we have wisdom concerning what is false. The knowledge of truth empowers us to sniff out foolishness. As a pastor and counselor, I am often faced with the lies people believe. I can call out a lie from the enemy of our souls, Satan, because I am well versed in truth. I once had a lady tell me that God had told her to divorce her husband and marry this other man. I laughed initially but soon realized she was serious.  It took some effort, but I was able to counsel her off the ledge of an unwise decision.

At the same time, life experience carries weight in our growth into discernment. Life experience is a huge asset if you’re continually growing as a person. Growing through the failures and victories of real life, is invaluable to growth in discernment.

The Bible doesn’t give directions for everything. It doesn’t necessarily tell you if you should buy a house, move to another state, or what church to attend. Yet your life experience gives you discernment. God gave you a brain and He expects you to use it.

Let me challenge you to grow in discernment. It is a gift worth pursuing. It’s a gift you can develop.

Pastor Steve