Dictionary of Bible Themes – 8227 discernment, nature of
Resources chevron-right Dictionary of Bible Themes chevron-right 8000 The life of the believer chevron-right 8200 The character of the believer chevron-right 8226 discernment chevron-right 8227 discernment, nature of
8227 discernment, nature of

8227 discernment, nature of

Discernment is given by God, through his Holy Spirit. It is received through God’s word and through the insight of a renewed mind. Discerning believers seek to grow in their understanding and knowledge of God’s truth.

Discernment as sound judgment

Judging the right course Pr 15:21; Php 1:9-10 See also Pr 3:21-23; Pr 8:8-9; Pr 10:21; Pr 11:12; Pr 18:1; Pr 24:30; Hos 14:9

Distinguishing good from evil 2Sa 14:17 See also Ge 3:22; Job 6:30; Job 34:3-4; Isa 7:15

Distinguishing holy from common Lev 10:10; Lev 11:47; Eze 22:26; Eze 44:23

Seeing through outward appearances Pr 28:11 See also 1Sa 16:7; Isa 11:3

Understanding the significance of events Dt 32:29-30 See also 1Ch 12:32; Est 1:13; Mt 24:32-33 pp Mk 13:28-29; Lk 12:54-56

Exercising judgment to rule 1Ki 3:9 See also Pr 8:14-16; Pr 28:2,16; Jer 23:5

Discernment as insight into spiritual realities

Distinguishing between spirits 1Co 12:10 See also 1Ki 22:19-23 pp 2Ch 18:18-22; 1Ti 4:1; 1Jn 4:1-3

Discerning true and false prophecy Dt 13:1-3; Dt 18:21-22; 1Co 14:29

Characteristics of discerning people

The discerning grow in wisdom Pr 1:5 See also Pr 9:9; Pr 10:14; Pr 14:6; Pr 15:14; Pr 17:24; Pr 18:15

The discerning accept rebuke Pr 17:10; Pr 19:25

The discerning keep God’s law 1Ch 22:12; Ps 119:34; Pr 28:7

The source of discernment

Discernment is given by God Da 2:21 See also Pr 9:10; Da 2:27-28; 1Co 2:12-15

Discernment through God’s word Heb 5:14 See also Ps 19:7; Ps 119:98-100,130; Ro 2:18

Discernment through a renewed mind Ro 12:2 See also Jer 31:33; 1Co 2:16

Asking for discernment Ps 119:66 See also Ps 119:27,125; Jas 1:5

See also

1175God, will of
1690word of God
5026knowledge
5033knowledge of good & evil
5897judging others
5946sensitivity
7966spiritual gifts
8281insight
8319perception, spiritual
8355understanding
8361wisdom

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