Coffee With Pat Ministries

But, What Is Discernment?
Author: Pat Aman
March 12, 1997/rev22

The Webster Dictionary says, “dis·cern·ment, the ability to judge well: “an astonishing lack of discernment” (in Christian contexts) perception in the absence of judgment with a view to obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding: “without providing for a time of healing and discernment, there will be no hope of living through this present moment without a shattering of our common life”

The legendary preacher, Charles Spurgeon once said, “Discernment is not simply a matter of telling the difference between what is right and wrong; rather it is the difference between right and almost right.”

The word used in Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in you commandments.”means “TASTE.”

It is the ability not only to make discriminating judgments, to distinguish between, and recognize people and life in different situations and courses of action. But, you can almost TASTE, the right from wrong.

It includes the ability to “weigh up” and recognize the moral and spiritual status of individuals, groups, and even movements.

How is such discernment to be obtained?

We receive it as did Christ Himself—by the anointing of the Spirit, through our understanding of God’s Word, by our experience of God‘s grace, and by the progressive unfolding to us of the true condition of our own hearts.

That is why we also should pray, “I am your servant; give me discernment”

Psalm 119: 125 – 130 “I am your servant, give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

I have myself discerned immediately when I noticed that a persons talk, is not their walk.

And I have at times been so busy with the daily routines of life, that I missed it.
In other words, I should of immediately removed myself from certain situations and I ended up getting disappointed and even hurt. Those were the times I have had to asked Father God to forgive me for not listening to that still small voice, saying, “watch out.” Yes, Discernment.

I have also met people who say that they have the gift of discernment, but what they have is a judgmental spirit. They constantly are combing people with a fine tooth come. They find fault in everything and everyone who not following their leadership and ways. Discernment isn’t judgment. Judgment speaks of control and a need to be right. If you are judging something in yourself or in another, you cannot uncover what is true in a situation.

We must remember that the heart center is where you connect directly with your feelings, your discernment. It is more reliable than your “gut instinct” alone.

We must realize with the knowledge of what discernment is (and isn’t) and a true sense of how to use it in your life, you can go forth boldly and make decisions confidently. You can use your discernment to make choices for your family, your church, and in every part of your daily life.

Devotion Written By: Pastor Pat Aman Book © 1996/2022 “Coffee With Pat Daily Devotionals” “Coffee With A Little Spice Of Life” and Westbow Press a division of © Thomas Nelson and Library of Congress Control Number: 2018910976……….