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
Proverbs 15:21; Philippians 1:9–10 See also Proverbs 3:21–23, Proverbs 8:8–9, Proverbs 10:21, Proverbs 11:12, Proverbs 18:1, Proverbs 24:30; Hosea 14:9
Folly is joy to one who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding walks a straight path.
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Distinguishing good from evil
2 Samuel 14:17 See also Genesis 3:22; Job 6:30, Job 34:3–4; Isaiah 7:15
And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”
Distinguishing holy from common
Leviticus 10:10, Leviticus 11:47; Ezekiel 22:26, Ezekiel 44:23
Seeing through outward appearances
Proverbs 28:11 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 11:3
A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
Understanding the significance of events
Deuteronomy 32:29–30 See also 1 Chronicles 12:32; Esther 1:13; Matthew 24:32–33 parallel Mark 13:28–29; Luke 12:54–56
If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate. How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?
Exercising judgment to rule
1 Kings 3:9 See also Proverbs 8:14–16, Proverbs 28:2, Proverbs 28:16; Jeremiah 23:5
Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
Discernment as insight into spiritual realities
Distinguishing between spirits
1 Corinthians 12:10 See also 1 Kings 22:19–23 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:18–22; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1–3
to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
Discerning true and false prophecy
Deuteronomy 13:1–3, Deuteronomy 18:21–22; 1 Corinthians 14:29
Characteristics of discerning people
The discerning grow in wisdom
Proverbs 1:5 See also Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 14:6, Proverbs 15:14, Proverbs 17:24, Proverbs 18:15
let the wise listen and gain instruction, and the discerning acquire wise counsel
The discerning accept rebuke
Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 19:25
The discerning keep God's law
1 Chronicles 22:12; Psalm 119:34; Proverbs 28:7
The source of discernment
Discernment is given by God
Daniel 2:21 See also Proverbs 9:10; Daniel 2:27–28; 1 Corinthians 2:12–15
He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
Discernment through God's word
Hebrews 5:14 See also Psalm 19:7, Psalm 119:98–100, Psalm 119:130; Romans 2:18
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
Discernment through a renewed mind
Romans 12:2 See also Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Corinthians 2:16
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Asking for discernment
Psalm 119:66 See also Psalm 119:27, Psalm 119:125; James 1:5
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.