We are God’s chosen people. That’s what He calls us in His Word. Look at what 1 Peter 2:9 says about you, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
We are His chosen people and His representatives to the world. His desire is that when people observe us . . . that they see a grand and glorious possibility for themselves. He wants us to be so attractive, not because of our looks, but because of how we live our lives, that they want what have! And what do we have? Christ living and working in us!
Our example is so critical and important to God that He is sure to equip us with everything we need to be good representatives. And one of the most precious and powerful tools is discernment. Do you know what Christian discernment is? It’s when we pause, take a breath, and quiet ourselves so we can hear from God’s Holy Spirit about a matter. That is an amazing and priceless gift that sadly often goes unused.
I’m not talking about the gift of discernment mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 when Paul teaches about spiritual gifts. Rather, I’m referring to the discernment as mentioned in Philippians 1:9-10 “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” This type of discernment is available to all who take the time and use wisdom to consider a situation or matter.
Merriam-Webster defines discernment as, “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure: a skill in discerning; or an act of perceiving or discerning something.”
For followers of Jesus Christ, we can access the wisdom of God which will support and feed our ability to discern matters. His wisdom is always available to you: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5. Plus, we are called to walk in wisdom so that it’s our way of living or our lifestyle: “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:5-6.
Accessing and apprehending wisdom so we can be discerning requires time. One of the problems with our hectic schedules and busy lives is that we rarely take the time to really think or ponder over issues and matters. Instead, we are more impulsive and quickly make decisions, without taking advantage of being able to discern what is the best choice.
Tapping into discernment requires that you push the pause button on your automatic or natural reaction to a situation or even a thought pattern. Take a few minutes to think about what you are doing. Seek wisdom from the Lord and then use it to fuel and support your thoughts. Allow God’s Word and His wisdom to be the foundation for the thoughts you develop. And then you can discern a matter and move into good and wise choices.
Discernment is like a muscle. It can be weak and it can get strong. It all depends on how much you exercise the process. The more you tap into the wisdom of God, use His wisdom and His Word to guide your thoughts, and then develop discernment, the easier, quicker, and stronger you will walk in this way.
Plus, another really great benefit to developing discernment is that you will gain confidence, security, and a soundness of mind. Why? Because you will be in the habit of grounding everything on God and His truths.
Watch yourself over the next few days. Look for times when you can use discernment. Take the time to access God’s wisdom. And then develop your thoughts based on His truths, which will turn into actions so you can be discerning. Finally, review your process. Acknowledge the way you feel and the benefits you experience when you walk in the wisdom of God and exercise the discernment that He makes available to you.
Be blessed as you continue to grow in the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ.