𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗣𝗘𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧?

“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” — Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Spiritual discernment is the believer’s ability to distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, and God’s will from Satan’s deception. In this present dispensation of grace, Paul warns that false apostles and deceitful workers transform themselves as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:13–15). Without discernment, believers fall into error, confusion, and compromise.

Discernment is not mystical intuition; it comes by knowing God’s Word rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15) and being led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14). In a world full of lies, fake gospels, and religious deceptions, sharpening spiritual discernment is not optional—it is essential.

𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗖𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦

Regular intake of God’s Word strengthens discernment. (Psalm 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16–17). Without doctrine, discernment dies.

𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗜𝗡 𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘

Hearing truth without obeying it leads to deception (James 1:22). Discernment sharpens as we walk in what we know.

𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚

Paul commands: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21). Discernment means testing doctrines, teachers, and traditions.

𝗙𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥

James 1:5—If any lack wisdom, ask of God. Discernment is sharpened by constant communication with the Lord.

𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗

2 Cor. 10:5—Casting down imaginations. Discernment requires protecting the thought life against lies, lust, and worldly philosophies.

𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧

John 16:13—The Spirit guides into truth. Spiritual discernment is impossible without depending on the Spirit’s illumination of the Scriptures.

𝗙𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦

1 Peter 5:8—Be sober, be vigilant. Satan devours the undiscerning. Spiritual alertness keeps us awake to error.

𝗙𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗪𝗜𝗦𝗗𝗢𝗠

Col. 1:9—Paul prayed believers be filled with wisdom. Discernment grows when we apply wisdom, not worldly logic.

𝗙𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛

Eph. 6:14—Having your loins girt with truth. Discernment demands a firm grip on doctrine, not shifting with culture.

𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗧

Hebrews 12:2—Looking unto Jesus. Discernment is sharpened by keeping Christ central, not men, movements, or emotions.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

Spiritual discernment is the believer’s safeguard in this age of deception. Without it, churches fall into error, Christians into carnality, and ministries into corruption. But with sharpened discernment—through Scripture, Spirit, prayer, and wisdom—the believer can walk in truth, stand against error, and glorify Christ.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Consume God’s Word daily.
Conform your walk to Scripture.
Compare everything with Paul’s gospel.
Cry to God for wisdom.
Capture every thought to Christ.
Continue walking in the Spirit.
Check for Satan’s subtle attacks.
Collect wisdom through study.
Cling tightly to truth.
Center everything on Christ.

𝗔 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁.