Spiritual discernment is a gift that God gives to everyone who has been baptized into Christ.
That means us! Now God wants us to learn how to use this gift. He knows it’s the best way for us to come to know his will for our lives—and for our everyday situations as well.
On one level, we all have the basic ability to discern good from bad and righteousness from sin. On a deeper level, however, we know that the distinction between right and wrong can be murky at times. For these “gray areas,” we need to be more careful. First, we need to take the issue to prayer and ask God for clarity. Then, we need to examine our hearts. What is motivating us? How do the choices we are contemplating measure against the commands of God and the teachings of the church? How do they stack up against what we know about God’s character intentions? Then, to the best of our ability, we should decide, always preferring to err on the side of caution.
John the Baptist was able to discern how he should live because he stayed close to the Holy Spirit. So did Samuel. For both, their gift of discernment took them beyond themselves and enabled them to read people’s hearts and detect the Spirit’s movements in the world around them. For them—as well as for us—discernment was nothing less than insight into the very mind and heart of God. And that’s a proposition that brings benefits beyond measure!
“Jesus, give me the insight that will help me face the big decisions of life—and the smaller ones, too—in a way that gives you honor and glory.” Isaiah 49:3,5-6; Psalm 40:2,4,7-10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
