Discernment is an important concept in the Bible that refers to the ability to distinguish truth from error and right from wrong. Here are some key Bible verses about discernment:
1. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
This passage emphasizes that spiritual discernment is a gift from God given to believers through the Holy Spirit. Those who do not have the Spirit cannot discern spiritual truths.
2. Philippians 1:9-10
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
This verse shows that discernment leads to approving and doing what is best and most excellent. Discernment helps believers make wise choices.
3. Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
This verse indicates that discernment is a skill developed through use and spiritual maturity. Discernment allows us to distinguish good from evil.
4. Proverbs 3:21
“My son, do not lose sight of these–keep sound wisdom and discretion.”
This verse instructs us to value and retain sound wisdom and discretion (discernment). Discernment helps keep us on the right path.
5. 1 Kings 3:9
“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
When Solomon asked for discernment in governing Israel, God granted his request. Discernment is needed for leadership roles.
6. James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
This verse reminds us to ask God for wisdom and discernment, which He promises to provide.
7. 1 Corinthians 12:10
“To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
This verse lists distinguishing between spirits as a spiritual gift, implying discernment has a supernatural element.
8. Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Being wise and discerning protects us from spiritual deception, even as we remain innocent.
9. Matthew 16:2-3
“He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”
This verse chides the Pharisees for lacking discernment regarding the signs of the Messiah’s coming.
10. Isaiah 11:2-3
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear.”
This prophecy of Jesus describes discernment as a spiritual gift from God, not based on outward appearances.
In summary, spiritual discernment is portrayed in the Bible as a gift from God that allows us to distinguish truth from error, good from evil, right from wrong. Discernment guides wise decision making and protects us from deception when exercised through God’s wisdom and not our own understanding. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate discernment through spiritual maturity, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
11. Psalm 119:125
“I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”
This verse shows a request for God to grant discernment to properly understand and apply His Word.
12. Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
This verse emphasizes seeking God’s discernment even in our speech and thought life.
13. 2 Peter 3:16
“There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.”
Peter notes that discernment is needed to rightly interpret God’s Word and avoid dangerous misunderstandings.
14. 1 John 4:1
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John instructs us to test what we hear rather than naively believe everything. Wise discernment protects us from deception.
15. Acts 17:11
“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”
The Bereans were commended for examining Paul’s teaching with discernment rather than blindly accepting it.
Discernment helps us assess teachings, prophecies and spiritual experiences Biblically to avoid deception and error. This requires humility, wisdom and knowledge of Scripture.
16. 2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
Timothy is exhorted to diligently study Scripture to correctly understand, interpret and apply it.
17. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.”
Paul warns even Satan can appear as “an angel of light.” Discernment is crucial to identify deceivers who seem righteous.
18. 1 Corinthians 14:29
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.”
This verse promotes discernment and careful evaluation of prophetic teachings rather than blind acceptance.
19. Colossians 2:8
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
Paul cautions against false philosophies and principles that sound wise but are contrary to Christ.
20. Galatians 1:6-9
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”
Paul pronounces a curse on anyone who distorts the true Gospel. Discernment is needed regarding those who teach “another Jesus.”
In summary, spiritual discernment enables believers to differentiate truth from error, legitimate spiritual experiences from false ones, true teachers from deceivers. The Bible treats discernment as an essential gift from God to protect us from all manner of deception. We cultivate discernment through prayer, knowledge of Scripture, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
21. Ezekiel 44:23
“They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.”
The priests were tasked with teaching God’s people to discern what was acceptable to God versus what was not.
22. Jeremiah 23:28
“Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.”
God rebukes prophets who share their own dreams but ignore or distort God’s true word. Discernment recognizes this important difference.
23. James 3:13-18
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
James contrasts worldly wisdom with godly wisdom from above. Discernment detects the source of alleged “wisdom.”
24. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”
A lack of love for God’s truth subjects people to deception. Discernment embraces truth and exposes lies.
In closing, spiritual discernment is a valuable gift from God that enables believers to separate truth from deception, proper doctrine from heresy, and genuine experiences from counterfeits. Scripture exhorts us to nurture discernment through prayer, knowledge of God’s Word, and sensitivity to the Spirit’s voice. Discernment protects us from wandering into dangerous spiritual error.