Biblical Definition of Discernment:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (ESV)
Character Study:
Timothy – Acts 16:1-3; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4:17 and 16:10-11; 2 Corinthians 1:1 and 19; Philippians 1:1 and 2:19-23; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; 2:3-4;3:2-6; 1 and 2 Timothy; Philemon; Hebrews 13:23
On Paul’s second missionary journey, he first went to Derby and then to Lystra where he met up with Timothy, who was living there with his mother, a Jewish believer and his father who was Greek.
We read in 2 Timothy 1:4-5 and 3:14-15 that he was trained by his grandmother Lois and mother, Eunice from a very young age.
Philippians 2:20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for our welfare. v21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. v22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.
Timothy is known as:
Paul’s protégé
In Acts 16:1-5 Timothy joins Paul and Silas on their second missionary journey. Because Timothy‘s father was Greek, he had not been circumcised when he was eight days old. Paul thought it wise to circumcise him as the Jews in that area knew his father was Greek.
1 Timothy 1:2 Paul writes that Timothy is his true son in the faith. In v18 Paul instructs Timothy regarding his responsibility, based on prophetic words spoken about him previously.
Philippians 2:19-23 Timothy was with Paul when he wrote this letter to the church in Philippi. Paul commends Timothy because he had proved himself like a son to Paul helping Paul to preach the Good News.
In 1 Corinthians 4:17, Paul sends Timothy to Corinth to remind the people of the way that Paul lives his life in Christ Jesus. He also reminds them what he, Paul, teaches in all the churches wherever he goes.
Teacher
Paul writes the letter of 1 Timothy to encourage him as he teaches the people and warns them against false prophets that had infiltrated the church.
In 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Paul instructs Timothy on how to be a good teacher to the people while showing discernment by preaching the Word and also correcting, rebuking and encouraging the people.
Worker
Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 2 Timothy 2:15
Paul commends Timothy as a worker.
Encourager
1 Thessalonians 3:1-7 Paul sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage the believers in Thessalonica in their faith. Timothy returns with good news about their faith and love. They remember Paul’s visit with joy and would love to see him again.
Strong faith
2 Timothy 1:3-7 Paul encourages Timothy to be faithful. Paul commends Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois who instilled a strong faith in him.
Timidity
1 Timothy 4:12 and 2 Timothy 1:7, 8 it seems that Timothy was young and timid. Paul encourages him in: 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
What the Bible teaches about discernment:
Old Testament:
Deuteronomy 32:1-47 Moses gives a brief history of Israel. This song which Moses teaches to Israel has an important purpose. It will be learned and passed on to future generations. Vv28 Moses says, “They are a nation without sense; there is no discernment in them.”
1 Kings 3:3-9 Solomon asks for wisdom. The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon. When asked what he would like, Solomon asks the LORD that He would give him, Solomon, a discerning heart to govern the people and that he would be able to distinguish between right and wrong
The Book of Proverbs tells us about people who have wisdom and enjoy its benefits. In Proverbs 3:21-26 Solomon’s advice is to embrace wisdom and follow after understanding.
In Daniel 2:1-23 Nebuchadnezzar has a strange dream that not one of his astrologers could interpret. When Daniel is asked to interpret the dream, he asks the king for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. He urges his friends to ask the God of heaven for mercy by telling them the secret. During the night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Daniel used discernment – the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure – and he believed God would tell him all the king wanted to know.
New Testament:
Mark 12:28-32 When one of the Pharisees questioned Jesus about what “The Greatest Commandment” was, Jesus’ answer reduced the law to two simple principles: Love God and love others. The Pharisees commended Jesus for the right answer.
Romans 12:1-2 Paul urges the Christians to offer their bodies as “living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” He is saying that God wants transformed people with renewed minds, living to honour and obey Him. By doing this we will be able to test and discern what God’s will is for our lives
Colossians 1:3-14 In his prayer of thanksgiving, Paul gives thanks to God for the church of Colossians for their faith in Christ Jesus and the love they have for all the saints. He has not stopped praying for them, asking God to fill them with the v9b “knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
Hebrews 5:11-14 The writer of the letter to the Hebrews, are warning the people against falling away. These Jewish Christians were still immature. They should have been teachers by now, teaching the elementary truths of God’s word. They were reluctant to move out of their comfort zone and were “living on milk.”v14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (ESV)
Application:
In the Book of Proverbs, God has something to say about every aspect of our life. We see in Proverbs 1:2-4 Solomon says the purpose of the Book is to: teach wisdom and discipline; understand words of insight; teach us how to have a disciplined and successful life; do what is right, just and fair; knowledge and discretion (discernment) to the young.
As believers, we need spiritual discernment. Because Christ Jesus has become for us “wisdom from God that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30). We need to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
This is the only way we can attain discernment/wisdom.
Psalm 111:10 When we understand that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, we will be able to use discernment in the future.
How do we get wisdom? By studying the Bible and praying daily, allowing the Holy Spirit to be our guide.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 We must not scoff at prophecies, but instead test everything and hold on to what is good.
Hebrews 4:12 We need to remember that the Bible is God’s Word; living and active; it penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual life; it discerns both good and evil. We must not only read/listen to God’s Word, but we must also allow it to shape our lives.
James 1:5 When we lack wisdom/discernment, we as Christians can pray and ask God to help us make the right choices.
1 John 4:1 We should not believe everyone who says they have “a message from God.” The best way to discern a “message” is to check and see if their words match what God says in the Bible; their commitment to the body of believers; their lifestyles; the fruit of their ministries and finally what they believe about Christ. Do they believe that Jesus is fully God and full man?
Conclusion:
Psalm 119:125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
Responding in Prayer:
Read Philippians 1:3-11 – Paul’s letter of thanksgiving and prayer to the believers in Philippi.
We can ask the Lord as we start our day to give us spiritual understanding and wisdom, to discern the things of God.
We live in a world where we have difficulty at times knowing the truth from the false. As children of God, we can ask for wisdom and understanding to discern between what is right and what is wrong.
When we ask for discernment, God will increase our knowledge and understanding so that we will get to know and love Him more and more.
As we mature in the knowledge and understanding of God, we will desire to please only Him at all times. We will allow God’s will and not our own to be done in our lives.
(All Scriptures are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise stipulated)
Journal – Scripture/Prayers/Thoughts: