Discernment
Have you ever gotten a bad feeling about something or someone out of nowhere? The person could be nice or the situation could seem benign, but something just feels off. Friends, that feeling is discernment!
What is discernment? Discernment is a tool the Holy Spirit gives us to be spiritually aware. Discernment prevents us from falling into the spiritual traps of Satan because we will not be deceived. According to Philippians 1:9-10, discernment helps us to approve things that are moral and excellent and help us remain blameless.
Ephesians 5:6-10 AMP
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. 7 So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. 8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] 9 (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
We know that the enemy is always on the prowl to see who he can catch off guard and the Bible tells us that people’s hearts are very wicked and we wouldn’t even know (see 1 Peter 5:8, Jeremiah 17:9-10). So how do we stay ahead of the enemy’s tactics?
We pray for discernment:
a. The Bible tells us in James 1:5 that we can ask for wisdom and the Lord will give it to us and not take it back.
We operate in discernment
a. However, it is up to us to use this discernment. Deception and spiritual attacks can even come through those we love most. The enemy will use whoever he can as a vessel. Thus, we must follow 1 John 4:1 and test every spirit - believing nothing at face value.
Operating in discernment is critical! Sometimes, it’s as easy as seeing the (spiritual) fruit someone produces. For example, if you have a friend who says in word that they love God but in their actions, they show that they do not reverence Him, you can quickly discern a lot.
Matthew 7:16-20 NKJV
16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 12:33-37
33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood[f] of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
So we know that sometimes, it’s easy to discern because the Bible tells us what to look for. Other times though, the enemy is extremely cunning. The enemy sometimes uses our own emotions, insecurities, and ignorance against us.
Luke 16:8 tells us that the children of darkness are wiser than the children of light and in Matthew 24, Jesus warns that there will come a time where there will be people doing things that seem right to the point it might deceive true believers.
In situations where the enemy is using an extra dose of deception, or using situations personal to you to get you off track, USE DISCERNMENT. If something in your spirit picks up something seemingly off, pray and err on the side of caution because we are to guard our hearts:
Proverbs 4:20-23 NKJV
20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Discernment is to help you, not to harm you. The Lord only wants the best for you and as such, He equips us so that we are not spiritually ignorant. Another litmus test for if something/someone is operating in deception or not is to see if it lines up with the Word of God (the Bible). If it doesn’t, get away from that person or situation.
Remember in Genesis 3, in the garden when satan, in the form of a serpent, confused Eve to the point she erroneously quoted God and fell for his trap? Satan uses that tactic now. How many times have you fallen for something because it was similar to the Word or similar to something true? In the kingdom, things similar are not good enough. Either it is the Word of God or it is not. There is no in between.
Remember, God is not the author of confusion or strife. If anything is contentious, confusing, malicious, or tempting in your life, it is not of God. (See 1 Corinthians 14:33)
Do not be deceived, brothers and sisters. Pray this prayer:
Father, I pray for discernment. Help my eyes and ears of understanding to be open so that I may not sin against You and that I may not be deceived. Lord, I pray for heavenly wisdom and I pray that you would give me courage to walk away from situations or people sent my way to get me away from Your Will and Purpose for my life. I come against any attack of the enemy and anything sent to get me to abort my God-given destiny. I come against confusion, misunderstanding, deception, and foolishness, And I release your peace, the spirit of truth, understanding, and joy. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.