But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14 ESV

Discernment is not a word I had in my vocabulary until very recently. In one of my classes at Rhema Bible Training College, Lynette Hagin was teaching. Someone asked her, “What is the most important thing to pray for when you are a leader?” Her answer almost without hesitation was discernment. Since that moment that word has been quite regular in my prayers and vocabulary. Let’s talk about what discernment is. 

For discernment in biblical terms, let's look at 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. 

In this scripture it tells you exactly who has discernment and how to get it. The mature have discernment by constantly training on how to distinguish between good and evil. How do you mature? How do you know the difference between good and evil? Both questions have the same answer, studying the word of God. 

Discernment in its many forms is mentioned a handful of times in the New Testament. Five different Hebrew words were used; some of their meanings are: to investigate, to dispute, to distinguish, to call into question, to decide, to discriminate etc. 

Getting back to my class at Rhema, why did Mrs. Hagin say discernment? She may have had many reasons to answer that way, but I have developed my own reasons for finding importance in discernment. Throughout daily life we have to be able to discern the difference between good and evil. Being able to discern when someone is lying or someone might have the wrong motives. Discerning if something is a good opportunity. Discerning if it’s time for a change. The basis of discernment is being able to listen and hear from the Holy Spirit. 

Discernment is another way to say, listening to the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 says, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” The Holy Spirit shows you things to come. He gives you discernment on what is to come. 

During the last few years of my life discernment has been vital for my survival. The season I was in was one filled with lies, manipulation and deceit. Being able to trust my discernment by the Holy Spirit has led me through some fire situations without getting burned. Knowing I hear from the Holy Spirit and that I have discernment has enabled me to stand my ground when everything around me in the natural is telling me it’s false. Due to my discernment I knew what was true.

The truth only comes from one place and that is the word of God. Get into your Bible, go to a church that teaches from the Word of God. Discernment comes from knowing what is good and evil, and the only way to do that is to know what the Bible says. After reading this I hope you have discerned a need to study the Word of God for yourself. Get into it!

Posted on 4/1/2022