Is Discernment a Gift or the Result of Careful Study?

[EmmieAZ]

I was just wondering what your thoughts are on discernment being a gift? Do you think it is one, or is it the result of careful study, etc? I am asking because I went to a women's conference today. I haven't been to anything like that in quite a while & only went b/c an old friend of mine is on the coordinating team and I promised her I would go to the next one. Frankly to me, once you have been to one, you have been to them all. Anyway, there were some display tables and one was for "good reading." Surprise, surprise, the authors were all of the usuals, Furtick, Chan, Warren, etc. They were being gobbled up, talked about, and given away as raffle prizes. I sometimes wonder if am more discerning than others as a gift, or because I spend a lot of time reading, studying and learning from others on places like RR. I found myself feeling sorry for these women, many who obviously love the Lord. Then I got to thinking....was that pride in my heart for knowing "more" than they did? So I have been having an internal conversation about whether some truly have the gift of discernment, or if I maybe just have too much head knowledge - if that makes sense. There was sooooo much talk about "purpose" which send bells ringing and red flags all over for me, but it also seemed as if these women had a joy that I was lacking in....as if discernment was pessimism....I don't know. We always want to right by God. I was just wondering what you all think. Sorry for my rambling. It was a loooong day.

[Buzzardhut]

Discernment is a combination of a gift, proper Bible study, prayer, wisdom, a desire for God's will and truth, experience, honesty, a clean lifestyle, and hanging out with folks doing the same thing.

[Poppycat]

I was just wondering what your thoughts are on discernment being a gift? Do you think it is one, or is it the result of careful study, etc? I am asking because I went to a women's conference today. I haven't been to anything like that in quite a while & only went b/c an old friend of mine is on the coordinating team and I promised her I would go to the next one. Frankly to me, once you have been to one, you have been to them all. Anyway, there were some display tables and one was for "good reading." Surprise, surprise, the authors were all of the usuals, Furtick, Chan, Warren, etc. They were being gobbled up, talked about, and given away as raffle prizes. I sometimes wonder if am more discerning than others as a gift, or because I spend a lot of time reading, studying and learning from others on places like RR. I found myself feeling sorry for these women, many who obviously love the Lord. Then I got to thinking....was that pride in my heart for knowing "more" than they did? So I have been having an internal conversation about whether some truly have the gift of discernment, or if I maybe just have too much head knowledge - if that makes sense. There was sooooo much talk about "purpose" which send bells ringing and red flags all over for me, but it also seemed as if these women had a joy that I was lacking in....as if discernment was pessimism....I don't know. We always want to right by God. I was just wondering what you all think. Sorry for my rambling. It was a loooong day.

Emmie it sounds to me as if you have been diligent in taking time to study the Word for yourself and because of this, you have discerned - rightly divided the word of God. As 2Timothy 2:15 says (paraphrasing here) a workman who correctly handles the word of truth. I also underlined in my bible verse 7 which says "Reflect on what I am saying for the Lord will give you insight into all this" as a reminder and encouragement to myself that He rewards study and meditating on the word with some insight and understanding as a reward for this. Ironically verse 16 goes on to say to avoid godless chatter etc. I've been just where you are describing, in the middle of well-meaning but 'empty' talk about these authors and it could sound as if they had joy and you instead realized the gravity of just accepting and not examining these false teachers for themselves. It does make you feel kind of left out.

Bottom line, your discernment comes about because you have been a good Berean and Acts 17:11 describes them as receiving the message with all eagerness and examining the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. You have followed the biblical plan for us and no, I don't believe you just have too much head knowledge but rather heart knowledge and pride doesn't come in to it.

Feel like I'm rambling a bit myself, so many thoughts and past experiences pouring into my head. Hope this is helpful.

[Poppycat]

Discernment is a combination of a gift, proper Bible study, prayer, wisdom, a desire for God's will and truth, experience, honesty, and a clean lifestyle.

Succinctly put, coulda just left it to you Buzz

[LightOfMyLife]

The awesome part about discernment is The Holy Spirit is our teacher. God's word gives us discernment by reading & studying the way we are to live. His word is knowledge for us to apply it is wisdom. By knowing his word we can discern truth from lies. We will be able to know who the wolves in sheeps clothing are. His word gives us sound doctrine.

[IMSAVED]

Discernment is a combination of a gift, proper Bible study, prayer, wisdom, a desire for God's will and truth, experience, honesty, a clean lifestyle, and hanging out with folks doing the same thing.

Very well said.

[Buzzardhut]

Very well said.

It also takes an "open teachable mind" listening to what another believer has to say on a topic without getting angry or rejecting such a "foreign perspective", so many come here already believing a certain way and won't change, I was reading Rick Warren books when I first came here and listened to other believer's reasoning on why he is dangerous, same can be said for following Glenn Beck during his "join hands" debacle.

Isolation can also be an enemy of discernment, closed minded individuals, trapped in their little churches, believing in only one certain way;

or the "Group Think" - "Hive Mind" of the masses that the media is brainwashing...who say "we" are brainwashed

Both sides are getting washed, depends of the detergent, the cleansing blood of Christ is the best cleanser.

We need a regenerated life, God's Word, and the Holy Spirit to be discerning.

[meshee]

It also takes an "open teachable mind" listening to what another believer has to say on a topic without getting angry or rejecting such a "foreign perspective", so many come here already believing a certain way and won't change, I was reading Rick Warren books when I first came here and listened to other believer's reasoning on why he is dangerous, same can be said for following Glenn Beck during his "join hands" debacle.

Isolation can also be an enemy of discernment, closed minded individuals, trapped in their little churches, believing in only one certain way;

or the "Group Think" - "Hive Mind" of the masses that the media is brainwashing...who say "we" are brainwashed

Both sides are getting washed, depends of the detergent, the cleansing blood of Christ is the best cleanser.

We need a regenerated life, God's Word, and the Holy Spirit to be discerning.

the original OxiClean!

[Mom2ten]

discernment is a combination of a gift, proper bible study, prayer, wisdom, a desire for god's will and truth, experience, honesty, a clean lifestyle, and hanging out with folks doing the same thing.

*like*

[Lynn]

It also takes an "open teachable mind" listening to what another believer has to say on a topic without getting angry or rejecting such a "foreign perspective" . . .
We need a regenerated life, God's Word, and the Holy Spirit to be discerning.

Amen!

[Lynn]

[QUOTE=EmmieAZ;2236559. . .I haven't been to anything like that in quite a while & only went b/c an old friend of mine is on the coordinating team and I promised her I would go to the next one. Frankly to me, once you have been to one, you have been to them all.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Every spring, it seems that there are so many women's conferences being held in our area, and I am usually invited to one or more of them. I tend 'not' to attend, because I haven't found them to be particularly spiritually uplifting, though often that is the stated reason for having one. Maybe it's just me.

[bleatingsheep]

Discernment is clearly listed as a Spitual Gift in 1 Corinthians 12v10

[Tall Timbers]

Discernment is a combination of a gift, proper Bible study, prayer, wisdom, a desire for God's will and truth, experience, honesty, a clean lifestyle, and hanging out with folks doing the same thing.

plus three

[iSong6:3]

Discernment is clearly listed as a Spitual Gift in 1 Corinthians 12v10

1 Corinthians 12:10 lists "discerning of spirits" in particular (whether a spiritual manifestation is of God or not), while "discernment" means basically the ability to "judge well", imo, it's a broader category that may or may not include discerning of spirits.

Merriam-Webster defines discernment as "the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently." http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/discernment


While only some are given discerning of spirits as a gift, all believers are to grow in discernment (wisdom/judgment).

[Jan51]

1 Corinthians 12:10 lists "discerning of spirits" in particular (whether a spiritual manifestation is of God or not), while "discernment" means basically the ability to "judge well", imo, it's a broader category that may or may not include discerning of spirits.

Merriam-Webster defines discernment as "the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently." http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/discernment


While only some are given discerning of spirits as a gift, all believers are to grow in discernment (wisdom/judgment).

Great answer!

[Longing2cJesus]

1 Corinthians 12:10 lists "discerning of spirits" in particular (whether a spiritual manifestation is of God or not), while "discernment" means basically the ability to "judge well", imo, it's a broader category that may or may not include discerning of spirits.

Merriam-Webster defines discernment as "the ability to see and understand people, things, or situations clearly and intelligently." http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/discernment


While only some are given discerning of spirits as a gift, all believers are to grow in discernment (wisdom/judgment).

[PureVictory]

*like*

I see discernment in two forms; what I call "functional" and "organic".

The functional form is that which comes by Bible study and hearing Bible based preaching. The organic is the true supernatural gift which is often referred to as "the discerning of spirits".

More often than not, there is considerable overlap of the two.

[Raphael]

Discernment: The ability to distinguish truth from White House press releases.

[Hootmon]

*like*

+1

[SaintTexas]

Raphael, this thread would not be the same without you. LOL

Discernment begins and ends with the Lord---knowlege of His Word and His Spirit within us pointing us to back to it. If one doesn't study the Bible, it's going to be very difficult to exercise discernment---there won't be any basis for it to operate.

What sounds wise at first listen may not sound so in light of God's Word. And God's wisdom is not like the world's. Look at the cross!