Discernment

Discernment

November 2, 2008

Introduction

In Mat 16:1-4 NKJV, we read, “Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. {2} He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; {3} "and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. {4} "A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.”

but you cannot discern the signs of the times. -- That was an indictment against them, and in all likelihood, it cost most of them eternal life.

dis·cern·ment (d¹-sûrn“m…nt, -zûrn“-) n. 1. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment. 2. Keenness of insight and judgment.

So we need discernment, but what else does the Bible say about discernment?

Body

I. The Hebrew writer speaks of discernment that comes with aging in the truth.

(Heb 5:12-14 NKJV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

A. Growth is expected of us: -- “For though by this time you ought to be teachers”

B. Proper growth means that we can distinguish between good and evil. “Those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

C. Our discernment is meant to lead us to live a life that is right.

(James 4:17 NKJV) Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

1. Knowing alone is not enough. We must be willing to act according to our knowledge.

II. How do we obtain discernment?

A. In comes in part by our study and learning.

Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

B. In comes in part by prayer.

(James 1:5 NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

III. We need discernment in judgment.

A. There is a type of judgment which we are told not to make.

(Mat 7:1-5 NKJV) "Judge not, that you be not judged. {2} "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. {3} "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? {4} "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? {5} "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

(Mat 7:1 TLB) "Don't criticize, and then you won't be criticized.

1. Don’t be critical of other people.

2. Don’t judge others intentions.

There is a type of judgment which we are told to make.

1. We are to judge in a righteous way.

(John 7:24 NKJV) "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

a. The setting here is very important.

(John 7:21-24 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to them, "I did one work, and you all marvel. {22} "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. {23} "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? {24} "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."

b. This was a judgment that required going beyond the fact that some kind of work had been done. They need the discernment to know that there are special cases which must be evaluated in order to have “righteous judgment.”

2. We should be able to make spiritual judgments.

(1 Cor 2:14-16 NKJV) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. {15} But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. {16} For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Can we discern the signs of the times?

(Luke 21:34-36 NKJV) "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. {35} "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. {36} "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

1. Are we aware of what is going on in the world around us?

2. Are we watching and praying to “be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass,”

Conclusion

I. Are you a discerning person?

A. Remember: Growth is expected of us -- “For though by this time you ought to be teachers”

B. Don’t forget to study God’s word on a daily basis.

II. Don’t be ashamed to admit that you need God’s help. Take time to pray. Be willing to acknowledge God and ask His help.

(Prov 3:6 NKJV) In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

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