Spiritual DiscernmentSample

The Practical Application of Discernment

The practical application of spiritual discernment is multi-faceted, and it impacts both our own lives and those we have relationship with.

Discernment enables us to recognize where the Lord has given us responsibility. We learn to make a distinction between God’s intentions and any unhealthy expectations from others. We distinguish between a wonderful Holy Spirit expectancy, and a natural striving to achieve. Discernment understands the difference between drawing aside to spend time with the Lord, and the times we may be pulling back from godly community and becoming isolated. We separate between when the Lord has laid a burden on us to pray, or when we are falling into religious rituals.

Discernment enables us to call out the gold in others. Discernment looks beyond the outward appearance and sees the heart of a king in the shepherd boy David. Discernment hears more than just the impulsive words and fearful denials of Peter—discernment recognizes the call of an apostle who is being forged in the fire. Discernment enables us to see beyond natural measures and remove comparisons. Discernment sees the two small coins that the widow gives and understand that she has given her all.

Discernment brings separation between what things feed and empower us, and what things drain or discourage us. Discernment gives us insight into who is inspiring us, or who is distracting us (like those trying to stop Nehemiah rebuilding the wall).

Discernment separates our own earthly mindsets and opinions from God’s ways, which are so much higher. As believers who love God, we can have good intentions, but can also be totally out of alignment with God’s will. We can think we are acting on His behalf, and yet we can be doing things out of our own understanding. This is exactly what Peter did when he told Jesus He should not go to the cross!

When Jesus rebuked Peter, we often focus on the fact that He said, “Get behind me, Satan!” Referencing the devil was certainly confronting and emphasizes the root of Peter’s thought. But the phrase, “Get behind me” is also important because Jesus’ original instructions to the disciples was “Come, follow me.” We can only have discernment when we are following Jesus, not when we are trying to lead Him.

T. Austin Sparks says, "That division (between soul and spirit) represents very largely this discrimination: what man does out of his own soul, reason, will, his feeling for God; and what man does in his renewed spirit as directed immediately by the Spirit of God. They are two entirely different realms, and the consequences of each are as different as two worlds can be. In the end, one is bound for failure, the other is bound to be effective."