How can I become more discerning? - Discernment - TouchPoints

1 Kings 3:9-10“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.

Psalm 119:18Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

Psalm 119:27, 66, 125, 169Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. . . . I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge. . . . Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. . . . O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

Proverbs 9:10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Daniel 2:21[God] controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

Daniel 2:27-28Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed.”

James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

1 John 5:14-15We are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.

The better we know God, the source of wisdom, the more discerning we will become.

Psalm 19:7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 119:98-100, 130Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. . . . The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalm 119:104Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Romans 2:18You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.

Hebrews 5:14Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

God is the source of truth and wisdom. He has revealed this truth and wisdom in his Word. The more we read and study it, the more discerning we will become.

1 Corinthians 2:12-15We have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.

The Holy Spirit is our Counselor and Advocate and dwells within all who trust and follow Jesus Christ. Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will discern God’s truth more fully.

Jeremiah 31:33“But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:16For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

The more fully we mirror the mind of Christ, the more discerning we will become.