Learn to Discern

By Marjorie Kinnee,
Managing Editor

Discernment is one of the Gifts of the Spirit and as such, is accounted a valuable asset in the life of a Christian. By definition, discernment is a noun meaning the ability to perceive clearly. It's roots are from dis apart, and, cernere to separate. It applies to things spiritual and natural, to individuals and groups, to leaders and followers. In the words of an old commercial, "Don't leave home without it!" Yet, discernment has never been more lacking than it is today. Solomon discerned a young man void of understanding and followed him through a downward spiral into sin. He continually urged his readers to seek wisdom and understanding. Moreover, he often gave wisdom physical characteristics, referring to it as "her" and "she" or in the first person singular. (See Proverbs 8 and 9:1-6.)

Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil to no avail because they did  not discern the difference. Without this kind of discernment one may know what good and evil is, (have the knowledge,) but lack the understanding of the consequences.  

In the institution of the Tabernacle and the priesthood, instructions to Aaron and his descendants have to do with not drinking wine or strong drink when they entered the Tabernacle. This was a statute for ever throughout their generations: "And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." (Leviticus 10:9-11)

Moses' final instructions to the children of Israel exhorted them to examine what he'd set before them; life and good, death and evil... blessing and cursing... and to choose life! In doing so, they would ensure that both they and their seed would live. Choosing life, good, and blessing would enable them to love the LORD their God, to obey His voice, and to cleave unto Him; for HE was their life and the length of their days (eternal as well as natural). Discerning and choosing life for themselves activated the covenant promised given to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

At the root level, here are the choices our minds must be able to discern:

Good (Life!) - Whatever God says is good, righteous, holy, perfect, acceptable, true and truth.

Evil (Death) - Whatever God says is evil, sinful, wicked, or profane, and the things He despises, hates, abominates, etc.

The Tribe of Issachar was commended in David's time because they were "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..." (I Chronicles 12:32) 

Agur's lament says, "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy." (Proverbs 30:2-3)

Sadly, over time, the priesthood left off their own diligence and grew cold and indifferent to their sacred trust. Much of what we find in Scripture has more to do with what happened to those who lacked discernment and failed in their responsibilities. Their failures resulted in rottenness and decay throughout their society.

Ezekiel rebuked the priests with these words, "Her priests have violated My law, and have profaned Mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from My sabbaths, and I am profaned among them." (Ezekiel 22:26) Later he prophesied of a time when the priesthood would minister with new and godly wisdom. "And they shall teach My people the dirrerence between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." (Ezekiel 44:23)

Malachi closed out the Old Testament with a call to repentance and return to a God-centered ministry. "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 2:7-8)

Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass the round, and keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation." (Luke 19:42-44)

This business of learning to discern is important for each man, woman, boy and girl. Such instructions need to begin as early in life as possible. There's no time to neglect or ignore such a weighty principle. The best way to do this is to get into the Word - it contains the mind and thoughts of God Himself. The Psalmist said, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed therto according to Thy Word." and, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119: 9, 105)