7 Powerful Bible Verses About Discernment
Growing up when I heard about discernment, I did not really comprehend the true meaning behind what it is. I often heard the verse, “Do not cast your pearls before swine,” but I never really comprehended the meaning or power behind discernment. The more I learned about it, the more I realized that there are a lot of Bible verses about discernment, which led me to see how important discernment really is.
Discernment is a VERY important quality to cultivate as a follower of Jesus. It really is the ability to make decisions that truly align with God and his will. It is distinguishing between right and wrong and being able to recognize God’s guidance in every situation. This can look like daily decisions on how you spend your day or even choosing the people you allow into your inner circle and life.
As I mentioned, the Bible is full of verses that offer insight into the importance of discernment and show us ways to navigate life wisely with God at the forefront. In this post, we will explore 7 Bible verses about discernment, including the famous teaching that I mentioned about not casting your pearls before swine. I hope that this will help inspire and guide you in your journey with God!
7 Powerful Bible Verses about Discernment
1. Proverbs 2:6
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
For me, this verse is a reminder that God has all the answers and that we cannot rely solely on our own understanding or seek our worldly wisdom to give us all the answers. True wisdom and knowledge come from the Lord. When we turn to God for guidance, He promises to provide us with the knowledge and understanding to discern the right course of action.
2. Matthew 7:6
In this verse in Matthew, Jesus teaches about the importance of discernment. The part, “Do not cast your pearls before swine” is a metaphor for being wise and having discernment on where and whom you share yourself with, especially who you share your truth with. Jesus warns that there are people who will not appreciate or understand the sacredness of what you offer, and instead of accepting it, they will reject it or even turn against you.
Discernment is required to know when and how to share God’s wisdom, as not everyone is ready to receive it. This also applies in our relationships; sometimes, it’s necessary to discern who has earned the right to hear “your story” and who has not.
3. Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
This verse highlights that with maturity, experience, and practice comes the powers of discernment. As we grow in all areas of our lives, it gives us the ability to start to discern good from evil, and that discernment sharpens as we age and mature in our faith and walk with the Lord.
This sharpening comes with life experiences, pains, highs and lows and most importantly discipline, consistency, and dedication in daily prayer, Bible study and fellowship to God. The more we train ourselves to recognize the voice of God, the more our discernment grows and gets stronger. Discernment isn’t something that happens instantly, it’s developed over time as we continually seek God and apply His truth to our lives.
4. Philippians 1:9-10
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
In this passage, the Apostle Paul prays that the Philippians will grow in love, knowledge, and discernment. Discernment, in this context, enables us to approve what is “excellent” and gives us the recognition to truly align with what God’s will is and what is truly worth pursuing in life.
5. James 1:5
“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.”
James 1:5 is one of the most encouraging verses when it comes to seeking wisdom and discernment. God is willing and able to give us His wisdom when we seek it; he gives it generously; you just need to ask for it. Whenever we come to a decision in life that we are struggling with, we need to remember that God invites us to ask for discernment during this time. His guidance will be provided. This verse serves as a reminder that God is always ready to guide us in the right direction if we only ask with a sincere heart.
6. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in the Lord is foundational to discernment. This verse teaches us that in fully surrendering and trusting God, He will guide us in making wise decisions. Now, discernment is not just about making good choices, it is also about trusting God’s wisdom, even when our own understanding is limited or unclear.
7. Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
In this verse, Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges they will face as they spread the gospel. He urges them to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves,” a call for balance between shrewdness and purity. In the context of discernment, this means that we must be careful and discerning in how we engage with the world around us, especially when faced with opposition or deception. We have heard of the saying “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” and with that said, we need to learn discernment so that we are able to reveal to ourselves the hidden wolves disguised as sheep.
How to Cultivate Discernment in Your Life
- Ask God for wisdom: James 1:5 promises that God will give wisdom generously to those who ask. Take time to pray and ask God for clarity in your decisions, big or small.
- Study the Bible: God’s Word is the primary way He speaks to us. The more you read and meditate on Scripture, the more your heart and mind will be shaped to discern His will in every situation.
- Learn from others: Seek advice from mature believers who have experience walking with the Lord. Proverbs 15:22 teaches that plans succeed when there is wise counsel.
- Trust the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and worship will help you hear His voice more clearly.
Bible Verses about Discernment
Overall, discernment is an important skill for every follower of Jesus. The Bible provides many verses that teach us how to grow in wisdom and make decisions that reflect God’s will.
Whether we are facing personal decisions, dealing with false teachings, or trying to understand the world around us, these 7 Bible verses about discernment offer valuable guidance. Remember, discernment is a gift that comes from God, and as we trust Him, study His Word, and seek His wisdom, He will lead us with clarity and grace.
“Believers need the gift of discernment or at least respect for the opinions of those who have it”
– Billy Graham
Pin-it for later: 7 Powerful Bible Verses About Discernment
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