The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines discernment as a noun meaning 1: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure; skill in discerning, or, 2: an act of perceiving or discerning something. Synonyms for discernment would include, but are not limited to insight, wisdom, perception, understanding, prudence, and discretion (source: Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary).
Discernment has many synonyms, which, are in some cases used interchangeably as will be done here.
The word discernment occurs in Scripture eleven times; ten of which being in the Old Testament and only once in the New Testament (1977 NASB); however, the related words, discern and discerning bring that word count to forty; but again, most occurrences are in the O.T. The Hebrew word for discernment in the context of Proverbs 2:3 is לַבִּינָ֣ה (binah), defined as knowledge, meaning, understanding, and wisdom; however, in most instances it carries the idea of understanding. The Greek word, αἴσθησις (aisthésis) means perception, not only by the senses but also by the intellect; cognition and discernment: Philippians 1:9 speaks of moral discernment, the understanding of ethical matters, as is plain from what is added in Philippians 1:10. (Strongs NT 144).
The Bible ― and particularly the book of Proverbs ― is not silent regarding the value of discernment and the key related words, wisdom, knowledge, discretion and understanding:
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding.
14For its profit is better than the profit of silver,
And its gain than fine gold.
15She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast. (Proverbs 3:13-18)
1Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,
2For I give you sound teaching;
Do not abandon my instruction.
3When I was a son to my father,
Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
4Then he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
Keep my commandments and live;
5Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
6“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you;
Love her, and she will watch over you.
7“The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom;
And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
8“Prize her, and she will exalt you;
She will honor you if you embrace her.
9“She will place on your head a garland of grace;
She will present you with a crown of beauty.” (Proverbs 4:1-9, NASB 1977)
People need discernment; they needed it in biblical times and they need it now in our postmodern world. Fortunately, there are many examples in both the O.T. and N.T. where individuals or groups of people who acted with discernment, discretion, and wisdom. Queen Esther (with Mordecai’s advice) was certainly a role model in this realm when she was faced with Haman’s schemes and the potential annihilation of her people. She put her life on the line when she approached King Ahasuerus to plead for the defense and, and ultimately, the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies:
And Hathach came back and related Mordecai’s words to Esther. 10Then Esther spoke to Hathach and ordered him to reply to Mordecai: 11“All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that for any man or woman who comes to the king to the inner court who is not summoned, he has but one law, that he be put to death, unless the king holds out to him the golden scepter so that he may live. And I have not been summoned to come to the king for these thirty days.” 12And they related Esther’s words to Mordecai.
13Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the Jews. 14“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”
15Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16“Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me; do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus, I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” 17So Mordecai went away and did just as Esther had commanded him. (Esther 4:9-17, NASB 1977)
This is truly an example of discernment, wisdom and understanding, but also one of great courage! A very difficult situation was placed before this young queen and action was needed to avoid disaster. In this case, the story has a very happy ending except for Haman, his ten sons, and the other 75,000 of those who hated the Jewish people.
It is interesting that Mordecai says to his niece that, “if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish.” There is every reason to believe that this sobering reality does not apply to this situation alone, but should be considered a general principle in life. We were put on this planet at a certain place and time to accomplish what God has ordained according God’s perfect, sovereign plan. If we are discerning and wise, we will strive to be about the business of the Kingdom during our short stay on this earth.
In the Parable of the Talents the Lord Jesus spoke of the stark contrast between the good and faithful (discerning and wise) and the wicked, lazy slave(s):
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. 15“And to one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17“In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18“But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 19“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20“And the one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me; see, I have gained five more talents.’ 21“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master.’ 22“The one also who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.’ 23“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ 24“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.’ 26“But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no seed. 27‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival, I would have received my money back with interest. 28‘Therefore, take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ 29“For to everyone who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30“And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14–30, NASB 1977)
Likewise, we read in the Parable of the Ten Virgins:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2“And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5“Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6“But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7“Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. 8“And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9“But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ 10“And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11“And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ 12“But he answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13“Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1–13, NASB 1977)
In the parable of the Talents, the faithful slaves exercised discernment by understanding that their master spoke with authority, and knew that there would be a reward for obedience, but disapproval and punishment for disobedience. On the other hand, the unfaithful (wicked) servant was neither discerning nor wise in his actions; furthermore, there is a notable contrast in terms of attitude between the faithful and unfaithful slaves; the good and faithful slaves wanted to serve their Master because they loved Him and were devoted to Him; the unfaithful slave didn’t seem to care at all about the resources his Master put under his charge while He was away; this apathetic, ungrateful slave foolishly and carelessly ignored his Masters instructions to his own ruin.
In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the contrasting trait between the foolish and prudent is less about performing and more about being; that is, the prudent virgins were genuine Spirit-filled believers, while the foolish virgins were merely going through the motions; i.e., giving the appearance of authenticity without the reality, or, as Paul said to his protégé, Timothy, “holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;” (2 Timothy 3:5, NASB 1977). True (biblical) discernment and wisdom cannot flow from any such person.
Having the character trait of discernment is so vital it is difficult to capture the grandeur and magnificence of the word and the power it provides to the man or woman of God who has it and skillfully uses it for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom. Not only that, the discerning person knows from experience how to act socially, morally, and ethically in every situation; in other words, having discernment is extremely practical.
King Solomon understood this when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes:
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
2A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
3A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
5A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
6A time to search, and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
7A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
8A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NASB 1977)
A truly discerning believer would read this passage and just smile and say, “amen.”
To sum up, having a discerning, redeemed heart that loves Jesus leads to victory, joy, happiness and, ultimately bearing fruit for God’s glory. This is the essence of Psalm 1:1-3, where, (paraphrasing) the Psalmist states that the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers… will yield fruit… and in whatever he does, he will prosper.
On the other hand, being foolish, undiscerning, and ignorant can only lead to disaster―not only for the individual, but often for those in his family! Unfortunately, this is the direction of most people in this world and they ― wittingly or unwittingly ― are being led to destruction by their father the Devil.
There is a battle for the souls of men, women and children and we who are (wise and discerning are here for such a time as this to help our families and the flock of God ―as well as the unbelieving world ― to be the same.
Or, as our Lord Jesus said,
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, NASB 1977)
Whether you are young or old, married or single, and whatever your station in life, if you are a follower of Christ, you can be a light of the world by having discernment and wisdom in the midst of a foolish and undiscerning culture; as others observe your discernment, wisdom, knowledge and confidence along with your social, moral, and ethical standards (all praise be to God), perhaps they too will desire what you have, which will give you the opportunity to give an answer for the hope that is within you!
May our Lord help all of us become more discerning and to know Him and make Him known.
Dennis C. Philpot