Discernment

“Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” Galatians 2:3-5 NET

Paul was mentoring Titus in the freedom of Christ, a principle that extends even to circumcision. It is crucial to grasp that circumcision is not a prerequisite for salvation. This freedom in Christ doesn't just allow us to make our own decisions, it empowers us to do so. If a believer chooses to undergo circumcision, it is a matter of personal preference, not a binding requirement or commandment.

Remarkably, there were those who, like covert spies, infiltrated the church meetings in Galatia and began their campaign of disinformation. Their goal was to bring the church back into bondage by imposing Jewish laws for salvation. These false brothers, who never truly embraced Paul’s teaching of freedom in Christ, underscored the crucial role of our community's discernment. Our collective discernment is not just important, it's integral to our growth as the body of Christ. In the following discussion, I will delve into the spiritual gift of discernment and how it empowers us in our growth as the body of Christ.

The term ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ is a colloquial phrase that speaks to the need for discernment. The church of Jesus Christ has always been vulnerable to opportunists who take complete advantage of the body by either subverting the message or speaking against the messenger in ways to defame them or bring ridicule upon the servants of Jesus Christ. As church members, we bear a significant responsibility for ensuring that everyone, including our leaders, is without reproach so their message would not be spoken against. This responsibility is not just a duty, it's a commitment to the truth. Paul addresses this matter with Timothy directly: “As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings, nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith. But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith”.1 Timothy 1:3-5 NET

Discernment is a spiritual gift that allows the recipient to determine the true heart or motive of an individual who is in the church. It is not a tool for judgment or condemnation, but a means of understanding and compassion. The gifting is not to embarrass or call out people in front of others but to privately speak with the person or persons and share our heart with them so that they may know that their error is made known by God.  This approach allows them to repent and embrace the truth so that they might find the freedom in Christ that we all seek. Discernment is a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey, helping us to navigate the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of living a life of faith.

What is discernment? Psalm 119:66 states, “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.” The term’ discernment’ in Hebrew translates to “goodness of taste.” In this context, taste refers to moral and ethical discernment, which involves making insightful judgments, recognizing the significant moral implications of different situations and courses of action, and evaluating the moral and spiritual standing of individuals, groups, and movements. This spiritual aspect of discernment connects us and engages us in our decision-making. Thus, while warning us against judgmentalism, Jesus emphasizes the power of discernment and discrimination. “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.” Matthew 7:1,6 NET

 A remarkable example of such discernment is described in John 2:24–25: “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people. He did not need anyone to testify about man, for he knew what was in man.” This is discernment without judgmentalism, a testament to the trust Jesus had in his discernment.

Jesus' insight reached deep into people's hearts. As Christians, we are called to develop similar insight, not on our own, but in union with Christ, through the Spirit, and with the guidance of God's Word. The Spirit is our constant companion, guiding us in our journey of discernment. So, discernment is about understanding God's thoughts and applying them practically and spiritually. It means seeing how things appear in God's eyes and viewing them as they are. “And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” Hebrews 4:13 NET

How does this discernment affect the way we live? It affects us in four ways.

1. It acts as a means of protection, guarding us from being spiritually deceived. It shields us from being misled by teachings that focus on a peripheral element of the gospel or treat a specific interpretation of Scripture as its central message.
2. When exercised with grace, discernment also acts as an instrument of healing, demonstrating God's love and care for us. Some people have a remarkable ability to identify the spiritual needs of others. They seem to understand the heart issues that someone else faces better than the person themselves. However, this is a gift that comes with great responsibility. When used with love, discernment can be compared to a surgical scalpel in spiritual surgery, allowing for healing and serving as a clear sign of God's grace in our lives.
3. Discernment is not just a key to Christian freedom; it's a powerful tool that empowers us. An enthusiastic but undiscerning Christian can become enslaved—either to others, to their uninformed conscience, or to an unbiblical way of life. Developing discernment liberates us from such bondage, enabling us to differentiate between practices that may be beneficial in certain situations and those that are required in all circumstances. True discernment allows free Christians to understand that the exercise of freedom is not necessary for its enjoyment, but it's a choice we can confidently make.
4. Discernment accelerates spiritual growth: “The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning” Proverbs 14:6, NIV. Why? Because the discerning Christian delves into the heart of the matter. They understand something about everything, namely that all things originate from God. An increase in knowledge does not lead to increased frustration but to a deeper recognition of the harmony of all God’s works and words.

How can we attain such discernment? We receive it as Christ Himself did—through the anointing of the Spirit, our understanding of God’s Word, our experience of God's grace, and the gradual revelation of the true condition of our hearts.

Therefore, we should pray, “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” Psalm 119:125 NIV. Prayer is not just a request; it's a powerful tool that connects us to God and opens our hearts to His wisdom. Through prayer, we seek and receive the discernment we need in our spiritual journey.

Stephen Barnett