Discerns
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The concept of discernment in the Bible is a significant theme, reflecting the ability to judge well and distinguish between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, or good and evil. This spiritual insight is often portrayed as a gift from God, enabling believers to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and understanding.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, discernment is frequently associated with wisdom and understanding. King Solomon is a prime example of discernment, as he famously asked God for "an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil" (1 Kings 3:9). God granted Solomon's request, making him renowned for his wisdom and discernment, which he demonstrated in various judgments and decisions throughout his reign.

The Book of Proverbs, attributed to Solomon, is replete with exhortations to seek wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages believers to "call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding," promising that such pursuit will lead to the "knowledge of God." Discernment is thus portrayed as a divine gift that requires earnest seeking and reverence for the Lord.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, discernment continues to be a vital aspect of Christian life. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of discernment in spiritual matters. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 , he explains that "the natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." This highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to discern spiritual truths.

Paul further instructs the Philippians to "approve what is excellent" (Philippians 1:10), indicating that discernment involves recognizing and choosing what aligns with God's will. Similarly, in Romans 12:2 , he urges believers to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Discernment as a Spiritual Gift

Discernment is also identified as a spiritual gift in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 12:10 , Paul lists "distinguishing between spirits" as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This gift enables believers to discern the spiritual source behind various teachings, prophecies, and manifestations, ensuring that they align with the truth of the Gospel.

Practical Application

The practical application of discernment is evident throughout Scripture. Believers are called to exercise discernment in their daily lives, making choices that reflect their commitment to Christ. Hebrews 5:14 states, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This verse underscores the importance of spiritual maturity and the ongoing development of discernment through practice and reliance on God's Word.

Conclusion

Discernment is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith, enabling believers to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and understanding. It is both a gift from God and a skill to be developed through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Greek
2589. kardiognostes -- knower of hearts
... preferences (convictions). Accordingly, God hears "the prayer of our prayers"
as He discerns our inner heart-preferences. Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2589.htm - 7k
Library

Having Heard Faustus, the Most Learned Bishop of the Manich??ans ...
... Book V. Chapter III."Having Heard Faustus, the Most Learned Bishop of the Manich??ans,
He Discerns that God, the Author Both of Things Animate and Inanimate ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii having heard faustus the.htm

How the Man not yet Righteous Can Know the Righteous Man whom He ...
... And whoever hears me and knowingly approves, he too discerns this same thing
within himself, even though he himself be not what he discerns. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 how the man not.htm

The Understanding Judges of the Truth of Things, and of Its Own ...
... This power discerns the difference between, to take a particular example, the true
Carthage and its own imaginary one, which it changes as it pleases with ...
/.../chapter 18 name understanding judges.htm

Nothing Escapes God's Knowledge. ...
... The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man that they are vain." [91] Does He Who discerns
whatsoever is vain not know what is holy, and is He ignorant of what He ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv nothing escapes gods.htm

The Impossibility of Renewal.
... He only who discerns, by force of spirited insight, what is good and what is
evil, can also understand spiritual truths. The difference ...
/.../chapter v the impossibility of.htm

The Love of the Studious Mind, that Is, of one Desirous to Know ...
... The soul, then, discerns this fitting and serviceable species, and knows it, and
loves it; and he who seeks the meaning of any words of which he is ignorant ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 the love of the.htm

The Axe at the Root --A Testimony against Puseyite Idolatry
... fan in his hand; he sits as a refiner; he is compared by the prophet to the "refiner's
fire" and to "fuller's soap;" and hence you see he discerns at once ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 12 1866/the axe at the roota.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... from the discovery of religion, is but to see, at a huge distance, that felicity
which I am not able to reach; like a man in a shipwreck, who discerns the land ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

For the Candid and Thoughtful
... power behind. He discerns the difference between the malicious adversary
and the less guilty victim of circumstances. These words ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/for the candid and thoughtful.htm

Glimpses
... Everything has its place and meaning. Man discerns in his personal life this much
of clear meaning, that he is to strive toward the noblest ideal. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/iv glimpses.htm

Thesaurus
Discerns (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Discerns (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who
is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. ...
/d/discerns.htm - 7k

Discernment (43 Occurrences)

/d/discernment.htm - 18k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)

/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... has skill, knowledge, or experience, sufficient to decide on the merits of a question,
or on the quality or value of anything; one who discerns properties or ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Discern (49 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things,
and he himself is judged by no one. (Root in WEB DBY YLT). ...
/d/discern.htm - 22k

Discerner (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, discerns, distinguishes,
perceives, or judges; as, a discerner of truth, of right and wrong. ...
/d/discerner.htm - 7k

Discerned (17 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians 2:15 but the spiritual discerns
all things, and he is discerned of no one. (DBY YLT). ...
/d/discerned.htm - 11k

Appraised (3 Occurrences)
... discerned. (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns
all things, and he himself is judged by no one. (See NAS). ...
/a/appraised.htm - 7k

Appraises (1 Occurrence)
... Appraises (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns
all things, and he himself is judged by no one. (See NAS). ...
/a/appraises.htm - 6k

Subject (99 Occurrences)
... of opinion. (WEY). 1 Corinthians 2:15 But he who is spiritual discerns all
things, and he himself is judged by no one. (See NIV). 1 ...
/s/subject.htm - 37k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Discerns (2 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 2:15
But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.
(WEB DBY)

1 Chronicles 28:9
And thou, Solomon my son, know the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searches all hearts, and discerns all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cut thee off for ever.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Discerns

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Discernment through Scripture
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