Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8227 discernment, nature of

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8227 discernment, nature of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8226 discernment » 8227 discernment, nature of

Discernment is given by God, through his Holy Spirit. It is received through God's word and through the insight of a renewed mind. Discerning believers seek to grow in their understanding and knowledge of God's truth.

Discernment as sound judgment

Judging the right course

Proverbs 15:21; Philippians 1:9-10 See also Proverbs 3:21-23; Proverbs 8:8-9; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 11:12; Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 24:30; Hosea 14:9

Distinguishing good from evil

2 Samuel 14:17 See also Genesis 3:22; Job 6:30; Job 34:3-4; Isaiah 7:15

Distinguishing holy from common

Leviticus 10:10; Leviticus 11:47; Ezekiel 22:26; Ezekiel 44:23

Seeing through outward appearances

Proverbs 28:11 See also 1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 11:3

Understanding the significance of events

Deuteronomy 32:29-30 See also 1 Chronicles 12:32; Esther 1:13; Matthew 24:32-33 pp Mark 13:28-29; Luke 12:54-56

Exercising judgment to rule

1 Kings 3:9 See also Proverbs 8:14-16; Proverbs 28:2,16; Jeremiah 23:5

Discernment as insight into spiritual realities

Distinguishing between spirits

1 Corinthians 12:10 See also 1 Kings 22:19-23 pp 2 Chronicles 18:18-22; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1-3

Discerning true and false prophecy

Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Deuteronomy 18:21-22; 1 Corinthians 14:29

Characteristics of discerning people

The discerning grow in wisdom

Proverbs 1:5 See also Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 14:6; Proverbs 15:14; Proverbs 17:24; Proverbs 18:15

The discerning accept rebuke

Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 19:25

The discerning keep God's law

1 Chronicles 22:12; Psalm 119:34; Proverbs 28:7

The source of discernment

Discernment is given by God

Daniel 2:21 See also Proverbs 9:10; Daniel 2:27-28; 1 Corinthians 2:12-15

Discernment through God's word

Hebrews 5:14 See also Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:98-100,130; Romans 2:18

Discernment through a renewed mind

Romans 12:2 See also Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Corinthians 2:16

Asking for discernment

Psalm 119:66 See also Psalm 119:27,125; James 1:5