Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8228 discernment, examples of

8228 discernment, examples of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8226 discernment » 8228 discernment, examples of

Perfect discernment is displayed by God and Jesus Christ. Evil spirits also have discernment, about the person and work of Christ. Discernment has been evident in the rulers and spiritual leaders of God's people, but Israel, like children and the foolish who lack judgment, failed to discern God's purpose and truth.

God's discernment

Psalm 139:1-4 See also Job 31:4; Job 34:21; Hebrews 4:13; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 19:12 God alone knows our hidden faults.

Jesus Christ's discernment

John 2:25 See also Matthew 9:4 pp Mark 2:8 pp Luke 5:22 Jesus Christ discerns the thoughts of the teachers of the law; Matthew 16:23 pp Mark 8:33 Jesus Christ discerns the source of Peter's words; Matthew 22:18 pp Mark 12:15 pp Luke 20:23 Jesus Christ discerns the true motive of his questioners; John 1:47 Jesus Christ sees into the heart of Nathaniel; John 8:16 Jesus Christ has perfect discernment of right and wrong.

Evil spirits' discernment

Mark 1:23-24 pp Luke 4:33-34 See also Mark 1:34 pp Luke 4:41; Acts 16:17

Discernment in those who govern

Joseph:

Genesis 41:39; Acts 7:10

Solomon:

1 Kings 3:12; 2 Chronicles 2:12 Job 12:20 elders

Examples of spiritual discernment

2 Kings 4:9 See also John 4:19,42

1 Kings 22:19-23 pp 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 Micaiah discerns that a lying spirit is responsible for false prophecy. See also Jeremiah 23:16-22 Jeremiah knows that the false prophets' message is not from God; Acts 5:3 Peter is aware of the deception of Ananias and Sapphira; Acts 8:23 Peter discerns the true condition of Simon's heart; Acts 16:18 Paul discerns the spiritual source of a girl's fortune-telling ability.

Futher examples of discernment

2 Samuel 14:18-20 David sees through Joab's ruse; 1 Kings 3:24-28 Solomon discerns a child's true mother; Nehemiah 6:12-13 Nehemiah sees through the plot against him.

Lack of discernment

Young children lack discernment

Deuteronomy 1:39 See also Isaiah 7:15-16; Jonah 4:11

Israel's lack of discernment

Deuteronomy 32:28; Luke 12:54-56 See also Isaiah 1:3; Isaiah 5:13; Isaiah 44:18-19; Ezekiel 12:2; Acts 28:27; Isaiah 6:9-10

Those who lack judgment

Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 10:21 See also Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 9:4; Proverbs 12:11; Proverbs 18:1; Proverbs 24:30

Other examples of lack of discernment

Psalm 82:5 the “gods” in the heavenly assembly; Micah 4:12 the nations who fail to discern God's plan