Discernment

“Discernment”
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, … ” Romans 1:20a
To some, “results” mean baptisms, budgets, buildings,
nickels, noses, notoriety. The Bible tells us that when we are
in the world, we must know who to shun, who to teach, who to
awaken and who to follow. Discernment is the answer.
May we gain an ever-greater skill and accuracy in reading
character in people. May we also detect and identify real
truth. We need to see beneath the surface and correctly “size
up” a situation. Solomon asked the Lord for discernment in I
Kings 3:9, thus, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding
heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and
bad: … “
Discernment is a mark of spiritual maturity, for it gives
one a proper frame of reference. It acts as an umpire in life and
blows the whistle on the spurious. It does not fall for fakes or
flirt with phonies, nor does it dance with deceivers or kiss
counterfeits goodnight! The Apostle John put it this way:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God: … ” (I John 4:1a).
Here is one of the tactics of survival when facing the “fiery
darts of the wicked one.” Make certain you have cinched on
the belt of truth tightly around yourself. Truth is what helps us
do battle with the enemy. It also strengthens us in our
relationships. May the Lord give us all a big dose of
discernmenttoday. – D.O.

Prepared by Roger Fulk, from the “Baptist Bread” February 27, 2023 devotional by author REV. DON OSSEWAARDE, Dean of Men, Providence Baptist College, Elgin, IL. With permission from Tim Green, editor Baptist Bread. http://timgreenministries.org/the-baptist-bread/