The Bible never presents people who cannot discern the ways of God in a good light. Romans 1:28-32 shows what happens when people reject God’s truth and become confused in their thinking. That is why believers are called to grow in wisdom, understanding, and spiritual discernment.
Discernment simply means learning how to recognize what is from God and what is not. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” When we honor God and know Him through His Word, we begin to see things more clearly.
Ephesians 5:8-10 reminds us that we were once darkness, but now we are light in the Lord. Because we belong to Jesus, we are called to walk as children of light and “discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Discernment is not just about knowing right from wrong. It is about learning what pleases God.
Hebrews 5:11-14 teaches that mature believers are those who have trained their senses to discern good and evil. In other words, discernment grows with use. The more we study Scripture, pray, obey God, and listen to the Holy Spirit, the stronger our spiritual senses become.
We need spiritual discernment because truth is under attack. We live in a time when information travels fast, opinions are everywhere, and error can spread quickly. Not everything that sounds spiritual is truly from God. Some teachings may use Christian words but still lead people away from the truth of Scripture.
First Peter 5:8 tells us to be sober and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Satan’s goal has always been to deceive people, distort the truth, and oppose the gospel. Many times his attacks are not obvious. He often mixes a little truth with a lie so that the lie becomes easier to accept.
That is why we must keep our eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” according to Hebrews 12:2. We do not need to fear deception, but we do need to stay alert. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and the body of Christ to help us walk in truth.
Three Questions Discernment Helps Us Answer
- Who is the enemy?
- What does Satan do?
- How does Satan deceive people?
As believers, we are not called to be gullible. We are called to be wise, watchful, and rooted in God’s Word. Spiritual discernment helps us recognize truth, reject error, and remain faithful to Jesus in a world full of confusion.
In times of darkness, spiritual discernment is not optional; it is necessary. Jesus warned that deception would increase and that false prophets would arise to mislead many (Matthew 24:4-5, 11). Paul also reminds us that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). This is why we must stay close to Christ, test everything by the Word of God, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:1; John 16:13). When the world grows darker, the people of God must shine brighter, walking as children of light and discerning what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:8-10). Spiritual discernment helps us stand firm, guard our hearts, and remain faithful to Jesus until the end.
Minister A Francine Green, August 2026