Absence of Discernment

Absence of Discernment

What is the Difference Between Natural and Spiritual Discernment? 

Absence of Discernment

The cashier accidentally hands you an extra ten dollar bill with your change. Instantly, you realize the error and say, “you gave me an extra ten dollars by mistake.” Congratulations, you perceived the money wasn’t yours to keep and discerned you must return it.

When we speak of discernment we are talking about the ability to judge right from wrong, good from evil, or good choices from bad choices. Through discernment, we are able to reason and judge what is right, what is almost right, and what is wrong. Today we will address 3 types of discernment.

Natural Discernment

Natural discernment is based on theoretical laws, laws of human nature, natural laws, and unwritten laws that are derived from philosophical beliefs, historical laws, secular laws, and religious laws or teachings. Moreover, these laws, rules, and principles are built upon the shifting sands of human logic and reasoning. It is believed that somewhere within the context of these laws we will discover the correct moral path of right and wrong for all human behavior. Unfortunately, this vast and comprehensive body of laws is deeply flawed and hinders proper discernment.

It is from this body of laws we formed a pseud legitimacy for slavery, abortion, polygamy, homosexuality, same-sex marriages, all sexual sins, rejection of God, and just about anything else we humans want to justify. It is from the limited realm of natural discernment we are guilty of exchanging the “truth for a lie” (Romans 1:25). Therefore, the cultural, social, and political debate over what constitutes good or evil, right or wrong, truth or lie cannot be discovered from natural discernment alone.

Clearly, we are born with the ability to understand right from wrong, otherwise, God could not hold us accountable for doing the wrong thing. However, the process of discerning (judging or determining) right from wrong or good from evil is flawed by our ever-present sinful nature that we are born with. Consequently, we love to sin and our sinful passions are seldom controlled by a law or rule, and not even the fear of consequences will deter us from doing what is wrong. We are by nature lawbreakers.

At best, our natural discernment is deficient and flawed. At worst it is corrupt. To rely on natural discernment alone will lead and has led us in the wrong direction. We must be led by another discernment, a discernment that transcends our natural minds. We must resist our pride and humble ourselves and declare we do not know the way.

Spiritual Discernment

Spiritual discernment flows from the illuminating presence of God’s Holy Spirit actively living in the mind and heart of every born-again believer. As a new creation, in and through Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:17) the Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). As the Apostle Paul explains:

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. ¹⁴ The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵ The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments , ¹⁶ for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:13-16)

As a new creature in Christ, we are spiritually enlightened and possess “the mind of Christ.” Therefore, we do not rely on natural discernment alone to judge right and wrong or good and evil, we rely on a higher order of right and wrong that comes from the mind of God—spiritual discernment. Through the study of God’s word, biblical teaching, and prayer our spiritual discernment matures. The time we spend at church services, Bible studies, personal devotions and in God’s presence all contribute to our spiritual growth.

Gift of Discernment

The gift of discernment is one of the nine distinct gifts of the Holy Spirit given to individuals as the Holy Spirit determines (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 KJV). It is completely supernatural and does not rely upon natural observation or training. It is a bestowment, a gift (not merited), an expression of the Holy Spirit being manifested through an individual to discern the source, truthfulness, and authenticity of good and evil. It is a supernatural expression. We read in verse 10:

to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (1 Cor. 12:10 KJV)

Discerning of Spirits is necessary within the Christian community to identify false preachers, teachers, prophets, and leaders that mislead believers in the wrong direction by means of false teaching, lies, miracles and other deceitful practices. We know that Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and therefore, special supernatural discernment is needed from time to time to identify the source of what is being taught. The gift of discernment helps protect and build up the church by quickly exposing what is of God and what is not of God. There are many false spirits in this world claiming to represent God, and all believers should be on guard against these false spirits that are operating through so-called Christians.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)

Spiritual discernment and the gift of discerning of spirits are a function of the Holy Spirit living in a believer’s life. Conversely, natural discernment is limited and suffers for want of spiritual illumination. It is man’s discernment or judgment apart from knowing the heart and mind of God. It is flawed by our sinful nature and limited by our human capacity. Consider what God says to the Church of Laodicea and you will see the condition that exists all around us today.

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. (Revelation 3:17-18) 

Discernment or Deception

Deception often masquerades as good sound judgment to the natural mind, and that is exactly how deception gains the upper-hand. In fact, the goal of deception is to hoodwink us into accepting as true or valid what in reality is false or invalid. The entire mission of satanic activity revolves around deceiving and misleading humanity away from truth and into error. Sound moral discernment requires that our hearts and minds be transformed by the power of God. Unless we are willing to admit our need for repentance and then turn to God for forgiveness, spiritual deception will continue to blind our minds from seeing the truth. It has been my experience that it is impossible to fully and completely discern and judge right from wrong apart from true repentance and being born again as a new creation in Christ. My belief is not only based on my experience but God’s word:

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV)

There is only one way out of deception and into the light of spiritual discernment, and his name is Jesus. The apostle Peter tells us:

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Isn’t it time for Jesus?