Lessons in Discernment Part 2

The wrong diet can quench our discernment

Everything that we feed ourselves, what we watch and listen to will affect discernment in our life. Our input will affect the way we walk, live and move. Social media, YouTube and a diet that feeds us junk will affect how sharp our discernment is. A diet full of the word and spirit will keep us in step.

The wrong relationships dull our discernment

“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭33‬ ‭

It’s true that we are the sum of the people we spend time with.

I check in with how I feel in my Spirit after I spend time with people. Has my peace been disrupted? Do I feel a pull toward God? Or do I feel pulled into anxiety? Is confusion getting the upper hand?

Do I feel small? Contained?

Did I get a sense of flattery or envy?

Look for the fruit

I might get a check in my spirit but to ensure that I’m not making a judgement or seeing things through my own lens, I test by the word and check for fruit.

I’m not looking for how well someone can prophesy, I’m not looking at their achievements or accolades or how big their ministry is. I don’t mean gifts. Gifts are given without repentance but fruit is tested and grown over time.

I want to see how they speak about their family, how they treat them. I want to see how they respond to a boundary. How do they handle a no? I want to see how kind they are to the people who can’t do anything for them. I want to see kindness, gentleness, self control, patience, a peace that follows them even in difficulty. I want to see wisdom on their words not just eloquence of speech. They can preach all the right things, I want to see how they live them.

That helps me to weigh and test what I’m discerning.

“You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭

Lastly, discernment is always a call to pray and ask the Lord for strategy.

Discernment is a call for intercession.

If what I’m discerning is leading to prayerlessness, gossip, or suspicion - it may not be discernment at all.

Our discernment should always lead us to prayer and more often than not, a healthy boundary. What is the strategy God is giving us? Don’t ignore what you’re feeling, press in to the Lord for the next steps.