We make unwise choices and miss out on opportunities for blessings when we don't have a discerning spirit. Dr. Stanley explains why we need spiritual discernment and how we can develop it. Dscover the peace and clarity that comes with developing a discerning spirit.
Sermon Outline
So many factors in the world today can bring challenges into our life. But the Lord hasn’t left us to stumble helplessly. This week, Dr. Stanley shows that God has provided believers with special assistance to navigate through uncertainty by leaning on Him.
Key Passage: Psalm 119:65-66
Supporting Passages: Psalm 119:130; John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; 1 Corinthians 2:10-15
Some choices are obviously right or wrong, but many others aren’t so clear. We face gray areas every day, and we don’t always know which way to lean. The good news is that God doesn’t leave us to guess.
Spiritual discernment …
Comes from God (Ps. 119:65-66).
Is His will for every believer.
Includes looking beneath the surface, evaluating, and making correct judgments.
“Do you understand God’s purpose and plan for your life? He’s willing to make them crystal clear.”
We need spiritual discernment to …
Know God’s purpose and plan for our life—He is willing to guide us, but we must be able to separate His voice from our own.
Distinguish truth from error—This helps us make correct decisions rather than costly mistakes.
Avoid being deceived by sin—We can be tricked by the pleasure of sin, but discernment shows us the consequences.
Distinguish between good and best—Only in refusing to be satisfied with “good enough” do we discover all that God has for us.
Distinguish between legalism and liberty—Legalism leads us to impose personal preferences on others. Discerning right from wrong is not legalistic.
Recognize when God is speaking to us—It’s essential that we learn to differentiate His voice from our own (or that of others).
Distinguish between our desires and God’s plan—Looking beyond what we can see to what God sees is an essential part of discernment.
“When you read the Word of God, He’s putting discernment in your heart.”
The source of spiritual discernment (1 Cor. 2:10-15):
It is a gift of God through the Holy Spirit—He is our promised Helper (John 14:16, 26; 15:26).
The Word of God is its basis—No matter what category of trouble confronts us, the Bible offers scriptural wisdom that we can apply (Ps. 119:130).
We develop a discerning spirit by …
Being a believer (1 Cor. 2:11-12).
Filling our mind with biblical truth (vv. 13-14).
Asking for direction.
Learning from our mistakes.
Hiding God’s Word in our heart.
Evaluating past behaviors.
Relying on the Spirit and the Word to protect us.
After Watching
Set aside two or three silent minutes. As you breathe in, pray silently, Lord, give me a discerning spirit. As you breathe out, pray, Open my eyes to see as You see. Repeat slowly as long as you like. Keep the words close so the next time something is confusing or worrisome, you know how to ask God for guidance.
Think of one area of your life where you’ve settled for “good enough” and pray, Lord, is this as far as You want me to take this? Remember, instead of happening in a flash, discernment often comes slowly, like fog burning away when the sun rises.
