Discernment?

Philippians 1:9-11 "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God."

Our topic for today is Discernment - a big word that doesn’t get used very often these days, but should still be vitally important to us. Discerning has a lot to do with deciding - given two or more options and then making the right choice. The Bible, God's Word, is the source of all truth and wisdom, so it provides each of us the insight and understanding to discern correctly. One of my favorite verses in His Word is this one today where Paul prays amazingly compelling words over the church in Philippi.

You can know a lot of things, but unless you can make right decisions... that knowledge is not very helpful. My mom once said to me, “You may be brilliant, but sometimes you don’t have sense enough to come in out of the rain” (which was her way of letting me know I was all wet). On the other hand, my dad would say, “I think you should think long and hard about what you are about to do.” (before you make the wrong decision). Sometimes, as a teenager, I would think long and hard, while I was standing in the rain! (That is why it helps to have both perspectives.) Not too bright for a brilliant guy to be all wet and still make the wrong decision... which, by the way, I am still capable of doing.

Sometimes we can’t see the forest because of the trees. Why is the obvious not so obvious sometimes? Because of our sin nature, we can often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Why? Because we don't think! We don’t consider! We don’t discern! Either we act on sheer emotion, or we do nothing at all and let things happen to us. Often we run ahead or just don't go at all instead of taking the time to discern what we should really do. Both of these tendencies are wrong.

Somewhere between doing whatever and being stuck, and being impulsive is the process of discerning. Our carelessness, foolishness, indifference, and indecisiveness cause us and others many problems. Discernment is a three-step process (God’s Word is a good place to start):
1. Take time
2. Take stock
3. Take action

If you first take time, you will, at least, have a chance to discern. If you then take stock, you will, at least, have an accurate perspective of what you are deciding about, and finally, if you take action, you will, most likely, do what you've taken the time and stock to consider. Let’s all think more about our words and actions. Take time and take stock and then take action.

Discernment is a process – start it; go through the steps and finish it. Then, you will have done what you could and should do...and finally, I have discerned that it is time to end this devotional.

In Him, Pastor Fred

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