I would consider myself a discerning person, but I know there can be a big difference between a “gut feeling” and authentic discernment from the Holy Spirit.
We don’t want to immediately assume what we are feeling or thinking is true or call it “discernment” without checking the source. Because let’s be real: Sometimes our feelings are driven by fear, not wisdom.
To give a personal example, there was a time when my unchecked skepticism from past hurt and betrayal started leaking into my other relationships. I wondered if my very best friends might one day turn on me. I even said to some of them, “Sometimes I find myself holding my breath, waiting for the day when things fall apart with us.”
None of this was based on any history of betrayal with these friends. The source that was informing me and strongly influencing my thoughts was my past trauma — my lived experience of being so deeply betrayed and my fear of being hurt again.
This wasn’t discernment from the Holy Spirit: It was fear and skepticism and my own assumption that something was always going on beneath the surface that would eventually hurt me. Just because it felt like my reality didn’t mean it was the reality. But my feelings were so intense that I was living in a self-reliant, protective mode rather than trusting God to lead me.
So I knew I needed to work on disconnecting my discernment from my extreme fears and reconnecting it to the Holy Spirit. Because the source of our discernment is crucial.
Just like when you are depending on your GPS to help you properly navigate the best route to your desired destination, spiritual directions will only be good if you have the right address keyed in. Having the correct directions depends on having the right address from the right source.
Bad source, wrong address, wrong destination.
However, the gift of discernment through the power of the Holy Spirit helps us rightly navigate life and the situations we face.
Our brains are always instinctively processing what’s in front of us and trying to send our central nervous systems a warning if we aren’t safe. But here’s what is so challenging … We don't always know all the facts. That’s where discernment comes in.
Discernment is what fills in the gaps between the facts so we can make more informed decisions. So you can see how crucial it is that we have the right source if we want to have wise discernment.
In fact, this is exactly what James 3:17 reminds us: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (emphasis added).
In today’s world, there are a lot of sources people turn to. But if we want true wisdom feeding our discernment, then we can’t underestimate the need to consistently go to the source of Truth: God’s Word.
Recently, I heard my friend and fellow Bible teacher Wendy Blight give a beautiful message on changing the source of her discernment. In her early adult years, the source of her discernment was fear because of a violent attack she suffered. For years she couldn’t sleep in her house alone. No matter what she did, this spirit of fear dictated so much about her life and seemingly wouldn’t go away.
But things changed when she started filling her mind with specific Bible verses combating the fear. She wrote these truths from God’s Word on cards she carried with her and constantly declared them over her life. As the Truth filled her mind more and more, her discernment about her safety changed. Eventually, though it had tormented her for years, this spirit of fear left.
I was so inspired by Wendy’s teaching that I decided to attack some of my current struggles the same way. I need to let God’s Word be the guide to wisdom so I can have better discernment. Not just “discernment” based on my fears or assumptions or misguided guesses.
In the past, I have at times felt like my discernment failed me. I’ve said things like, “Why didn’t I pick up on this sooner? Why was I so blind to what seemed so obvious to others? If only I would have listened to my inner sense that this wasn’t right. I knew I shouldn’t have believed that person.”
Maybe you have felt like I have. But, friend, please know: Walking by the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, and keeping in step with the Spirit doesn’t mean you’re always going to hear God's voice very clearly, nor does it mean you will always get this right. Discernment rarely gives details. But it does mean you can still position yourself to receive godly guidance and read God’s Word. As you honor God while you seek discernment, even if you don’t get it all right, at least you’re honoring God in the process.
Lord, I come to You today to ask for Your wisdom and guidance. I want to live as someone who is led by the Holy Spirit. Most of all, may I find rest and peace for my soul in Your never-changing Truth that sets me free. God, You are the God of all Truth and the One who is the most trustworthy. I love You. I need You. I honor You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
