I met with a new client last week who was seeking a spiritual director. I always schedule one meeting when starting with a new person just to talk about spiritual direction and clarify expectations.
I mentioned one reason people seek spiritual direction is in the time of discernment. He asked me to define discernment.
I told him I thought discernment was discovering and articulating how God is moving in our lives. We listen deeply together to identify how the spirit is guiding us in live.
Once home I was curious how others define discernment. Here are some definitions I found.
Discernment is a spiritual understanding and an experiential knowledge of how God is active in daily life…Discernment is faith living and listening to God’s love and direction so that we can fulfill our individual calling and shared mission…The purpose of discern is to know God’s will, that is , to find accept and affirm the unique way in which God’s love is manifest in our life.
Henri Nouwen.
“The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Frederick Buechner
“God does not exist to answer our prayers, but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God.”
– Oswald Chambers
“Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.”
– Charles Spurgeon
Discernment is the skill of understanding and applying God’s Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong.
Tim Challis
Discernment in its fullness takes a practiced heart, fine-tuned to hear the word of God and the single-mindedness to follow that word in love. It is truly a gift from God, but not one dropped from the skies fully formed. It is a gift cultivated by a prayerful life and the search for self-knowledge.
Ernest Larkin
“Discernment means to separate, distinguish to determine and sort out…Discernment is sifting through our inner and outer experiences to determine their origin – whether they are the voice of our ego or the Spirit.”
Diane Millis
To discern mean more than to understand or to make a decision. Dis mans apart and cernere mean to separate. Thus from all the options before us we ‘separate apart’ those that seen uniquely suited to us. We do that when making a decision as well but discernment implies that we take God’s will for us into account rather than simply our own desires.
Debra Farrington
Do you have a favorite definition or insight into the word discernment? Let’s explore this word together.
Wow! You’ve given us much wisdom to digest here, Jean. I, too, like Oswald Chamber’s definition. Reminds me of Psalm 37:4. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, we are able to discern his desires for us. And that same discernment leads us to want those very same desires. Thank you, Jean! Praying God’s blessing on your time in retreat.
the retreat so far has been stimulating both my mind and heart. lots of journaling and praying that is for sure. Thank you for mentioning Psalm 37:4 – was something I needed tonight to hear. Your timing is perfect. Thank you for being a messenger from God for me this evening.
Praise God he was able to use my post to minister to you. Such an encouragement to me!
I, too, love Spurgeon’s definition – because discernment requires a lot of practice, waiting, and listening to the sometimes subtle difference between what God says and what the world says.
Just read today, Jen again the importance of practice practice, practice. Guess I assume I will learn something right away or after a few tries when in reality it takes a lifetime. Thanks for commenting, Jen. Have a great week.
Farrington and Spurgeon. For me, discernment has usually been a sifting of God’s direction. More than right and wrong its also what is imitation from genuine, as well as good from God ordered.
Some things look so convincing, and if you aren’t listening to God’s voice I may be not making the best choice for my life… sending me on a whopper of a detour.
Recently, I walked out of meeting of something I truly enjoyed volunteer ing with knowing beyond doubt I was to lay it down. There was no great catalyst, no reason to really “quit”, yet inside I knew I was done. Several called and asked that I reconsider, and I thanked them , but I explained that I felt I was being led in another direction.
A few weeks later the blatant truth of that statement became obvious, and I was truly greatful that I was no longer a part.
That daily one step at a time walk… discerning ordered steps from ordinary steps… its why Im still here.
Love how you used the word shifting when discerning. So true. The course I just took on discernment stressed allowing time for the voices within you to come to agreement. I have been like you hearing the word done, just knowing it was time to move on or let go of something. I think we outgrow commitments even those we enjoy, then cling too long to them.
Jean,
Great quotes…I like how Spurgeon points out how delicate a search discernment can be…I’m learning it takes practice and quiet before God and a willingness to do God’s will above my own… and it also helps to seek wise counsel…Thanks 🙂
Practice is a key word, Dolly. and process too when it comes to discernment. Patience is another word to guide any discernment. Thanks for stopping by!
I liked the definitions given by Chambers and Spurgeon the best! Thank you for sharing these quotes, Jean. Blessings!
It was fun looking up various definitions. I like having a longer list to take on the retreat next week. Not sure if they will come into play on my journey but will have them just in case. Hope you are having a great weekend.
A retreat? Most fortunate you! Enjoy!