Discernment
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 About this we have much to
say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For
though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again
the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13
for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since
he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their
powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
In today's world, impatience
is all too common a trait. We want food, help, and information fast. Just
waiting for the computer to boot up or the "next avail-able agent" to
answer our call can cause frustration. But the Lord specializes in slow, steady
work. He's more interested in a quality outcome than a speedy process.
Nowhere is this more evident
than in the realm of spiritual discernment. When we become Christians, we
aren't instantly wise and knowledgeable. It takes a lifetime to grow to
maturity. Some believers, however, don't seem to grow up at all. They get
older, but their understanding of God's Word never goes very deep.
This lack of godly wisdom is
caused by ignorance of the Scriptures, apathy and complacency about spiritual
things, and a failure to apply biblical truths. Discernment requires time and
effort. You can't simply move through life, thoughtlessly reacting to
situations yet never learning from them. Take time to reflect on your responses
and observe the consequences of your actions and choices. If you feel convicted
by what you notice, let that motivate you to begin a lifelong pursuit of the
Lord and His ways. Start reading the Bible regularly. And as you do, ask the Lord
to open your heart and mind to understand what He's saying.
But just reading God's Word
isn't enough. Without applying what you've read, all you'll have is head
knowledge. Obedience trains us to discern good and evil. Through practice, we
learn wisdom and develop spiritual maturity. If you'll begin today and
patiently persevere, in time discernment will come.