Discernment

Part 1 of 4: Definition

The psalmist states, “Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on your commands” (Ps 119:66 CSB). Also, “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes” (Ps 119:125 NIV).

With this in view, it is important for God’s people to understand discernment and to affirm that true spiritual discernment comes from God alone.

Defining Discernment

In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word בִּין (bin) is often translated as “discern, understand, consider,” and it is the most prominent word translated as “discernment.”¹ BDB Hebrew and English Lexicon defines בִּין (bin) as 1. perceive (with the senses), 2. understand, know (with the mind), 3. observe, mark, give heed to, distinguish, consider (with attention), 4. have discernment, insight, understanding.² Two important derivatives of בִּין (bin) that help with meaning are בַּיִן (bayin) and בֵּין (bên). The definition of בַּיִן (bayin) is “interval, midst, space between,” and when used as a preposition, it changes into בֵּין (bên), which means “between, among.”³ In 1 Kings 3:9, the combination of בִּין (bin) and בֵּין (bên) occurs in the phrase לְהָבִין בֵּין (lᵊhāḇîn bên) meaning “to discern between.” Thus, an essential part of the meaning of discernment “includes the concept of distinguishment that leads to understanding.”⁴ Jay Adams explains the meaning of discernment in the Old Testament by writing,

In essence it means to separate things from one another at their points of difference in order to distinguish them. It refers to the process by which one comes to know or understand God’s thoughts and ways through separating those things that differ. Discernment is skill in reaching understanding and knowledge by use of a process of separation.⁵

In the New Testament the Greek verb διακρίνω (diakrínō) and its related noun διάκρισις (diakrisis) are often translated as “discern” and “discernment.”⁶ BDAG Greek- English Lexicon defines διακρίνω (diakrínō) as 1. separate, arrange, make a distinction, differentiate, judge, render a decision. 2. take issue, dispute, be at odds with oneself, doubt, waver.⁷ BDAG defines διάκρισις (diakrisis) as 1. Distinguishing, differentiation. 2. quarrel.⁸

Throughout the New Testament, discernment describes how individuals use human intelligence to separate, judge and test in the process of theological and practical decision making,⁹ but discernment is more than decision making. It’s more than listing the pros and cons of specific options and then making a choice that most effectively meets goals. Discernment occurs at a deeper level of the soul and involves listening and responding to God and to the wisdom and to the desires that he gives us.¹⁰ The discerning person is one who “hears the beat of a different drummer and steps to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”¹¹ Discernment is “all ears,” because it’s the ability to hear and see from God’s perspective, and then to obediently follow him in his mission.¹²

In further defining Discernment, Henri Nouwen writes,

“Discernment is a spiritual understanding and an experiential knowledge of how God is active in daily life that is acquired through disciplined spiritual practice. Discernment is faithful living and listening to God’s love and direction so that we can fulfill our individual calling and shared mission.”¹³

Tim Challies writes, “Discernment is the skill of understanding and applying God’s word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong,” and it’s “a skill we need to live lives that are morally and ethically pleasing to God.”¹⁴

Discernment is the understanding of and insights into spiritual realities, and it is sound judgement in recognizing God’s right ways for his people.

1. J. R. Kohlenberger and J. A. Swanson, The Hebrew English Concordance to the Old Testament, (Zondervan, 1998), 254-255.

2. Francis Brown, Samuel R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001), 106-107

3. Benjamin Davidson, The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2000), 80.

4. R. L. Harris, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Workbook of the Old Testament, (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1980), 103.

5. Jay E. Adams, A Call to Discernment (Eugene: Harvest House, 1987), 46.

6. George V. Wigram and Jay P. Green, New Englishman’s Greek Concordance (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1982), 165.

7. Walter Bauer, William F. Arndt, F. Wilbur Gingrich, and Frederick W. Danker. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 2nd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979), 184.

8. Ibid., 184.

9. Luke T. Johnson, Scripture & Discernment: Decision-making in the Church (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), EPUB edition, Ch. 6.

10. Henri J. Nouwen, Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life (New York: HarperOne, 2013), EPUB edition, Forward.

11. Ibid., EPUB edition, Preface.

12. Ibid., EPUB edition, Ch.1.

13. Ibid., EPUB edition, Ch.1.

14. Tim Challies, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007), EPUB edition, Ch. 3.