Discernment: Gaining Insight into God’s Ways

By Cynthia Hyle Bezek

Note: This Bible study is formatted for small group open discussion. If you use this study by yourself, we suggest you journal your answers to the discussion questions. Also, please use suggested translations where indicated. Biblegateway.com is an excellent source for translations you may not have on hand.

A number of years ago I began a spiritual quest to hear God’s voice. I longed to hear Him speak to me personally. I wanted His specific guidance in things that mattered to Him and to me. I wanted to know His heart so I could intercede better. So I pleaded with God to teach me.

I read everything I could find about the ways God communicates. I talked to people who seemed to hear from Him more confidently than I did. And I ventured, ever so cautiously, into prophetic meetings and other venues unfamiliar and uncomfortable for me. I wanted to hear from God, so I was willing to be stretched.

During that season of intense spiritual seeking, I did learn to recognize God’s voice. I will always be grateful for this gift that allows me to experience deeper intimacy with the Father than I’d ever known was possible.

However, during this season I sometimes felt confused, hurt—even betrayed.

So, what went wrong? Why did something so important, so good, have a mixed outcome? I asked God about it. His answer was clear: You didn’t use spiritual discernment. He brought Paul’s counsel to the Thessalonians to mind: “Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:19–21, GW).

I realized that I had done well when I opened my heart to the Holy Spirit and to God’s people as they attempted to communicate what He was doing and saying. But I had failed when I did not test what I was hearing. I did not always use spiritual discernment.

The theme of this issue of Prayer Connect is so important. We need to be people who understand the times (see 1 Chron. 12:32). And we need to be tuned in to what the Spirit is saying to the Church and to us. But we need to do that with God-given discernment. This Bible study is intended to help you probe more deeply into what spiritual discernment is and how to mature in practicing it.

Discussion Questions

In “Hearing God’s Voice in a Deceptive World,” J. Lee Grady mentions several “clear deception signs.” Read the following verses and note any additional signs you find: Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; 2 Peter 2:1-3,19; 1 John 2:22; 2 John 1:7–11; Jude 4, 8–10.
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Just as there are certain signs of false teaching and sketchy leadership, there are also signs of genuine, God-honoring ministry. Read the following Scriptures and note your insights: Matthew 7:15–16, 12:33; Galatians 5:22–23;  1 Timothy 3:1-3; James 3:16–18.
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Jamie Overholser, in “The Practice of Discernment” asks, “What does God sound like?” A significant corresponding question is this: What does the enemy sound like? When you know the characteristics of both voices, discernment becomes much clearer. Look up the verses below then fill in the chart with your findings: Genesis 3:1  Zechariah 3:1-4  Mark 4:15 John 3:17, 8:44, 10:10–11, 14:6 Acts 20:32 Romans 8:33 2 Corinthians 11:3 Colossians 2:6–7 1 Thessalonians 3:13 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Hebrews 6:18 James 1:13 1 Peter 5:8 Revelation 12:10

What God Sounds Like ——————————————————– What the Enemy Sounds Like

In her article “Seven Discernment Prayers for Leadership Decisions,” Kim Butts reminds us that the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God. Read the following passages. For each, note how God’s wisdom runs counter to the way humans would usually think. Joshua 6:1–5; Judges 7:1–8; 1 Samuel 16:1–13; 2 Kings 5:1–14; Luke 10:1–12; Acts 10:9–15.
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“Discernment is indispensable for prayer,” stresses Bill Elliff in his article “Discerning the Times.” Read the following familiar passages and state the reason for this truth in your own words: Matthew 18:19; John 14:13–14, 15:7; 1 John 5:14.
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Action Steps

Discernment is a joint effort. On the one hand, it is a gift from God. Paul reminds us that it’s appropriate to “eagerly desire” spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:31, 14:1). On the other hand, as with other spiritual gifts, we need training and practice to effectively exercise discernment. The writer of Hebrews says that discernment is a trait of mature Christians “who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14).

Take some time with God to tell Him about your desire and to listen for any action steps He gives you concerning how to grow in spiritual discernment. Write your thoughts, prayers, or next steps below.
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Cynthia Hyle Bezek is the editorial director at Community Bible Study and the former editor of Pray! magazine.