Grounding Discernment in Biblical Truth and Wisdom
Discernment, in a biblical context, involves the ability to understand and distinguish truth, wisdom, and the will of God [3]. The book of Ecclesiastes highlights the pursuit of wisdom and understanding, noting the effort involved in searching out wisdom and reason, and discerning the foolishness of madness [1]. Proverbs similarly states that wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning [2].
This capacity for discernment is often linked to a proper relationship with God. The "fear of the Lord" is frequently presented as the beginning of knowledge and wisdom [8]. This fear is not merely terror, but a reverential awe and respect for God that counteracts inner turmoil and brings peace [7]. Isaiah emphasizes that fearing the Lord provides a sanctuary and assures salvation, contrasting it with the fear of people, which can lead to destruction [5, 6]. To "sanctify" God means to honor His holy name by regarding Him as the sole hope of safety, fearing His wrath rather than human threats [9].
The pursuit of discernment involves actively seeking God. Job 8:5 encourages seeking God "betimes," meaning early and making it the primary concern [4]. This aligns with the idea that divine truths are often hidden and require spiritual understanding, which comes through the Spirit of wisdom and revelation [10]. The preaching of the word is seen as a means of knowledge, capable of disproving and silencing carnal reasonings that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God [11].
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 7:27 (Geneva1599) — I haue compassed about, both I and mine heart to knowe and to enquire and to search wisedome, and reason, and to knowe the wickednesse of follie, and the foolishnesse of madnesse,”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 14:33 (BSB) — Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; even among fools she is known.”
- Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:11: 8:11-15 This text reveals the heart of Isaiah’s message. The issue was fear of the Lord versus fear of people (see 7:9; 8:6). When an individual fears people, the Lord becomes a trap and destruction is certain (cp. Prov 29:25; see “Fearing People” Theme Note). For those who fear the Lord, he becomes a sanctuary; their salvation is assured.”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:6: That the generation to come might know them,.... Not only notionally, but spiritually and experimentally; which is the case, when human teachings are attended with the spirit of wisdom and revertion in the knowledge of divine truths; for the truths of the Gospel are unknown to men; the Gospel is hidden wisdom, the wisdom of God in a mystery; the Bible is a sealed book, the doctrines of it are riddles and dark sayings; the ministry of the word is the means of knowledge, which become effectual when attended with the Spirit and power of God: even the children which sho”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 10:5: Casting down imaginations,.... Or "reasonings"; the carnal reasonings of the minds of natural men against God, his providences and purposes, against Christ, and the methods of salvation, and every truth of the Gospel; which are all disproved, silenced, and confounded, by the preaching of the word, which though reckoned the foolishness and weakness of God, appears to be wiser and stronger than men; and whereby the wisdom of the wise is destroyed, and the understanding of the prudent brought to nothing: and every high thing that exalteth itself against the know”