The Spirit Opens What Flesh Cannot Perceive
Brethren, we live in an age flooded with information, yet starving for truth. The world shouts opinions, but only the Spirit of God reveals what God freely gives. “We have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).
Do you see it? Without the Holy Spirit, a man may study Scripture and miss its heartbeat. But when the Spirit enters, light breaks through the fog of confusion, and what once seemed ordinary becomes the voice of Heaven itself.
The carnal mind cannot discern it. “He that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Corinthians 2:15). The Spirit gives us the lens of Heaven to distinguish between the eternal and the temporary. He trains our hearts to sense what pleases God and what grieves Him. It’s not natural intelligence; it’s supernatural illumination. “Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17).
Discernment Is Spiritual Maturity
Hebrews says, “Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). In other words, spiritual discernment doesn’t come by accident; it comes by practice.
The more we walk in the Spirit, the sharper our senses become. The mature believer doesn’t just know what is wrong – he knows what is excellent. “That ye may approve things that are excellent” (Philippians 1:9–10).
Friends, discernment is love guided by truth. Love without discernment is sentimentality; discernment without love is harsh judgment. God calls us to both. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). A Spirit-led believer doesn’t believe every voice that claims to be from God. “Try the spirits whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1).
The Source of True Wisdom
All true discernment begins with God Himself. “Out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). He gives “wisdom unto the wise” (Daniel 2:21). That’s why James pleads, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). Oh, what a promise! God gives liberally and upbraids not.
Discernment isn’t just clever analysis; it’s a holy preservation. “Wisdom shall enter into thine heart, and discretion shall preserve thee” (Proverbs 2:10–11). It guards the soul like walls around a city. It is the Spirit whispering when the crowd is loud: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” And where do we find the fullest treasure? “In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3). The Spirit takes of Christ’s riches and unveils them to our hearts.
The Spirit’s Voice Within the Believer
Jesus promised, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). O my soul, think of that! The Spirit of truth doesn’t just inform us – He guides us. He glorifies Christ and shows us things to come (John 16:14). This same Spirit that rested upon Jesus – the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might (Isaiah 11:2–3) – now rests upon His people.
Romans declares, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). And what does this Spirit do? He “beareth witness with our spirit” (Romans 8:16). He confirms who we are, whose we are, and how we are to walk. Ephesians calls Him “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” enlightening the eyes of our understanding (Ephesians 1:17–18). That’s what discernment looks like: eyes opened to see what others overlook.
The Discipline of Spiritual Understanding
Paul prayed that believers be “filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9). That’s not a casual prayer – it’s a daily pursuit. Like the psalmist, we must cry, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18). The Holy Spirit is not silent. “The Comforter… shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance” (John 14:26).
Yet we must be teachable. “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7). The proud resist the Spirit’s whispers, but the humble receive divine insight. “The meek will He guide in judgment” (Psalm 25:9). The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him (Psalm 25:14).
The Anointing That Teaches
1 John declares, “Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things” (1 John 2:20). What a bold statement! It’s not that we know everything, but that we have access to the One who does. “The same anointing teacheth you of all things” (1 John 2:27). That anointing is the Spirit Himself.
We’re told, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Why? Because our reasoning can fail, but His Spirit never errs. He shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6). The Spirit knows where the hidden traps are, where deception lurks, and where truth shines.
Discernment Tested and Proven
Discernment is not theory – it’s tested in real life. When Peter confronted Ananias, he discerned by the Spirit that the man had lied to God (Acts 5:3–4). That wasn’t suspicion; it was revelation. Solomon asked for an understanding heart to discern judgment, and God granted it (1 Kings 3:9–12). Daniel, too, was given wisdom and knowledge to understand deep and secret things (Daniel 2:22).
Even now, the Spirit empowers the believer to discern deception, hypocrisy, and truth. “Micah said, Truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might” (Micah 3:8). Job confessed, “There is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding” (Job 32:8).
The Renewed Mind That Proves God’s Will
The Apostle Paul urges, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). Spiritual discernment is proof in action. It’s not enough to claim the Spirit’s presence; the evidence is a renewed mind that can tell the difference between light and shadow, truth and imitation, God’s will and man’s plan.
The psalmist prayed, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed Thy commandments” (Psalm 119:66). That’s where discernment begins – in faith and obedience. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). Revelation follows obedience. Insight comes after surrender.
The Call to Spiritual Clarity
Friends, do you long to know what God has freely given? Then seek the Holy Spirit. Ask, as James said, for wisdom. Yield your understanding. Stay close to Christ, where the treasures of wisdom dwell. Discernment isn’t for the elite; it’s for the surrendered.
The Spirit that hovered over the waters in Genesis still moves today, separating light from darkness in the hearts of men. Let Him move in you. Let Him train your eyes to see, your heart to know, and your spirit to discern. For those who are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.
The Holy Spirit gives discernment – to know what God freely gives, to prove what is good, and to walk in the light of truth. Will you listen? Will you yield? Will you see?
Call to Action: The Question That Demands an AnswerIn Acts 2:37 Peter and the Apostles were asked the question – What Shall We do? And in Acts 2:38 Peter answered, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Do you understand this? After hearing the gospel and believing, they asked what should would do. The answer hasn’t changed friend, Peter clearly gave the answer. The question for you today is, Have you receieved the Holy Spirit Since you believed? If you’re ready to take that step, or you want to learn more about what it means to be born again of water and Spirit, visit: Come, and let the Spirit make you new. |