The Greeks had a word “krino”. It meant to, “discern,” “decide” and “condemn”. We most commonly translate “krino” into English as “judge”.

It’s easy for us to move from discernment to condemnation without any thought of it. But the Bible tells us not to be so hasty:

Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously. John 7:24 (Amplified Bible)

So how do we discern? How do we decide? And how do we condemn? Let’s start with discernment:

Spiritual discernment is how the Spirit shows the church or individuals what the Father wants them to do and be.

Discernment is more than just a skill. Discernment is a gift from God before it is anything else. Yet there are clearly skills you put to use when activating your gift, and you can become better at it through training and experience.

These are the main criteria the Bible gives us to look for when we discern a situation:

• Is it governed by love 
 (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)?
• Does it center us onto Jesus the Christ and Lord 
 (1 Corinthians 12:3)?
• Does it direct us to Scripture, not away from it 
 (Isaiah 8:19, 20)?
• Does it builds up the church and its members 
 (Ephesians 4:11-12)?

Discernment is a supernatural gift, and – as with all gifts of the Spirit – when it’s not done in love, it perverts into something ugly. People who use discernment without love are critical people. They easily condemn.

Love keeps discernment in its proper, life-giving place.

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead.
1 John 3:14 (New Living Translation)

Move in the gift of discernment. Here’s how:

We are told to “eagerly desire” spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:29, 14:1, 14:12 and 14:39). You operate in it by and through faith and in a continual attitude of worship. There is not space to draw this out further, so let’s simply summarize how to move in the gift of discernment:

• Eagerly desire discernment
• Operate in it by and through faith
• It’s activated in worship.

Gifts can come through impartation, so let’s move on to it right now. Have you been eagerly desiring discernment? It can be yours right now. Believe that you’ll receive this gift, then act on what He shows you.

Father, right here and now we impart the gift of discernment on those who read these words and who by faith and in love choose to act on the gift of discernment that You freely bestow. Lord, give them dreams, give them visions, give them a deep inner knowing. Empower them to speak out in faith and in love. Father, we ask also for the gifts of wisdom and knowledge needed to accompany discernment. Thank you for being a Good Father who gives good gifts to His children who ask.

Now listen to what the Father says. Don’t look at the situation to find solutions; look to see the Father’s will. The gift is yours. Stir it up. Use it. Impart it to others.

We’ll continue our discussion at ‘krino” next time by looking at “decision”.

_____

These thoughts come from How to Judge Without Being A Jerk by Trevor H. Lund.