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Applying Scriptural Discernment in Challenging Life Areas

Scriptural discernment involves applying biblical wisdom to understand and navigate life's challenges, a process that requires diligence and an enlightened understanding [2, 9]. The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of discerning words of understanding to gain wisdom and instruction [4]. This pursuit of wisdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a practical application to daily living, as the "issues of life are out of" the heart, which God searches and understands [1].

The Old Testament frequently highlights God's active role in testing and knowing the heart, as seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 29:17 and Jeremiah 12:3. God not only tries the heart but also ponders its intentions (Proverbs 21:2) and influences it (1 Samuel 10:26) [1]. Therefore, preparing one's heart for God and giving it to Him are essential steps in seeking discernment (1 Chronicles 29:18; Proverbs 23:26) [1]. The writer of Ecclesiastes describes applying one's heart to seek and search out wisdom concerning all that is done "under the sky," acknowledging this pursuit as a "heavy burden" given by God [3].

In the New Testament, the concept of discernment extends to enduring suffering and striving for spiritual maturity. Christians are called to diligence in cultivating Christian graces and striving for perfection (2 Peter 1:5; Philippians 3:13-14) [2]. This includes guarding against defilement and seeking to be found spotless (Hebrews 12:15; 2 Peter 3:14) [2]. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to endure in following Jesus, who serves as the ultimate example of faithfulness, by imitating His suffering and embracing God's discipline [7]. This endurance is likened to a race where believers must "strip off every weight" and sin that hinders them [7]. Suffering for faith is often presented as an expected part of the Christian life (1 Thessalonians 3:3) [10].

Discernment is also crucial in times of affliction. The Bible encourages prayer during trouble, asking God to consider one's difficulties, provide His presence and support, and not withdraw the Holy Spirit [5]. Prayers for divine comfort, mitigation of troubles, and deliverance from sin are also part of seeking God's guidance in challenging circumstances [5]. The book of Revelation speaks of the Christian church facing its own "wilderness" experiences, similar to ancient Israel, where God provides refuge and avenues of escape for His people [6].

The application of scriptural discernment requires an enlightened understanding, which John Gill describes as being illuminated by the Spirit of God [9]. Without this spiritual insight, the "mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid" [9]. Calvin, in his commentary on Philippians, defines Christian wisdom as knowing what is "advantageous or expedient," rather than engaging in "empty subtleties and speculations" [11]. one tradition argues that the Lord does not desire believers to fruitlessly occupy themselves with unprofitable learning [11]. This perspective underscores that true discernment leads to practical, beneficial understanding for living a Christian life. Adam Clarke emphasizes the importance of diligently performing the duties of a "virtuous and holy life," recognizing the brevity of life and the nearness of eternal salvation as motivations for vigilance [8].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  3. Ecclesiastes “I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. -- Ecclesiastes 1:13”
  4. Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  6. Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 12:6: 12:6 Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hos 2:14-15; Acts 7:38-45) and in exile (see Isa 5:13; Ezek 12:1-3), the Christian church must face its own wilderness. Revelation presents messages of endurance and perseverance in the face of trouble and shows that God provides places of refuge and avenues of escape for his people (cp. 1 Cor 10:13). 1,260 days: See study note on Rev 11:2-3.”
  7. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”
  8. Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 13:11: And that, knowing the time - Dr. Taylor has given a judicious paraphrase of this and the following verses: "And all the duties of a virtuous and holy life we should the more carefully and zealously perform, considering the nature and shortness of the present season of life; which will convince us that it is now high time to rouse and shake off sleep, and apply with vigilance and vigor to the duties of our Christian life; for that eternal salvation, which is the object of our Christian faith and hope, and the great motive of our religion, is every day nearer to us t”
  9. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:9: They are all plain to him that understandeth,.... Whose understanding is enlightened by the Spirit of God; who is a spiritual man, that has a discerning, and can judge of spiritual things: as for the carnal man, let him have what natural knowledge or wisdom he will, he cannot know these things; for they are spiritually discerned, and can only be discerned by spiritual men. The Bible is a sealed book to others, learned or unlearned; the mysteries or doctrines of the Gospel are hid in parables from such; but those to whom Christ has given an understanding to know him, ”
  10. 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 3:3: 3:3 we are destined for such troubles: Suffering for the faith is often part of a Christian’s life (1:6; 2:14; Phil 1:29; 1 Pet 1:6; 2:21; 3:17; 4:19).”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 5.6: ye may approve the things that are Here we have a definition of Christian wisdom — to know what is advantageous or expedient — not to torture the mind with empty subtleties and speculations. For the Lord does not wish that his believing people should employ themselves fruitlessly in learning what is of no profit: From this you may gather in what estimation the Sorbonnic theology ought to be held, in which you may spend your whole life, and yet not derive more of edification from it in connection with the hope of a h”
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