Practicing Discernment in Understanding God's Character and Will
Practicing Discernment in Understanding God's Character and Will
Practicing discernment is essential in understanding God's character and will, as it involves seeking to know and understand God's intentions and purposes. The Bible encourages believers to "try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord" [1]. This involves a deepening understanding of God's nature and character, as well as a commitment to following His will.
The biblical basis for discernment is rooted in the scriptures, where believers are exhorted to seek wisdom and understanding. The book of Proverbs, for example, encourages readers to "apply their hearts to knowledge" and to "seek out wisdom" [4]. This seeking is not a passive activity, but rather an active pursuit that requires diligence and perseverance [2].
In understanding God's character, believers must recognize that His ways are not always comprehensible to humans. The apostle Paul writes that God's "judgments are unsearchable and his ways past finding out" [3]. Nevertheless, believers are called to seek to understand God's will, even if it is not always fully comprehensible.
One tradition interprets discernment as involving a deepening knowledge of God's will, which is inseparable from walking in accordance with that will [7]. This understanding is rooted in the idea that true knowledge of God's will is not merely intellectual, but rather involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to obedience.
In practicing discernment, believers must also be aware of the importance of heart preparation. The heart is seen as the seat of human decision-making and motivation, and its preparation is essential for understanding God's will [5]. This involves a willingness to submit to God's sovereignty and to trust in His goodness, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity [6].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:10 (NASB) — trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”
- 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:”
- Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Ecclesiastes 7:25 — I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:”
- 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:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:10: Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to ”