Spiritual Discernment and Human Emotions in Decision Making
Spiritual Discernment and Human Emotions in Decision Making
Spiritual discernment involves understanding and distinguishing between right and wrong, good and evil, and making decisions accordingly. The biblical foundation for this concept is rooted in Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of gaining wisdom and instruction to discern words of understanding [1]. The book of Ecclesiastes also highlights the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that this endeavor can be a "vexation of the spirit" [2].
The role of human emotions in decision-making is complex. On one hand, emotions can cloud judgment, leading to poor decisions. According to Matthew Henry, humans are prone to being partial in judging themselves, and their ways may seem clean in their own eyes, but are often polluted [4]. On the other hand, emotions can also be a source of insight and guidance. The Bible acknowledges that humans have a natural inclination towards sin and spiritual death, characterized by being "alienated from the life of God" [7].
In the context of Christian decision-making, spiritual discernment is crucial. The apostle Paul writes that spiritual people have the "mind of Christ" and are able to discern spiritual truths [5]. This discernment is not based on human wisdom or emotions alone but is guided by the Spirit of God. As John Gill notes, the intentions of God's mind and the counsels of his will can only be known through revelation and the light of the Spirit [6].
The process of spiritual discernment involves evaluating one's thoughts, intentions, and actions in light of biblical teachings. It requires a deep understanding of God's will and a willingness to submit to His guidance. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, spiritual people are able to "cast down reasonings and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God" and bring their thoughts into obedience to Christ [9].
In practice, spiritual discernment involves seeking God's guidance through prayer, scripture, and community. It requires a commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God, characterized by love, humility, and obedience. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, decision-making is necessary for serving God, and involves seeking God with the heart, keeping His commandments, and following Him fully [3].
The outcome of spiritual discernment is not always clear-cut, and different traditions may approach decision-making in varying ways. However, the underlying principle remains the same: to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all aspects of life. As the author of Hebrews notes, spiritual maturity is characterized by being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong [8].
Sources
- Proverbs “to know wisdom and instruction; to discern the words of understanding; -- Proverbs 1:2”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 1:17 (Geneva1599) — And I gaue mine heart to knowe wisdome and knowledge, madnes and foolishnes: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:2: Note, 1. We are all apt to be partial in judging of ourselves: All the ways of a man, all his designs, all his doings, are clean in his own eyes, and he sees nothing amiss in them, nothing for which to condemn himself, or which should make his projects prove otherwise than well; and therefore he is confident of success, and that the answer of the tongue shall be according to the expectations of the heart; but there is a great deal of pollution cleaving to our ways, which we are not aware of, or do not think so ill of as we ought. 2. The judgment of God concernin”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:16: For--proof of Co1 2:15, that the spiritual man "is judged of no man." In order to judge the spiritual man, the ordinary man must "know the mind of the Lord." But "who of ordinary men knows" that? that he may instruct him--that is, so as to be able to set Him right as His counsellor (quoted from Isa 40:13-14). So the Septuagint translates the Greek verb, which means to "prove," in Act 9:22. Natural men who judge spiritual men, living according to the mind of God ("We have the mind of Christ"), are virtually wishing to instruct God, and bring Hi”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:34: For who hath known the mind of the Lord,.... The intentions of his mind, the thoughts of his heart, and the counsels of his will: these could never have been known, if he had not revealed them; nor can the doctrines relating to them, though externally revealed, be known by the natural man, or by the mere dint of nature, but only by the light of the Spirit of God; who searches them, and makes them known in a spiritual manner to spiritual men, who have a spiritual discerning of them; and yet even by these they are not known perfectly, only in part, and are seen through”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:18: More literally, "Being darkened in their understanding," that is, their intelligence, or perceptions (compare Eph 5:8; Act 26:18; Th1 5:4-5). alienated--This and "darkened," imply that before the fall they (in the person of their first father) had been partakers of life and light: and that they had revolted from the primitive revelation (compare Eph 2:12). life of God--that life whereby God lives in His own people: as He was the life and light in Adam before the irruption of death and darkness into human nature; and as He is the life in the rege”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:14: 5:14 Being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 10:5: imaginations--rather, "reasonings." Whereas "thought" expresses men's own purpose and determination of living after their own pleasure [TITTMANN]. high thing--So it ought to be translated (Rom 8:39). A distinct Greek word from that in Eph 3:18, "height," and Rev 21:16, which belongs to God and heaven from whence we receive nothing hurtful. But "high thing" is not so much "height" as something made high, and belongs to those regions of air where the powers of darkness ::exalt themselves" against Christ and us (Eph 2:2; Eph 6:12; Th2 2:4). exa”