Judgement and Discernment

Spiritual gifts as outlined in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 are a very interesting thing... We know that there are different kinds of gifts but they all come from the same Holy Spirit and the purposes of these are to edify, redeem, build up others and ourselves. Discernment in particular is something I have prayed and asked God for since I was a child. I knew all about this spiritual gift and there have been many times throughout my life that God has given me discernment either for my own protection or to speak to someone else. It is a "heavy" thing (the best way I know how to describe it) to perceive in your spirit the intentions, purposes and many times "other" spirits behind a person's words or actions. We see discernment of spirits utilized a lot in the ministry of Paul for the purpose of delivering others. Ultimately, discernment comes from a wisdom that is God's and God's alone with a redemptive purpose.

Judgment however (which is often mistaken for discernment) comes from a "wisdom" that is human. Based on what we know, see, believe to be and therefore tainted by our own views. Our own situations can be an influence in this type of "wisdom" ... we can compare how we would handle something to how another is handling it. We begin to measure based on OUR views, OUR prejudices, OUR passions. The problem with this is it is not perfect since a wisdom formed on our own will always be flawed. The problem with this is it is punitive and critical. Ultimately, judgment will never build anyone or anything up, will never redeem and will always destroy. It is a trait that is very much one of our enemy who is named "the one who accuses".


When speaking to each other, offering advice, listening to a problem, or even thinking about a situation... it's important that we ask -- are we using discernment or judgment? Remember, WE ALL HAVE ISSUES. As a body (1 Cor 12:12) we are meant to depend on each other... just as the fingers need the hand. We are meant to care for each other and carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2). What good am I as a part of this body if I pass judgment on a member that is not functioning, and say "well you need to just go get fixed." ?? If this was the way we were supposed to treat each other, I'd have very few conversations with the people I love. I'd just send them all to therapy and say "come see me when you've worked out your issues".


Carry each other's burdens...

~A

"For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." - Matt 7:1