Being Led by Spiritual Discernment

It takes a lot of courage, and faith, to say ‘no’ to things that might seem profitable; to turn away things that might be good. Walking by faith calls us to say ‘no’ to things that others might tell us we should try saying ‘yes’ to. Walking by faith is being led with spiritual discernment, to wait until what we sense in our spirit is right.

Romans 8:5,14 (NIV)

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires…. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 

Nobody else sees what we carry in our spirit, nor what the Holy Spirit has imprinted on our hearts to do. Spiritual discernment is like understanding the play between light and shadow. It is relying on that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit that says ‘yes’, or ‘no’ to opportunities in front of us, and being willing to trust Him.

Romans 8:27-28 (NLV)

God knows the hearts of men. He knows what the Holy Spirit is thinking. The Holy Spirit prays for those who belong to Christ the way God wants Him to pray. We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan.

Spiritual discernment takes fine-tuning and patience; to understand the need of letting go of self, of fears or anxieties, and embracing trust in the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God who is at work on our behalf. It requires a reliance on the goodness of God to know that He won’t let us pass by things that are intended for us, nor pick things up that were not intended for us, if we are seeking Him.

Isaiah 30:21 (CEV)

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, “This is the road! Now follow it.”

It’s important to have people around us who know us well, who stand beside us in our journey and discern with us, and on behalf of us. We need people around us who carry the torch of faith in the same way as we do, who carry the same flame to fulfil the mandate God has put on each of our lives. No uneasiness, no competition, no need to prove anything. Having people walking alongside us who know us, love us, support us, and understand spiritual discernment, is key to fulfilling God’s purposes.

Proverbs 15:22 (KJB)

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellers they are established.

Purpose is achieved through hearing God’s will and following it; allowing our spirit to be led by God’s Spirit, not by what things look like; allowing those we know we can trust to speak into our circumstances and help us to discern, correctly. Being led by spiritual discernment takes one step at a time. It is moment-by-moment obedience that positions us, always, to be in the right place at the right time.