Becoming Spiritually Discerned
How we can, in partnership with the Holy Spirit, develop a spiritually discerning life - a way of thinking, living, and praying that helps us see what God is doing around us?
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. - II Kings 6:15-18
Spiritual Discerning Perspectives
Supernatural Perspective
Without this perspective, we’ll interpret everything through politics, personalities, or circumstances and miss what’s really happening.
“What’s happening in the spiritual realm right now that I need to be aware of?”
This is where wisdom begins.
1) It reframes people as spiritual beings, not just personalities.
We stop seeing people as “difficult” or “annoying” and begin discerning spiritual battles, strongholds, or wounds that influence them.
2) It exposes the real enemy.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. - Ephesians 6:12
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - Ephesians 2:1-2
When we have this supernatural perspective, instead of blaming people, institutions, or circumstances, we recognize demonic influence, satanic schemes, and the warfare beneath the surface.
3) It sharpens us to the Holy Spirit’s promptings.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. - Romans 8:26
The Holy Spirit sharpens us.
We grow in awareness of nudges, checks, confirmations, and warnings from the Holy Spirit, training our spirit to respond.
Eternal Perspective
Without it, we get caught up in temporary pressures, emotional reactions, or worldly definitions of success and failure.
God’s timing is perfect, His plan is unfolding, and what may seem insignificant or painful now could have eternal value.
1) It keeps our mind focused on God’s ultimate plan.
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. - I Thessalonians 5:1-6
Sometimes we can’t see all that God is up to, but since we know how the end happens, we can work back from there.
2) It anchors our hope.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. - I Thessalonians 5:7-11
Our joy isn’t based on how life is going now, but on the hope of what is to come.
Biblical Perspective
It’s the lens through which everything else must be tested.
The more we align our thoughts with Scripture, the more we’ll recognize what’s of God and what’s not.
1) It clarifies God’s will.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2 NASB
The end result of this is that we are so changed by God that we find out what His will is and choose it over our own.
2) It focuses our prayers.
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, - Ephesians 6:17-18
Having knowledge of God’s Word not only teaches us how to prayer, but also what to pray for.
Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees.
3) It helps us discern false teaching.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. - I John 4:1-3
When Scripture is our lens, we can spot deception—even when it sounds spiritual.
Reflective Questions
Which perspective to I need to see through the most?
Where can I practically begin now to see things from a spiritual point of view?
What perspective can I dive into a deeper study this week to draw more wisdom from God’s Word?