Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.”
Prophetic discernment: Prophets do Forthtelling and Foretelling. Prophets’ ought to interpret the Law of God and apply it to the context. The righteousness of God is revealed in the Scripture so that humans could know God’s standards and live according to those holy standards. Thus, the prophets call individuals, families, communities, cities, and nations to repent. Prophet Jonah called the city of Nineveh to repent. Prophets also discern future events. Jeremiah foretold the seventy years of the Babylonian Exile. (Jeremiah 25:9-13)
Spiritual discernment: The world is filled with a lot of philosophies, religious ideas, traditions, and ways to God. Hence, there are false teachers, false teaching, blind guides, false messiahs, and heresy. Counterfeit currencies resemble the original. In the same way, these spiritualities are fake, though it resembles the Truth. Apostle John gives a test: All religious philosophies that deny the incarnation of Lord Jesus Christ are false and should be rejected.
Discernment of God’s time: The Pharisees and Sadducees had the Scripture and knew about the first coming Messiah. But were not able to discern the signs of time, and were only obsessed with finding new signs. (Matthew 16:3-4) They missed the Messiah, worst, they crucified the Messiah.
Right or Almost right: Joseph had a genuine desire to go back to his home from prison in Egypt, which he expressed to the chef of Pharaoh. He forgot Joseph for two years. (Genesis 40:23) When Joseph stood before Pharaoh, he did not ask for going back home, instead did what was right. He was in Egypt to preserve lives so that the Nation of Israel could emerge. (Genesis 45:5) For Joseph to go home was almost right, but being in Egypt was the right thing, to fulfill the Plan and Purpose of God.
Discerning leaders: Apostle Paul failed to discern God’s call and potential in John Mark. (Acts 15:36-41) Of course, later he recognized him. (II Timothy 4:11)
Do I have the gift of discernment?