John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
God’s Spirit:
To have spiritual discernment first requires a close relationship to God’s Spirit – being saved. Paul tells us that there is a specific gift of discernment (1 Cor 12:10; 14:29), which is given to some for the purpose to helping the church to know spiritual error from truth. John tells us to “try” the spirits (1 Jn 4:1) in order to understand the source of their teaching. We can only have true spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26), Who will not only teach us but guide us in perceiving spiritual truth from error.
True discernment comes only in our spirits as we are alive spiritually and have God’s Spirit dwelling within us (Ro 8:16). In Mark 2:8 Jesus discerned the thoughts of the Pharisees, not through clairvoyance or magic but through the Spirit of God.
John says that when we preach and teach the truth of God’s word, we can discern whether our hearers are following a spirit or error or listening to God’s Spirit (1 Jn 4:6). Jesus told the Pharisees that the reason they could not hear and believe Him was because of the spirit of error in them (Jn 8:43, 44). John was simply teaching what Jesus had already taught him (Jn 8:47)
The Word of God:
Discernment is also the understanding of God’s truth in His word. Paul tells us this is also by way of God’s Spirit (1 Cor 2:12-15). God’s word is spiritual (Jn 6:63; He 4:12) and therefore is only discerned (understood properly) through the Spirit of God dwelling within us. God declares that His word will enlighten us, teach, guide, direct us or it will harden and condemn us (Isa 55:11). The word of God is inexhaustible and we can never completely understand all that it teaches or involves, but a key to understanding it comes from our hearts condition (Matt 13:4, 19). We are told to guard our hearts with all diligence in order that it not become hard and unable to receive or discern God’s truths (He 3:12, 14, 15).
Hindrances to discernment:
The carnal nature is the biggest hindrance to discernment (Ro 8:7). Paul says that the old nature is completely unable to obey God’s word because it resists the Spirit’s work (Gal 5:17).
If we harden our hearts as mentioned in Hebrews chapter 3, we will be unable to discern truth. Jesus rebuked the disciples because they had hard hearts yet (Matt 15:17, Mk 8:17; Lu 18:34; 24:25). Hardening of our hearts seems to be more than just turning away from God, but also not focusing on the truth contained in Scripture. If we focus our thinking on one particular area we can miss the truth that is really being taught (Acts 1:6).
God will enable us to understand His truth and discern truth and error but we must have a close relation with Him and be sensitive to His voice and Spirit’s promptings. The many lost souls that follow deceptive theology and false gods can be brought to salvation through God’s word if they will only turn to God and allow Him to change them – make them alive spiritually.