Whitefield Ebenezer Brethren

Assembly(WEBA)
Bro. Ravi Kumar Kattempudi
Spiritual Discernment
 Spiritual Discernment

1. Defining Discernment
2. Need for Discernment
3. Biblical References of different
Discernments
4. Biblical contexts of different
Discernments
5. Practical applications to our context
6. Reasons for lack of Discernment
7. Biblical Passage for an activity
 Spiritual Discernment

1. Defining Discernment:
According to Webster, to discern is from a root which means
“to separate, distinguish between.”

Discernment. the ability to show good judgment about the

quality of somebody/something synonym discrimination He
shows great discernment in his choice of friends. She is a
woman of the highest taste and discernment. (Oxford
Dictionary)

Discernment. the ability to judge people and things well: It's

clear that you are a person of discernment. (Cambridge
Dictionary)
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1. Defining Discernment:
The wise will “cry for discernment” and seek wisdom so that
they can “discern the fear of the Lord” and “discern
righteousness and justice and equity and every good
course” (Proverbs 2:3,5, 9).

One of the differences between the mature

and immature is having their “senses
trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews
5:14). Without the ability to discern, a person remains
immature and subject to the false teaching
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2. Need for Discernment:

 Discernment is an optional? If No why?

 Answers with Scriptural references

 Practical areas in which we need Discernment

 Discernment Vs Rational thinking

We are living in a indiscriminate world…

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3. Biblical References:
Gen 27:23, Gen 42:8
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Occurs 873 times in KJV

1 Samuel 2:12, Job 9:28

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Ezra 3:13, Neh 6:12

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Biyn (Bene): (1 Smauel 3:8, Job 32:8)

‫ ִּבין‬bîyn, bene; a primitive root; to separate

mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally)
understand:—attend, consider, be cunning, diligently,
direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have
intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive,
be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause,
make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal)
wise(-ly, man).
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Anakrino:
Intensively looking throughout,

Like 23:4
1 Cor 4:3
Acts 17:11

Diakrino: Mathew 16:3, Luke 2:56, 1 Cor 11: 29

to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer

to learn by discrimination, to try, decide
to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute
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Dokimazo:

To test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a

thing is genuine or not), as metals
to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve,
deem worthy
1 Thessalonians 5:21, Philippians 1:10

Kritikos: (Hebrew 4:12)

Relating to judging, fit for judging, skilled in judging
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4. Biblical contexts of different Discernments:

1. Lords Encounter with Pharisees (Mathew 16:3)

2. Lord before Pilate (Luke23: 14)
3. Natural Man vs Spiritual Man (1 Cor 2:14)
4. Examine Everything (1Thess 5:21)
5. The Word of God is Discerner (Hebrews 4:12)
6. Spiritual Immaturity (Hebrews 5:14)
7. Discernment in the days of famine

 By Close relation with the Lord and feasting

with His Word will make us Discerner. We
should know the mind of the Lord…
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5. Practical applications to our context

1. Decisions
2. Deeds/Doings
3. Devotion
4. Dialogues
5. Dogmatic/Doctrine
6. Duties
7. Difficulties
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6. Reasons for lack of Discernment Intensively looking

The weakness of the flesh,
Satanic deception, and
The influence of the world ( 1 Thess 5: 16-21)

1. Weakening of doctrinal clarity and conviction.

2. The unwillingness to be absolute
3. Absence of Church Discipline
4. Immaturity
5. Image and influence as the key to evangelization
6. Making everybody feel good
7. Inadequate interpretation of Scripture
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7. Biblical Passage for an activity

Be careful what you eat (2 Kings 4:38-41)!

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Thank you!