To Discern Words of Discernment!

I am not really tempted to steal and neither are my daughters and yet one of them walked out of the grocery store the other day with an unpaid product tucked under her arm – by accident. She wanted to pay for it herself, but was so focussed on helping me with my purchases and heavy bags, that she forgot. Not only did she not notice, neither did I, nor the cashier nor the security officer. It was only as she packed the bags into the boot, that she released her tight grip and the item dropped to the ground. She got a very big fright and was terribly fearful that she would get into trouble if she confessed. What if people did not believe her? WHAT IF THEY THOUGHT she wilfully planned stealing this item. Fortunately, they did believe her and commended her for her honesty. She climbed back into the car, feeling light and relieved – her conscience at complete peace.

This week we are talking about discernment. To discern is taken from the Hebrew bin/biyn and means basically “to distinguish or to separate.” This ability to distinguish between moral options, as in good from evil or what is good from what is best, does not come naturally to the children of men.

Some commentators call this the second purpose of the Book of Proverbs: to compare and properly evaluate every kind of wise sayings and every circumstance. This knowledge is far superior to the mere gathering of data. It is the ability to perceive what is right and what is wrong in any given situation.

• Solomon, for example, uses this word in his prayer for wisdom to rule Israel. He asks for understanding “that I may discern (bin) between good and evil.”
• Joseph, standing before Pharaoh, encourages him after he has interpreted his dreams to prepare ahead and look for a man discerning and clear-headed and wise we read in the Amplified version, and set him in charge over the land of Egypt as governor under Pharaoh.
• David in Psalm 19 AMP cries out to God, asking “who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden or unconscious, unintended faults”.

OUR GRACE CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK:  It is my prayer that the LORD will grant us this critical ability to differentiate when to do what is right and best – so that in all circumstances we will bring honour to God and draw people to Christ.