THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DECIDING AND DISCERNING 

Alice YoungFrontPage, News, Pastor

What would you say the difference is between discerning and deciding? Both involve making choices, both require distinguishing the better options. My sense is discerning involves deeper and stronger consideration in the decision process. Could it be discernment requires wisdom and maturity? 

When have you needed this deeper wisdom? How has this come? Who among your family or friends do you seek for such discernment? Why did you seek them? Would someone seek you? 

The writer of Hebrews sees discernment as a result of knowing God’s word and how to apply it:  

“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:13-14 NIV 

I love the phrase ‘who by constant use have trained themselves’. We can strengthen our discernment capacity by living from God’s word daily. This ‘constant use’ readies us for when discernment is needed. Then we will be ready for when life throws us complex choices. Then we will be prepared for when our friends or family need discernment. Then we will be ready when we struggle to discern what is best. Then someone will seek you for help, and you will be ready. 

In Him, 

Jason 

Photo by Burst on Unsplash