Key No. 2: Asking God for Help - Realizing that we don’t inherently know all that we need to know is another fundamental principle for developing spiritual discernment. Today’s popular mantras to simply follow your heart or to look inside yourself for answers to life’s questions are not biblically correct.
Early in his reign King Solomon said: “Now O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. … Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:7, 9).
His words “pleased the LORD,” and God gave Solomon what he had requested (verses 10, 12). When Solomon recorded some of the wisdom God had given him, he twice in the book of Proverbs noted that “there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
Echoing our need for help, Jeremiah told God: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). Later, the prophet added: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).
And the psalmist requested of God: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments” (Psalm 119:66). We can do the same. We can ask God for spiritual discernment and know that Jesus promised, “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Understand that the above verse is presuming that your requests will be anchored in the will of God. If what you ask is in the will of God for you then you shall have it.
Key No.3: Seek counsel - Seeking advice from people who have knowledge and experience is another key that can help us make sound judgments. Wise King Solomon emphasized this point in several of his proverbs. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15). “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).
Even though Solomon was granted so much wisdom and knowledge by God that rulers of other nations came to hear him (1 Kings 4:34; 10:4), he still recognized the value of seeking counsel from others; namely his father King David. David said to Solomon the following: “Observe the requirements of the Lord your God and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me.” [1 Kings 2:3-4a]
When we seek counsel, we should do so from people who have the knowledge, experience, and wisdom to properly advise us. Just talking with our friends—who may not have the necessary expertise to provide sound counsel—is unlikely to always provide wise answers and good results.
Next we’ll continue with the 7 Keys to Spiritual Discernment by looking at Key No. 4. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His Name & for His Glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Source: https://lifehopeandtruth.com
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