CollideSample

This passage from the book of Philippians employs a word that we don’t often think about in terms of Scripture: discernment. We tend to believe that the Bible will tell us what is right or wrong. We like to think that God will always speak and make it clear. But the truth is, there often isn’t a clear right or wrong, and that’s what Paul is talking about in this letter to the Philippians. It’s all about being able to discern what is best for our lives. Not what is right, but what is best. The more we learn to pay attention to God’s Spirit alive and working in our lives and the world, the better we know the practice of discernment.

When it comes to discovering God’s truth in the world, we don’t have to be afraid of finding it somewhere we might not expect it or questioning whether it is good or not. Why? Because the Spirit gives us discernment. We can discern goodness and what is from God, no matter where it might be. Because discernment is like a muscle, it needs to be developed and exercised. To know where we find God’s truth—to be able to recognize the work of God—we have to practice being able to see it. And that’s where Paul’s prayer comes in! We can pray that, in our love for God and love for others, we may discern where God is at work and what represents God. Then, we can be changed by it as a result.

Start today! Use this Scripture as a prayer, asking God for discernment in your life.