57 Bible Verses about Discernment
Most Relevant Verses
Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.
Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge,
For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,
For it is written and forever remains written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [the philosophy of the philosophers],
And the cleverness of the clever [who do not know Me] I will nullify.”
The priests shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the common, and teach them to distinguish between the (ceremonially) unclean and the clean.
Yes, if you cry out for insight,
And lift up your voice for understanding;
and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.
so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin];
So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?”
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.
But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature].
You hypocrites (play-actors, pretenders)! You know how to analyze and intelligently interpret the appearance of the earth and sky [to forecast the weather], but why do you not intelligently interpret this present time?
Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, experienced, and respected men from your tribes, and I will appoint them as heads (leaders) over you.’
Then you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve Him.
God said to him, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself a long life nor for wealth, nor for the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to recognize justice,
The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But the foolishness of [shortsighted] fools is deceit.
For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],
Now God gave Solomon [exceptional] wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand of the seashore.
But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged.
My son, let them not escape from your sight,
But keep sound wisdom and discretion,
A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit
Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
“It is He who changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!
To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;
To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
Engaging in evil is like sport to the fool [who refuses wisdom and chases sin],
But to a man of understanding [skillful and godly] wisdom brings joy.
“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind],
And right to those who find knowledge and live by it.
For anyone who eats and drinks [without solemn reverence and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ], eats and drinks a judgment on himself if he does not recognize the body [of Christ].
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
I am Your servant; give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart]
That I may know Your testimonies.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice [in every circumstance]
And integrity and every good path.
Let two or three prophets speak [as inspired by the Holy Spirit], while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.
He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,
And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).
And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times?
Do not weary yourself [with the overwhelming desire] to gain wealth;
Cease from your own understanding of it.
The rich man [who is conceited and relies on his wealth instead of God] is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor man who has understanding [because he relies on God] is able to see through him.
[Skillful and godly] wisdom is in the presence of a person of understanding [and he recognizes it],
But the eyes of a [thickheaded] fool are on the ends of the earth.
Whoever is [spiritually] wise, let him understand these things;
Whoever is [spiritually] discerning and understanding, let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right,
And the righteous will walk in them,
But transgressors will stumble and fall in them.
But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].
“He deprives the trusted ones of speech
And takes away the discernment and discretion of the aged.
The wise will hear and increase their learning,
And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth],
The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge.
So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
A plan (motive, wise counsel) in the heart of a man is like water in a deep well,
But a man of understanding draws it out.
Therefore, listen carefully, I will again do marvelous and amazing things with this people, wonderful and astonishing things;
And the wisdom of their wise men will perish,
And the understanding of their discerning men will be hidden.”
I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts],
Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.
They do not know, nor do they understand, for God has muddied their eyes so that they cannot see, and their hearts (minds) as well so that they cannot understand.
From Thematic Bible
Discernment » Satanic
saying, “
Demons also were coming out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
And Jesus healed many who were suffering with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].
and screaming with a loud voice, he said, “
Satanic » Discernment
saying, “
Demons also were coming out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that He was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
And Jesus healed many who were suffering with various diseases; and He drove out many demons, but would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him [recognizing Him as the Son of God].
and screaming with a loud voice, he said, “
Spiritual » Desire select readings, psalms 42; 84 » Discernment
But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].
So give Your servant an understanding mind and a hearing heart [with which] to judge Your people, so that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge and rule this great people of Yours?”
And He will delight in the fear of the Lord,
And He will not judge by what His eyes see,
Nor make decisions by what His ears hear;
He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good.
But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil.
Topics on Discernment
Asking For Discernment
Psalm 119:66
Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge,
For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.
Discernment Of Governors
Genesis 41:39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since [your] God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and clear-headed and wise as you are.
Discernment of Jesus
John 2:25and He did not need anyone to testify concerning man [and human nature], for He Himself knew what was in man [in their hearts—in the very core of their being].
Discernment, Nature Of
Proverbs 15:21
Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
Discernment, Source Of
Daniel 2:21
“It is He who changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
And [greater] knowledge to those who have understanding!
Evil Spirits Discernment
Mark 1:23-24Just then there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit; and he cried out [terribly from the depths of his throat],
Lack Of Discernment
Deuteronomy 1:39Moreover, your little ones whom you said would become prey, and your sons, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter Canaan, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it.
Spiritual Discernment
2 Kings 4:9She said to her husband, “Behold, I sense that this is a holy man of God who frequently passes our way.