By Minister Sonnie Robinson (Apr 2025)

Spiritual Discernment is the ability to sense what is true and what isn’t; recognize God’s guidance; and make wise decisions. It is a skill that helps individuals distinguish between truth and lies, make good choices that align with God’s plan, and recognize when something isn’t right, even if it looks good on the surface.

To grow in spiritual discernment, one must learn to read and study the Bible, pray for wisdom, listen to the Holy Spirit, get advice from wise Christians, and test everything against God’s Word. Reading at least one verse a day and asking questions about what it teaches about right and wrong, can help one understand what is true.

Praying for wisdom is another way to grow in discernment. Before making a decision, ask God for clarity and thank Him when He gives you direction. Listening to the Holy Spirit is like God’s voice inside you, guiding you toward truth. Pay attention to gut feelings when something feels wrong and pray before making a decision.

Getting advice from wise Christians can also help us grow. Parents, pastors, mentors, and Christian friends can help us make wise choices. Asking a trusted Christian about a situation or surrounding ourselves with wise, godly friends can provide safety. Be open to correction when someone warns you about a bad choice.

Testing everything against God’s Word is another way to grow in discernment. Some teachings may twist God’s truth, making it easy to believe lies. To test the spirits, ask if they agree with the Bible and look at the fruit of someone’s life. If something feels off, investigate it and don’t ignore it. Discernment matters because it changes your life by avoiding deception, making better choices, hearing God’s voice more clearly, growing in faith, and trusting His guidance. By practicing discernment, you will become closer to God, walk in His wisdom, and trust His guidance. God wants you to have discernment, be wise, see clearly, and walk in His truth. Start today by reading the Bible, praying for wisdom, listening to the Holy Spirit, seeking wise counsel, and testing everything against Scripture.

As you do, making the right choices becomes easier, you’ll sense God’s guidance in ways you never have before, and you’ll walk confidently, knowing that He is leading you every step of the way!