Discernment, akin to musical talent, is innate but can be taught, practiced, and developed. Some leaders lack this gift, unable to read people despite excelling in other skills, while those with even a small measure of discernment can cultivate significant sensitivity and intuition, sensing when something is amiss. Discernment is an act of wisdom or detection, marked by insight into a person's character or events beyond mere facts. It is a desirable element of wisdom, and those possessing it are considered wise and knowledgeable. Human discernment can be cultivated through effort, requiring a choice to develop it. It involves productive listening, noticing manipulation of words, tone, pace, and even body language to discern underlying emotions or intentions. Discernment also means hearing what is not said, interpreting interruptions, and observing whether expressions match words to uncover hidden reasons for conflict. It requires critical analysis, scrutinizing thoughts and intents with a careful, discriminating approach. A lack of discernment is evident in those who are self-confident, quick-tempered, or easily enticed, often making foolish decisions based on sight or desire rather than wisdom. Such individuals may fail to recognize the urgency of the times or the truth, falling prey to deception. By contrast, discernment is essential to avoid hypocrisy and to navigate a world where lies and delusions are common, often propagated by satan's counterfeit of God's truth. Spiritual discernment, distinct from human discernment, is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit, enabling a deeper understanding unavailable to the natural man. It is necessary to distinguish between truth and occult-related lies, and it must be developed through reverence and obedience to God. The discerning of spirits, a specific spiritual gift, allows one to judge whether actions or words come from the Holy Spirit or a false spirit, protecting against deception. Spiritual maturity, linked to discernment, is a desirable progression from spiritual childhood, requiring strong spiritual nourishment to achieve.

Discernment, akin to a refined skill, can be taught, practiced, and developed, much like musical talent, though it is not an innate gift like perfect pitch. It is an act of wisdom or detection, marked by insight into a person's character or events, going beyond mere facts. Those blessed with even a little discernment can cultivate significant sensitivity and intuition, catching what others miss. As a component of wisdom, discernment is something we should always desire, often indistinguishable from wisdom and judgment. Wisdom enables one to distinguish the wise from the unwise, while discernment is the ability to distinguish in order to make a wise judgment. People who discern are considered wise and knowledgeable, as taught in Proverbs, which emphasizes discernment and wisdom for everyday life. Conversely, those lacking discernment are deemed foolish, often ignoring advice and failing to consider the consequences of their actions. Individuals who are self-confident, quick-tempered, or lawbreakers often lack this vital quality, as do the simple-minded who are easily enticed or inexperienced. Historical examples, such as Lot, reveal the consequences of lacking discernment, as his poor choices led to devastating outcomes for his family due to reliance on human reasoning rather than wise counsel. Human discernment, while limited to the physical world, can be cultivated through effort. It requires active listening, noticing the manipulation of words, and interpreting tone and pace in communication. Tone often reveals underlying emotions, while pace can indicate excitement or nervousness. Discernment also involves observing what is not said and reading body language, though one must avoid jumping to conclusions and verify observations in context. It demands a searching mind that penetrates beyond the superficial, discriminates between truth and falsehood, perceives through observation and feeling, and offers insight with depth and understanding. Spiritual discernment, however, is distinct, rooted in determining God's will and aligning with His standard of righteousness. It is founded on God's Word, which contains the wisdom needed to rightly discern thoughts and intents. God's truth exposes the innermost parts, critically analyzing the heart's motives. Only through God's Spirit can true spiritual discernment be developed, enabling one to distinguish between spiritual truth and deception. Without this Spirit, individuals are limited to human reasoning, unable to grasp spiritual matters or fully appreciate God's wisdom. Thus, spiritual discernment is conditional upon obedience and reverence to God, requiring a humble attitude and closeness to Him through study, prayer, and fasting.

In these times of overwhelming confusion and chaos, where misinformation floods the media and affects even the church, discernment emerges as a vital gift of God's Spirit. This godly virtue, though not often discussed, is one we can thank God for granting to those who utilize His Spirit. As the prince of the power of the air stirs confusion everywhere, recognizing the truth amidst lies becomes crucial to avoid falling into despair. Discernment allows us to navigate the barrage of deception orchestrated by that great, fiery red dragon, who seeks to mislead and persecute God's people. Through this gift, we are equipped to evaluate and judge the challenges we face, maintaining clarity and steadfastness in the midst of turmoil.