5 Things Every Believer Must Discern

Have you ever thought that there is a relationship between the ‘compromise in our devotion to God’ and our ‘discernment’ in life? There are things that we are to be wholeheartedly given to and if we do not, this leads to defeated Christian living.

The New Testament highlights five areas where we are called to exercise discernment:

1. Discerning the will of God (Romans 12:2)

2. Discern what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)

3. Discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14)

4. Discern your honour for the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:29)

5. Discern The things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-15)

From these Scriptures, we understand what the Bible exhorts us to be devoted to, so that we may experience an effective and fruitful life that ultimately glorifies God. Let us look into them individually.

1. The Discernment of the will of God (Romans 12:2)

The world constantly demands conformity, for it promotes everything contrary to God’s will and heart. Its way of life, thinking, and behaviour celebrates disobedience and self-reliance rather than dependence on God. The world does not respect the boundaries of churches, schools, or families; it first takes hold of minds before invading spaces.

The Bible teaches that the only way to discern the will of God is to continually renew our minds with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Transformation is required to walk in God’s will, for those who are conformed to the world cannot know or regard it. To renew the mind is proof that it is not natural for us to think according to God’s will—therefore, renewal is essential. Neglecting this allows our natural instincts to follow what the world offers.

Our ability to discern God’s will is directly connected to our devotion to renewing our minds with His Word and presenting ourselves to Him in worship and service (Romans 12:1). To be devoted to the will of God is to be devoted to renewing the mind, which in turn produces a more accurate and mature discernment.

2. Discerning what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)

We discern what pleases the Lord in the context of living as children of light among those who walk in disobedience. Discernment of the unfruitful works of darkness grows as we commit to living lives that reflect what is good, right, and true. In this way, we discover the most effective ways to please the Lord.

The questions we should ask ourselves are: “Is this thought or action good according to the Lord’s Word? Is it right according to His Word? Is it true according to His Word?”

When we live with devotion to pleasing the Lord, the works of darkness will naturally be exposed. Let us remember: the enemy resists exposure of what is dark, secretive, shameful, or unfruitful. Therefore, we should ask:

• Does this situation bring light or darkness?
• Freedom or secrecy?
• Joy, confidence, and delight in the Lord—or shame?
• Fruitfulness that reflects God’s character and blessing—or barrenness?

By knowing what we are called to live as, we sharpen our discernment and grow in living for God’s pleasure.

3. Discerning good from evil (Hebrews 5:14)

Biblical discernment involves training, skill, character, and distinguishing between good and evil. It is the believer’s responsibility to discern in word, deed, and spirit.

The context of Hebrews reminds us that some believers remain immature because they fail to apply themselves to the practice of God’s Word. Longevity in the faith does not equal maturity. What matters to God is: Are you doing what is right? Can you distinguish good from evil? Are you growing in exercising discernment?

Growth comes through practice—applying what we already know of God’s Word and righteousness. If we still struggle with the basics (Hebrews 6:1–2), it reveals a lack of discernment. Therefore, practicing these foundational truths is essential for maturing in our ability to discern good from evil.

4. Discerning honour for the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:29)

One common area of dishonour is how we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Scripture warns that to take the bread and cup in an unworthy manner is to invite judgment upon ourselves (1 Corinthians 11).

In the early church, communion was a sacred moment of reflection, thanksgiving, and honouring Christ’s sacrifice. Yet many treated it carelessly, turning it into an occasion for indulgence rather than reverence. As a result, God brought judgment on such behaviour, because it failed to reflect true gratitude.

The word recognize (or discern in some translations) emphasizes that the Lord’s Supper must be observed with discernment:

• Discern its meaning.
• Discern our attitude in approaching it.
• Discern its outcome in our lives.

This extends beyond the act itself: Do we discern and honour the sacrifice of Christ in daily living? Do we value what He has done for us in the way we treat His body, the Church? Truly, how can we claim to honour Christ in communion while dishonouring His people in practice?

5. Discern The things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-15)

To ignore spiritual things is to lack discernment as a believer. The Holy Spirit is central to all things spiritual. Consider these aspects of His work:

The Revelation of the Spirit (v.10): The Spirit reveals what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined—what God has prepared for those who love Him. Discernment flows from relationship with the Spirit.

The Demonstration of the Spirit (v.4): The Spirit is experienced not through human wisdom but through God’s power. True discernment requires faith, not reliance on intellect.

The Provision of the Spirit (v.12): The Spirit enables us to understand the things freely given by God. Many miss God’s promises because they fail to engage the Spirit in daily life.

The Words and Truths of the Spirit (v.13): The Spirit brings revelation of God’s Word. Transformation and empowerment come only through the Spirit’s work. What seems impossible by human reasoning becomes possible by His power.

In response, believers must:

Spiritually discern (v.14): The natural mind sees God’s truth as foolishness. Every decision—where we live, what we do—must be spiritually discerned in consistency with the Spirit’s leading.

Judge all things (v.15): We are called to examine and evaluate all things by the Spirit and the Word. Only then can we rightly distinguish between God’s wisdom and the world’s.

Conclusion

As we continually devote ourselves to these five areas—with dependence on God’s grace—we heighten our experience of His presence, grow in discernment, and ultimately live for the glory of God.

Written by Sibusiso Banda