11 Bible Verses about Discernment: Making Wise Decisions

As the world gets darker and darker, having discernment is crucial for believers. I really want to encourage you to look to God first and put your full trust in Him, not in man. The Bible serves as a timeless guide, shedding light on the importance of discernment and wisdom. In this post, we’ll go through 11 verses to help you grow in discernment.

Related post: 12 Godly steps to help you make important decisions

Discernment Bible Verses

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Discernment begins with wholehearted trust in the Lord, relying on His understanding rather than our own, and seeking His will for clear direction.

James 1:5

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

True discernment comes from God’s generous wisdom, and seeking it through prayer opens the door to understanding without fear of rebuke.

Proverbs 16:3

“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Discernment thrives when we surrender our plans to the Lord, trusting that success follows actions aligned with His purpose.

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

The Scriptures act as a guiding light, illuminating the path of discernment when we anchor our decisions in God’s Word.

Philippians 1:9-10

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.”

Discernment involves growing in love, knowledge, and understanding, focusing on what truly matters in God’s eyes for a pure and blameless life.

Hebrews 5:14

“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

Spiritual maturity is the training ground for discernment, honing the skill to distinguish between right and wrong.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

“But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.”

Discernment calls us to evaluate and hold onto what is good while distancing ourselves from all forms of evil.

Colossians 3:15

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

God’s peace becomes the guide in discernment, ruling our hearts and growing us in gratitude as we align with His will.

Proverbs 15:22

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.”

Seeking counsel from wise advisers is integral to discernment, leading to successful decision-making.

John 16:13

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

The Holy Spirit, our guide in discernment, reveals truth and provides insight into the future for those who listen.

1 Corinthians 2:14

“But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”

Discernment is a spiritual understanding, given to those who are connected to the Spirit, allowing them to grasp the profound truths God reveals.

Conclusion

Discernment is a gift from God, enabling us to make choices that align with His will. May we seek His wisdom through prayer, anchor ourselves in His Word, and grow in spiritual maturity. Let us close with a prayer:

Prayer for Discernment

Heavenly Father,

Please give us the wisdom to discern Your will in our lives. May we seek Your guidance through prayer, find direction in Your Word, and grow in spiritual maturity. Thank you for the promise of discernment through Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.