Definition and Meaning:
The term "discerned" refers to the ability to perceive, recognize, or distinguish something with clarity and insight. In a biblical context, discernment is often associated with spiritual understanding and the ability to judge well, particularly in distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood, or the will of God and the ways of the world.

Biblical Usage:
Discernment is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and understanding in the life of a believer. It is often portrayed as a gift from God, enabling individuals to navigate complex moral and spiritual landscapes.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, discernment is frequently linked with wisdom. King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom, is a prime example. When God offered Solomon anything he desired, Solomon asked for "an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil" (1 Kings 3:9). This request pleased God, who granted Solomon exceptional wisdom and discernment.

The Book of Proverbs, attributed to Solomon, is replete with exhortations to seek wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-5 states, "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, discernment is essential for the early Christian community. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for discernment in his epistles. In Romans 12:2 , Paul urges believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Paul also speaks of discernment as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10 , where he lists "the ability to distinguish between spirits" as one of the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. This gift is crucial for the church to identify true teachings and avoid deception.

The author of Hebrews emphasizes the maturity that comes with discernment, stating, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:14).

The Role of the Holy Spirit:
Discernment is closely tied to the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His followers into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit provides the necessary insight and understanding to discern spiritual matters, enabling believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Practical Application:
For Christians, discernment is not merely an intellectual exercise but a vital aspect of spiritual growth and decision-making. It involves prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to seek discernment in all areas of life, ensuring that their choices align with biblical principles and the character of Christ.

Conclusion:
While discernment is a gift, it is also a skill that can be developed through spiritual discipline and a deepening relationship with God. As believers grow in their faith, they are called to exercise discernment in their personal lives, within the church, and in their interactions with the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Discern.995. bin -- to discern
... acted wisely (1), cared (1), clever (1), consider (8), consider carefully (1),
considers (1), diligently consider (1), discern (9), discerned (2), discerning ( ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

That in the Mingled Web of Human Affairs God's Judgment is Present ...
... Book XX. Chapter 2."That in the Mingled Web of Human Affairs God's Judgment
is Present, Though It Cannot Be Discerned. In this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 that in the mingled.htm

1 Corinthians ii. 12
... by them; the natural man receiveth not the things of God, for they are foolishness
unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xvii 1 corinthians ii.htm

There is Another Trinity in the Memory of Him who Thinks Over ...
... For it is not possible to do in this case, as with the sense that is formed from
without (which is easily discerned from the sensible body, and again the will ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 there is another trinity.htm

Wherefore it Now Remains to Consider, in what Manner we Ought not ...
... to be or to have been such in this life that seems to me not to be true: not that
in this life no truth at all can be found that can be discerned by the mind ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 25 wherefore it now.htm

After all this You Dare to Say in Your Apology, that You are not ...
... been raised, I wished to reply to their works, and with this object I read what
each of them had to say in Origen's behalf; and then I discerned clearly that ...
/.../23 after all this you.htm

Out of Sectarian Confusion
... While out walking one day the next summer after he discerned the one body,
he fell into conversation with a man about the Scriptures. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xii out of sectarian.htm

Eighth Tractate. Why Distant Objects Appear Small.
... reduced when the form reaches us but faintly " for in sound the hearing is concerned
only about the form; magnitude is not discerned except incidentally. ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate why distant objects.htm

Open Sins
... further glimpse into the terrible possibilities which attach even to a servant of
God, and we have in our text these three things"a danger discerned, a help ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/open sins.htm

Argument. In the Former Books an Exposition Has Been Given of the ...
... I. Of the marks of the Church, or the means by which the Church may be discerned,
since it is necessary to cultivate unity with the Church. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/argument in the former books.htm

A Fulfilled Aspiration
... 'So that I may finish my course,' said he wistfully; whilst before him there lay
dangers clearly discerned and others that had all the more power over the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a fulfilled aspiration.htm

Discerned (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Discerned (17 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 2:15 but the
spiritual discerns all things, and he is discerned of no one. (DBY YLT). ...
/d/discerned.htm - 11k

Discern (49 Occurrences)
... It may simply mean "observe" (bin), "I discerned among the youths" (Proverbs 7:7);
or discriminating knowlege, "A wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment ...
/d/discern.htm - 22k

Youths (28 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 7:7 I saw among the simple ones. I discerned among the youths a young
man void of understanding, (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV). ...
/y/youths.htm - 14k

Vest (11 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Genesis 37:33 And he discerned it, and said, It is my son's vest! an evil
beast has devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces! (DBY). ...
/v/vest.htm - 11k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... Christ. (WEY). 1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we discerned ourselves, we
wouldn't be judged. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Josephus
... At the capital, he also discerned the power of the Romans and, in all probability,
grew convinced of the hopelessness of armed revolt. ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

Flavius
... At the capital, he also discerned the power of the Romans and, in all probability,
grew convinced of the hopelessness of armed revolt. ...
/f/flavius.htm - 13k

Foolishness (30 Occurrences)
... Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are
foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned...
/f/foolishness.htm - 15k

Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 7:7 And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among
the youths, A young man void of understanding, (See JPS). ...
/t/thoughtless.htm - 10k

Tobiah (14 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 6:12 I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this
prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. ...
/t/tobiah.htm - 13k

What is spiritual blindness? | GotQuestions.org

What is natural revelation? | GotQuestions.org

The closed canon'what are the implications? | GotQuestions.org

Discerned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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