In our world today, it’s harder than ever to know what or who to believe because of the increase in false prophets and fake apostles. Do you want to learn how to be a discerning believer?
If you’re tired of being tossed about by every spiritual trend, it’s time to strengthen the foundation of your faith. Becoming a discerning believer is not optional. It’s important to live a life aligned with God’s will.
A discerning spirit seeks guidance from the Holy Spirit and measures everything against the wisdom of Scripture. This protects you from being swayed by temporary trends or false teachings.
In this article, we’ll look into 9 ways on how to be a discerning believer and give insights to sharpen your spiritual discernment.
If you want to protect your faith from bad influences while strengthening your walk with God. Learning to be a discerning believer is the answer. Here are 9 ways on how to be a discerning believer;
1. Feed Yourself With The Word Of God
The world is moving faster these days. Everywhere you turn, there are different opinions, beliefs, and doctrines.
How are we supposed to know what’s true, what’s good, and what path is right for us as followers of Christ? One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to feed yourself with the word of God.
A discerning believer is someone who can sort through the confusion and make sound judgments based on God’s principles.
If you want to have that level of clarity in your life, you need to sit down with the word of God and make it your companion.
God’s Word teaches you to go about with your life and helps you make decisions that honour Him and bring you closer to His purpose for your life.
When you digest the teachings of Jesus, the stories of the Old Testament, and the wisdom of the apostles.
You develop a knowledge of what’s godly and ungodly. You begin to recognise God’s voice amidst all the others. The Bible talks about this transformation.
Hebrews 5:14 says, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
By constantly feeding on God’s Word, you train yourself. You become spiritually mature, able to tell the difference between what’s carnal, and edifying for you.
So, how do you feed yourself with God’s Word? Here are few ways to do that:
I. Make It A Habit: Just like you wouldn’t miss a meal, don’t miss time with God’s Word. Set aside a specific time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes.
II. Start Small: Don’t try to finish the bible in a day. Pick a book of the Bible and start with a chapter a day. There are even reading plans available online to guide you.
III. Focus On Understanding What You Read: It’s not just about reading, but also understanding. Pray, meditate, and use study resources to dig deeper.
As you press into the Word of God, you will gain clarity, wisdom, and faith. You will become a discerning believer who knows God’s will
2. Build A Fellowship With The Holy Spirit
In this world full of noise and distractions, it’s easy to lose sight of the spiritual path. As believers, we long for direction, clarity, and that deep sense of knowing the right choices.
But to find this path, we need a guide the Holy Spirit. One of the ways on how to be a discerning believer is to build a fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship means a close, ongoing relationship. And that’s precisely what God wants with us. The Holy Spirit is our helper, teacher, and most trusted counsellor (John 14:26).
Just like any relationship, building a fellowship takes time, effort, and, most importantly, open and honest communication.
He is a person, not a force, and He desires a personal connection with each of us. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit empowers us with the supernatural ability to know the will of God.
The closer we are to Him, the easier it is to understand His ways, align our thoughts with His thoughts, and recognise His still, small voice in the midst of life’s noise.
Without the Holy Spirit, we are empty. We can’t understand the things of God without partnering with the Holy Spirit.
A discerning spirit isn’t about our cleverness; it’s about walking with the One who can see everything.
Apostle Paul made this clear to us in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…”
So, how do we build this fellowship? We can build this relationship through prayer, spending time in God’s Word, and inviting His presence into our daily lives.
The more time we spend developing this relationship, the more we’ll recognise His voice, and the clearer His direction in our lives will become.
As we invest in this relationship, we will see a transformation in our spiritual walk. Discernment will become normal to us, and we will find ourselves moving with confidence, guided by the wisdom of God.
So, my encouragement to you is to make a conscious effort to connect with the Holy Spirit daily. You might be surprised how radically it changes your life.
3. Pray For Wisdom And Discernment From God
Life as a Christian can leave us confused about many things because of our need to agree with God’s will over our lives. Sometimes, it’s tough to figure out the right thing to do, to see what God wants for us.
Do I take this job, or wait for something else? Is this the person God wants me to marry? Should I relocate now or wait? Of course, it’s not that easy, but there’s a way to get the clarity we need.
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to pray for wisdom and discernment from God. To be honest, Wisdom and discernment aren’t the same.
Wisdom is that understanding of life and how to live it in God’s way. Discernment is being able to tell right from wrong, good from evil, so we can make the wisest choices.
We need both. It’s like the old saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
God wants us to learn to make decisions that honour him, and we need wisdom and discernment to make the right choice to study the Bible and to seek wise counsel from other believers.
The more we know about God’s character, the more we can align ourselves with His will. When we make seeking God’s wisdom and discernment a priority, life won’t be frustrating for us.
That doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, but we can be confident that God is in control and leading us to the best path
4. Cultivate The Gifts Of The Spirit
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to cultivate the gifts of the Spirit. Having a discerning spirit protects us from being deceived. But, more than anything, discernment helps us align our lives with God’s will.
These gifts are supernatural abilities given to us by God to serve and strengthen the church. The Bible describes a variety of spiritual gifts, including prophecy, wisdom, faith, healing, and the gift of discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12).
We’re meant to receive and use these gifts, not just for special occasions but daily, especially when things are tough. The gift of discerning spirits is good.
It helps us recognise whether a person, teaching, or situation is from God or whether there’s a deceptive spirit disguising itself like the spirit of God.
In a world where things aren’t always as accurate as they appear to be, The gift of discernment, in particular, enables us to distinguish between truth and deception, good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).
It sharpens our spiritual senses and empowers us to recognise the hidden works of the enemy. By nurturing this gift, we become more tuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit and less susceptible to the deceit of the devil.
But how do we cultivate these gifts? We don’t earn them like badges; they are freely given. We can partner with God and ask for the Holy Spirit to increase our capacity.
Let’s be diligent about cultivating the gifts of the Spirit. As we do, we can know the truth from deception.
5. Listen Carefully To What Others Say And Check If It Aligns With God’s Word
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to listen carefully to what others say and check if it aligns with God’s Word.
As believers, We need to be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
Not every idea or teaching aligns with God’s truth. We come across wrong philosophies and opinions, and we need to be careful of them.
Discernment doesn’t mean disagreeing with everyone. Being discerning means seeking God’s perspective on every matter and aligning our thoughts with His.
This doesn’t just apply to religious figures or teachers. It applies to those news headlines, our friend’s advice, social media trends, or that inspirational quote that sounds to be true. We must use discernment in everything we encounter.
This is how we protect ourselves from lies, half-truths, or ideas that appear harmless. We shouldn’t blindly accept everything we’re told, even from people with good intentions or those we admire.
So, how do we listen and discern? We can start by paying attention to the words spoken by others.
Do they promote Jesus, love and the fruits of the Spirit? Do they lead you closer to God or create distance between you and them? Most importantly, compare everything said with the truth in the Bible.
Let’s not believe everything we hear, but examine them through the lens of Scripture
6. Be Careful Of False Prophets And False Spirit
It breaks my heart to see genuine believers led astray by wrong doctrines. I understand we live in a world with voices claiming to know the truth, but we must understand how to protect our faith.
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to be careful of false prophets and false spirits.
They can appear in a variety of forms, and they have the potential to damage and mislead us from the gospel. False prophets often prey on our vulnerabilities.
They promise wealth, instant healing, or solutions to life’s problems that seem too good to be true. They manipulate emotions, elevate themselves as spiritual authorities, or isolate their followers.
Jesus Himself warned us to beware of false prophets who come to us in sheep’s clothing but are wolves (Matthew 7:15). Their goal is to deceive and destroy our faith, and lead us away from the true gospel of salvation.
To be discerning in recognising false prophets and false spirits, we must test everything against the standard of Scripture (1 John 4:1).
We should also pay attention to the fruit of their lives and ministries, as Jesus taught in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit, you will recognise them.”
It’s not wrong for you to ask questions, wrestle with doubts, and carefully examine what you hear and read. Don’t be afraid to walk away from any teaching or ministry that causes your spirit to be disturbed.
God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. Let’s use the wisdom He gives us to stay anchored to the truth and follow the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
7. Test Everything Against God’s Word
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to test everything against God’s Word. The Bible is a lamp to our feet, as the Psalmist says (Psalm 119:105).
It’s fuller with wisdom, guidance, and truth. If we want to make godly decisions and live lives that please God, we need to be feeding ourselves with His Word.
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
This means that everything the Bible teaches is essential for us to live as God designed us to.
We can’t just pick and choose the parts we agree with. We must agree with everything God’s word says.
The world will tell you, “Follow your heart” or “Do what feels right.” But the Bible encourages us to “…test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). How do we “test the spirits”? By knowing God’s Word.
The more time we commit to studying the Bible, the more we recognise ideas contradicting its teachings. How can we do this? Set aside time each day for Bible study.
Don’t rush through a chapter; pray, meditate, and let the words come alive in you. Ask God to reveal His truth and wisdom to you. Find a good study Bible or use online resources to help you break down complex passages.
Join a Bible study group where you can learn from others. The more familiar you become with the Bible, the sharper your discernment will be.
8. Be Mindful Of The Company You Keep And The Influence Of Others
As Christians walking this journey of faith, we often face challenges that could make us stumble. One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to be mindful of the company you keep and the influence of others.
The people we surround ourselves with have an impact on our thoughts, choices, and spiritual growth.
The Bible cautions us, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). It’s a call for us to be careful about who we let into our inner circle.
The company we keep plays a crucial role in shaping our character and influencing our walk with God. If you spend time with people who always complain and focus on negativity, it’s easy to fall into the same pattern.
On the other hand, surrounding yourself with those who are positive, encouraging, and rooted in faith can lift your spirits and strengthen your walk with God.
It’s important to remember that not everyone who claims to be a Christian walks in a way that honours God. Some have harmful habits, negative mindsets, or engage in sinful practices all things that can rub off on us if we’re not careful.
The book of Proverbs warns us, “The one who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20).
Discernment about the company we keep requires us to set boundaries, choose our friends carefully, and sometimes say “no” to situations or relationships that could be detrimental to our spiritual walk.
As discerning believers, we must be intentional about the company we keep. Let’s surround ourselves with people who build us up, encourage us, and inspire us to grow closer to God.
9. Surround Yourself With Believers
Growing in faith is a lonely path. The world around us often operates in ways that don’t align with what we value as Christians.
This journey we’re on requires wisdom and the ability to tell the difference between what’s good for us and what might sound good only on the surface. This is called discernment.
One of the ways how to be a discerning believer is to surround yourself with the right kind of company fellow believers. The Bible calls this kind of godly community “iron sharpening iron”: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 (NIV).
Just like a blacksmith uses one piece of iron to make the other sharper and stronger, believers can do the same for each other. We’re not supposed to do everything alone.
A community of like-minded believers creates an environment where we can grow spiritually and receive wisdom from others who understand what it means to follow Jesus.
We need to be around people who will push us forward in faith, pray with us, and hold us accountable when we need it. As the old saying goes, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
The opposite is also true: Godly company lifts us higher. So, How do we find these communities? You can find them in church groups, Bible studies, or a small group of Christian friends.
Join one and grow together. Look for opportunities to meet with other believers who have a genuine desire to walk in God’s ways.
Discerning Person Meaning
How To Have A Discerning Spirit
As believers, We need to know what’s in line with God’s will and what might pull us away from His path. That’s where having a discerning spirit comes in.
To know how to have a discerning spirit, We can develop a discerning spirit by building a personal relationship with God, grounding ourselves in the Bible, seeking wise counsel, and relying on the Holy Spirit.
The more committed you are to growing in your relationship with God and understanding His Word, the sharper your discernment will become!
How Do You Become Discerning?
As a believer, how do you become discerning? You become discerning by knowing God’s Word, prayerfully seeking His guidance and building relationships with wise mentors. God promises to give us wisdom when we ask.
So, when facing confusing choices, pray for discernment. Ask God to reveal what’s in line with His truth and what might lead you astray.
How Do You Grow In Discernment?
How do you grow in discernment? You grow in discernment by getting to know God better, fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and giving yourself to God’s word.
The more time you spend building a relationship with God through spiritual activities, the better you understand God and know His will and His ways.
Like any skill, discernment takes time to develop. Keep putting these things into practice, and you will start noticing a difference.
You will have the confidence to spot ideas that don’t align with God, and you will make wiser decisions that bring Him honour.
How To Get The Spirit Of Discernment
How do we get the spirit of discernment? To get the spirit of discernment, study God’s word, ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit, build a relationship with the Holy Spirit, ask the spirit of discernment, pray regularly, build godly friendships, seek godly counsel and develop the spirit through spiritual activities.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in discernment. As we build a relationship with Him, He begins to guide our hearts and minds, give us the ability to perceive what’s happening beneath the surface
Conclusion
In summary, Having a discerning spirit doesn’t mean that’s the end of bad influences, The forces of darkness will try to lure our hearts from God.
But by making it a daily commitment to keep sharpening our discernment with the Sword of the Spirit and relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can overcome the weapons and deceit of the devil.
Save this for later!