In Episode 209 we continue our Leadership & series with Leadership & Discernment. Discernment is an often overlooked and underutilized tool in a leader’s repertoire. Merriam-Webster partially defines discernment as the ability to “detect with senses other than vision.”

In 1 Cor. 12:10, the Apostle Paul tells us discernment is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Finely tuned discernment can become one of a leader’s best friends. It can spare you heartache. Save you time. Protect the people you lead and serve.

 

 

Three ways how discernment helps:

 

1. Discernment offers protection – Discernment helps leaders see the wolves in sheep’s clothing that could infiltrate their church.

 

2. Discernment helps us give guidance – When we tune into what the Holy Spirit is up to, we can give wise counsel and sound guidance to complicated or painful situations.

 

3. Discernment assists in vision casting – When you are leading an organization, it is impossible to know with 100% certainty what the future holds. But God knows. He can lead and guide you as you share what lies ahead for your church. Proverbs 29:18 says, “…where there is no vision, the people perish.”

 

Four practical ways we can hone discernment:

1. Ask God – In Matthew 7:7-12, Jesus instructs us to ask God for help. He tells us God is a good father who does not withhold good gifts from us. Ask God to help you develop your shepherd’s radar. He will help you.

 

2. Keep asking – When you are in regular, frequent, ongoing communication with God, you’re more likely to sense when He’s giving you a moment of discernment.

 

3. Read – Often we overcomplicate things when seeking discernment, when it’s literally screaming from the pages of the Bible. His Word still speaks.
4. Get quiet before the Lord – We live in a noisy world. Quiet is countercultural. Be countercultural.

 

Sometimes, we need to ignore what is raging all around us and listen for the small, quiet voice of the Lord to help us discern the next right step, the correct thing to do in a circumstance, or the integrity of an individual (or a lack thereof).