1) Learning to Listen to God
The first proposition we begin with here is that God does speak to people, that is, he does communicate by some means and is fully involved in the life of each person.
2) Discernment Must Be Learnt
We come to know God’s voice by coming to know God. Discernment, then, is getting to know a person.
3) Discernment Involves Making a Choice
The word “discern” itself means to exercise judgement. With discernment, we are always faced with a simple choice: is it God acting or not?
5) Presuppositions for Discernment
You must desire to do God’s will.
You must be open to God at the moment of discerning.
You must know what God is like.
You must be a person who prays.
6) Hallmarks of a discerner
Humble
Charitable
Courageous
7) What is discerned must be consistent with what God has said previously
8) The Three Ways of Making A Choice
Revelation
Reasoning
Discernment
9) Discernment involves the whole person
Our feelings
Our intellect
Our will
Although the pointers of discernment provided by Brian Incigneri are very applicable, I believe that discerning shouldn't be so technical. He rightly points out that discerning is like getting to know a friend and we can therefore tell if the decisions made by the person is in character with the person or not. Expanding on that analogy, I don't think we conciously have a check list at hand in getting to know someone better.
I also disagree with Brian Incigneri on certain points. He says, "Discernment is the art of knowing when it is God acting upon or speaking to us, and when it is not. This art can only be learned by trial and error ... Yet we will never recognise the voice of God with absolute clarity, and anyone who claims to hear God clearly and with certainty should be avoided — they have not even begun to know spiritual realities if they make such a claim." (Italics by author). I rather dare to be confident with certain decisions and directions that I discern from the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Perhaps we're too caught up in trying to 'get it right' that we forget to engage with who we're trying to discern. 1 Kings 3 reminded me that we can simply ask for discernment the way Soloman did in verses 9-12.
I also disagree with Brian Incigneri on certain points. He says, "Discernment is the art of knowing when it is God acting upon or speaking to us, and when it is not. This art can only be learned by trial and error ... Yet we will never recognise the voice of God with absolute clarity, and anyone who claims to hear God clearly and with certainty should be avoided — they have not even begun to know spiritual realities if they make such a claim." (Italics by author). I rather dare to be confident with certain decisions and directions that I discern from the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Perhaps we're too caught up in trying to 'get it right' that we forget to engage with who we're trying to discern. 1 Kings 3 reminded me that we can simply ask for discernment the way Soloman did in verses 9-12.
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
So, just come as you are, and ask. And I believe that as long as we come in the right spirit, everything will fall into place.
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