discerning through scripture
I think we all know that the scriptures are important to us.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”
As Wholehearted followers of Jesus Christ, we turn to the scriptures for this list of benefits described to us by Timothy. But when we begin to talk about Discerning through scripture, we are moving beyond teaching.
“There is a difference between knowledge of scripture and discernment through scripture.”
The teaching of scripture is what the scriptures have to say to all of us. The scriptures are timeless, and will not change.
Discerning through scripture is what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Discernment is immediate. Right now, in this moment.
The writer of Hebrews put it this way.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ”
Notice the word “discerning”. The scriptures are discerning your thoughts, and the intentions of your heart, right at the moment that you are reading them. As you read the scriptures, the scriptures are reading you. But this only happens if we allow it, practice it, take time for it.
There are two practices of discerning scripture that are captured in God’s advice to Joshua.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
- Joshua 1:8
1. Read Scripture Every Day
God’s advice is to meditate on scripture “day and night”. This can be as simple as reading a portion of scripture in the morning, and then meditating on it through the day.
Meditating is a practice of discernment. It engages your thoughts with scripture, and allows the scripture to discern your thoughts. The Holy Spirit will initiate a conversation in your thoughts. Learn to recognize his voice.
2. Do What it Says
Not only does the scripture discern our thoughts, but it discerns the intentions of our hearts. The Holy Spirit will guide you to correction, or encourage you to every good work. But your choice is to obey or not obey. You alone determine the intentions of your heart.
Notice that God even went so far as to suggest we need to “be careful” to obey. Don’t be fooled by thinking that “reading” scripture and thinking about scripture is enough. We must be careful about the intentions of our heart, to do what it says.
After meditating on the scripture, it is a good idea to write down your discernments and intentions.
What did the Holy Spirit say to me from the scripture this morning?
What will I do today in response to what I read this morning?
At the end of the day, you can read this same scripture, and your journal entry, and ask, “Was I careful do what I intended to do?”
Let’s be honest here. You will not always do what you intended. But over time, the scriptures will shape you, correct you, and train you in righteousness. You are establishing a way of life, and as God promised to Joshua, then you will be prosperous and successful.
