Unfortunately, what some call a spirit of discernment might simply be a critical spirit. It becomes easy to take the spiritual high ground—judge and condemn and label and categorize people—because the “gift” entitles them to do so. Hence, the Bible’s warnings against unrighteously judging and condemning somehow don’t apply to them…On the other hand, I can think of a number of people who I believe do have the gift of discernment, but they humbly demonstrate that discernment, rather than talking about it.

I read comments from someone who thought they had the gift of discernment and lamented that no one talks much about this spiritual gift. I agree that it’s often avoided. This might be in part because many spiritual gifts, such as teaching, giving, encouraging, and serving, seem simpler to understand. And it might be in part because this is a sensitive subject to address with those who feel they have this gift, which is described in 1 Corinthians 12:10 as “the ability to distinguish between spirits.”

I have discovered that often, when people tell me they have the gift of discernment, instead of having a clear understanding of what biblical discernment refers to (distinguishing between what’s good and evil), they have total confidence their opinion is the correct one. Because they are identifying God as the source of their gift, their position, in their thinking, is unassailable. In essence, their opinion is God’s opinion.

Now, if that conclusion comes from careful study of the Word and consultation with wise brothers and sisters in Christ, they may have reason for some (though not total) confidence. But when they reason simply from their “gift of discernment,” I admit I am suspicious. In several cases, I have thought the person who says, “I have the gift of discernment” is like the person who says, “I’m always the smartest person in the room.”

The Danger of Pride

“Discernment” to some people means they know what is right and true, and most people don’t. Other Christians may have studied the Bible more, prayed more, and come to their conclusion after many more hours of thought and study and life experience, but this usually doesn’t concern the person who thinks they have the gift of discernment. Why? Because they believe that even without the research, prayer, discussions, and life experience, and with no skill at self-correction, God has given them the gift to know what is true and what is not. 

I’ve heard people mention that their gift of discernment often recognizes pride in other people. Personally, I have found that sometimes the one who is confident they have the gift of discernment may be most prone to pride. What can be more prideful than believing you can immediately and always see truth? (Obviously it’s possible to be humble or proud with any gift. I’ve just seen apparent pride more often with those certain they have the gift of discernment.)

To such people everything is black and white; there is no gray. These are often those who do not practice Romans 14–15, because issues such as what day to worship and whether or not to eat meat are already settled in their minds. They are on one side or the other. But the whole point of Romans 14–15 is there are people on both sides of some second- and third-level issues who can equally please God.

I cannot think of a single spiritual gift that people have told me they have more often than discernment. Not that I hear it all the time; maybe just a few times a year, but cumulatively I’ve heard many people say it. Who else is coming up and declaring that they have a particular gift, and therefore, we should take more seriously what they are saying? Shouldn’t we take what people say and evaluate it with biblical wisdom, whether or not they claim to have a particular gift of teaching, prophecy, word of wisdom, or discernment of spirits?

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