DISCERNMENT- How To Exercise Good Judgement!

God gives you a white cloth..the devil brings his as well. Then you get confused as to which one is really from God! Now they may physically seem the same; but let me tell you, as much as the devil imitates God, he still cannot be as perfect as Him! So even though you see two similar white clothes, they are still different and you will only be able to tell with the right discernment.

Many at times we fall prey to the devil because we pray less about our choices!

Sometimes, what looks good and sounds good isn’t God’s plan.

Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. (Ps 119:66)

 One of the things we all have to do every single day is the exercise of judgment. We take hundreds and sometimes thousands of decisions each day. Some are minor like deciding what to wear, what to eat, sit, etc and some are major like deciding what job to do, who to marry or go out with. Even the minor decisions in the long run sum up to become major decisions.

 Deciding what to eat may look harmless but in the long run it reflects on your health and wealth. 

The key issue therefore is, How can we have good judgment? I will show you how;

1. It has to be TAUGHT. This is because we do not have the natural propensity for it. It is found in the knowledge and commandments of God. Be eager to read, listen and be taught by able the Holy Spirit and  men of God.

2. We can acquire this knowledge through studying the word, by the Spirit of God and constant study of the word.

3. Good judgment comes from believing.

Your belief in the word of God will guide you more than your so called analytical calculus mind.
 Make sure you exercise good judgment with the help of the tools God has provided such as the WORD of God, men of God etc.

Today my prayer is that God will grant us His spirit of discernment so that we may be able to differentiate between things from Him and things from the devil!!      Amen

Making Wise Decisions

“It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding. He provides help and protection for those who are righteous and honest.” Proverbs 2:6-7 (GNT)

I’ll be honest; sometimes I have a hard time making decisions! (I can see it now - my husband is smiling and nodding in agreement!) It’s not that I don’t have an accurate awareness on my own likes and dislikes, it’s more about the fear of making a bad decision or feeling anxious over the potential for disapproval. On reflection, I’ve just confirmed what Pastor Rick Warren stated during a weekend service: “At the root of indecision is fear.” Fear of failure. Fear of criticism. Fear of disappointing others. The list can go on and on, unless I live with the knowledge of God’s truth: “There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear.” 1 John 4:18 (GNT) 

I make countless decisions every day! Most of them have little or no longterm impact on my life, while others may carry repercussions that can be felt for years. The key is learning to tell the difference before I pull the trigger! I should always make God my go-to guy for wise counsel in preparation for making choices - especially the life-changing variety which bear considerable consequence. 

The bible is an extensive how-to book for Christ-like living. In scripture, I am also invited to consult Him through prayer: “But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all.” James 1:5 (GNT) The more I become aware of His presence, the easier it is to instinctively make decisions that are pleasing to God and in accordance with His will. 

Has fear ever held you hostage in your decision making abilities? If so, start small - throw caution to the wind and choose a bright color for a new raincoat. At some point you’ll need a new one anyway. On the contrary, clothe your mind and your heart with the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. Decisions involving your character often last a lifetime!