Practicing Discernment
February 22, 2026
INTRODUCTION
Discernment: the process and ability of evaluating the quality of something
Process: a means by which we evaluate something
Ability: skill that is developed through time and practice
Decisions impact destiny:
Humans: ability to be deceived and distracted (2 Cor. 4:4, 11:14-15)
KEY POINT: Better discernment leads to better decisions
TEXT: John 14:16-17
- We don’t journey through life alone
As followers of Jesus: we do not journey through life alone…
God is with us, His Spirit lives in us: He is a dynamic helper no matter where we are or what we are going through
- God wants to be involved in our moments
Spirit given to help us live the life we were created for
- GUIDE: provide direction
- TEACH: provide insight that we might glorify God, reflect Jesus, and grow spiritually
- CONVICT: warning lights about sin, righteousness and judgment
- COMFORT: calm our hearts and steady our souls as we live in a broken world and deal with brokenness
- EMPOWER: enables us to accomplish the Divine purpose with our lives
- Growing our spiritual sensitivity increases our missional impact
Wants to speak into our moments to lead us into His purpose
Divine moments, Divine appointments, Divine opportunities
Practicing Discernment:
- Asking the Question
What God up to in this moment?
- Sensitizing our Hearts
Dealing with Sin: Sin desensitizes
Quieting our hearts in his presence
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Evaluating our Hearing (1 Thess. 5:19-22)
“Test the Spirit”
Scripture (Heb. 6:12) and Mature People (Acts 15:28)
- Growing our love (Php. 1:9-10)
For God and Others
RESPONSE: Lord, help us be aware of what you are speaking in the midst of our moments
