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A Summary on How to Discern the Gift of Discernment

A Summary on How to Discern the Gift of Discernment

Last updated on: July 15, 2026 at 12:00 pm by Lee Ann B. Marino

A Summary on How to Discern the Gift of Discernment 2026-06-10T16:14:28-04:00 Lee Ann B. Marino

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Many years ago, God spoke a simple word to me about the gift of discernment: “Discernment is the gift of ‘knowing better.'” In these few words, God echoed the essence of discernment, how it works, and why it matters. The gift of discernment is one of knowledge and wisdom. It is, in its essence, the gift of recognizing certain things and knowing the truth behind what may appear, what may seem to be, or what may look a certain way. The bottom line of discernment: it is a ministry of truth (Psalm 119:125, Proverbs 3:21, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 28:11).

For many years I walked in the gift of discernment and I didn’t realize what it was. I used to call it “a knowing.” I would be present somewhere where everything appeared to say one thing, but I would have a gnawing knowing deep down within that told me something else. Not knowing much about discernment, I didn’t understand what it was. We speak much on healing, faith, and “getting a word,” but not as much about this very grown-up spiritual gift. What is discernment, and how does it work?

A hand reaching up to a lit lightbulb

Photo by Luca Nardone: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-white-light-bulb-3651820/

Discernment: a ministry of the Holy Spirit

Discernment is, first and foremost, a ministry of the Holy Spirit. John 14:26 says:

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)

If the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, we are able to discern what’s true from what’s false by that same Spirit. It’s not a spooky, ethereal thing, but practical in everyday life. As the Holy Spirit inspires Scripture, so we recognize the truth of the Holy Spirit in the interpretation, guidance, and reading of Scripture. It also means we know what is true by Scripture. The ministry of discernment makes the ministry of the Holy Spirit alive and active in our lives. When we are in situations that raise questions, it is the Spirit that brings the word of truth to our recall (John 17:17, 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Identifying truth

Let’s discuss the matter of truth a little deeper. The ministry of discernment is about discerning truth in every situation. It also tells us about error, which is the opposite of truth. In identifying truth, we also identify error. Through discernment, we have the ability to discern all types of error: those pertaining to doctrine, those pertaining to our spiritual lives, and those pertaining to our everyday lives…because they are all connected.

In Matthew 12:25, it says Jesus knew the thoughts of the Pharisees and leaders. This wasn’t telepathy; this was discernment! As the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), discernment was a practical part of His everyday interactions. It wasn’t just about doctrine, but also knowing who walked among Him, who was for Him, and who was against Him. When we walk in discernment, we can do the same, knowing who is for us, against us, and who to trust and who not to trust.

Spiritual things can sound complicated.When it comes to identifying truth, we sometimes get lost because whoever presents information doesn’t break the topic down into “bite-sized” informational pieces. When we examine truth – whether in a situation, a spiritual directive, or an interaction – discernment helps us break down complicated matters and make them more practical. For this reason, discernment is amazing! We don’t have to question everything all the time; God gives us the ability simply to “know” as needed. With discernment, we don’t have to memorize the whole Bible, carry around a Bible commentary, or constantly text or message people for interpretation. When matters arise, issues arise, spirits arise, problems arise…God gives us the ability to know.

Discernment of spirits

Discernment is most often associated with discerning spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). Applying discernment as a gift of “knowing better,” discernment allows an individual to know when a spirit is of God or is not of God. This is a broad category: it applies to the words people speak over us, spoken or written prophetic revelation, the interactions of a person who claims to be of God, and the spirit that may need to be cast out of someone.

Discerning of spirits also has a broader application: it is, simply put, discerning spirits. It is being able to identify what a spirit is, from the Holy Spirit to Beelzebub. Discerning spirits helps the church remain clean; know what needs being cast out and when; and what type of spirit is present in what person, church, ministry, etc. It also helps identify order and disorder. Discerning of spirits is, therefore, essential to all facets of ministry: apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral, teaching, deliverance, healing, interpretation, and beyond. Every call, every facet of ministry can benefit from the ability to discern spirits. When we can identify a spirit, we can rightly assess how to handle or deal with that spirit.

Discerning true and false leaders

Jesus tells us:

Watch out that no one deceives you. (Matthew 24:4, NIV)

See: I have told you ahead of time. (Matthew 24:25, NIV)

These words come right before and after prophecies about false leaders, people who will work miracles, and will be false christs, leaders, and messiahs to come. What does this tell us? The gift of discernment is not just for leaders, but is available to every one of us in the body of Christ. Beyond this fact, it is something that the church, as a whole, is called to develop. Through those with this gift, the entire Christian community is made strong and well-directed in truth. If we go against something we know, by discernment, to be true, we will have to be accountable for that. Discernment lets us know when a leader is false or true and we are called to stand on that discernment. With discernment, there is no excuse for following a false leader!

Practical wisdom about matters of revelation

Revelation is an awesome thing. I describe it as God “turning the light on.” Revelation is a great power in the life if a believer, because it is a form of Logos word. Jesus Himself is the Logos, the ultimate revelation God in and of Himself (John 1:1-14). This means every revelation we receive points us, in some way, back to Christ.

That having been said…not every thought, feeling, opinion, or even lesson we receive from God is “revelation.” There are also different types of revelation. Some revelation is private, and pertains to us as people. God might give it to us to help us grow, get us through a difficult situation, or to correct us about something. In these situations, the matters are so specific and personal to us, the revelation might not seem so revelatory to someone else. Then there is revelation that is meant to be shared with everyone: a message, teaching, a personal experience that’s made universal, or a word for right now. Then there are areas of revelation that are meant to be shared at some time, just not right at the moment. Figuring out what is for when is, you guessed it: a matter of discernment.

Learning what is true and what is error, what is right, and what is wrong

Discernment is a practical gift, which means it applies in everyday situations. We tend to talk about discernment in terms of spirits, but discernment also applies to knowing when something is right or wrong as well as knowing when something being done or said to us is right or wrong. Does someone just not seem right to you, but you can’t explain it? Are you being lied to? Is someone working witchcraft around you? Are you dealing with spirits of control and manipulation? Is someone praying for you and your benefit? Do you see God working for you in a situation? All of these “knowing senses” are discernment working practically in your life and helping you to “walk with God” on a daily basis (Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24, Genesis 6:9, Jeremiah 7:23).

Helps us know when we are hearing from God and when we are not

It’s easy to be swayed by the opinions of those around us. Sometimes the holiest people tell us they have a “word from God” on our behalf that’s nothing more than personal opinions or advice. We must be careful about accepting the advice of others as the word of God because sometimes advice or opinions – no matter how good they may be, how good their intentions seem, or how much we like what they say – can divert us from God’s purpose.

We all want to hear we won’t go through anything, suffer, deal with problems, and encounter stress. Hearing that our victory or breakthrough is nigh sends us cheering. That also means many feed our desire to hear certain things right back to us. Sometimes people tell us things and we know it’s God. At other times, somewhere inside, we know it’s not God. That’s discernment working within us to remain with God rather than hoping for something that isn’t for us or out of His timing.

How to conduct ourselves in different situations

I’ve heard people say they wish that God would just tell them how to behave in every situation. My answer: “Get some discernment and you’ll know what to do in every situation!” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us:

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. (NIV)

Knowing what to do

It is by the gift of discernment that we learn when it is time to do what: be silent, speak, what to let live, what to kill, plant, uproot, heal, tear down, build, weep, laugh, mourn, dance, scatter, gather, embrace, refrain, search, give up, keep, throw away, tear, mend, love, hate, war, and peace. All things mentioned therein are a part of life. In fact, if we truly discern Ecclesiastes 3, it lists different phases of discernment throughout life that every single one of us will face.

The Bible doesn’t give us a road map of conduct in every situation. Discernment governs how we approach each situation as we walk with the Holy Spirit. Discernment proves that our walk with God is life-long; it is a process; and it doesn’t begin and end because we end one phase of life or start another one.

How to witness and support others

In modern times, our assignment is to get out there and tell others about Jesus. We aren’t told how to do it, or to read the needs people might have. Are we doing things the right way? Following the example of the Lord, Jesus didn’t “witness” the same way to everyone. Some He spoke with at length, some He healed, some He was downright sarcastic with, and others He was compassionate. Jesus’ witness with the twelve disciples (who later became apostles) was radically different than His witness to a blind man, to the woman caught in adultery, or to the Pharisees. Why? Jesus discerned a need for different interactions as a witness with these different people.

Doing things differently

Not everyone wants to hear the story of what God did for you in your life. Nobody wants to hear all the things you think are wrong with them because they aren’t like you. Some people do need to hear your story…just not right away. Others need a hug, some compassion, and an empathetic ear. Some have questions that merit real answers, not those from a tract in 1990.

Discernment operates as we walk in touch with the Spirit to recognize bringing people to know the Lord isn’t a cosmic poker tournament. This is about reaching souls in need. We are here to show others that God is real and He still meets needs, even today. The same is true in our support of other believers. We all operate in love, but the way I may need people to show me they love and care about me may be radically different than the way someone else needs to see love among other believers. As we walk in the Spirit, we can see ways we can encourage others, love others, bring others to the Lord, and stand stronger as the Body of Christ.

Identify and walk in our calling, and know how we can be most productive in our calling

The Bible identifies a variety of gifts that don’t just operate on Sunday morning in a comfortable church setting. Discernment guides us in what to do for God. Whether it’s in church leadership, ministry, an unconventional call, work in the world, or work in both, the gifts God gives us shakes up, stirs up, and steps on toes. Without discernment, we can fall into a calling that is not us and, in the process, away from where we are most effective in God’s work. With the gift of discernment, we know what we are good at, what we need to develop better, and how God is working all things together for our good, as the called according to His promise (Romans 8:28).

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About Lee Ann B. Marino

Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D. (”The Spitfire”) is “everyone’s favorite theologian” leading Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z as apostle of SAFE Ministries. Her work encompasses study and instruction on leadership training and development, typology, Pneumatology, conceptual theology, Ephesians 4:11 ministry, and apostolic theology. She is author of over thirty-five books, host of the top twenty percentile podcast Kingdom Now, and serves as founder and overseer of Sanctuary International Fellowship Tabernacle - SIFT and Chancellor of Apostolic Covenant Theological Seminary. Dr. Marino has over twenty-five years of experience in ministry, leadership, counseling, mentoring, education, and business. You can read more about the author here.

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