Can man have discernment?

1. 48

   Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

   Can man have discernment?
   
   Someone just told me that only the Holy Spirit has discernment. That is something that I was never unclear on. Man must strive for discernment. Man is capable of discernment. Discernment is not the same as being judgmental. Discernment is more than just intellectualizing but rather a blend of soul and mind. Am I wrong on this?

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2. 51

   Norine Williamsposted 8 years ago

   IF you BELIEVE, JESUS DOESN'T LIE!
   
   Here we are back to where we "originally" started:  Physical vs Spiritual!  I don't know what "Christians" think the Bible is, but Scripture says "IT is GOD!"  John 1:1 says "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with GOD and the WORD was GOD!"  II Timothy 3:16 says the Bible "is the inspired WORD of GOD..."  and is why I keep asking "Why do you say it's *me* talking when I ONLY quote HIS WORD?"
   
   Again, being a "CHRISTian" is a Christ Follower (Believer) or a Disciple of Christ!  Therefore, since we "proclaim" Christianity, we MUST "BELIEVE" and have FAITH in what HE HAS SAID!  This is a "SPIRITUAL" journey as a CHRISTIAN!  Romans 8:8 tells us "They that are in the flesh (physical) CANNOT please GOD!"  John 4:23-24 tells us "They that worship "MUST" worship in "SPIRIT" and in Truth!"  So you can forget "your" understanding, intellect, judgment," (Proverbs 3:5) etc and HUMBLE yourself (II Chronicles 7:14) under the Mighty Power of GOD or you will NEVER receive the HELP Promised from the Holy Spirit!
   
   In John 14:26 JESUS SAID "..the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send IN MY NAME (JESUS), HE shall TEACH YOU "ALL" THINGS..."  What part of that do you not BELIEVE?  If not, are you REALLY a BELIEVER?  Hebrews 4:12-13 says "The WORD of GOD is quick, and POWERFUL, and SHARPER THAN A TWO-EDGED SWORD (which eliminates man's definition of "natural" love), piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and IS A DISCERNER of the thoughts and intents of the heart!"  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but ALL things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do."  Did you hear? WE have the Spirit of discernment from the Holy Spirit and NOTHING can get past for "ALL things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do!"  What a "BENEFIT!"
   
   Now if one is using "man's definition" of discernment, what a chore to try and analyze using "mind and soul" for correct "judgment!"  See what you guys are missing?  Who would you rather serve, "man" or GOD?  That should be an easy one!  Or do you wish to continue "sweating?"
   
   "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take my yoke upon you, AND LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For my yoke is EASY and my burden is LIGHT" (Matthew 11:28-30)!
   
   But you can't BELIEVE in "TWISTED" doctrine

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   1. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry Norine, but we, us humans, use words to communicate. Sure we can do it other ways like hand gestures. Language is what we use normally. You do not make any sense to the question. You really believe man has no discernment? Try driving without.

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   2. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eric even in "driving a car" HE tells one to go in diff direction than usual to avoid accident! Ex: I recently had a discussion w/Muslim (which I no NOTHING about) & prayed for guidance. The IGNORANT gave verse fm Qu'ran said Allah NEVER "created

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   3. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I get it Norine -- Jesus is your co-pilot.

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   4. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      NO! 
      HE'S my Pilot!

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   5. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Just to be safe Norine I suggest that you hold on to the wheel and keep your foot near the brakes. Oh and I hope you got Him a license and insurance.

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   6. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Go ahead!  Be facetious toward GOD!  He "sees" you!
      How much more are you going to chalk up to be judged on when you "stand before the judgment seat of Christ?"  Why keep adding onto?
      You think you're cute? You think GOD doesn't see?

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   7. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norine you make mockery of God for you claim to speak for Him and yet people laugh at you and do not take you seriously. You think that is your martyrdom and that makes it even more humorous -- albeit kind of sad.

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   8. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If you recall, didn't they say that of JESUS (Jn 5:18)?
      If I give WORD & GOD is WORD (Jn 1:1) & u don't BELIEVE, that is what's "SAD!"

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3. 61

   Blessed Hillposted 8 years ago

   Great question. I believe we all have discernment to one degree or another. I think there are 2 spheres of discernment: natural and spiritual discernment. Natural discernment we get through knowledge, education, experience and age. Spiritual discernment comes through fellowship with God. The bible talks about being able to develop spiritual discernment to the point that our 5 senses are trained to discern spiritual things. For example smelling something foul when a demon is present, seeing angels, hearing the audible voice of God etc.
   Discernment is vital to every day life.

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   1. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Blessed, I had this Jewish mentor once that taught me that upon spiritual growth there is good news and bad news. You feel things more but you feel things more. I have been blissing out after meditation and prayer and been spooked by stuff.

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   2. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes "you feel thgs more but you feel thgs more" as I!  I feel peace, joy, happiness because GOD'S "got my back" but I feel sorry (compassion) for those who don't BELIEVE! O what "BENEFITS" they miss! Besides eternal life we'll see GOD! Hallelujah!

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   3. 61

      Blessed Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eric I know what you mean. I completely identify with Paul when he talks about thorn in the flesh. You recve awesome revelation from God, give someone a word of encouragement, pray and some1 is healed. Then Armageddon seems to break out in Ur life.

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   4. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      SATAN is ALWAYS on his job (Jn 10:10)!
      Look @ how MOST attack me & I ONLY GIVE WORD!
      Scripture turned to I Pet 1:22-25! HALLELUJAH!  I turned again to Rev 13:5-9;14:12-13!
      "Sufferings" for CHRIST="REWARDS" hereafter! Bring it on!
      Thank you JESUS

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4. 87

   Jodahposted 8 years ago

   Eric, I was always taught that the gift of "discernment" was one of the spiritual gifts loyal followers could be bestowed with. Never had I heard it was solely for use by the Holy Spirit.

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   1. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Do u know who the Holy Spirit is? JESUS! Jn 14:26 "IN MY NAME?"  Want to see HOW HE uses IT? Acts 1:2 "After HE ascended HE through the Holy Spirit (SELF) gave commandments to the apostles HE had "CHOSEN!" Paul was "CHOSEN!"  Are u "CHOSEN?"

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   2. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      John, we will leave this out for awhile. Your belief follows mine. But who knows? Maybe we will learn something old.

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   3. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eric, yes man has discernment but you elaborated on the Holy Spirit's Discernment making it a Spiritual question & Holy Spirit's job re: Discernment is in Jn 14:26 "teach you ALL things!"
      AGAIN-Spirit v carnal!

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   4. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well Norine that is completely opposite of your earlier proclamation. Was this a new revelation? You only speak truth -- How can truth change?

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   5. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Man have "D"? was Q!
      YOU LIE!
      I addressed "Spirit" v "carnal" in initial resp said 2 sep thgs!
      U act like Scribes & Pharisees LIARS!

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   6. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well NOrine you do make one point crystal clear. Not everyone receives the gift of discernment. Some are left merely to parrot thoughts and have none of their own. And then when they try they remove all doubt if they have discernment.

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   7. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "Some" follow WORD ("parroting")! 
      Isaiah 8:20 says "If they speak not according to THIS WORD there is no light in them..."  WELL?
      Wonder why others are "without" Holy Spirit "Discernment?"

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   8. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Would you like a cracker Norine?

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   9. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      GOD will reward w/better than "cracker!" 
      Is 8:20 "...if they speak not according to THIS WORD, there is NO LIGHT in them!"

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5. 53

   celafoeposted 8 years ago

   Eric-      You have told me so I know  you do not believe that a Christian  has to be able to back up ALL his beliefs with scripture, in context.   This is simply not true.    Yes man has a natural discernment that usually is used to be judgemental.    True discernment comes from God through the Holy Spirit.   Jer 17:9   "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
       YOU said “Discernment is more than just intellectualizing but rather a blend of soul and mind. Am I wrong on this?   YES YOU ARE WRONG
   It appears you believe and live 2 lives, 1 spiritual and 1 secular.       A real Christ follower can only live a Holy Spirit led life in order to please God..     A Christian is a person who has repented of their sins and received forgiveness for past sins.    That then has made a commitment to follow God  as lead by the Holy Spirit, been baptized in water and baptized in the Holy Spirit.     If any of these steps is skipped then there is NOT a valid conversion.   At the moment of  a valid conversion the person is no longer a sinner but becomes a citizen of a SPIRITUAL WORD  and must no longer live a secular life.  If he does he is denying Christ.    It is impossible to live a split life and you will never be able to please God.   Matt 6:24   "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
   John 14:26-27   But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things , and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  1 Cor 2:14-16    But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.           You said “Someone just told me that only the Holy Spirit has discernment.”   They were correct if talking to someone professing to be a Christian as only the Holy Spirit of God has all truth.
   Gal 5:16-18   I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.   see  Gal 5:24-26

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   1. 61

      Blessed Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Celafoe it takes faith to please God. We all live 2 lives, at times we get it wrong at times we get it right. We are being perfected, not perfect yet. Salvation and repentance is a continual process not a once off event. Which is why there is grace.

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   2. 53

      celafoeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      bh- if you have read anything I write you know i believe it is a life work.   and I certainly teach faith is required  and walk in faith.   I live one life and if I err I quickly repent (not live 2nd life) read Mt 6:24. &b1 Cor 2:14-16

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   3. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      BH: Celafoe is RIGHT!  When 1 is "filled w/the HS "Born Again," HE leaves no desire to be "carnal" or mind the thgs of the flesh!" One who cont to use intellect, logic /reasoning displays they have not been "Born Again!" We know them by their fruit!"

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   4. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Very funny Norine. You are perfect? Wow you have totally left carnal? You have no earthly pleasures? I would hate to be your husband. You totally would be incapable of pleasing me in the flesh. What a bummer for both of you - but you will receive.

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   5. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      NO ONE is "perfect!" Did u READ the Scriptures Celafoe gave? Think "Spiritual" @ all times sex 2 HE SAID "bed undefiled!" When u thk of ALL HE'S done, how can u not, "Walk in the Spirit?" HE DIED FOR US; now die for HIM by giving up "self!"

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      Blessed Hillposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Awesome Celafoe. Us as believers need to have a lot more grace working in and through us. That's what I believe the Spirit lead life is all about. More grace more goodness for its the goodness of God that leads to repentance.

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   7. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Celafoe I can "feel" but stuck in Trinity thinking (Father & Son v ONE SPIRIT) & "no women preachers!" We still haven't discussed "NO COMMUNION" based on HEBREWS but he lives AFTER THE DAY OF PENTECOST baptizing in Jesus' Name and knows GRACE

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6. 73

   word55posted 8 years ago

   Discernment is the art or skill of deciphering a situation in order to determine the right from wrong or justification of it. It can be natural or spiritual. It doesn’t matter from which standpoint. However, from the spiritual standpoint it is easiest. So yes, man can have discernment after being educated, experienced and especially spiritual.

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   1. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It matters especially if (as you said) "spiritual easier!"
      Last comment went "carnal!" You mix? Can't do!
      GOD RELIGION KILLS!

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      celafoeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      w- what foolishness you espouse.  the man's discernment is NO substitute for discernment of God for Christians.  nice church system fence straddling makes you unstable in all your ways

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   3. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That's the way MOST "straddle fence" when it comes to LAW and GRACE! RELIGION has not "taught" New Covenant nor Gal 4:4-You can't MIX OLD & NEW! I'm so sorry for MOST - RELIGION KILLS!

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      celafoeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      w- in ALL things a real Christ follower MUST ADHERE TO SCRIPTURE and FOLLOW CHRIST.   John 6:38-39   38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 
      NKJV

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   5. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well spoken as always Mr. Word. It seems we are not told truths but learn them. For some, there is a stark border wall between the parts of themselves. I wonder why when young the spiritual may be the hardest but with wisdom it because the easiest.

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   6. 51

      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Because WORD doesn't LIE! Jn21:18 "When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not"

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7. 55

   Reluctant Revivalposted 8 years ago

   Man alone cannot have proper discernment. Only with the Holy Spirit, can man have proper discernment.

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   1. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Really. I think I can discern how close to drive behind the guy in front of me. I can discern what foods are bad for me like Sodium Benzoate. My atheist buddy an MD can discern what medications to give his patients. You wrote the comment not the HS.

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   2. 57

      KingdomComeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eric- I believe you take great joy of taking what people say and twisting it out of context. You've been doing that a lot lately.

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