Last week, we began discussing the importance of discerning leaders in government, business, and our churches.
I challenged leaders everywhere to take a hard look in the mirror. If they determined they were not discerning, I said they need to step down and make room for someone discerning.
Unfortunately, the people most in need of discernment would probably look in the mirror, not realize their lack, and continue on their merry way.
Now, if you are one of the folks that looked in the mirror and admitted to yourself that you are not as discerning as you would like to be, take heart! Most of us, myself included, can learn to be more discerning.
After all, the newspaper does not declare a 7-lb 6-oz discerning baby was born today! While some people seem naturally more discerning, there is hope for the rest of us to learn to be more discerning!
6 Habits of a Discerning Leader
In his book, Reckless Faith, author John MacArthur describes six essential habits of a Godly discerning leader.
1. Desire Wisdom
Acquiring discernment does not come by accident or through osmosis. Discernment comes when we actively seek it.
“For if you cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:3-6).
God has promised to give us His wisdom when we seek it.
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
With God’s wisdom comes the knowledge and understanding needed to be discerning.
2. Pray for Discernment
God promised to give us wisdom if we ask, so the second step on the discernment journey is to ask God in prayer.
When Solomon became king, God asked him what he wanted, and Solomon unselfishly asked for the wisdom to discern between good and evil as he governed God’s people.
“So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings 3:9).
God was so pleased with Solomon’s request for discernment that He also gave Solomon a long life and personal prosperity.
3. Obey the Truth
Despite Solomon’s desire for an understanding, discerning heart, he immediately disobeyed God by taking foreign wives (1 Kings 3:1).
Solomon’s partial obedience to God continued throughout his life, eventually turning away from God.
“For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been” (1 Kings 11:4).
No matter how much knowledge we have, failure to obey God demonstrates a lack of discernment. We must, as James says, “be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).
4. Follow Discerning Leaders
Author Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
I agree. We all become like the people we spend time with. So, to become more discerning, we first need to try to follow other leaders who demonstrate discernment in their lives.
Second, we must avoid leaders whom Paul described as being deceitful schemers.
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:15).
5. Depend on the Holy Spirit
When Jesus left us, He sent the Holy Spirit, whose role is to be a guide to the truth of God.
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13a).
Human wisdom is not enough. True discernment comes when we rely on and are guided by the Holy Spirit.
6. Study the Scriptures
The best way to become more discerning is to learn the truth of God’s Word through diligent Scripture study.
Luke commended the Bereans and set them as an example for others to follow because they diligently examined what people said in light of God’s Word.
“The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now, these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:10-12).
Paul reinforced Luke’s teaching when he wrote to the Thessalonians, saying that studying the Scripture was a source of discernment that will enable us to lead righteous lives.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
So, You Want to Be More Discerning?
Last week, I supported the importance of Godly, discerning leaders in government, business, and our churches, for the future of our society.
If you have made poor decisions in your life and realize you need to be more discerning, these six habits will help you:
- Desire wisdom.
- Pray for discernment.
- Obey the truth.
- Follow discerning leaders.
- Depend on the Holy Spirit.
- Study the Scriptures.
To become a genuinely discerning, Godly leader, we must adopt all six of these habits. The quest to be a discerning leader takes arduous work.
More Articles
I have written several articles on a leader’s qualifications. You can find them by typing “Leader Qualifications” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #468: All Leaders Who Are Not Discerning Need to Step Down!
- #449: 3 Action Steps for You to Bring Biblical Leadership to Life
- #433: What Traits Are Essential for Godly Leadership?
- #391: Not All Effective Employees Make Effective Leaders
- #379: Our Leadership Legacy Includes our Strengths and Weaknesses!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. As a leader, are you as discerning as you can be, or do you have room for improvement? If you struggle with discernment, which of these six habits do you struggle with the most?
I’d love your help. This blog is read primarily because of people like you who share it with friends. Would you be kind enough to share it by pressing the share button?
Category: Personal Development | Leader Qualifications
The Holy Spirit is often overlooked as a source of guidance and direction. There were times in my career when solutions and unseen but felt promptings seemed to guide me in the right direction. Sometimes the direction was counter to the advice of well-meaning colleagues, but ended up being the correct course. So I learned to welcome and trust this divine guide.
So true John! The Holy Spirit is given to us as believers to provide guidance and direction, and sadly, is often ignored. We can be so stubborn and convinced of our own rightness that we manage to ignore God completely!