In today’s world, we’re bombarded with information and opinions. And we’re often conditioned and expected to make quick decisions and/or make quick judgments. By contrast, believers in Christ are called to be wise and thoughtful, not reactive.
- “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” (Proverbs 1:5)
- “The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14)
- “Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” (Proverbs 17:24)
- “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” (Proverbs 18:13)
- “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15)
But these themes of listening, learning, understanding, and exercising discernment aren’t just in Proverbs (a book that some Christians sadly and erroneously downplay as too practical and not sufficiently spiritual). We see these themes sprinkled throughout the Bible:
- “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:9)
- “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)
- “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (I Thessalonians 5:21)
- “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19)
As the old saying goes, God gave us two ears and one mouth, which means we should spend twice as much time listening as we do talking. You could actually take that further by adding in the two eyes. That’s two ears and two eyes — that’s a total of four organs designed to take in information — and only one organ fashioned to deliver information. So, arguably, we should listen and observe four times as much as we communicate.
This principle of listening, observing, learning, and processing can be grouped under the term “Discernment.” And it’s not just something we do with respect to each other.
Pastors (and, by extension, all Christians) are called to exercise discernment when studying God’s word.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Timothy 2:15)
Note that term “rightly dividing.” That’s a farming term (at least in the ancient world as Paul was using it) and it is intended to denote study and analysis.
There are times when it’s necessary to make quick decisions. And there are times when we can (and should) express from-the-hip assessments or judgments. But…
We must be humble. And, when time allows, we can and should be patient and exercise discernment.
Opinions are a dime a dozen. What we need more of is wisdom.
In a world of quick reactions, let’s be counter-cultural. Let’s take a breath, seek wisdom, reflect, and (of course) pray. This thoughtful approach not only deepens our faith but also allows us to navigate life’s challenges with grace and wisdom.
