Philippians 1:9
“And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment.”
Paul also prays that they will have discernment. This is the sensing of something that isn’t physically obvious. It could be sensing evil, good or giving us information. When it comes to evil, the devil tries to trick us into sinning. So, he makes evil appear harmless. It could be in the form of someone appearing friendly. God gives us discernment that we should stay away. We may have no facts as to why we should avoid it or the circumstance.
God gives this to His children. He is residing in us. It would be natural that He would warn us. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” The Spirit communicates with us. He confirms that we are in Christ, He nudges us about evil, to inform us as well as things to do.
God may give us information about someone to pray for them. It may be for their salvation. It may be to assist them in a burden, to help them through a tough time and so on.
God can also give us discernment for an action to take. A step of obedience. We will get a thought or an impression. It could just be a thought or it could be God wanting us to act. I have followed through on both. Hopefully the ones that weren’t God didn’t cause harm.
Sometimes when I thought God was prompting me, I felt an interruption. I saw that as God telling me no or not now.
This is quite a privilege. We are partnering with God in the lives of others. How exciting. The God of the universe, the creator and sustainer of all life. The one who works in all of our hearts. He wants to work in and through all of us. So cool.
Lord, thank You for Your discernment. Through it You protect us. Help us to give heed. Even though we want something. It’s the shiny apple that is evil. Thank You for the information You give. Finally, thank You for the obedience steps You give us. Give us the courage to follow through.