Discernment in the Battle (Neh 8:13)
Nehemiah 8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
This revival was not just a quick meeting that made everyone feel good.
In fact, it made such a deep impression that on the second day the leaders of the people came back to Ezra and asked for a deeper understanding. They wanted more!
But what did they mean by “understand”? Were they just trying to get a head full of knowledge so that they could sound smart? No.
The Hebrew word for knowledge that is used here is the Hebrew word, “sakal” which does not mean to simply gather facts.
It means to “make prudent, give skill” In other words, “to understand” meant to gain discernment.
So what were the leaders really asking for? “Ezra, we want discernment to rightly apply the Word of God to our lives”.
What a great request! Folks, we need to have that same desire for discernment. We need to be able to apply God’s Word to our lives.
But if we want discernment, we need to know the Word of God. We have to know God’s standards.
Then, it becomes a simple matter of obedience. We know what to do, so now we do it.
That is the purpose of discernment, so we can walk in obedience.
There is a big difference between knowledge and understanding. A vast knowledge of the Bible does not guarantee that you will have discernment. Notice:
Mark 6:51-52 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
The Bible indicates that the disciples should not have been sore amazed because Jesus had already done some pretty incredible things.
They knew in a very academic sense what Jesus could do. They had seen many things, but they never really personalized it.
It is one thing to know what to do but quite another thing to do it! Discernment is not all about quantity of facts. It is mostly about quality!
Discernment in Scripture is the skill that enables us to differentiate between right and wrong. It is the ability to see issues clearly.
We desperately need to cultivate this spiritual skill that will enable us to know right from wrong.
We must be prepared to distinguish between biblical truth and error.
We must also be able to discern the difference between bad, good, better, and the best.
We must be able to see the difference between purity and defilement. We must be able to differentiate between principles and pragmatics.
Simply put, discernment is the ability to think biblically about our lifestyles and decisions. And discernment is clearly commanded in the Bible:
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Too many people approach life with the attitude that the Bible is somehow constricting.
They are always looking for loop-holes in God’s Word. They are constantly saying, “The Bible doesn’t specifically say ____________ is wrong. So I can do it if I want.”
But the fact is, if _______ even looks like it might be wrong we are supposed to abstain from it.
If we are going to live this way then we need to judge things in the light of God’s Word and then act accordingly.
Acquiring Discernment (Neh 8:13-15)
Nehemiah 8:13-15 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law. 14 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: 15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.
We have all been in situations where we needed discernment. We can probably all think of times when a little discernment would have saved us a lot of problems!
Unfortunately, many Christians fail in the area of discernment because they do not measure their lives in the light of the Word of God.
Many believers make poor decisions because they do not conform their lives according to God’s Word.
The people of Nehemiah’s day realized that they had not been doing something that God wanted. And they immediately began conforming to the Scriptures!
Wrong Sources for Discernment
It is a sad fact that many churches and Christians have the wrong criteria for discerning right from wrong. Notice some false criteria:
Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
These are all the wrong sources of discernment.
Right Sources for Discernment
Biblical discernment begins with a knowledge of biblical truth but it is acquired through several means:
First of all, discernment requires experience:
Hebrews 5:13-14 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
There is no such thing as instant insight.
That’s why some younger believers say or do things that older believers consider dangerous to their spiritual walks. They haven’t got any experience!
It would be good if we older Christians could be a little more understanding of their youthful mistakes!
But on the other hand, it would be better if the younger believers would listen a little more to the wisdom of experience!
Second, discernment requires proper teaching.
Nehemiah 8:13 And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests, and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law.
God puts us under godly leadership so that we can learn and grow in a safer environment.
Good leaders, practicing biblical discernment, will give guidance that will help you.
Nowadays, there is no excuse for ignorance. We have good Bible colleges, good pastors, and great resources that can help guide us.
Third, discernment requires a desire to do the right thing.
Nehemiah 8:14-16 And they found written in the law which the LORD had commanded by Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in booths in the feast of the seventh month: 15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written. 16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
These people wanted to be right with God! So they read the Bible, found something that they had not been doing, and they fixed it!
The trouble with so many Christians today is that they think the times have changed and so the biblical principles no longer apply!
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
How is your attitude toward obedience to the Scriptures? Do you spend your life walking a fine line between worldliness and biblical truth?
Are you constantly saying, “Well, the Bible doesn’t specifically say that _______ is wrong. So don’t judge me!”
Conclusion
As we begin to desire real discernment, we will start to gain insight. We will know how to use what we have learned from God’s Word.
As we begin to submit to our understanding of the Bible, two things will happen. We will become obedient believers and we will become filled with joy.