Are We Judging Or Using Discernment?

Judging and Discerning. I am going to try to explain the differences in the two. First I will give you what the dictionary says, and then I will give you what God says about discernment and judging.

Websters Dictionary
Judge: 1: to form an authoritative opinion about 2: to sit in judgment on 3: to determine or pronounce after inquiry and deliberation.
Discern: 1: to detect with the eyes or to detect with other senses than vision. 2: to come to know or recognize mentally 3: to recognize or identify as seperate and distinct.

When it comes to judging and discerning, God give us what He expects from us in His Word. I think that it is easy to go from discernment to judgment and not even know that we have gone there. We need to be careful that we don't put ourself in the judges seat, and to stay away from judging people. God knew that we would have that tendency, so he gave us warning not to go there. Here are a few Scriptures that talk on the subject.

[Do Not]
Matthew;7:1-2(Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.) This is pretty straight forward. We are not to be the judge.

[Who Is The Judge?]
James;4:12(There is only one Lawgiver and judge, the One who is able to save and destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?) We already know that there is only one who can save and that is Jesus.
James;5:9(Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold the judge is standing right at the door.)
1Peter;4:5(but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.) That would be Jesus.

[Discernment]
When Solomon was praying to God he asked for a discerning heart. 1Kings;3:9(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?)
[God's Response]
1Kings;3:12(behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.)
Hebrews;5:14(But solid food is for the mature who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.)

There are to many Scirpture passages to write down which speak about judging and the use of discernment. It seems pretty clear that we are instructed Not To Judge Others, but we are instructed to use Wisdom and Discernment. How are we suppose to gain wisdom and discernment? Proverbs;9:9-10(Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.)

So if we study God's Word daily and apply it to our lives, we should be able to discern between good and evil, and gain in our knowledge of Him. He tells us how He expects us to live, and what He expects us to do and not do. I pray that we will all Study The Word Daily!

God Bless You!