30 Bible Verses on Discernment

The word “discernment” is a bit confusing and many people do not understand what it actually means. One way to discern the meaning is to look at the Bible verses and measure its application through the Scriptures. Another method is to read commentaries about discernment from your favorite Bible scholars. Here’s one more idea…

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30 Bible Verses About Discernment

Read one a day and pray through the verses during the month. After you print 30 Verses on Discernment, underline all words that relate to people, including pronouns. Put a box around the verbs (action words). Circle the keywords. Personalize the verse by inserting your name where appropriate.

So you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. Malachi 3:18 (HCSB)

“So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:33

They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. Deuteronomy 32:28 (NIV)

Your discernment is blessed, and you are blessed. Today you kept me from participating in bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand. 1 Samuel 25:33 (HCSB)

He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders. Job 12:20 (NIV)

So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. Job 34:4 (NLT)

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Psalm 19:12 (NIV)

Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. Psalm 119:66 (HCSB)

Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws. Psalm 119:125 (NLT)

O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised. Psalm 119:169 (NLT)

A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance— Proverbs 1:5 (HCSB)

My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. Proverbs 5:1-2 (NLT)

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. Proverbs 8:12 (NLT)

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense. Proverbs 10:13 (HCSB)

Wisdom resides in the heart of the discerning; she is known even among fools. Proverbs 14:33 (HCSB)

A discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. Proverbs 15:14 (HCSB)

Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. Proverbs 16:21 (HCSB)

Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent, discerning when he seals his lips. Proverbs 17:28 (HCSB)

The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. Proverbs 18:15 (HCSB)

Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson; rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge. Proverbs 19:25 (HCSB)

When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers, but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures. Proverbs 28:2 (HCSB)

A discerning son keeps the law, but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father. Proverbs 28:7 (HCSB)

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him. Proverbs 28:11 (HCSB)

…People without discernment are doomed. Hosea 4:14 (HCSB)

Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. Hosea 14:9 (NLT)

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (HCSB)

But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:31 (NIV)

He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 1 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10 (HCSB)

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 (HCSB)

Bible Copyrights For This Article

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.