The world today faces unprecedented turmoil. Conflicts rage across Europe, Russia, East Asia, and the Middle East. Societal discourse has deteriorated into contempt, while mental, physical, and spiritual health continues to decline globally.
We urgently need leadership that addresses these challenges rather than exacerbating them. Those with power and influence must exercise careful discernment in their decisions, actions, and words. For people of faith, this requires looking beyond physical reality to recognize the spiritual dimension of our struggles, as Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Every person’s choices impact their sphere of influence. As spiritual warfare intensifies, godly discernment becomes increasingly imperative. Like wisdom, discernment is a divine gift rather than something earned. True godly discernment transcends mere intuition—it perceives truth, recognizes God’s voice, and distinguishes between good and evil. This spiritual compass guides believers toward choices that honor God. Receiving this gift requires sincere desire, faith, patience, and discipline.
Alignment with God’s Kingdom purposes necessitates dwelling in His presence, where discernment flourishes. In intimate solitude with God, our spiritual senses sharpen—we hear His voice more clearly, find doubt replaced with clarity, and receive divine guidance. Our hearts become attuned to what breaks God’s heart. As Psalm 84:10 declares, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” When confronting significant challenges, discernment acknowledges our dependence on God’s presence. Like Moses in Exodus 33:15, we recognize that “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”
Power often becomes self-serving and overbearing, but Christians with authority and godly discernment resist this temptation. True leadership rejects intoxication with power and perceives beyond the visible. Christ-like humility and compassion counteract power’s corrupting influence.
Discernment manifests in action through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Obedience to God’s will stems from love and trust in Him as the ultimate source of knowledge, truth, and reality. Perseverance becomes essential when battling spiritual forces that deploy deceit, discouragement, depression, and doubt. Praying without ceasing sustains us through spiritual exhaustion.
Many believers, fearing persecution and suffering, hesitate to fully embrace their role as God’s ambassadors. Yet God’s words to Ananias regarding Saul remind us of the cost of discipleship: “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15-16). Accepting God’s will means carrying our cross, including enduring the world’s opposition, as Jesus warned: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18).
The gifts of discernment and wisdom enable unwavering obedience, steadfast action, and courage to choose the less-traveled path. Within God’s purpose, the invisible becomes clear, and His perfect timing and intentions become evident. The Holy Spirit assures us that He will equip us to use these gifts to glorify God and serve others.
