How many are there that you know that claim Jesus Christ as Lord that have spiritual discernment, and how many follow the traditions, the so-called “sacraments” of their church, how many show up on Sunday morning, half-heartedly listening while they try to keep their drooping eyes from closing completely.
Spiritual discernment is not only the proper understanding of the Word of God, not only the application of it in our daily lives, but it is the way that we order our thoughts as we pass through this world on our way home. “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” (Heb. 11:16)
The problem with many of those who say they serve Christ is that the main attraction is the world and all that it offers, the spiritual aspect of their lives is little more than an occasional stop-over point, a short stop at a train station, where they might pick up some literature, some brochures, browse through them for a moment or two, and then get back on the train, ready to explore the world some more as it passes by. It is a weigh station, and they are found wanting in the balance each time.
To have spiritual discernment, one must place the glory of God as the main point of their life, not just a focal point that we attempt to reach occasionally, but the complete action and thought of our entire lives, the Almighty must always be first. To discern something means that one must first not only study that thing, but contemplate it, one cannot say they are known of God who only briefly and occasionally picks up the Bible and looks at a few verses, this is not a Book that can be read once and understood in its totality. Everything that the Lord has wanted us to know about Himself He has written down for us, Satan has of course corrupted the Word of God with many different versions, there is a never-ending supply of false prophets ready to sell their wares to all who will listen, and many who stand behind the pulpit, to put it bluntly, should not be there.
It is the Holy Spirit that guides us in spiritual discernment, the ability to recognize the truth from a lie, and without it, you will never serve the Lord effectually, and without Him blessing you in this area, you will never understand even the most basic truths from the Word of God. “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” (Acts 2:3) We were more than likely not blessed in this way, immediately filled and on fire, but you must remember, those in that upper room that day had been following the Lord for over three years, firsthand wisdom from the mouth of the Lord nearly every day.
This I believe I can guarantee you, if you do not study to show yourself approved, (2 Tim. 2:15) if you are not in the Word of God every day, if you do not contemplate those words and pray for the wisdom to be able to properly spiritually discern them as the Lord intended them to be heard and applied in our lives, you will indeed fall short of the mark. “Feeling good” about Jesus does little good, filling a spot in the pews once-a-week will not bring a man to this knowledge, spending a short amount of time at the station and perusing through the Christian brochures as you wait to get back onto the train will not bring you into a deeply personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
You must want this, you must desire Him, you must want to win the race, (1 Cor. 9:24) not just be a participant. If you ask for spiritual discernment, the Lord will give it to you, but only if you have only one thing in mind, that He be glorified in it.