17 Bible Verses About Discernment

Discernment is a spiritual gift that describes one’s ability to distinguish, judge or evaluate a specific situation, person or environment. If you’re seeking scripture or Bible verses about discernment, it’s important to truly understand the context in which these scriptures are used.

It’s not simply about making a distinction between right and wrong, but to observe and distinguish between the influence of the world from that of the Lord. I encourage you to read ever more deeply as you prepare yourself and others to tap into the gifts of discernment. 1 Corinthians 12 is a wonderful place to start.

I hope these verses provide you with a solid start as you further explore what the Bible says about discernment.

Note on Biblical Translations

The following Bible verses about discernment are sourced from the New International Version (NIV) and the New Living Translation (NLT).

Both versions are notated in this list, at the end of each verse, with NIV or NLT. While the New International Version of the Bible is among the most commonly referenced, the New Living Translation captures God’s words through a writing style that is more literal and aligned with natural, everyday English language.

Bible Verses About Discernment

Philippians 1:9-10

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” NIV

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.” NLT

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” NIV

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” NLT

Matthew 24:4-5

“Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah,” and will deceive many.'” NIV

“Jesus told them, ‘Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, “I am the Messiah.” They will deceive many.” NLT

Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” NIV

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” NLT

James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” NIV

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” NLT

Colossians 2:8

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” NIV

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” NLT

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Test them all; hold on to what is good,” NIV

“Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” NLT

Proverbs 28:11

“The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are.” NIV

“Rich people may think they are wise, but a poor person with discernment can see right through them.” NLT

Proverbs 17:10

“A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.” NIV

“A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.” NLT

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” NIV

“To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 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.” NLT

Psalm 119:125

“I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.” NIV

“I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your laws.” NLT

Hosea 14:9

“The wise will realize these things; the discerning will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.” NIV

“Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning 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.” NLT

1 Timothy 6:3-5

“If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

“Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.” NLT

I John 2:27

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” NIV

“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So remain in fellowship with Christ.” NLT

Psalm 111:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” NIV

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!” NLT

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

“What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.” NIV

“And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” NLT

Daniel 2:21

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” NIV

“He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.” NLT

Encouraged By These Bible Verses About Discernment?

If these discernment Bible verses resonated with you, please share with others in your life who may also benefit from God’s promises today!