on discernment

"Like I've read so much information on the internet that when I saw that picture of Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone together, I immediately knew that wasn't true because I already knew that they never met." Aside from the fact that my fourth-grader's source is the internet, which leaves almost anything questionable, I appreciated the succinct definition of discernment that his statement provided -- essentially - "I used what I already know to judge well/evaluate the credibility of new information." Discernment is one of the things that I pray most frequently for my children.

In a digital age, discernment is incredibly complicated, and I have to teach them that what they see on the internet must be handled with great care. Some things may prove themselves to be true over time and further research, but everything must be held up against the truth and the Truth. We must use care as we absorb information to know for sure it's status as factual or simply made up, and we must also use care as we evaluate or react to that information and determine how it guides our further actions.

I think discernment is partially a learned skill. (I think we are also given some if it just a little bit inherently -- our intuition especially as moms is given to us as a safety net from God, a protective barrier, a resource to use well -- but following our gut without having other inputs can be a little bit dangerous). Discernment is learned by trial and error but ultimately it actually involves a great deal of self-reflection and inward examination. In order to discern well, we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves about how information impacts us emotionally, and willing to work toward using what we've learned from past discernment experiences to teach ourselves and train ourselves to respond either similarly or differently as in the past based on the truth that later unfolded. Furthermore, we have to be willing to be honest with ourselves about our personal biases and tendencies, in order to evaluate things in front of us more objectively. It requires choosing to seek the Lord and turn upward when we are unsure about something rather than inward, folding into conspiracy, ignorance, or avoidance - as we are typically inclined toward one of those, it seems. Above all, it requires asking of the Lord wisdom... which He promises in His Word to give liberally.

And so, therefore, when we ask we must be prepared to receive, and so we must train ourselves to know the voice of God. When we learn the facts, the Truth, the consistent character of God (and it is very consistent), we are much more able to discern what He is saying, where He is leading, and what is truth. We are also much more able to apply the promises of God as we choose our takeaways from the information before us. If it's a disturbing or biased news article, we can know that we don't have to respond in fear because we have a God far bigger than the painful things that swirl around us every day. If it's a questionable resource or recommendation, we can know that God will guide us gently toward what is good and true, if we ask Him and allow Him. If it's a decision to be made, we can learn over time how God directs our decision-making and what it looks like for us to follow.

Discernment requires choosing to take personal responsibility for evaluating and absorbing information, instead of constantly living in a state of being victimized by the information and ideas swirling around us. We follow the all-powerful God, and all power is given in His name to cast out demons, to pick up serpents with our hands, to drink deadly poison and to not be hurt, and to heal the sick. Metaphorically, we can take the things in front of us today - the information, the policy, and the circumstances intended to harm us, and we can have power over those things through Jesus. Discernment is a tool that He gives.