To Be … Blessed … Or Not to Be
We all just want to be blessed. Some attend church or search out a religious ceremony or experience in order that they may feel that, having participated, they have been blessed. While there are many sources of blessing according to Scripture, one very consistent theme is that there is blessing found in displaying discernment. The book of Proverbs is full of blessings that are found for those who have understanding, which is really another term for discernment. Discernment can be defined biblically as the careful consideration and scrutinization of a matter, the judging of a decision by making a distinction between two sides of the equation. So, the wise person will do this, will discern a matter, which often leads to blessing. On the other hand, the fool makes rash, unweighted decisions, often considering short-term gratification over long-term consequences. “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, but a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction” (Pro 10:13-14).1 “In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, but the lips of the wise will preserve them” (14:3). So we see very clearly the contrast between the loss suffered by those who lack discernment and the blessing received by those who display it. While many considerations could be made, two obvious areas of blessing experienced by a discerning person are in the secular and spiritual realms of our lives.
Secular Blessing
When someone has discerning character, it can often lead to blessing in the secular realm. While God is sovereign and over all, we see biblical examples of those who were praised and promoted for demonstrating this characteristic of discernment. Since God has endowed each person with free will, we are responsible to act in a way that is conformed to His Word and character if we desire to see the biggest blessing that God desires for us. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28). One of the desires that God has for us is that we would display discernment in our lives. We see an example of this when, during times of difficulty and famine, Pharaoh chose Joseph to be his second-in-command. He didn’t choose him because he was a smooth talker or because he was the best dressed, but rather his criteria was, in his own words, discernment: “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you” (Gen 41:39-40). The overwhelming qualification that led to blessing in the secular sphere for Joseph was that he was a man consistently marked by discernment.
Many years later, the servants of another leader, King Saul, would look for someone to alleviate a distressing spirit that was causing much anxiety for the king, and they chose David, not simply for his ability on the harp but for his discernment. They told Saul, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him” (1Sa 16:18). One of the main characteristics that made David suitable for the position of importance before the king was the fact that he showed discernment in the words he spoke.
If in our own lives there is a lack of discernment in the words we speak and in the decisions we make, there is a real possibility of our missing out on blessing in the secular sphere of our lives.
Spiritual Blessing
From the very beginning of having the law, the written Word of God, Moses understood that in order to lead people spiritually and make wise spiritual decisions, it was necessary that a leader have discernment. “Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you” (Deu 1:13).
In Scripture we can find many examples where a leader who did not have discernment led the nation astray. If parents lack discernment, their children may follow suit, and future blessing may be squandered. But when there is discernment in leaders, either of nations, churches or families, the resulting blessing is something that continues to be passed down to the following generations. “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments …. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ … Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (Deu 4:5-6,9).
The Old Testament is full of exhortations regarding the importance of discerning and understanding the Word of God, which in turn lead us to better discern and understand the character of God. “Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD” (Psa 107:43). By being immersed in the Word of God, we can learn to discern between right and wrong, between true and false. “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (119:104). There really could be no greater blessing in the life of the Christian than to understand more of the character of our God and our Saviour and to grow in the knowledge of who He is and how we can please Him. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (v34).
So, are you looking to be blessed? Be a believer marked by biblical discernment, a believer enveloped by the Word of God, and you will be blessed.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the NKJV.
