5 Steps to Connection and Clarity How to Have Better Discernment

by | Leadership Lifters

Consistently and intentionally connect with God on a regular basis.

You can’t have Godly discernment or wisdom without consistently and intentionally connecting with God.

Admit you don’t know what you don’t know.

The more we learn, the more we know we need to learn more.

The more discernment God gives us about a matter, the more we are willing to admit what we don’t know.

If you’re connected with God first, He will help clarify what the real problem is.

What God wants most from you is to allow Him to love you. (Ephesians 5:31-32, NKJV)

Discern hearts, not appearance. (1 Samuel 16:6-7, NIV)

Discern the heart, not the action. (1 Samuel 16:11, MSG)

Don’t discern someone by their looks or job.

Anyone who really wants to can go from ordinary to extraordinary.

These principles apply to every area of your life.

Discernment should go beyond differences to the intention of the heart.

Try to look beyond the decision to the intent of the heart.

It all comes back to the importance of staying connected with Jesus. (John 15:7, NKJV)

Discern between fun and facts.

Learn to discern it before you address it.

 

View more Leadership Lifters Blog Posts

God’s Strength in Our Weakness

God’s Strength in Our Weakness

"Our weakness can never trump God’s strength." Scripture:“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) In our weakest moments, God’s strength is at its greatest. Our limitations are not obstacles to God—they are...

God’s Truth is Greater than My Truth

God’s Truth is Greater than My Truth

Scripture: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17) Key Thought: In a world that values “my truth,” God’s truth remains unchanging and eternal. Our personal feelings and experiences are valid but must be surrendered to His perfect wisdom....

Fixable vs. Forgivable

Fixable vs. Forgivable

“Satan wants us to think our past is fixable; God wants us to know our past is forgivable.”  The Deception of "Fixing" the Past Satan’s Lie:We can fix our past by trying harder, covering up, or denying mistakes. This keeps us in guilt and striving. Scripture:Romans...

Re-Frame Your Mind

Re-Frame Your Mind

What is re-framing? The facts of the situation or circumstance are the same, but the filter is different. The facts don’t change, but our attitude and outlook does. Re-framing could just as easy be called refocus. Why is it so hard to re-frame or re-focus? Many times,...

Take Back Your Mind

Take Back Your Mind

We have to train our mind to focus. It takes intentionality and consistency = success. (Joshua 1:7-9, NKJV) What we meditate on we do, and if we meditate on the right things long enough it leads to the right actions and we will prosper and have good success. What area...

Think on What’s True

Think on What’s True

Think on what’s true. (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV) True. (John 17:17; John 8:32, NIV). Freedom from sin and deception. Free to live a full life. Noble. Choosing thoughts and actions that uplift rather than degrade. Our acts will follow our thoughts. Right. Basing our...

Victory Over Strongholds

Victory Over Strongholds

Think on what’s true. (Philippians 4:8-9, NIV) True; (John 17:17; John 8:32, NIV) Freedom from sin and deception. Free to live a full life. Noble; Choosing thoughts and actions that uplift rather than degrade. Our acts will follow our thoughts. Right; Basing our...

Getting Older Can Be Awesome

Getting Older Can Be Awesome

Fruitful. (Psalm 92:12-15, NIV; 2 Corinthians 4:16, NKJV) Fruit of other Christians. (John 14:6, NKJV; John 10:10, NKJV; Matthew 6:33) The real key to happiness is found in intimate relationships, not intentions. Saved + Intimate relationship = Joy When we are...

Regret and Resentment

Regret and Resentment

Regret: Sorrow over something that happened to you or something you did. (2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV, NIV) Wrong regrets or worldly sorrow bring death. Material and worldly-focus vs. spiritual focus will lead to emotional and spiritual death. (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)...

Dealing with Toxic People

Dealing with Toxic People

Prioritize your health. If you’re not healthy, those you lead won’t be healthy. Unhealthy people hurt people. Don’t just get healthy, stay healthy. If you’re not growing, you can’t grow people. You are either the lid, or lid lifter. Growing people earn, learn...

Royalty Lives Different

Royalty Lives Different

Royalty is humble and patient. (Ephesians 4:1-32, NIV) Live worthy of what you have been given. Humility is putting Christ first, others second, and yourself last. (Mark 12:30-31, NKJV) This means knowing, accepting, and being ourselves to the glory of God. When we...

From Spectator to Participant

From Spectator to Participant

The responsibility of pastors and staff. (Ephesians 4:11-16, NKJV; Hebrews 13:17, NKJV) Train them for a task. Develop them to be better people. Disciple them in being a better follower of Christ. The danger of not doing your part. You will miss out. You will not be...

How to Have Better Discernment

How to Have Better Discernment

Consistently and intentionally connect with God on a regular basis. You can’t have Godly discernment or wisdom without consistently and intentionally connecting with God. Admit you don’t know what you don’t know. The more we learn, the more we know we need to learn...

Riches that Can’t Be Bought

Riches that Can’t Be Bought

Ephesians 1:2-20, CEV, TPT, Passion, NKJV Christ will be kind to you and will bless with peace. He will bless you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. The same love God has for the Beloved, Jesus God has for us! Total cancellation of our sins. We get...

Love is the Key

Love is the Key

What and who would you go to prison for? (Ephesians 3:1-2, NKJV, ESV) Paul was so passionate about his calling that nothing, including prison, was going to stop him. (1 Peter 4:12-13, NKJV) The inner man gets his peace, power, and fullness through love. Love, not...

Passion with Purpose

Passion with Purpose

Passion will give the vision energy. Passion gives not only starting power, but staying power. If your passion is right you actively support what you’re passionate about. Passion during stress. We don’t need to reduce stress, we need to increase our passion about the...

Connect

Connect

  You must connect with Jesus. It’s not about proximity with God, it’s simply being available to God. We can’t get much closer than having Him living in us and promising never to leave us. (Hebrews 13:5-6, NKJV; Revelation 3:20, NKJV) If you’re a Christian, even when...

Cause and the Cure

Cause and the Cure

The main cause of conflict. (Ephesians 4:26-27, CEV; James 4:1-2, NCV) The main cause of fights and arguments come from selfish desires that war within us all. The flesh is natural and the spirit is supernatural. The real cure is when you come to the point that you...

How to Get Back on Track

How to Get Back on Track

The motivation factor in your marriage can’t be your mate, but the Lord! (Matthew 6:33, NKJV; Matthew 22:36-40, NKJV) Men are superior to women. (1 Peter 3:7, NKJV) You need a mission mindset. (Psalm 127:1, NKJV) Calendar guarantee – you get older; Growth guarantee –...

Myths and Truths About Marriage

Myths and Truths About Marriage

Relationship Truths. Independent: Living as one, but both living separate lives. (1 Peter 3:7, NKJV) Co-dependent: Dependent on one another, if one crashes they both crash. Excessive caretaking. Difficulty setting boundaries. Low self-esteem. Fear of abandonment....

Keys to Better Communication

Keys to Better Communication

Learn how to communicate better. Release what you think you know. Intentionally release what you think God is going to tell you and listen for His voice. Receive - open your heart. Receive with an open heart before you respond in the conversation. Receive God’s Word...

Wrong Expectations

Wrong Expectations

Your expectations need to come from God. (Psalm 62:5, KJV) If your expectations come from anyone other than God, you will live a roller coaster of a life. God is going to take care of you. Love your wife, kids, and friend but your expectations need to come from God...

Parental Impressions

Parental Impressions

Be careful when answering your children. Children’s first impression of God will be their parents, apart from transformation. God’s Word spoken to them with the wrong attitude will breed rebellion, not rewards. (Ephesians 6:4, TLB; James 1:26, ESV) Questions for you:...

Jesus Will Never Leave Us

Jesus Will Never Leave Us

Jesus understands how we feel in any situation. (Matthew 27:45-46, NLT) Jesus might not deliver us from the problem and pain, but He will never leave us or abandon us. (Hebrews 4:15-16, NKJV; Lamentations 3:22-23, NKJV) He will remove the pain or the problem. Give us...

Stop Toxic People

Stop Toxic People

Step 1: Unfollow negativity Social media us the #1 source of negativity and negative contagious emotions. Unfollow any accounts that bring negativity, spur bad feelings or don’t inspire you. (1 Corinthians 15:33, CEV) Step 2: Cancel plans. Open your calendar and look...

Love Louder and be Wiser

Love Louder and be Wiser

Love louder. (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, CEV) It doesn’t matter how good you teach, preach, sing, or how much faith you have, if you don’t have love, it’s worthless. Love louder, more than anyone else in the room. Be wiser. (Ephesians 5:17, NKJV;...

How the Unknown Becomes Known

How the Unknown Becomes Known

God speaks to us. (Luke 1:26-35, NKJV) How to Know God’s Will: God’s Word. God’s Principles. God’s authorities. God’s sovereignty. How to make a Godly Decision: Will this choice bring glory to God? Is this a decision Jesus would make? Will I be proud of this decision...

The Story of Jonah

The Story of Jonah

  God is the hero, not Jonah. (Jonah 3:5-6, NKJV; Jonah 3:9-10, NKJV, NLT2; 2 Chronicles 7:14, NKJV) It’s God who does the miracles, not us. What God wills and wants, it will happen. What God really wanted was not to punish and destroy, but to love and forgive. (Jonah...

The Shepherd and the Shadow

The Shepherd and the Shadow

The Lord was with Joseph from the pit to the palace. (Genesis 39:2, NKJV) The Lord was with Joseph in his job, but he still had problems. The Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him favor. (Genesis 39:21-23, NKJV) The Lord was not only with Joseph, but He also...

Overcoming Anxiety

Overcoming Anxiety

Pray that God will give patience in the process. (Psalm 40:1-2, GW, NLT2) You can know what the process is, even if you don’t fully understand it. (Jeremiah 29:11, NKJV, NLT2, CEV) Because you know the purpose of the process, it helps you have patience. Be still and...

Thank God

Thank God

The goodness of God is beyond description. (Psalm 106:1-5, TLB; Psalm 106:5, TLB) Thank Him for loving us continuously and forever. Thank Him for His mercies that are new every morning. Thank Him for sending His Son to die for our sins. Thank Him for giving us the...

Favor with a Purpose

Favor with a Purpose

Your purpose is what you live out, not what you just talk about. Even though we have purpose and favor, it does not mean we will not have problems. Jesus had a purpose with favor. (Luke 2:52, NKJV; Hebrews 12:2, NKJV) When our pain has purpose, it makes it easier to...

Favor is for Life

Favor is for Life

God’s favor is still with us even in the bad times. (Psalm 30:5, NKJV, ESV) Make sure you activate the favor of God. The Holy Spirit never leaves us, but there are things we can do that grieve the Holy Spirit: (Ephesians 4:25-32, NKJV) Bitterness. Rage. Anger. Harsh...

The Favor of a Wife

The Favor of a Wife

A true wife brings strength and joy. (Proverbs 18:22, NKJV, AMP; Proverbs 14:1, NCV) A wise woman applies God’s Word and principles to the marriage which strengthens it. A true and wise woman knows that marriage will need repairs and will help do her part to keep it...

Leaders Grow from the Inside Out

Leaders Grow from the Inside Out

  Grow from the inside out, be bigger on the inside than the outside. (Psalm 119:11, NKJV) Allow God’s Word to transform you. (Romans 12:2, NKJV; Luke 6:45, NKJV; Matthew 23:25, NKJV) Qualities of leaders who grow from the inside out. They value people more than...

Favor Beyond What You Can Fathom

Favor Beyond What You Can Fathom

Abraham’s response to God’s representatives help us understand why he finally received the favor he had been waiting on. (Genesis 18:1-15, NCV) When God comes into your presence, do you want to beg Him to stay? Do you see yourself as God’s servant rather than God...

God’s Continuous Favor

God’s Continuous Favor

Continue to ask God for His favor. (Psalm 90:16-17, NRSV) Can we grow in God’s favor? Yes How do we grow in God’s favor? Salvation and Wisdom. (Proverbs 8:35, NKJV, AMP) Wisdom is knowing the mind of God in a matter and then knowing how to apply it on a day-to-day...

Achieving Leadership Goals

Achieving Leadership Goals

Stop being goal-oriented and be more growth-oriented. Getting promoted past your personal growth is a land mine waiting to happen. Happiness is a by-product of oneness. Trying to be special because of achievement won’t bring happiness, it brings separation, fear, and...

Leaders That Are Followed

Leaders That Are Followed

Consistency is most important at home. First with your mate: Trust is built by the right actions and reactions repeated over a long period of time. (Luke 16:10, NCV) Second with your children: If you tell them you’re going to do something, do it! (Ephesians 6:4, TEV)...

Know Yourself to Grow Yourself

Know Yourself to Grow Yourself

It’s not desire that causes us to win, grow, or be successful. It’s the design. You have to have both desire and design. Desire starts the fire, but design takes you to the finish line. Desire is about passion, but design is about the pattern. Areas to grow in:...

The Longer You Lead

The Longer You Lead

Every leader needs and wants loyalty. You can’t get loyalty and longevity mixed up with productivity. Business does not equal productivity. You can’t get trust mixed up with truth. You want to trust them or you really don’t need them. You can’t allow the truth about...

Sovereignty of God

Sovereignty of God

God is large and in charge. (Isaiah 46:9-11, NIV; Psalm 115:3, NIV; Daniel 4:35, NIV) He is large enough and in charge enough to take care of whatever we are facing. (Colossians 1:17, NKJV, CEV) God’s permissive will still gives us freedom of choice. (Romans 12:2,...

Peace in any Circumstance

Peace in any Circumstance

You have to have an impossible situation or problem. (Mark 4:36-41, NKJV, CEV) If we can solve it on our own it would not be a miracle and we wouldn’t have peace. We need God’s peace when the problem is beyond our control. Impossible situations are nothing more than...

Ways to Guard Your Heart

Ways to Guard Your Heart

Guard your heart with the words we speak. (Proverbs 4:23-27, Proverbs 18:21) My mouth portrays what’s inside of me. (Matthew 15:18, NIV) SOMEONE WITH                                                  IS REVEALING A                    Harsh Tongue                       ...

Truths About Temptations

Truths About Temptations

Satan tried to command Jesus what to do. (Matthew 4:1-11, NKJV) The truth is Satan can only try to control you and deceive you. Satan can confuse you but he can’t command or control you unless you allow him. If we focused as much on spiritual food as we do physical...

Heart Checkup

Heart Checkup

____ Are you reading the Word of God intentionally on a regular basis that reflect in your schedule? It’s all about the heart and what God wants for us. (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV; Joshua 1:8, NKJV) God’s Word leads us to salvation. (1 Peter 1:23, NKJV) God’s Word guides...

Relationship Secrets

Relationship Secrets

There’s nothing stressless about long term relationships; you only learn how to better deal with it which will greatly reduce stress. (Ephesians 4:25-32, NCV; John 8:32, NKJV; Proverbs 15:1, NKJV; Proverbs 18:21, NKJV; James 3:10, NKJV) Learn to forgive quickly and...

Stress and Money

Stress and Money

Why did Jesus speak so much about money? (Matthew 6:24, NIV; Matthew 6:21, NKJV; Proverbs 4:23, NKJV, TLB) Money problems really start with heart problems. Guard the conversations: What you allow in your heart. What you allow in your mind. What you allow done with...

Contentment

Contentment

4 Main Causes of Stressors: Lack of contentment. Love of money. Not managing money by God’s design. You’re in the middle of something beyond your control. Lack of contentment. (Colossians 3:17, ESV, Colossians 3:18-25, ESV) If you’re not content with what you have...

Leadership Lifters

Everything rises and falls on leadership. If you can grow your leadership it will help grow your home, job and every area of your life.