What Is the Gift of Discernment?

Ashland Watson
Oct 8
3 min read

At Mosaic International, everything begins with relationships, with God, with others, and with the communities we serve. Whether we’re partnering with local churches in Rwanda or mobilizing believers in the Philippines, our goal is to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. That requires more than good intentions, it requires discernment.

The spiritual gift of discernment, also known as the discernment of spirits, is a divine ability given by the Holy Spirit to help believers recognize what is true, what is false, and what is from God. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul includes this as one of the essential gifts that allows the Church to remain rooted in truth and unified in mission.

Understanding the Gift

Discernment is not about suspicion or judgment, it’s about spiritual clarity. To be spiritually discerning means to perceive the reality beneath appearances, guided by the Holy Spirit rather than human understanding. It allows believers to sense what’s behind words, actions, or movements and to distinguish whether something reflects God’s heart or not.

Those who carry this spiritual gift of discernment often have an intuitive awareness of the unseen. They may recognize when the Holy Spirit is prompting them toward wisdom or when something is out of alignment with God’s truth. This insight is not about intellect, it’s about sensitivity to the Spirit’s leading, given for the purpose of protection, guidance, and strengthening the body of Christ. You can read more about discernment here.

Why Discernment Matters

For anyone living out their faith in mission, leadership, or service, discernment is essential. It helps believers remain faithful and wise in the face of complexity, whether navigating cultural dynamics, forming partnerships, or responding to needs in the field.

Discernment helps us:

Recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and follow His direction.
Identify truth from error and stay anchored in Scripture.
Respond with humility and grace, rather than fear or impulse.
Align our work with God’s heart, especially when serving cross-culturally.

In Mosaic’s global work, discernment keeps us centered on what matters most, joining God’s work in the right way, at the right time, and for the right purpose.

Growing in Discernment

While some believers are especially gifted in this area, all Christians are invited to grow in spiritual discernment. Hebrews 5:14 reminds us:

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

You can cultivate this spiritual gift of discernment by:

Praying for wisdom the Holy Spirit freely gives understanding to those who ask.
Immersing yourself in Scripture especially passages like 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul explains how each gift builds the Church.
Seeking counsel from mature believers discernment deepens through community.
Obeying God’s promptings the more you listen to the Spirit, the clearer His voice becomes.

Discernment as a Gift of Love

Ultimately, discernment is a gift rooted in love. It protects rather than divides, guides rather than condemns, and helps believers walk faithfully in truth. When we are spiritually discerning, we reflect the character of Christ and strengthen the unity of His Church.

At Mosaic International, we depend on discernment to guide every decision and partnership, so that all we do reflects the heart of Jesus and empowers local churches to bring light to their communities.

Keep Following the Story

At Mosaic International, we share stories like this all the time, stories of faith, discernment, and transformation that reveal what God is doing through His people around the world. Each story is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is alive and active in every community, guiding the Church to love well and serve boldly.

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