MY TURN: Discernment

Do you cultivate discernment?

I discovered many don’t when a group of “liberty” minded people on a Facebook page stated how they decided who to vote for in the NIC trustee races. “When in doubt vote them out” was their rally cry. These folks clearly show that a lack of discernment impacts election day.

Proverbs 18:15 tells us: “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”

This insightful biblical message leads to the awareness that discernment is a shield against deception. Discernment prevents us from being lost in a sea of various viewpoints that conflict with each other and tend to confuse people. A discerning individual is able to define the difference between right or wrong, good or bad, fact or fiction.

The wisdom we receive when we pursue discernment is pure of heart, merciful and it breeds righteousness. Living a life rooted in integrity and righteousness comes from rejecting the counsel of charlatans and bigots and seeking truly Christ-centered spiritual and earthly counsel instead.

We are all spiritual beings whether or not we practice some form of religion. Through our spiritual nature we are all called to exercise certain traits as members of humanity. Some of these traits are:

Possessing an open heart and mind – a state that avoids perceived outcomes based on biases so we can connect to our higher voice of wisdom.

An authentically discerning individual will generously express compassion, empathy and understanding. They recognize all things done are a product of a person’s history where traumas have been endured and unique joys experienced.

A person driven by discernment has the courage to confront head-on the dishonest acts of those who harm other people and disrupt the productivity of fellow members of humanity. Discerning people concern themselves with good will rather than with ill will.

Achieving discernment requires the willingness to constantly maintain prayerful or meditative reflection. It provides the ability to quiet one’s mind so one can hear their higher voice of wisdom speak to them. Discerning people hold accountable their inner demons, and they move to overcome them.

Discerning individuals are able to set aside flawed judgment and deleterious defenses so they can live beyond paranoia, pathological anger and a desire to play God.

When a person’s sincere and ultimate goal is to do their part to ensure each of us is provided the freedom to evolve spiritually, then everything else will be held in a subordinate position. Anything that deters us or any other from exploiting the greatness of our potential must be rejected. Such distractions limit our ability to be used for the greater good regarding all of life.

For example, the charlatans and the bigots who crusade and electioneer from the pulpit, from their elected and their chair positions, and from their junk news sites are known to promote the ills of man rather than Christ-centered goodwill. The deep brokenness of such individuals hinders the spiritual development of other people as they encourage fear, paranoia and anger in their faithful followers. Such individuals strive for power over others with closed hearts and confused minds; action that essentially interferes with the freedom of others to achieve a greater degree of discernment and civility.

With the charlatan electioneering from the pulpit telling his flock our public school system is harming our children; with the bigot promoting junk news and blatant falsehoods; and with the political committee chair constantly fueling fear and paranoia in the minds of those who refuse to question his judgment, hope for maintaining a civil society is gravely diminished.

Discernment is the key to a proper and accurate assessment of such individuals since it provides us the ability to comprehend the true character of others, and to uncover what is hidden or obscured. Discernment in others is the very skill the charlatans, the bigots and the junk news authors fear most.

When individuals misrepresent the facts, when they spread rumors and falsehoods, when the mantra,”when in doubt vote them out” is the extent of one’s investment at the polls on election day, they are actually exposing their insecurities, their wounds and their disconnection to their higher voice of wisdom. Stuck at such a lowly emotional level of human experience, they are limiting their value to their community. Discernment would allow such people to connect with their neighbors where common ground can be found, and bridges are built rather than walls. But achieving discernment requires a conscientious effort. It’s hard work!

Are you relying on biased and flawed individuals to tell you how to live and define your life and how to vote?

Or, are you willing to reject the noise of faulty judgments so you can hear wisdom speak, then act on wisdom’s promptings? To do so will provide you clarity, a charitable heart and the needed confidence to continue to strive for more insightfulness.

Cultivating discernment leads to a strong and healthy spirit. It is truly common sense.

Deborah Rose is a Kootenai County resident.