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2025-12-11: Discernment (SALT)

What

Introduction
does Discernment mean
  • Διακρίνω (Greek,diakrino): etc.)

    Separate

    one from another; decompose into elemental parts; distinguish; decide

  • The ability to perceive what is from God, what is from myself, and what is from the enemy - and to choose the path that leads to life
  • To see reality truthfully
    • See yourself truthfully - what are my strengths, what are my weaknesses, what are my motives, what are my biases
    • See others truthfully - without judgment and without idealization
    • See events truthfully - without deception or passion
  • “Some have afflicted their bodies by asceticism, but they lack discernment, and so they are far from God" - St AntonyAnthony said
    • St DiscernmentAnthony isput discernment even above asceticism. And most of the desert fathers see discernment as being the most important virtue.virtue!
    • What about love??!
    • Discernment is what guides all other virtues
      • Without discernment, the other virtues may notcan be pleasingdispleasing to God

      • Love can be misguided if it isn't accompanied by discernment/wisdom
        • Love without discernment can go wrong - Whatand aboutit Love?can't Forbe example,corrected because there is no discernment.
        • Discernment without love, however, can be corrected
    • Example: St Peter -
      • St hePeter loved the LordLord. butBut he lacked discernmentdiscernment.
        • about
      • He overestimated himself and misjudged his strengths and limits
        • "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." (Matthew 26:33)
        • "This led him on little by little to self-confidence. Christ then, out of a desire to put down this, permitted his denial. For since he neither submitted Him, he is instructed by deeds.

          The Lord said to Peter "I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not," sharply reproving him, and showing that his fall was more grievous than the rest, and needed more help. For the matters of blame were two; both that he gainsaid; and, that he set himself before the other; or rather a third too, namely, that he attributed all to himself."

          From where did this come to him? From much love and from much pleasure."
          (St John Chrysostom Homily 82.3 on Matthew)
      • He didn't see the Lord Jesus' will
        • "Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear." (John 18:10)
      • His did not discern his own abilities

        weakness,



        the

        danger of that night, the true nature of Christ's mission, and the spiritual warfare. So he was caught off guard and denied the Lord Christ three times.

Discernment of Thoughts
  • "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 -John Discernment4:1)
  • Origin of a thought
    • From man: "The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile."
    • From God (Holy Spirit abiding in us): "But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." (Matthew 10:19-20)
    • From the devil: "And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son to betray Him." (John 13:2) and "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?'" (Acts 5:3)
  • Discern the Origin of a thought
    • One challenge is that a thought from God can be immediately followed by a thought from Satan
    • Matthew 16: "You are Christ the Son of the Living God... flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven... far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" ... "Get behind Me, Satan!"
  • How to Discern a thought
    • Is it filled with the fear of God?
      • Thoughts from God humble us, point us to obedience, reverence, etc.

    • Is it filled with goodness towards every one?
      • Thoughts from God encourage love, compassion, concern for others. If a thought stirs envy, resentment, harm, etc. it is not from God.
    • Does it agree with the actions of the Lord and the Apostles?
    • Does it evoke peace, tranquility? Or anger, bitterness or turmoil?
      • The most pious thoughts

         should be suspected if they deprive us of inner peace
    • Does the thought come with a sense of urgency?
      • If you feel compelled to do it right away, say it right away, etc. then it is likely from the Tempter!
      • Stirrings of the Holy Spirit come gradually and gently, not impulsively
    • Reveal it to your Father of Confession
Discernment in Speech
  • Bringing up people's old sins
Discerning the Will of God

— See Practical Spirituality

Discerning

My

2 - Discernment in speech

— Bringing up people's old sins


3 - Discernment of the will of God

— See Practical Spirituality


4 - Discernment of my abilities

Abilities

— Quality in the Spiritual Life, not just quantity

— What I gain quickly, I can lose quickly. What I gain with patience, will be harder for me to lose


5 - Discernment of the abilities of those I serve

— Some stuff in 1952 from the desert fathers

— Dealing with them individually - importance of getting to know each one (e.g. through visitation, through spending time with them on Friday night during free time)




How to growGrow in discernment?

Discernment

— Ask the Lord for Discernment

— — King Solomon prayed for “that I may discern between good and bad”

— Conscious Purpose of Mind - Intention

— — See On Spiritual Life (33)

— Guidance


Instead of a PowerPoint, give a worksheet that lets them write down each of the points and has a section for notes

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