The Discerning Leader

When I was a kid there was a story circulating (almost certainly apocryphal) about a young man caught in a dilemma. He knew two equally promising young women, but couldn't decide which to marry. One of the women was named "Joy."

To be truly discerning, we have to accept that knowledge and training are not enough.

As the story went, he cried out for the Lord's help, then flipped open his Bible, which happened to open to Isaiah 55:12: "You shall go out with Joy … "

He had his answer.

Like I said, probably not a true story, but you can see its appeal. If only our quandaries were so easily solved.

For the most part, of course, they're not. They require discernment.

What is discernment?

Encyclopedia.com defines discernment as "perception in the absence of judgment."

In other words, when there's no set ruling on a topic, no clear instruction telling us what to do, that's when we need discernment.

Some decisions can be made no discernment required.

Should I love my neighbor? Should I be faithful to my spouse? Must I love the Lord with all my soul, heart, and strength?

Yes, yes, and yes. And I don't even have to pray about it! God's Word is explicit.

Other questions aren't answered by flipping open your Bible. Should I take that job in Denver or the one in New York? Should I live in the city or the suburbs? Should I rent or own?

For leaders, discernment is even more crucial because our ability to discern affects others.

There is no formula for developing discernment, but Scripture gives us clues for how discernment can be honed. The writer of Hebrews talks about reserving the "solid food" for those who "have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice" (5:14).

We may think of discernment only as a gift, something that drops from the heavens, but apparently it is something that develops through "constant practice." But lest we become too confident in our efforts, Paul reminds us that "things of the Spirit of God," are "spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).

So discernment is more than a natural faculty. It has a spiritual dimension. It requires being sensitive to God, alive to his Spirit.

Time and again, I've heard of leaders who make decisions that seem to defy logic and go against their natural emotions—but ultimately turn out to be the right call. Why? Because the Spirit was leading. And they listened.

To truly be discerning, we have to accept that knowledge and training aren't enough. We must be open to God's supernatural leading. We must be receptive to the gentle nudges of the Spirit, confessing that our natural abilities are ultimately inadequate—even as we try to grow them through constant practice.

Drew Dyck Managing Editor