Judgment. Discernment. So close yet so so different—even the dictionary includes discerning in its first definition of judgment!

Judgment: The process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning and comparing (Merriam-Webster).

If the two are so comparable that even the dictionary uses one to define the other, what’s the point of parsing the finer facets of this word? I mean, isn’t this just an essentially meaningless exercise in semantics? Absolutely not.

Let’s begin with how Merriam-Webster defines discernment.

Discernment: The quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning.

Now THAT’S a HUGE difference, and not just in vocabulary.

When we judge one another, we’re essentially forming an opinion of that person. Maybe it’s about their character. Maybe it’s about their status. Whatever. It doesn’t really matter what we choose, because the bottom line is that when we fall into—or stop with—judgment we are trapped in an opinion, perhaps even a comparison. Maybe we’re comparing that person with ourselves or maybe with other people or groups of people. Again, the nature of the judgment isn’t nearly as important (in my humble opinion) as the fact that judging is happening!

The problem is that when we fall prey to the judgment trap, we became ensnared in things like jealousy, pride, criticism, condemnation, and a we/they or I/you mindset. The path of judgment leads straight to division and often also either inferiority or superiority. Not unity. Not compassion. Not freedom.

Perhaps this is why James 4:12 says “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you, judging your neighbor?” and why Jesus warns us in the Sermon on the Mount to be more concerned about the speck in our own eye than any plank we think we see in someone else’s (see Matthew 7)? Judging isn’t our job. Discerning, however, is.

Discernment doesn’t assume we know the whole picture. Discernment doesn’t form an opinion and isn’t sourced from or feeding into pride either. When we discern, we simply perceiving, or receiving, a revelation from the Lord, a revelation that has been released to us directly from God’s heart of love. When we stand firm in discernment, we operate from God’s mercy, kindness, and compassion which overcomes our all-too-human predisposition to the counterfeit trap of judgment. When we operate in Holy Spirit-inspired discernment, we receive and perceive for the purpose of breakthrough in that person’s life. Discernment will seek blessing, unity, and restoration and does not rejoice in someone else’s foibles or potential fall-outs from them. There may be consequences, but instead of rejoicing over someone “getting what was coming to them,” grief is the response.

So, yes, judgment and discernment both involve perceiving, but the heart posture, response, and ultimate end result are literally dark vs. light. Fleshy judgment is a slippery vortex that leads to bondage and division. But Holy Spirit-empowered discernment? THAT results in the release of mercy, kindness, wholeness, breakthrough, and FREEDOM. My friends, let’s lean into His presence and heart so we aren’t tricked by the counterfeit.

“Discernment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, 17 Aug. 2024, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discernment. Accessed 26 August 2024.

“Judgment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judgment. Accessed 26 August 2024.