Living in 3D:
Discern Next Steps – Part 2
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:1-11
Key Verse: Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ
Please note the way the Apostle Paul started verse nine of our scripture for yesterday and today: “And this is my prayer…” Paul believed that God would make a divine move in our behalf in this area of discernment. Paul believed he had full permission to ask God for this spirit of discernment. We need to feel this confidence as well!
The apostle recognized that our love for Christ needed to grow. Most new believers have this exciting zeal for God. You have probably been around someone who had this fresh new passion but lacked the knowledge and depth that is needed. Zeal without knowledge becomes exhausting to those around them. It is an ineffective situation, thus Paul was praying for these Philippian Christ followers to grow in their knowledge.
The progression is clear in Paul’s prayer: Love, then growth in knowledge, and finally discernment. There must be some growth in knowledge if we expect that our discernment factor will be present! As we grow our knowledge of God, we begin to discern that which is best, as well as becoming more and more holy. When dealing with people who are not believers, you and I truly are desperate for God’s help in discerning that which is best. The good news is: God wants to grant us that more than we want it!
Father, I request your spirit of discernment. I pray for your help in growing my knowledge and purity as I walk with you before people who need you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.