The Weight of Discernment

Deborah M. Jackson
Jul 26
3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Learning to Hear from God for Yourself

This is the beginning of something I've been holding close - a new rhythm of teaching, reflection and formation. Over time, Ill share more about this space. For now, may this first letter speak to your spirit...

My spiritual director would always say, 'I’m praying for your discernment.' I didn’t fully understand the weight of that prayer until thirty years later.

She never tried to be the voice of God in my life. While I was blessed with two spiritually grounded parents, my spiritual director held a unique place in my journey with Jesus Christ. Raised Catholic and Baptist, I chose to broaden my Christian experience. That exploration, in many ways, was prompted by cultural shifts I encountered after relocating to Georgia and North Carolina. Despite feeling connected to tradition and denominational practices, I learned through personal experience the importance of spiritual maturity and growth. This is where I experienced the real power of a spiritual director.

Regardless of the type of strong spiritual leadership one may have, their role is not to replace or diminish one’s ability to grow in hearing from God for themselves. (1 John 4:1) Support, guidance, and leadership should never cultivate dependency.

Discernment is more than a gift—it is a responsibility. It requires ongoing intimacy with Christ and deep spiritual maturity. And yet today, I see discernment being eclipsed by spectacle. There’s a concerning rise in prophetic performance—online and even in pulpits—that bypasses the necessary work of spiritual formation, character development, and intimacy with Jesus Christ. Developing the character of Christ comes through trials, not just feel-good sermons or moving worship music. (Romans 5:3–5)

Of course, the prophetic is biblical and sacred. But discernment is the testing ground. Without it, even a true word can become distorted in immature hands. (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:20–21)

Discernment is not passive. It demands awareness, understanding, and action. Paul’s prayer to the Philippians remains ours today: “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best.” (Philippians 1:9–10)

In my own walk, the Lord has lovingly continued to develop my spiritual maturity. It is a lifelong process that requires submission to well-grounded, tested counsel—people whose lives show congruency between their public, private, personal, and professional lives. Maturing in discernment helps us know when to surrender and when to fight, how to recognize truth from lies—even when a lie is cloaked in Scripture or theology, whether it’s coming from a pulpit or a posse. Discernment, when shaped by the Word of God, also helps differentiate between emotionally charged reactions and Spirit-led decisions.

During the years I cared for my mother, I had to pray daily: “Lord, is this a spiritual battle or a clinical one—or both?” There comes a point in each of our lives when God calls us into the 'alone.' Not to abandon us, but to support growth and development in our hearts.

I’m praying today for a renewed thirst for discernment—for emotionally and spiritually healthy believers committed to learning to hear from God for themselves and who sincerely long to mature in Christ. May we be leaders and learners who equip others to walk wisely and deeply in step with the Holy Spirit.

This is the first letter in the Formed in the Clearing series. I pray it offers strength, clarity, and encouragement on your journey of becoming whole in Christ.

An audio welcome will be released later this week for those who prefer to listen. Be sure to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss what’s ahead.