Incline Your Heart to Discernment

“Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.”—PROVERBS 2:6.

1. How can we incline our heart to discernment?

JEHOVAH is our Grand Instructor. (Isaiah 30:20, 21) But what must we do to benefit from “the very knowledge of God” revealed in his Word? In part, we must ‘incline our heart to discernment’—have a heartfelt desire to acquire and display this quality. For this, we must look to God, for the wise man said: “Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment.” (Proverbs 2:1-6) What are knowledge, wisdom, and discernment?

2. (a) What is knowledge? (b) How would you define wisdom? (c) What is discernment?

² Knowledge is familiarity with facts acquired by experience, observation, or study. Wisdom is the ability to put knowledge to work. (Matthew 11:19) King Solomon displayed wisdom when two women claimed the same child and he used his knowledge of a mother’s devotion to her offspring to settle the dispute. (1 Kings 3:16-28) Discernment is “acuteness of judgment.” It is “the power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another.” (Webster’s Universal Dictionary) If we incline our heart to discernment, Jehovah will give it to us through his Son. (2 Timothy 2:1, 7) But how can discernment affect various aspects of life?

Discernment and Our Speech

3. How would you explain Proverbs 11:12, 13 and what it means to be “in want of heart”?

³ Discernment helps us to realize that there is “a time to keep quiet and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) This quality also makes us careful about what we say. Proverbs 11:12, 13 states: “The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman, but the man of broad discernment is one that keeps silent. The one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter.” Yes, a man or a woman who despises another person is “in want of heart.” According to lexicographer Wilhelm Gesenius, such an individual is “void of understanding.” He or she lacks good judgment, and the use of the term “heart” shows that positive qualities of the inner person are deficient. If a professing Christian should carry his or her loose talk to the point of slander or reviling, appointed elders must act to put an end to this unwholesome situation in the congregation.—Leviticus 19:16; Psalm 101:5; 1 Corinthians 5:11.

4. What do discerning and faithful Christians do about confidential information?

⁴ Unlike those “in want of heart,” individuals of “broad discernment” keep silent when it is appropriate to do so. They do not betray a confidence. (Proverbs 20:19) Knowing that unguarded speech can cause harm, discerning ones are “faithful in spirit.” They are loyal to fellow believers and do not divulge confidential matters that might endanger them. If discerning Christians receive confidential information of any kind pertaining to the congregation, they keep it to themselves until Jehovah’s organization sees good to make it known by its own means of publication.

Discernment and Our Conduct

5. How do ‘stupid ones’ view loose conduct, and why?

⁵ Bible proverbs help us to use discernment and avoid improper conduct. For example, Proverbs 10:23 says: “To the stupid one the carrying on of loose conduct is like sport, but wisdom is for the man of discernment.” Those to whom loose conduct is “like sport” are blind to the wrongness of their course and discount God as the one to whom all must render an account. (Romans 14:12) Such ‘stupid ones’ become perverted in their reasoning to the point of assuming that God does not see their wrongdoing. By their actions, they in effect say: “There is no Jehovah.” (Psalm 14:1-3; Isaiah 29:15, 16) Not being guided by godly principles, they lack discernment and cannot judge matters correctly.—Proverbs 28:5.

6. Why is loose conduct stupid, and how will we view it if we have discernment?

⁶ “The man of discernment” realizes that loose conduct is not “sport,” a game. He knows that it displeases God and can destroy our relationship with him. Such conduct is stupid because it robs people of self-respect, ruins marriages, harms both mind and body, and leads to loss of spirituality. Let us therefore incline our heart to discernment and avoid loose conduct or immorality of any kind.—Proverbs 5:1-23.

Discernment and Our Spirit

7. What are some physical effects of anger?

⁷ Inclining our heart to discernment also helps us to control our spirit. “He that is slow to anger is abundant in discernment,” says Proverbs 14:29, “but one that is impatient is exalting foolishness.” One reason why a discerning person strives to avoid uncontrolled anger is that it has adverse effects upon us physically. It can raise blood pressure and cause respiratory trouble. Doctors have cited anger and rage as emotions aggravating or causing such ailments as asthma, skin diseases, digestive problems, and ulcers.

8. Being impatient can lead to what, but how can discernment help us in this regard?

⁸ It is not just to avoid injuring our health that we should use discernment and be “slow to anger.” Being impatient can lead to foolish actions that we will regret. Discernment makes us consider what could result from unbridled speech or rash conduct and thus keeps us from “exalting foolishness” by doing something unwise. Especially does discernment help us to realize that rage can upset our thinking processes, so that we cannot use sound judgment. This would impair our ability to do the divine will and live according to God’s righteous principles. Yes, yielding to uncontrolled anger is spiritually damaging. In fact, “fits of anger” are classed among the detestable “works of the flesh” that would keep us from inheriting God’s Kingdom. (Galatians 5:19-21) As discerning Christians, then, let us be “swift about hearing, slow about speaking, slow about wrath.”—James 1:19.

9. How can discernment and brotherly love help us to resolve differences?

⁹ If we do become angry, discernment may indicate that we should keep quiet so as to avoid a conflagration. Proverbs 17:27 says: “Anyone holding back his sayings is possessed of knowledge, and a man of discernment is cool of spirit.” Discernment and brotherly love will help us to see the need to control an urge to blurt out something hurtful. If an outburst of anger has already occurred, love and humility will move us to apologize and make amends. But suppose someone has offended us. Then let us speak to him alone in a mild and humble way and with the principal objective of promoting peace.—Matthew 5:23, 24; 18:15-17.

Discernment and Our Family

10. What role do wisdom and discernment play in family life?

¹⁰ Family members need to show wisdom and discernment, for these qualities will build up a household. Says Proverbs 24:3, 4: “By wisdom a household will be built up, and by discernment it will prove firmly established. And by knowledge will the interior rooms be filled with all precious and pleasant things of value.” Wisdom and discernment are like fine building blocks for successful family life. Discernment helps Christian parents to draw out the feelings and concerns of their children. A discerning person is able to communicate, to listen and gain insight into the feelings and thoughts of his or her marriage mate.—Proverbs 20:5.

11. How can a discerning married woman ‘build up her house’?

¹¹ Wisdom and discernment are unquestionably vital for happy family life. For instance, Proverbs 14:1 says: “The truly wise woman has built up her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” A wise and discerning married woman in proper subjection to her husband will work hard for the good of the household and will thereby help to build up her family. One thing that will ‘build up her house’ is that she always speaks well of her husband and thus increases the respect of others for him. And a capable, discerning wife who has the reverential fear of Jehovah wins praise for herself.—Proverbs 12:4; 31:28, 30.

Discernment and Our Course in Life

12. How do those “in want of heart” view foolishness, and why?

¹² Discernment helps us to maintain a proper course in all our affairs. This is indicated at Proverbs 15:21, which says: “Foolishness is a rejoicing to one who is in want of heart, but the man of discernment is one who goes straight ahead.” How are we to understand this proverb? A course of foolishness, or folly, is a cause of joy to senseless men, women, and young people. They are “in want of heart,” lacking good motive, and are so unwise that they rejoice in foolishness.

13. What did Solomon discern about laughter and frivolity?

¹³ Israel’s discerning King Solomon learned that frivolity means very little. He admitted: “I said, even I, in my heart: ‘Do come now, let me try you out with rejoicing. Also, see good.’ And, look! that too was vanity. I said to laughter: ‘Insanity!’ and to rejoicing: ‘What is this doing?’” (Ecclesiastes 2:1, 2) As a man of discernment, Solomon found that mirth and laughter alone are not satisfying, for they do not produce real and lasting happiness. Laughter may help us to forget our problems temporarily, but afterward they may loom up to an even greater degree. Solomon could rightly speak of laughter as “insanity.” Why? Because thoughtless laughter beclouds sound judgment. It may cause us to take very serious matters lightly. The kind of rejoicing associated with the words and actions of a court jester cannot be pointed to as producing something worthwhile. Discerning the import of Solomon’s experiment with laughter and mirth helps us to avoid being “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.”—2 Timothy 3:1, 4.

14. How does the man of discernment go “straight ahead”?

¹⁴ How is it that the man of discernment goes “straight ahead”? Spiritual discernment and the application of godly principles lead people in an upright, straightforward course. Byington’s translation bluntly says: “Foolishness is bliss to a brainless man, but an intelligent man will go straight.” “The man of discernment” makes straight paths for his feet and is able to distinguish between right and wrong because of applying God’s Word in life.—Hebrews 5:14; 12:12, 13.

Always Look to Jehovah for Discernment

15. What do we learn from Proverbs 2:6-9?

¹⁵ To follow an upright course in life, all of us need to acknowledge our imperfection and look to Jehovah for spiritual discernment. Says Proverbs 2:6-9: “Jehovah himself gives wisdom; out of his mouth there are knowledge and discernment. And for the upright ones he will treasure up practical wisdom; for those walking in integrity he is a shield, by observing the paths of judgment, and he will guard the very way of his loyal ones. In that case you will understand righteousness and judgment and uprightness, the entire course of what is good.”—Compare James 4:6.

16. Why is there no wisdom, discernment, or counsel in opposition to Jehovah?

¹⁶ Acknowledging our dependence upon Jehovah, let us humbly seek to discern his will by delving deeply into his Word. He possesses wisdom in the absolute sense, and his counsel is always beneficial. (Isaiah 40:13; Romans 11:34) In fact, any advice that stands in opposition to him is valueless. Proverbs 21:30 states: “There is no wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah.” (Compare Proverbs 19:21.) Only spiritual discernment, developed by a study of God’s Word with the help of publications provided through “the faithful and discreet slave,” will help us to pursue a proper course in life. (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us therefore direct our way of life in harmony with the counsel of Jehovah, knowing that no matter how plausible contrary advice may seem, it cannot stand against his Word.

17. What can result if the wrong counsel is given?

¹⁷ Discerning Christians who give counsel realize that it should be based solidly on God’s Word and that Bible study and meditation are required before answering a question. (Proverbs 15:28) If questions about serious matters are wrongly answered, great harm can result. Hence, Christian elders need spiritual discernment and should pray for Jehovah’s guidance when endeavoring to assist fellow believers spiritually.

Abound With Spiritual Discernment

18. If a problem should arise in the congregation, how can discernment help us to maintain our spiritual balance?

¹⁸ To please Jehovah, we need “discernment in all things.” (2 Timothy 2:7) Avid study of the Bible and compliance with the direction of God’s spirit and organization will help us to discern what to do when we face situations that could lead us into a wrong course. For example, suppose something in the congregation is not handled as we think it should be. Spiritual discernment will help us to see that this is no reason to stop associating with Jehovah’s people and to quit serving God. Think of our privilege to serve Jehovah, of the spiritual freedom we enjoy, of the joy we can derive from our service as Kingdom proclaimers. Spiritual discernment enables us to get the right perspective and to realize that we are dedicated to God and should cherish our relationship with him, regardless of what others do. If there is nothing that we can do theocratically to handle a problem, we need to wait patiently for Jehovah to remedy the situation. Instead of quitting or yielding to despair, let us “wait for God.”—Psalm 42:5, 11.

19. (a) What was the essence of Paul’s prayer for the Philippians? (b) How can discernment help us if we do not fully understand something?

¹⁹ Spiritual discernment helps us to remain loyal to God and his people. Paul told Christians in Philippi: “This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9, 10) To reason properly, we need “accurate knowledge and full discernment.” The Greek word here rendered “discernment” denotes “sensitive moral perception.” When we learn something, we want to perceive its relationship to God and Christ and to meditate on how it magnifies Jehovah’s personality and provisions. This enhances our discernment and our appreciation for what Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have done for us. If we do not fully understand something, discernment will help us to realize that we must not cast aside our faith in all the important things we have learned about God, Christ, and the divine purpose.

20. How can we abound with spiritual discernment?

²⁰ We will abound with spiritual discernment if we always harmonize our thoughts and actions with God’s Word. (2 Corinthians 13:5) Doing this in a constructive way helps us to be humble, not opinionated and critical of others. Discernment will help us to benefit from correction and make sure of the more important things. (Proverbs 3:7) With a desire to please Jehovah, then, let us seek to be filled with accurate knowledge of his Word. This will enable us to discern right from wrong, determine what is truly important, and loyally cling to our precious relationship with Jehovah. All of this is possible if we incline our heart to discernment. Yet, something else is needed. We must let discernment safeguard us.

Let Discernment Safeguard You

“Thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.”—PROVERBS 2:11.

1. Discernment can safeguard us from what?

JEHOVAH wants you to exercise discernment. Why? Because he knows that it will safeguard you from various dangers. Proverbs 2:10-19 opens by saying: “When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” Safeguard you from what? From such things as “the bad way,” those leaving upright paths, and people devious in their general course.

2. What is discernment, and what kind do Christians especially desire?

² Likely you will recall that discernment is the faculty of the mind whereby it distinguishes one thing from another. A person with discernment perceives differences of ideas or things and has good judgment. As Christians, we especially desire spiritual discernment based on accurate knowledge of God’s Word. When we study the Scriptures, it is as though we are quarrying the building blocks of spiritual discernment. What we learn can help us to make decisions that please Jehovah.

3. How can we acquire spiritual discernment?

³ When God asked Israel’s King Solomon what blessing he wanted, the young ruler said: “You must give to your servant an obedient heart to judge your people, to discern between good and bad.” Solomon asked for discernment, and Jehovah gave it to him to an unusual degree. (1 Kings 3:9; 4:30) To acquire discernment, we need to pray, and we have to study God’s Word with the help of the enlightening publications provided through “the faithful and discreet slave.” (Matthew 24:45-47) This will help us to develop spiritual discernment to the extent that we become “full-grown in powers of understanding,” able to “distinguish [or, discern between] both right and wrong.”—1 Corinthians 14:20; Hebrews 5:14.

Special Need for Discernment

4. What does it mean to have a “simple” eye, and how can it benefit us?

⁴ With proper discernment, we can act in harmony with Jesus Christ’s words: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness, and all these other [material] things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Jesus also said: “The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is simple, your whole body is also bright.” (Luke 11:34) The eye is a figurative lamp. A “simple” eye is sincere, focused. With such an eye, we can show discernment and walk without stumbling spiritually.

5. With regard to business dealings, what should we bear in mind about the purpose of the Christian congregation?

⁵ Instead of keeping their eye simple, some have complicated their lives and the lives of others with tempting business dealings. But we should remember that the Christian congregation is “a pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15) Like a building’s columns, the congregation upholds God’s truth, not anyone’s business enterprise. Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses have not been established as locations to promote commercial interests, goods, or services. We must refrain from pursuing personal business affairs in the Kingdom Hall. Discernment helps us to see that Kingdom Halls, Congregation Book Studies, assemblies, and conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are places for Christian association and spiritual discussion. If we were to use spiritual relationships to promote any sort of commercialism, would this not show at least some lack of appreciation for spiritual values? Congregational connections should never be exploited for financial gain.

6. Why should commercial products and services not be sold or promoted at congregation meetings?

⁶ Some have used theocratic contacts to sell health or beauty aids, vitamin products, telecommunication services, construction materials, travel plans, computer programs and equipment, and so forth. However, congregation meetings are no place for selling or promoting commercial products or services. We can discern the underlying principle if we remember that Jesus “drove all those with the sheep and cattle out of the temple, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. And he said to those selling the doves: ‘Take these things away from here! Stop making the house of my Father a house of merchandise!’”—John 2:15, 16.

What About Investments?

7. Why are discernment and caution needed with regard to investments?

⁷ Both discernment and caution are needed when considering an investment in a business venture. Suppose someone wants to borrow money and makes promises like these: “I guarantee that you will make money.” “You can’t lose. This is a sure thing.” Beware when anyone gives such assurances. Either he is not being realistic or he is dishonest, for investing is rarely a sure thing. In fact, some smooth-talking, unscrupulous individuals have defrauded members of the congregation. This calls to mind the “ungodly men” who slipped into the first-century congregation and ‘turned the undeserved kindness of God into an excuse for loose conduct.’ They were like jagged underwater rocks that could rip and kill swimmers. (Jude 4, 12) True, the motives of defrauders are different, but they too prey upon members of the congregation.

8. What has happened in connection with some seemingly profitable business ventures?

⁸ Even well-meaning Christians have shared information about seemingly profitable ventures, only to find that they and those following their example lost the money they invested. As a result, a number of Christians have lost privileges in the congregation. When get-rich-quick ventures prove to be fraudulent schemes, the only one to profit is the defrauder, who often promptly disappears. How can discernment help one to avoid such situations?

9. Why is discernment needed to evaluate claims about investments?

⁹ Discernment carries the thought of being able to grasp what is obscure. This ability is needed to evaluate claims about investments. Christians trust one another, and some may reason that their spiritual brothers and sisters would not get involved in ventures that would endanger the resources of fellow believers. But the fact that a businessman is a Christian does not guarantee that he excels in business matters or that his enterprise will succeed.

10. Why do some Christians seek business loans from fellow believers, and what could happen to such investments?

¹⁰ Some Christians seek business loans from fellow believers because reputable lending agencies would never advance money for their risky enterprises. Many have been fooled into believing that simply by investing their money, they could make a quick fortune without doing much work or perhaps no work at all. Some are attracted to an investment because of the glamour associated with it, only to lose their life savings! One Christian invested a large sum of money, expecting to get a 25-percent rate of return in just two weeks. He lost all that money when bankruptcy was declared. In another venture, a real-estate developer borrowed large sums of money from others in the congregation. He promised unreasonably high returns but went bankrupt and lost the borrowed funds.

When Business Ventures Fail

11. What counsel did Paul give regarding greed and the love of money?

¹¹ Business failures have led to disappointment and even to loss of spirituality on the part of some Christians who entered into unsound ventures. Heartache and bitterness have resulted from failure to let discernment act as a safeguard. Greed has snared many. “Let . . . greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people,” wrote Paul. (Ephesians 5:3) And he warned: “Those who are determined to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of injurious things, and by reaching out for this love some have been led astray from the faith and have stabbed themselves all over with many pains.”—1 Timothy 6:9, 10.

12. If Christians do business with one another, what should they especially remember?

¹² If a Christian developed a love of money, he would cause himself much spiritual harm. The Pharisees were money lovers, and this is a trait of many in these last days. (Luke 16:14; 2 Timothy 3:1, 2) In contrast, a Christian’s manner of life should be “free of the love of money.” (Hebrews 13:5) Of course, Christians can do business with one another or start businesses together. If they do so, however, discussions and negotiations should be kept separate from congregational matters. And remember: Even among spiritual brothers, always commit business agreements to writing. Helpful in this regard is the article “Put It in Writing!,” published in Awake! of February 8, 1983, pages 13 to 15.

13. How would you apply Proverbs 22:7 to business ventures?

¹³ Proverbs 22:7 tells us: “The borrower is servant to the man doing the lending.” It is often unwise for us to put ourselves or our brother in the position of such a servant. When anyone asks us to lend him money for a business venture, it would be advisable to consider his ability to repay the sum. Is he known to be reliable and trustworthy? Of course, we should realize that making such a loan could mean the loss of the money because many business ventures fail. A contract in itself does not ensure a successful venture. And surely it is not prudent for anyone to place more at risk in an enterprise than he could afford to lose.

14. Why do we need to show discernment if we have lent money to a fellow Christian whose business fails?

¹⁴ We need to show discernment if we have lent funds to a Christian for business purposes and the money was lost, though no dishonest practices were involved. If the business failure was not the fault of our fellow believer who borrowed the money, can we say that we were wronged? No, because we voluntarily made the loan, we have probably been collecting interest on it, and nothing dishonest has taken place. Since there was no dishonesty, we have no basis for legal action against the borrower. What good would it do to sue an honest fellow Christian who had to file for bankruptcy because a well-intentioned business venture failed?—1 Corinthians 6:1.

15. What factors require consideration if bankruptcy is declared?

¹⁵ Those experiencing business failures sometimes seek relief by declaring bankruptcy. Since Christians are not negligent about indebtedness, even after being legally freed of certain debts, some have felt obliged to try to pay off canceled sums if the creditors would accept payment. But what if a borrower lost his brother’s money and then lived in a luxurious manner? Or what if the borrower acquired sufficient funds to pay back what he borrowed but ignored the moral obligation he may have to his brother financially? Then there would be questions about the borrower’s qualifications to serve in a responsible capacity in the congregation.—1 Timothy 3:3, 8; see The Watchtower, September 15, 1994, pages 30-1.

What if There Is Fraud?

16. What steps may be taken if we seem to be victims of business fraud?

¹⁶ Discernment helps us to realize that profits do not result from all investments. Yet, what if fraud is involved? Fraud is “the intentional use of deception, trickery, or perversion of truth for the purpose of inducing another to part with some valuable thing belonging to him or to give up a legal right.” Jesus Christ outlined steps that may be taken when a person thinks he has been defrauded by a fellow worshiper. According to Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus said: “If your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two more, in order that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every matter may be established. If he does not listen to them, speak to the congregation. If he does not listen even to the congregation, let him be to you just as a man of the nations and as a tax collector.” The illustration that Jesus subsequently gave indicates that he had in mind such sins as those involving financial matters, including fraud.—Matthew 18:23-35.

17, 18. If a professing Christian defrauds us, how can discernment safeguard us?

¹⁷ Of course, there would be no Scriptural basis for taking the steps outlined at Matthew 18:15-17 if there was no evidence or even a suggestion of fraud. Yet, what if a professing Christian actually defrauded us? Discernment can safeguard us from taking action that may put the congregation in a bad light. Paul advised fellow Christians to let themselves be wronged and even defrauded instead of taking a brother to court.—1 Corinthians 6:7.

¹⁸ Our genuine brothers and sisters are not ‘full of fraud and villainy,’ like the sorcerer Bar-Jesus. (Acts 13:6-12) So let us use discernment when money is lost in business ventures involving fellow believers. If we are thinking about taking legal action, we should consider the possible effects on us personally, on the other person or persons, on the congregation, and on outsiders. Pursuing compensation could consume much of our time, energy, and other resources. It might result only in enriching attorneys and other professionals. Sadly, some Christians have sacrificed theocratic privileges because of becoming overly absorbed in these things. Our being sidetracked in this manner must make Satan happy, but we want to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Proverbs 27:11) On the other hand, accepting a loss may spare us heartaches and save much time for us and for the elders. It will help to preserve the congregation’s peace and will enable us to keep on seeking first the Kingdom.

Discernment and Decision-Making

19. What can spiritual discernment and prayer do for us when we are making stressful decisions?

¹⁹ Making decisions regarding financial or business matters can be quite stressful. But spiritual discernment can help us to weigh factors and make wise decisions. Moreover, prayerful reliance on Jehovah can bring us “the peace of God.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) It is a calmness and tranquillity resulting from a close personal relationship with Jehovah. Surely, such peace can help us to maintain our balance when we are faced with difficult decisions.

20. What should we be determined to do as far as business matters and the congregation are concerned?

²⁰ Let us be determined not to let business disputes disrupt our peace or that of the congregation. We need to remember that the Christian congregation functions to help us spiritually, not to serve as a center for commercial pursuits. Business matters should always be kept separate from congregation activities. We need to use discernment and caution when embarking upon business ventures. And let us always maintain a balanced view of such matters, seeking Kingdom interests first. If a business venture involving fellow worshipers should fail, may we seek what is best for all concerned.

21. How can we use discernment and act in harmony with Philippians 1:9-11?

²¹ Instead of being overly concerned about financial matters and other less important things, may all of us incline our hearts to discernment, pray for God’s guidance, and keep Kingdom interests first. In harmony with Paul’s prayer, ‘may our love abound with accurate knowledge and full discernment so that we may make sure of the more important things and not be stumbling others’ or ourselves. Now that Christ the King is on his heavenly throne, let us show spiritual discernment in every aspect of life. And ‘may we be filled with righteous fruit through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of our God,’ the Sovereign Lord Jehovah.—Philippians 1:9-11.