God’s Love: The Role of Knowledge and Discernment / Author: Cynthia Greene
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians we read:
“This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment. (Philippians 1:9).
This scripture introduces us to three essential qualities: Love, Knowledge, and Discernment. Let us explore each one and see how they are interrelated and interconnected.
Love
The word Greek word “Agape” is used in the New Testament to describe God’s love and the love that we should have for each other. It is a selfless and unconditional love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13 characterized by being patient, kind, serving, truthful, forgiving and hopeful.
- God is love (1 John 4:8).
- God’s love sent His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16, Romans 5:8).
- Love God with all our heart and soul (Matthew 22:37).
- Love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:38-39, 1 John 4:7-8).
- Love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
- We are to grow in Love (1 Thessalonians 3:12).
- Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
As we read in Philippians 1:9 God wants us to Love each other, but within the bounds of knowledge and discernment. Love should reflect the excellence of God and brings Him Glory. Love isn’t blind, foolish, or about “following your heart”. It takes more than just wanting to love our friends and enemies. Our Love for others needs to come with knowledge and discernment.
Knowledge
In Proverbs 1:7 we learn:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Psalm 119:105 expands on this:
“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
The knowledge of God’s love, way of life and righteousness is far superior to man’s knowledge. Isaiah 55:8 reminds us:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…”
To love others properly, we must first understand how God loves us and how he expects us to love others. Reading, thinking about, and memorizing God’s Word will help us love others better.
We read in Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in God forgave you.”
Understanding the love God showed by sacrificing His Son helps us comprehend the kind of sacrificial love God calls us to offer to others.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. “ (Romans 12:1)
We are called to love others sacrificially, whether or not they deserve it. That is why we are called to love both our friends and enemies. We don’t get to choose who to love—just as God gave his Son for all of mankind.
Discernment
For Christians, discernment is the ability to make decisions using sound judgment, understanding right from wrong, and having clarity between the truth and falsehood. Discernment helps us act with spiritual awareness, making wise choices based on Godly principles. Simply put, discernment is learning to think like God and see things as God sees them.
Examples of discernment include:
- How to respond when someone sins or offends us.
- How to reach out to others.
- How to speak truth in love.
- How to disagree with others with love and respect.
- How to encourage others.
- When to give, when to hold back.
- How God wants me to love a specific person.
- How to set and enforce boundaries.
- What is the right time to help and love others.
When combined with love, discernment allows us to navigate relationships with wisdom. While our love should overflow to others, discernment helps us know when and how to show love in the best way for each situation. Discernment enables us to love others in a way that brings glory to God.
However, Godly discernment does not come to us naturally.; It is something we must pray for.
“I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.” (Psalm 118:125)
Paul writes about this in Philippians 1:9-11
“My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, 10 for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns. 11 May you always be doing those good, kind things that show you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.” (Philippians 1:9-11, NLT)
Others scriptures in the New Testament to consider:
“… but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, NLT)
“Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14, NLT)
Putting It All Together
As Christians we are to grow in the spiritual Fruit of love so that God can use us as vessels to share His love with those around us. We should do nothing for our own glory or to draw attention to ourselves. It is our works, done in love, that shows others we are Christ’s disciples.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)
Philippians 1:9,–“This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment”– is a call for believers to live grounded in God’s love, using Godly Knowledge and guided by Godly Discernment to show love to others.
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Lee
THANKS CYNTHIA!! This is EXCELLENT and GREATLY APPRECIATED!! “Now the PURPOSE of the commandment is LOVE out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and genuine faith.” ( 1 Timothy 1:5)
Peaceable Thoughts
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