When criticism is mistaken for discernment, it breeds division, fueled by hatred, bitterness, or rejection.
The Dangers of A Critical Spirit in The Body of Christ & Walking in True Discernment
In the vibrant tapestry of Christian living, discernment stands as a divine gift, a beacon of spiritual clarity that guides believers through the complexities of faith, doctrine, and relationships. Yet, in today’s polarized world, many Christians confuse discernment with criticism, cloaking judgmentalism in the guise of spiritual insight. This misapplication often stems from a spirit of hatred, bitterness, resentment, or rejection—attitudes that fracture the Body of Christ rather than unify it. True discernment, rooted in the Holy Spirit, is a powerful tool that fosters love, protects truth, and builds up the Church. In this article, we will explore the biblical foundation of discernment, expose the dangers of counterfeit “discernment,” and encourage believers to walk in love toward their brothers and sisters, as Scripture commands.
The Biblical Foundation of Discernment
Discernment, in its truest form, is a gift from the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to distinguish between truth and error, good and evil, and God’s will versus human or demonic deception. The Greek word often translated as “discernment” in the New Testament is diakrisis, which implies a careful judgment or distinguishing. Hebrews 5:14 describes mature believers as those who, “by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” This verse underscores that discernment is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual discipline developed through intimacy with God and His Word.
The Apostle Paul lists discernment as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10, where he speaks of “the ability to distinguish between spirits” (NIV). This gift allows believers to test the spirits, as 1 John 4:1 urges: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Discernment is not about suspicion or fault-finding but about aligning one’s heart and mind with God’s truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in providing discernment. Jesus promised in John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” This guidance is not a license to criticize but a call to walk humbly with God, seeking His perspective. Philippians 1:9-10 further illuminates this: “And this is my prayer: 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 and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” Here, discernment is tethered to love, knowledge, and purity—not division or bitterness.
The Counterfeit: Criticism Masquerading as Discernment
Sadly, many Christians misuse the term “discernment” to justify criticism, judgment, or even condemnation of others. This counterfeit discernment often flows from negative emotions such as hatred, bitterness, resentment, or rejection, which are antithetical to the Spirit of God. Rather than building up the Body of Christ, this critical spirit tears it apart, sowing discord and wounding fellow believers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven things the Lord hates, including “a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” When criticism is cloaked as discernment, it often manifests as gossip, slander, or public shaming, especially in the age of social media, where believers may call out others under the pretense of defending truth. This behavior aligns more with the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10) than with the Holy Spirit’s gentle conviction.
The root of this counterfeit discernment often lies in unresolved heart issues. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:3-5, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? … First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Criticism driven by bitterness or pride blinds us to our own faults while magnifying the flaws of others. James 3:14-16 further warns, “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
For example, a Christian might claim to “discern” error in a pastor’s teaching, yet their critique is laced with personal resentment or a desire to elevate themselves. This is not discernment but judgmentalism, which Jesus condemned in Matthew 7:1-2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” True discernment seeks restoration, not destruction, and is marked by humility and love.
The Heart of True Discernment: Love and Restoration
Genuine discernment is inseparable from love. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul writes, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, … but do not have love, I am nothing.” Discernment without love is noise, not wisdom. The Holy Spirit’s guidance always aligns with the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When discerning truth, believers must ask: Does my response reflect these qualities? Am I seeking to restore or to condemn?
Galatians 6:1 provides a clear model for addressing error: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Restoration, not rejection, is the goal of true discernment. This requires humility, as Ephesians 4:2-3 urges: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Consider the example of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11). The Pharisees sought to condemn her, but Jesus, with divine discernment, saw both her sin and her worth. He neither excused her sin nor crushed her spirit, saying, “Neither do I condemn you … Go now and leave your life of sin.” This is the heart of discernment: truth spoken in love, aiming for redemption.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discernment
True discernment is a supernatural gift, not a human skill. It requires dependence on the Holy Spirit, who reveals truth and exposes deception. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul discerned that a slave girl’s fortune-telling was powered by a demonic spirit, despite her words appearing truthful. His discernment led to her deliverance, not condemnation. This shows that Spirit-led discernment prioritizes God’s glory and human flourishing.
To cultivate discernment, believers must immerse themselves in Scripture, as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Word of God sharpens our spiritual senses, enabling us to discern truth from error. Psalm 119:105 affirms, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Prayer is equally vital. Colossians 1:9 encourages believers to pray for “spiritual wisdom and understanding” to live lives worthy of the Lord. By seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Christians can avoid the trap of critical judgment and instead walk in divine insight.
The Danger of a Critical Spirit in the Church
A critical spirit disguised as discernment has devastating consequences for the Church. It fosters division, as Paul warned in Romans 16:17-18: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way … By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” When believers criticize without love, they risk becoming the dividers they claim to discern.
This spirit also alienates new or struggling believers. Imagine a young Christian who stumbles in their faith, only to face harsh criticism from those claiming discernment. Instead of being restored, they may feel rejected, driving them away from the Church. Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:3-7) reminds us that God’s heart is to seek and save the lost, not to condemn them.
Moreover, a critical spirit hinders our witness to the world. Jesus prayed in John 17:21 that believers would be one, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” When Christians tear each other down under the guise of discernment, they undermine the gospel’s credibility. The world sees division, not the love that Jesus said would mark His disciples (John 13:35).
Encouragement to Love One Another
The antidote to counterfeit discernment is love rooted in the Holy Spirit. Jesus commanded, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). This love does not ignore truth but delivers it with grace. 1 Peter 4:8 exhorts, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” When discernment is exercised in love, it builds up rather than tears down.
Practically, this means approaching differences with humility and prayer. If a believer discerns error in another’s teaching or behavior, they should first pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and examine their own heart (Psalm 139:23-24). They should then approach the person privately, as Matthew 18:15 instructs: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” The goal is restoration, not exposure.
Believers must also guard against bitterness and resentment. Hebrews 12:15 warns, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” By forgiving others and seeking God’s healing, Christians can ensure their discernment flows from a pure heart.
Finally, we must celebrate the diversity within the Body of Christ. Romans 12:4-5 reminds us, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Discernment helps us navigate differences, not destroy them, fostering unity in Christ.
Conclusion: Walking in True Discernment
Discernment is a precious gift from the Holy Spirit, designed to protect the Church, uphold truth, and promote love. However, when criticism is mistaken for discernment, it breeds division, fueled by hatred, bitterness, or rejection. True discernment, grounded in Scripture and led by the Spirit, seeks restoration and unity, reflecting the heart of Christ. As believers, let us commit to praying for wisdom, immersing ourselves in God’s Word, and loving one another deeply. May we wield discernment not as a weapon but as a tool of grace, building up the Body of Christ for His glory.
