To Discern (ἀνακρίνω)
As a derivative of the word for "judge," "discern" expresses the careful study of a question and is often used within a judicial hearing.
After discerning whether or not Jesus was guilty, Pilate’s response to the chief priests and rulers of Israel was that he found no fault in Christ, whom they accused of misleading the people. Not only did Pilate find no fault, but Herod also sent Jesus back to Pilate, declaring that Christ had done nothing worthy of death (Luke 23:13–15).
Before the rulers and elders, Peter confronted them for having Christ put to death, as he and John were being examined concerning a good deed performed for a helpless man (Acts 4:8–10). After Herod killed James and saw that it pleased the Jewish leaders, he imprisoned Peter with the intent to put him to death after the Days of Unleavened Bread concluded (Acts 12:2–3). However, God sent a messenger during the night to release Peter from prison. In the morning, when the guards discovered that Peter was no longer in the prison, they were examined and executed for failing to secure their prisoner (Acts 12:19).
Outside of a judicial setting, "discern" is used concerning what someone says or how someone acts. The Jews of Berea were noble-born, unlike those of Thessalonica. Therefore, they were able to examine the Scriptures concerning what Paul was teaching them about the Christ, since they could afford copies of the scrolls. Due to their access to the Scriptures, many believed what Paul was proclaiming (Acts 17:11).
When it comes to discerning the things of the Spirit, these cannot be examined by those who are soulish in focus. A soulish man does not have the Spirit of God and therefore, his fleshly framed mind does not have the inherent ability to be subject to God (1 Corinthians 2:14). However, an individual who is spiritual is able to discern the things of the Spirit. One who has their mind set upon and seeks the desires of the Holy Spirit must manifest this mindset through their actions and lifestyle for others to recognize that they are spiritual, as we cannot discern a spiritual person by appearance alone (1 Corinthians 2:15).
Attempting to discern the intentions of others is not something in which we are to be involved, as it is the Lord who will judge the hidden things of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:3–5). However, we are still to identify, mark, and, when necessary, separate from those who teach false doctrine and behave in a manner contrary to Christ (Romans 16:17; 2 John 10; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).
Be cautious concerning those who seek to discern others, for just as the false apostles attempted to persuade the Corinthian saints against Paul, such people will similarly seek to gather followers to themselves. Although Paul had the right to receive financial support from the Corinthian saints, he chose not to accept anything from them, knowing it would hinder the gospel among them (1 Corinthians 9:3–12). The false apostles tried to use this decision against Paul, claiming it proved he was not truly an apostle. Ultimately, discerning the intentions of the heart should always be left to God; our responsibility is to judge actions, not intent.
Although the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues has ceased because we now possess the complete revelation of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:8–10), we can still learn from the Corinthian saints, who did not hold their meetings in an orderly manner. As a result, when someone unfamiliar with their practices joined them, their impression was that these people were out of their minds. Within the context of 1 Corinthians chapters twelve through fourteen, Paul rebukes these saints for misusing spiritual gifts, emphasizing that the Church should not be ignorant regarding their proper use. If a person had the gift of speaking in tongues, he was not to speak unless someone was present who could interpret his words. Since speaking in tongues involved known languages—contrary to what is falsely claimed today in assemblies professing this gift—the interpreter needed to be sufficiently familiar with the language to clearly express the wonders of God being spoken. However, as prophecy was also active during that period, since all Scripture had not yet been completed, Paul encouraged believers to seek this gift. Prophecy, unlike tongues, had the ability to convict unbelievers because it discerned and revealed hidden matters of the heart (1 Corinthians 14:23–25). Speaking in tongues was specifically a sign for unbelieving Jews, not for Gentiles (1 Corinthians 14:22). Therefore, it remains important that everything within the Church be done in an orderly manner, and that spiritual gifts not be abused, so that all present can discern and clearly understand what is being taught.
The act of discerning requires a careful examination of a question to properly understand its answer. Regarding spiritual matters, one must set his mind on things above and prioritize seeking and fulfilling the desires of the Spirit to be correctly led by Him and discern these matters accurately. When we attempt to know God through our emotions or fleshly desires, we are unable to discern spiritual truths clearly and will inevitably be led astray. This is because our sin nature wages war against our soul, the center of our emotions, seeking to bring us into submission and obedience to its desires.