100 Bible Verses about Discernment And Understanding

1 John 4:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Hebrews 5:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

James 1:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Acts 17:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

1 Kings 3:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

James 3:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

1 Timothy 6:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.

Colossians 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Philippians 1:9-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Ephesians 1:17-18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Romans 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

John 7:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Proverbs 18:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

1 John 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 2:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

James 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 Timothy 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

1 Timothy 3:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Philippians 1:9-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

Philippians 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1 Corinthians 14:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.

1 Corinthians 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Romans 16:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Romans 11:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Acts 17:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

Acts 17:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. ...

John 16:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 14:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 21:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Mark 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 24:23-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:4-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Matthew 16:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’

Matthew 16:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. ...

Matthew 15:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Zechariah 7:1-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, which is Chislev. Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-melech and their men to entreat the favor of the Lord, saying to the priests of the house of the Lord of hosts and the prophets, “Should I weep and abstain in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?” Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me: “Say to all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted? ...

Daniel 12:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 2:20-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jeremiah 9:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

Isaiah 8:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. ...

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 17:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

Proverbs 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 15:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 3:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

Proverbs 3:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Psalm 119:125 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

Psalm 119:66 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Psalm 83:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold your peace or be still, O God! For behold, your enemies make an uproar; those who hate you have raised their heads. They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” For they conspire with one accord; against you they make a covenant— ...

Psalm 51:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

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