Spiritual Discernment

It means that the truth can be heard with the ears but not received with the heart.

What Does It Mean That the Natural Man Cannot Understand the Gospel?

“The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”— 1 Corinthians 2:14

Some people think that when we say sinners are “dead in sin,” we mean they are incapable of understanding the words of the gospel. That is not quite right. In fact, that is not what we mean at all.

Dead in sin does not mean intellectually unaware. It means the sinner cannot savor spiritual truth, take delight in it, or rejoice in it.

The sinner can understand the words, the facts, and even the implications of the gospel. He can read a Bible tract, listen to a sermon, or hear a friend explain the good news about Jesus. But what he cannot understand, what he cannot truly see, is the beauty, the truth, and the excellency of Christ in it. He does not grasp why Jesus is good news. He does not treasure what is being offered.

As Jesus said, "Seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand" (Matthew 13:13). Paul explains that the problem is not lack of information but lack of spiritual discernment. The gospel seems like foolishness to the natural man because he does not have the Holy Spirit.

That phrase, "spiritually discerned," is crucial. It means that the truth can be heard with the ears but not received with the heart. The gospel does not just require comprehension. It requires spiritual sight, the ability to see Christ as desirable, trustworthy, and worthy of all. That is something no one has by nature. It is something only the Holy Spirit gives.

The sinner’s condition is not like a man who wants to believe but cannot. It is more like someone who hates the offer and wants nothing to do with it. "You refuse to come to Me, that you may have life" (John 5:40). Why? "Because the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).

That is why no one comes to Christ unless the Father draws them (John 6:44). As Scripture says, "The Lord opened {Lydia's} heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul" (Acts 16:14). Faith is not a natural response. It is something God must grant (John 6:65; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 2:25).

This is what it means to be dead in sin. Not brain-dead. Not unable to read or hear. But spiritually hardened, without affection for the things of God. That is why Paul says that even though the unbeliever knows God, "he suppresses the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). He does not lack information. He lacks love for the truth. He knows that God exists and that He is holy, but he resents that holiness. He knows what God commands but does not see it as good or life-giving.

In other words, his problem is not cognitive. It is moral and spiritual.

That is why we pray for unbelievers. That is why we ask the Spirit to open hearts. That is why we believe that salvation, from start to finish, is by grace. Because unless God gives new eyes, no one will ever see Jesus as their greatest need and treasure.

Article from Monergism

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Spiritual discernment in the Bible is about recognizing God’s guidance, distinguishing truth from falsehood, and making wise decisions through the Spirit and God’s wisdom.

Key Scriptures on Spiritual Discernment

• Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This emphasizes reliance on God rather than human judgment for discernment

• Philippians 1:9-10 – Paul prays that believers’ love may abound in knowledge and insight so they can discern what is best and remain pure.

• 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 – Spiritual truths are discerned through the Holy Spirit; those without the Spirit cannot understand them.

• 1 John 4:1 – "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God," highlighting the need to evaluate spiritual influences.

• Hebrews 5:14 – Mature believers train themselves to distinguish good from evil through constant practice.

• James 1:5 – God generously gives wisdom to those who ask, which is essential for discernment.

• Ephesians 5:17—"Therefore "do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is," encouraging awareness of God’s guidance.

• Romans 12:2 – Transformation through renewing the mind allows believers to test and approve God’s will.

• Psalm 32:8 – God promises instruction and guidance, showing His personal involvement in discernment.

• Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s plans for hope and a future provide assurance in decision-making.

Principles for Practicing Spiritual Discernment

1. Seek God’s Wisdom – Discernment comes from God, often through prayer and study of Scripture (James 1:5).

2. Rely on the Holy Spirit – Spiritual understanding is revealed through the Spirit, not human reasoning alone (1 Corinthians 2:14).

3. Test and Evaluate – Examine teachings, spirits, and influences to ensure alignment with God’s truth (1 John 4:1).

4. Cultivate Maturity – Regular practice in applying God’s Word strengthens the ability to distinguish right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14).

5. Submit to God’s Will—Trusting and acknowledging God in all decisions ensures paths align with His purpose (Proverbs 3:5-6).

   
   

   These scriptures collectively guide believers in developing spiritual discernment, helping them navigate life’s choices with wisdom, clarity, and alignment with God’s will.