And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Beth knows her Bible inside and out. Raised in Sunday school, church, Vacation Bible School and Wednesday night Bible study, Beth is very sure of right and wrong when it comes to life’s choices.

Maybe you know a Bible Beth or Bible Ben. They see life and people without many “shades of gray,” drawing on their faith formulas and theological knowledge to neatly make decisions. They don’t do this, and they certainly don’t do that. In many ways, this legalistic faith is easier to live out than a life of spiritual discernment. The easy answer is no.

In contrast, a life of spiritual discernment is one that navigates choices from love for Jesus and His way. “May you experience the love of Christ,” the Apostle Paul wrote in the Bible book of Ephesians, a love that surpasses knowledge and makes us “complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19).

Cultivating a life of discernment requires three things: it requires an ongoing relationship with God and an active prayer life. It also requires us to be in relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ who wrestle with us, going to Scripture together and listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit. This is how we come to decisions that lead to a life “complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

God’s Word wasn’t given as a rule book, but as a love letter. In the book called Philippians, Paul wrote, “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” (Philippians 1:9-10).