We’re continuing our lessons from the Abigail series and today our focal point of discussion will be discernment. Let me begin by sharing a story of a young lad who prides himself in the fact that no adult dared order him around.
He portrayed an attitude of pride/ arrogance so much so that no one could speak to him, talk less of giving advice or even correcting him when he was wrong. People literally always walked on eggshells while they are around him. This scenario is a glaring case of lack of humility which would inevitably amount to rebellious tendencies. Looking back at the book of 1 Samuel 25, we realize how similar such an attitude is to that of Nabal.
Abigail, his wife on the other hand had a reputation of discernment and wisdom hence why the servant easily approached and spoke to her about the situation Nabal had caused with his harsh response to David’s request. For someone of Nabal’s caliber (per the scripture) it wouldn’t have been out of place to have a right hand man (in the form of an advisor, personal assistant or a guard of some sort) whom the servant could have reported the situation to.
From the servants report to Abigail, we can sense hints of fear because David was well known as a man of war and he sensed impending danger that could potentially destroy Nabal and his entire household, servants inclusive. Albeit he trusted that Abigail possessed the capacity to handle the situation wisely.
Abigail’s options could have been to ignore, hide, flee or mismanage the situation but she acknowledged the enormity of the blunder that her husband had stirred up and whizzed into action. Her first instinct was to diffuse the situation. She immediately mapped out a strategy of damage control. Abigail did not respond to foolishness with foolishness or repay anger for anger. This was not a situation of an eye for an eye or a tooth for a tooth.
Let’s reflect on what discernment means quickly. Discernment could mean taking the time to wisely consider a situation and choosing a wiser option. It could also mean having a filter to decipher what to allow and disallow. Discernment and wisdom could be considered as two sides of the same coin.
“A wise-hearted person is said to have discernment, and sweetness of speech adds to learning.” Proverbs 16:21 CJB
“Therefore, my dear brothers, let every person be quick to listen but slow to speak, slow to get angry; for a person’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness!” James 1:19-20 CJB
Essentially, from the above Bible references, discernment simply implies not being in a huge hurry to dish out an answer but being more concerned about what God thinks about a situation as opposed to succumbing to the pressure of what people would think within a time frame.
Just like Abigail, a discerning woman (or man) weighs and balances their choices and doesn’t just jump at every opportunity. Such a person will consider first how a decision ultimately fits into the will of God for their lives. They also a keen to analyse whether their decisions disrupt their schedule/ routine and it’s ripple effect on their relationship with God, family, spouse, children, ministry, career, etc.
You can be a good decision maker apart from the Lord but you cannot be discerning apart from the Lord.
1 Samuel 24:18-22 elaborates how much food and supply Abigail packed up from the household pantry to pacify David and subvert his agenda of destruction on Nabal’s household. Obviously that was available provision which could have been used used to cater for David’s request in the first place. And even if provision was limited for whatever valid reason hence the initial decline by Nabal, Abigail still deemed it wise to sacrifice the supply they had available to ensure that peace reigned between the two men.
From versus 23-31, Abigail is articulate and passionate in her response to David. She had done nothing wrong however she took the blame and humbly asked David to hold her responsible for what had happened. Even her posture before him emphasized this humility. She also reminded David of who he was as the chosen of the Lord.
Discernment is an outflow of knowing the Lord. To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. However discernment is not something that happens automatically, you need to consciously and consistently work at it with knowledge and experience. You need to mature in the faith and grow from drinking milk, solid food and bones.
“The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holy ones is understanding.”Proverbs 9:10 CJB
“We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding. For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God’s Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14 CJB
In order to be discerning, you need to ask yourself certain questions:
When should I speak?
What is my motivation? (Is it pride, anger, offense or self-gratification?)
How can I bring God glory in this situation?
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all generously and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in trust, doubting nothing; for the doubter is like a wave in the sea being tossed and driven by the wind. Indeed that person should not think that he will receive anything from the Lord, because he is double-minded, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 CJB
“And this is my prayer: that your love may more and more overflow in fullness of knowledge and depth of discernment, so that you will be able to determine what is best and thus be pure and without blame for the Day of the Messiah, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah — to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 CJB
May we cultivate the virtue of discernment in every sphere of our lives as we strive to walk in love and fulfill purpose. God bless you.
Virtuous Living 
Amen🙏
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