What Is Discernment? It Is a Critical Skill in Contemplation

Introduction: The Spiritual Necessity of Discernment

In the life of a contemplative Christian, discernment is not merely a helpful tool—it is a spiritual imperative. When we begin to enter the deeper waters of prayer, meditation, and listening to God, we are no longer just speaking; we are also receiving. In those moments of quietude, insights may arise. We may feel inspired, receive an inner prompting, or become aware of something subtle but real. The critical question is: Where is this coming from?

Is it from God?
Is it from myself—my ego, desires, or imagination?
Or could it be from the Evil One, who seeks to confuse and mislead?

To answer this fundamental question, we need to develop the gift and skill of spiritual discernment.

Defining Discernment: A Gift and a Skill

The dictionary defines discernment as *“the ability to judge well or to comprehend and interpret something clearly.”*¹ It’s a capacity of the heart and mind to perceive truth, often in subtle or ambiguous situations.

The thesaurus offers terms like wisdom, insight, perceptiveness, judgment, sensitivity, awareness, and enlightenment—all pointing to the ability to see through appearances to what is really true.²

In Christian theology, discernment is more than psychological insight. It is a grace-filled awareness, often aided by the Holy Spirit, that helps us distinguish the voice of God from the noise of the world, our inner chatter, or spiritual deception.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church notes that discernment “is required of everyone who seeks to live according to the Spirit” and “must be informed by the Word of God and the wisdom of the Church.”³

Discernment in the Life of the Contemplative

For those practicing contemplative prayer, discernment becomes especially critical. When we open ourselves in silence to God’s presence, we begin to receive impressions, words, images, or sensations. But not all of them are holy.

Thus, we must ask:

Is what I am hearing, seeing, feeling, or sensing from God, from the Evil Spirit, or from myself?

This question echoes the foundational teaching of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who emphasized that spiritual experiences must be examined. In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius offers extensive teaching on the Discernment of Spirits—noting that the good spirit brings peace, encouragement, and love, while the evil spirit brings confusion, discouragement, and disorder.⁴

Five Questions to Test Your Spiritual Experience

When you sense something in prayer—an idea, an impulse, an image—it is wise to gently test it. The following questions can help you discern the source of your experience:

Does it make sense? Is it clear? God’s voice is usually marked by clarity and simplicity, not confusion or obscurity.“God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Is it necessary or trivial?God rarely engages us in petty or insignificant matters. His word is meaningful, timely, and purpose-driven.Is it biblical?
The voice of God will never contradict Scripture. If the message or insight conflicts with the Bible, it cannot be from God. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).
Is it loving and edifying?God is Love, and His voice often brings encouragement, peace, or correction with tenderness. “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy” (James 3:17).
Is it assuring or condemning? God may convict, but He never shames or discourages the soul into despair. If the message causes fear, dread, or hopelessness, it may not be from God. “There is no fear in love. Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Common Sources of Confusion

The Evil Spirit often mimics the good but brings disquiet over time. If the message contradicts God’s character or Scripture, it should be rejected.
The Self can generate thoughts that feel spiritual but are really rooted in wishful thinking or unconscious desire. Ask: “Is this too perfectly aligned with what I want?”
The Holy Spirit usually confirms His presence over time with peace, joy, and fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22–23).
Discernment means giving your experience time. Don’t rush to make decisions based on one insight. As St. John of the Cross taught, “Do not seek the answers too quickly… remain in the night of faith until the light of God rises.”⁵

Growing in Discernment

1. Ask for It

Discernment is both a gift of the Holy Spirit and a learned virtue. Pray for it daily. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).⁶

2. Read Scripture

The Bible forms the foundation of spiritual discernment. The more we are immersed in God’s Word, the more easily we recognize His voice. “For the word of God is alive and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).⁷

3. Seek Spiritual Direction

Meeting with a trusted spiritual director or mentor can help discern your experiences. The voice of community and the tradition of the Church can offer insight and confirmation.

4. Journal and Reflect

Writing down your experiences, insights, and questions over time creates a record through which patterns and clarity can emerge.

5. Practice Patience

Discernment takes practice. Over time, your spiritual intuition—guided by Scripture, prayer, and grace—will grow stronger.

Conclusion: Discernment as a Lifelong Practice

Discernment is not just a one-time skill—it is a lifelong spiritual posture. It is how we learn to live in God’s will, hear His voice, and walk faithfully in His ways. For the contemplative Christian, discernment safeguards the interior life from error, delusion, or spiritual pride.

By asking the right questions, grounding ourselves in Scripture, and seeking wisdom from the Spirit, we can gradually learn to recognize the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:27). Over time, we begin to move through life with holy awareness, resting in the confidence that God is guiding us moment by moment.

Footnotes
1. Oxford English Dictionary, “Discernment.”
2. Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, entry for “discernment.”
3. Catechism of the Catholic Church, §2690–2691.
4. Ignatius of Loyola, The Spiritual Exercises, trans. Louis Puhl, SJ (Loyola Press, 1951), Rules for Discernment of Spirits, §313–336.
5. John of the Cross, The Dark Night of the Soul, trans. E. Allison Peers (Image Books, 1959), Book II, Chapter 1.
6. James 1:5, New International Version.
7. Hebrews 4:12, New International Version.

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Discernment for the Contemplative

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The Purgative Way