Discernment is Spiritual Comprehension

Discernment is spiritual comprehension the carnal mind can’t understand. We can discern, because God has made us new creatures created in Christ and given us the Holy Spirit.

10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. 12 But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. 14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Messiah’s mind. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Discernment is understanding with you mind what the Spirit says to your spirit.

But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-11

For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:16

We are born of the Spirit and we are spirit

Discernment requires good character traits. 

1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:

• 2 to know wisdom and instruction;
• to discern the words of understanding;
• 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
  • in righteousness, justice, and equity;
• 4 to give prudence to the simple,
  • knowledge and discretion to the young man—
• 5 that the wise man may hear, and increase in learning;
• that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel;
  • 6 to understand a proverb and parables,
  • the words and riddles of the wise. Proverbs 1:1-6

Powers of discernment distinguish good from evil.

11About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14 ESV Chapter 5