When I Love Do I Have the Practical Understanding?

and it is my prayer that you love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.

Philippians 1:9

Once a family went for vacation and as they were about to reach the destination they came across a large sign that read, "Road Closed. Do Not Enter." The man proceeded inspite of the sign because he was confident it would save them time. His wife was resistant to the adventure, but there was not turning back him. As they were traveling he began to boast about his gift of discernment. But shortly his proud smile was quickly replaced with humble sweat when the road led to a washed out bridge. He turned the car around and retraced his tracks to the main road. When they arrived at the original warning sign he was greeted by large letters  on the back of the sign "Welcome back, stupid!"

Paul wanted the Philippians to have a deeper love. Paul also prayed that this love might abound still more and more, that it might flow in abundance, that it might show a great increase. But he adds a caution to this increase of love. He puts forward a limit. He wanted their love for God to abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment. We saw yesterday what having love with knowledge means. Today we look at the second attribute - discernment.

The word discernment is the specific insight into people's lives and situations. We are called to love and discernment gives us the insight into how to love them. It deals with the application of love. When Paul says, "all discernment" this word discernment means perception. It is kind of like x-ray vision, to be able to look into situations and to size up people and to know what their read needs are, and how to reach out and love them. It is one thing to have the desire to love another person and it is something else to completely know how to best come alongside of them, and to give that love to them. 

This word discernment therefore means powers of mental judgment or a practical understanding of people and situations. And the word all means all types of situations and all kinds of people. In this context, Paul is praying for the Philippians to have spiritual eyes to see with spiritual insight into the lives of people around them regarding how they were to apply God's love.

We have two children Nanma and Nehemiah. Both are different having their own uniqueness, temperament and personality. They both respond differently to correction and to instruction. And so, it requires all discernment for us to love our child, to know each child's emotional makeup and how they respond. While Nanma our daughter responds to a strong word, our son Nehemiah rebels against a strong word. And it requires much discernment and much understanding in order to know how to love.

I believe every parent knows this, that love is expressed in different ways at different times to the same child. One day a parent will give a gift to a child, another day, a parent will spank a child. Both are legitimate expressions of love.

When we look at the way Jesus dealt we see that same perspective. Sometimes He'd heal a person, another day He would overturn the tables in the temple and with a whip drive out the money changers. Both are expression of love but in two different contexts. One day Jesus would say to the crowd you are blessed. Another day He'd look at another crowd filled with Pharisees and say, you whitewashed sepulchres. Both are expressions of love from the one who is the author of love himself.

What is true of a parent to a child is true on a far broader spectrum with each one of us as we interact with one another. We come from all different backgrounds. We are of all different ages. We have all different kinds of issues and baggage and we have all different kinds of needs. Therefore, it requires much discernment to know how to interface in a way that edifies them and builds them up. And that is what Paul is praying for the Philippians.

Dear Friends, this is then what we should pray for one another. To have the right knowledge and discernment for we are surrounded, by all kinds of people and all types of situations. Some are up, others are down. Some are on the mend; others need to be broken. And in such situation more than desire; we need discernment. More than interest we need insight. More than passion we need perception to know how to love others.

God Bless you.