Bible Verses About Discernment
Ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community
These are the Bible verses most often cited for discernment, ranked by the OpenBible.info topical community across 52,262 votes, led by 1 John 4:1. Each passage links to its verse page or the interactive map; scripture is the King James Version.
Top verses about Discernment
1 John 4:12,008 votes
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Hebrews 5:141,729 votes
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Philippians 1:9-101,605 votes
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Hebrews 4:121,348 votes
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Romans 12:21,201 votes
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 Kings 3:91,190 votes
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
James 1:51,063 votes
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1 Corinthians 2:141,014 votes
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
John 7:24919 votes
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
1 Thessalonians 5:21828 votes
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Corinthians 14:33823 votes
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15778 votes
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
Matthew 10:16737 votes
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Colossians 2:8727 votes
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:10707 votes
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Psalms 119:125701 votes
I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
1 Timothy 6:3-5618 votes
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
Hosea 14:9600 votes
Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Proverbs 3:1-6:35588 votes
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Proverbs 2:1-5587 votes
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
1 Timothy 4:1546 votes
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1 Corinthians 14:29508 votes
Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
Proverbs 15:14481 votes
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
James 3:17480 votes
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Proverbs 18:15475 votes
The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
What does the Bible say about discernment?
Readers most often cite 1 John 4:1 on the subject of discernment. Across 52,262 votes, 25 passages are commonly cited for this topic, including Hebrews 5:14, Philippians 1:9-10, Hebrews 4:12. This page lists all 25 in ranked order, quoted in the King James Version, with each linked to its cross-references.