Discernment Without Compassion Can Become Accusation

When God reveals someone's struggle, are we called to judge them or help restore them?

Discernment is a gift from God, but with that gift comes a tremendous responsibility. And one of the greatest dangers we face when operating in discernment is forgetting the compassion of God.

Because discernment without compassion can quickly become accusation. Accusation can turn into judgment, and judgment can eventually become condemnation.

We must remember something very important: when God looks at someone who is struggling, He doesn't simply see their failures. He sees someone He loves, someone He desires to restore, and someone who has the opportunity to overcome through Jesus Christ.

So why would we look at that same person any differently?

Why Is God Showing You This?

When we believe God has revealed something to us about another person's struggle, our first response should never be, "Look what I know about them!"

Instead, our response should be, "Lord, why are You showing me this, and what do You want me to do with it?"

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (KJV)

This applies to discernment just as much as anything else.

Just because we recognize something doesn't mean we understand everything surrounding it.

We may recognize someone's pain without knowing what caused it. We may recognize someone's struggle without knowing the battles they've already fought. We may even recognize sin without knowing how God is already working in that person's heart.

And this is where we must be careful.

Discernment is not permission to make assumptions.

There is a tremendous difference between recognizing a spiritual struggle and claiming to know someone's motives, intentions, or future.

When we begin filling in the things we don't know with our own understanding, we are no longer simply exercising discernment. We may be allowing our own thoughts and opinions to become accusations.

And that can cause tremendous damage.

Discernment Should Lead to Restoration

Think about this for a moment.

What if God reveals that someone is struggling with sin because He wants you to encourage them to overcome it?

What if He reveals that someone is hurting because He wants you to offer compassion and comfort?

What if He reveals that someone is lost because He wants you to help point them toward Jesus?

Or what if God simply wants you to stand in the gap and pray for them?

We sometimes become so focused on what we believe God has shown us that we forget to ask what He wants us to do about it.

God's gifts are not trophies to display. They are tools to serve others.

Galatians 6:1 says:

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." (KJV)

Notice that Scripture doesn't tell us to embarrass the person, expose their weakness to everyone around us, or celebrate the fact that we recognized their struggle.

It tells us to restore them.

And not just restore them, but to do so with meekness.

That means humility, gentleness, and an understanding that we ourselves are dependent upon the grace of God.

The goal of discernment should never be to prove someone is failing. It should be to help them find victory in Christ.

Not Everything Revealed Needs to Be Spoken

This is something I believe the Church desperately needs to understand.

Just because you believe God has shown you something about another person doesn't mean He has given you permission to announce it.

Sometimes the assignment is prayer.

Sometimes the assignment is encouragement.

Sometimes the assignment is patience.

And sometimes the assignment is simply to love that person while God continues working in their life.

We must learn to distinguish between receiving spiritual insight and assuming we have permission to act on it however we choose.

Discernment should never become an excuse for gossip.

It should never become a way to elevate ourselves above another believer.

And it should never become a weapon used to condemn someone who is already struggling.

Jesus Himself said in John 3:17:

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (KJV)

Now, this doesn't mean we ignore sin or refuse to correct someone when correction is necessary.

Jesus confronted sin. He called people to repentance. He spoke truth even when that truth was uncomfortable.

But His desire was redemption.

He didn't excuse the struggle, but neither did He abandon the person struggling.

That is the heart we should carry.

Spiritual Gifts Without Love Miss the Point

Paul makes an incredible statement in 1 Corinthians 13:2:

"And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." (KJV)

Think about what Paul is saying.

You could possess extraordinary spiritual insight. You could understand mysteries. You could have tremendous faith.

But without love, what have you accomplished?

Nothing.

We can become so concerned with being spiritually gifted that we forget the very purpose of those gifts.

First Corinthians 12:7 reminds us that the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of others.

The gifts of the Spirit were never meant to make us feel superior. They were given to help build up the body of Christ.

And if our discernment is producing pride, gossip, accusation, or condemnation rather than humility, prayer, and restoration, we need to examine how we are using that gift.

Be Part of Their Restoration, Not Their Accusation

The next time you believe God is revealing someone's struggle to you, I want to challenge you to stop and pray before doing anything else.

Ask God what He wants you to do.

Ask Him how you can help.

Ask Him to give you His compassion for that person.

Because perhaps God is allowing you to recognize a struggle not so you can point a finger, but so you can extend a hand.

Perhaps He is calling you to stand in the gap for someone who doesn't even realize they need prayer.

Perhaps He is preparing you to speak encouragement into a life that is close to giving up.

Or perhaps He is simply teaching you to see people through His eyes instead of your own understanding.

We need to remember that we are all works in progress. Every one of us needs the grace, mercy, and transforming power of Jesus Christ.

And the same compassion we desire from God should be the compassion we extend to others.

Discernment may show you what someone is struggling with, but love reminds you why God wants them restored.

So don't become someone's accuser when God may be calling you to become part of their restoration.

Don't use spiritual gifts to expose people when God is calling you to help them overcome.

And never forget that behind every struggle is a person whom Jesus loves.

When God shows you someone's weakness, don't become their accuser. Become someone who helps them find strength in Christ.

That is discernment guided by compassion.

And that is how we become faithful stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us.

Pastor Scott