{"id":9163,"date":"2012-09-12T13:00:36","date_gmt":"2012-09-12T17:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/?p=9163"},"modified":"2026-07-27T17:00:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T21:00:59","slug":"from-the-inside-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/from-the-inside-out.htm","title":{"rendered":"Want to Be More Discerning? – Start from the Inside Out"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Discernment
\nGod is concerned not merely with us making the right choices in what we do but also for the driving forces within us … our motivations, our thoughts. That will drive our discernment<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.\u00a0(Jer. 17:10)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

God examines us from the inside out — our heart and mind, — and holds us accountable for what He sees.<\/span><\/h2>\n

His\u00a0examination of our innermost being<\/a> need not scare us if we remember that He loves us. Perfect love casts out fear because we know a loving God can only have our best in mind. In reality, the more we understand “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” we will actually invite Him to scrutinize us.<\/p>\n

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. \u00a0(Ps. 26:2-3)<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

God’s examination is key to us being discerning as we don’t see the full picture as He does.<\/span><\/h2>\n

We’re often blinded to our own biases and inappropriate motivations that skew our perception of life. \u00a0We can let emotions<\/a> govern our choices. \u00a0Just because something feels right, however, doesn’t mean it is right. We can let negative thoughts cloud our judgment. \u00a0Fear and doubts could hold us back from doing what is best. \u00a0Worry, anxiety, and impatience could lead to compromise. \u00a0For this reason, we begin with God<\/a>. Pray similar to Psalm 139:23-24.<\/span><\/p>\n

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. \u00a0See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If you want to be discerning, you need to be transformed from the inside out “by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

God is concerned not merely with us making the right choices in what we do but also for the driving forces within us … our motivations, our thoughts. That will drive our discernment. . . . Continue reading Want to Be More Discerning? – Start from the Inside Out<\/span>→<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9163","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christ-like-priorities-purposes","category-christ-like-traits"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\t\t