Wisdom and discernment are related but distinct concepts. Wisdom is generally understood to refer to the ability to make good judgments and decisions based on experience and knowledge. It is a broad concept that encompasses many different aspects of life, including knowledge, insight, understanding, and common sense.
For example, let’s say you are trying to decide which college to attend. If you have wisdom, you might consider factors such as the cost of tuition, the quality of the academic programs, the location of the college, and the job prospects for graduates. Using your wisdom, you can make an informed decision about which college is the best fit for you.
Discernment, on the other hand, is the ability to carefully and accurately perceive and judge the quality or truth of something. It is the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, true and false, or good and bad. In this way, discernment is a more specific and focused quality than wisdom.
For example, let’s say you are trying to decide whether to believe a news article that you read online. If you have discernment, you might carefully evaluate the source of the article, the evidence it presents, and the way it presents its arguments. Using your discernment, you can make a careful and accurate judgment about the truth or quality of the article.
| Wisdom | Discernment |
|---|---|
| The ability to make good judgments and decisions based on experience and knowledge | The ability to carefully and accurately perceive and judge the quality or truth of something |
| A broad concept that encompasses many different aspects of life | A more specific and focused quality |
| A general ability to make good judgments and decisions | The ability to accurately and carefully evaluate the truth or quality of something |
In summary, wisdom is a broad, general ability to make good judgments and decisions, while discernment is the ability to carefully and accurately evaluate the truth or quality of something. Both are valuable qualities, but they serve different purposes and can be used in different situations.