Love and Discernment
05/28/2025
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
— Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
Paul’s words to the church in Philippi aren’t just a beautiful prayer, they’re a roadmap for spiritual growth. Notice how he doesn’t simply ask that their love increases, but that it abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Why? Because love without wisdom can be reckless. But love informed by truth? That’s transformational.
Imagine a parent who deeply loves their child. If that love is just emotional, it may lead to enabling behavior. But if it’s guided by wisdom, knowing when to correct, when to encourage, and when to let go, it shapes a child’s character. Paul prays for that kind of love for the believers: love that thinks, discerns, and acts rightly.
And what’s the purpose of this increasing love and insight? “So that you may be able to discern what is best.” We live in a world filled not only with choices between right and wrong, but often between good and best. Without spiritual discernment, we settle for what’s merely acceptable, rather than what is truly excellent.
Paul reminds us that the ultimate goal is not just to be loving or wise, but to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Every decision, every relationship, every act of service, when done with love sharpened by discernment, prepares us for the day we’ll stand before Jesus.
Here are some things you can do to help on your journey.
Pray for discerning love.
Ask God to grow your love in wisdom and insight.
Reflect on recent decisions.
Did you choose what was best or just what was good enough?
Seek counsel.
Finding wisdom from mature believers when facing big choices will benefit you well.
Practice truth in love.
Speak and act in ways that are both kind and wise.
My challenge for you is this:
Before you act today, whether it’s sending an email, having a conversation, or making a decision, pause and ask: Is this the most loving and wise choice?
Father, grow my love, not just in emotion, but in knowledge and insight. Teach me to discern what is best, and help me to live a life that is pure and blameless in Your eyes. Shape my heart so that my love reflects Yours, full of grace and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
— Philippians 1:9-10 (NIV)
Paul’s words to the church in Philippi aren’t just a beautiful prayer, they’re a roadmap for spiritual growth. Notice how he doesn’t simply ask that their love increases, but that it abounds more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Why? Because love without wisdom can be reckless. But love informed by truth? That’s transformational.
Imagine a parent who deeply loves their child. If that love is just emotional, it may lead to enabling behavior. But if it’s guided by wisdom, knowing when to correct, when to encourage, and when to let go, it shapes a child’s character. Paul prays for that kind of love for the believers: love that thinks, discerns, and acts rightly.
And what’s the purpose of this increasing love and insight? “So that you may be able to discern what is best.” We live in a world filled not only with choices between right and wrong, but often between good and best. Without spiritual discernment, we settle for what’s merely acceptable, rather than what is truly excellent.
Paul reminds us that the ultimate goal is not just to be loving or wise, but to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Every decision, every relationship, every act of service, when done with love sharpened by discernment, prepares us for the day we’ll stand before Jesus.
Here are some things you can do to help on your journey.
Pray for discerning love.
Ask God to grow your love in wisdom and insight.
Reflect on recent decisions.
Did you choose what was best or just what was good enough?
Seek counsel.
Finding wisdom from mature believers when facing big choices will benefit you well.
Practice truth in love.
Speak and act in ways that are both kind and wise.
My challenge for you is this:
Before you act today, whether it’s sending an email, having a conversation, or making a decision, pause and ask: Is this the most loving and wise choice?
Father, grow my love, not just in emotion, but in knowledge and insight. Teach me to discern what is best, and help me to live a life that is pure and blameless in Your eyes. Shape my heart so that my love reflects Yours, full of grace and truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Embracing God’s New BeginningsRenewed, Not Worn DownThe Gift of Rest, Not a BurdenOne Thing I AskTransformed, Not ConformedArise and ShineFor His Glory in the OrdinaryChoosing Generosity Over ConvenienceAbide and Bear FruitDon’t Forget the BenefitsSetting an Example in Every SeasonLosing to LiveReady When He ComesThe Low Road That Leads to LifeWhere Your Heart Truly LivesThe God Who Sings Over YouRest That Goes Deeper Than SleepUnited in ChristHow Good and PleasantOvercome Evil with Active GoodThe Strong TowerActivated FaithNo Condemnation—Only FreedomThe Goodness Found in WaitingConfessing and RemainingUnder the Same SkyTeach Me to Walk in Your WillAnxious for NothingThere Is No Rock Like Our GodLiving the Word, Not Just Hearing ItStirred to Love
February
A Soul That Magnifies the LordStrong Where It Matters MostWalking Through the Darkest ValleyThe Golden WayA Word That Lifts the WeightRun With PurposeTraining for What LastsJoy That Grows Under PressureWhen Anxiety Multiplies, God SustainsRefined by the FireGrace That OverflowsStrength for Every SeasonUnashamed to Bear His NameDevoted to One AnotherThe Joy of a Righteous ChildWalking in LoveThe Glory That Fills the EarthFinish WellThe Pain That Produces PeaceOur Only AimThe Way, The Truth, The LifeStrength to Seek HimThe Whole Duty of ManTreasure Hidden in the FieldO Lord, You Are My GodDelight Yourself in the LordWalk in His StepsFriend Who Sticks Closer
March
The Long-Suffering Love of GodOvercome Evil with GoodBe Strong and CourageousMorning GuidanceThe Quiet Power of GenerosityWhat We See Is Not All There IsThe Faithful ProtectorStrength and DignityCasting What We CarryCharm Fades, But Reverence RemainsThe Voice of the Good ShepherdPeace That Changes EverythingBefore Everything ElseFor Such a Time as ThisWhen Life Turns, Turn to GodMake His Name KnownTrusting the God Who Sees the Whole RoadGreater Is He Within YouSurely Goodness and Love Will FollowThere Is Still a Rest for YouWhen Fear KnocksA Sorrow That Leads to LifeWhen Your Soul Thirsts for MoreOpen Hands, Open HeavenUnstoppable PeaceWhen Seeking Becomes Surrender
2025
January
Embracing the New ThingBe TransformedPleasing God, Not PeopleThe Power of Repentance and BaptismThe Power of Forgiveness and LoveLiving in the LightSharing the Good NewsRecognizing and Worshiping the Son of ManStand Firm, Unmovable, AboundingThe Power of TogethernessResting in God’s RhythmThe Greatness of GodHeld by His HandLoving Beyond LimitsSowing Righteousness
No Comments