Guided by God: the Practice of Discernment
The Author of the human nature has not only given affections to men, but has made them very much the spring of men’s actions. As the affections do not only necessarily belong to the human nature, but are a very great part of it; so…holy affections do not only necessarily belong to true religion, but are a very great part of it. – Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections
In the first two exercises, we learnt to rest in God and listen to his Word. The practices of silence and ruminating on Scripture centres us in God and offer instruction on the living Word. In silence and stillness, the active and empowering Word of God speaks ever so clearly to guide us on the way in which we are to walk. In this third exercise, we wish to further explore the subject of guidance as it relates to our emotions or affections as it is also called.
As Singapore progresses into Phase 2 of its recovery from the global Covid-19 pandemic, we will be required to make more decisions on how to navigate the unchartered waters of the new normal. Some may resume their usual activities with minor adjustments while others will have to make major changes in order to cope. Either way, we will be exposed to new pressures that affect our emotional life. It is here that we need to be watchful.
Jonathan Edwards, an 18th Century American Theologian of Puritan descent, suggests that our affections or emotional life matters in true Christianity. They offer important clues for spiritual discernment and decision-making. Indeed, biblical scholars and theologians alike understand that our emotions very much represent the stirrings of our heart and influence the choices we make in life. However, not every emotion we experience, even those in religious settings, are necessarily indicators that we are growing in godliness. Consequently, these affections of our soul need to be tended to and watched over with care.
It is in this regard that Edwards’ work on The Religious Affections especially serve as a reliable guide for recognizing the complexity of our emotions and the impact they have on us. His distinguishing signs of what are truly gracious and holy affections (and what are not) help us to assess not only the true character of our emotions but also discern the direction in which they are taking us. As we become alert to the stirrings of our affections and the impact they have on us, we will be more able, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to make wise choices and stay the course in spiritual progress.
Step 1: Review: (Resting in God: the Practice of Silence)
In the first exercise which was introduced in our first post in the series, we learnt to find rest in God by waiting upon him in silence. God comes to our help and we engage life with the assurance of God’s abiding presence. The practice of waiting upon God in silence is fundamental to daily living.
- If you missed the first exercise, I encourage you to let it help you to settle down into a time in silence.
- If you have practiced it, you may use the first two steps to settle down into silence.
Step 2: Read and Ruminate (Listening to God and His Word)
We now turn to Galatians 5:16-24 for the theme of this post, “Guided by God: the Practice of Discernment”.
- Begin by reading Gal 5:16-24 reflectively; pondering over the essence of the words.
- What does it say about the aspects of our lives that are in opposition to each other?
- Now read the text a second time, slowly and attentively. This time pay particular attention to your emotions or affections as you read.
- What emotions did you notice? What desires of your heart were stirred?
- Are your emotions and desires more aligned with verses 19-21 or verses 22-23?
- Now test the quality of your religious affections, using Edward’s criteria – the first four of which I utilize here.
- First, Affections that are truly spiritual and gracious do arise from those influences and operations on the heart which are spiritual, supernatural, and divine. – In other words, are your affections aligned with those that belong to what Scripture refers to as the spiritual man as opposed to the natural man or, put in other words, do your affections arise from the sanctifying work of God’s Spirit upon the heart or merely from the flesh?
- Second, The primary ground of gracious affections is the transcendently excellent and amiable nature of divine things as they are in themselves; and not any conceived relation they bear to self, or self-interest. – In other words, are your affections purely directed to the love of God and not any self-interest? This criterion is considered in close connection with the Third one;
- Third, Those affections that are truly holy, are primarily founded on the loveliness of the moral excellency of divine things. – In other words, are your affections drawn by and drawn towards the beauty and glory of who God is (e.g. His greatness, mercy, love, justice, goodness, etc)?
- Fourth, Gracious affections arise from the mind being enlightened, rightly and spiritually to understand or apprehend divine things. – In other words, do your affections help you to understand the things of God more clearly?
- Together these four signs guide us as we ponder over the true character of our affections. Rev Dr Simon Chan shares a brief summary of these four signs that helps us to grasp its essence:
“True affections must arise from a spiritual understanding (sign 4) of the moral beauty and excellency of divine things (sign 3) for their own sake (sign 2). The cause of these affections are the sanctifying influence of the indwelling Spirit (sign 1).” – Simon Chan, Spiritual Theology
- Using these first four signs as your criteria, what did you discover about your affections or emotions that you identified earlier? Do they take on more gracious qualities or not?
Step 3: Respond (Speaking to God)
- I invite you to bring what you discovered about your affections (or your emotional life) and speak to the Lord about them.
- Use the remaining time to speak to God about all that went through your mind and heart during this exercise. You can be very honest with God regarding all that is confronting you because God knows you and cares deeply about you.
Step 4: Rest (Letting God resource you)
- After you have spent sufficient time in your conversation with God, bring your time to a close by resting on how the Lord has responded to you.
- Write it down in your journal or somewhere significant for reference during the day.
- Then spend the remaining time in silence as the Holy Spirit seals God’s assurances into your heart.
Step 5: Re-enter (Re-engaging life with the offer of God’s presence)
- Gradually re-enter your day’s activity with the confidence that God goes with you.
The practice of paying attention to the complexities of our emotional life is yet another dimension through which the Lord guides us through the leading of his Holy Spirit and Word. You can be assured that God will work through the mental, emotional, and volitional dimensions of your life.
True religion is evermore a powerful thing; and the power of it appears, in the first place in the inward exercises of it in the heart, where is the principal and original seat of it. – Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections
Texts for meditation on “Guided by God: the Practice of Discernment”.
- Galatians 5:16-24, 1 Corinthians 2:10b-16, Proverbs 3:21-26, Romans 7:14-25
Rev Dr Jimmy Tan, Chaplain
Lecturer in Pastoral and Practical Theology