The other day I received a two dollar bill in the mail. I took it with me when I went grocery shopping. I asked the clerk to see if it was real. It looked real, but I wanted to make sure before I used it. She had a discernment tool ~ a special pen.

We have the word of God, and the Holy Spirit within us to train us in the skill of discernment. When God’s truths are hidden in our heart, they will rise up like a sentinel to warn us when we are presented with a deceptive lure.

There is another aspect of discernment that the Holy Spirit pointed out to me. If there is anything hidden in our hearts, it discerns His light when it is shined on it and hides deeper. My first book has a chapter called, “Concealed Rage.”

Hurts, misunderstandings, offenses, bitterness, rejection, etc. are often stuffed in order to cope with life. Buried emotional pain has a built in trigger of self-protection. Ask yourself, “Are there areas in my life where I am afraid to be vulnerable?”