1 Kings 3:3-15. The brand new, inexperienced king is gifted with a night visit from the Lord, who offers to give whatever Solomon will ask for. If you were to experience such a visitation, I am sure you would reflect very carefully before you asked. Solomon knows he is new to the job, he knows he’s really not ready for kingship, so he asks for the gift of discerning between right and wrong, so that he can rule well, and administer justice in a good way.
Guidelines for Christian discernment.
- The 10 Commandments. That is the basic guideline for how we are to live with God and with others. If we are doing something against a basic commandment, we can’t expect God to bless us.
- Jesus, the servant king. The motive for our actions and attitudes is that same as Jesus – love that listens to God and that serves others in a healthy way. We are not on some ego trip about how holy we are, and how we have got all our bad habits under strict control.
- The way of the cross. We trust that God is with us, even in the most challenging of times, and we look for the signs of Easter – new life and a way through. That means that we don’t insist that everything goes our way, or that we have to be in control of everything and everyone around us.
- Life vs death. God is about Life in all its fullness and Love. Choose what will fit in with that. If we are in a relationship or a work situation that is ‘killing’ us, it is most likely that is not from God.
- Who we are in Christ. You can’t be someone else. You are called to be you, so it has to fit in with your character, your personality, your skills and your life-experience. Make choices that fit in with your deep desires and passions. If you get something wrong, learn from that.
- Choose what blesses both you and how you get on with others. Check the feedback you are getting from others. If what you are doing comes from a genuine and good place inside you, it will help others.
- Co-creator with God. God trusts you with the gift of life. Enjoy that.
- Last thing at night – pray for what you desire for the next day. Add this practice to your prayer life. You will discover that your asking will both deepen and simplify.
