Tuesday: Spiritual Discernment Applied
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 6th of January 2026
The Philippians were understandably distressed when they heard of Paul’s imprisonment. Now his work was severely limited. He could not travel. He could not preach. He could not visit the synagogues and teach people about Jesus as the Messiah. He could no longer raise up churches. The Philippians sent Epaphroditus to ascertain the apostle’s condition, to encourage him, and to ensure that his physical needs were being met.
Read Philippians 1:12-18. How did Paul view his imprisonment? What lessons can we learn from his attitude, despite the circumstances he found himself in?
Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com
The message Paul sent back with him must have surprised the Philippians. Paul saw his circumstances through different eyes. His spiritual discernment led him to see his imprisonment as a good thing. It didn’t hinder his work at all but “actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12, NKJV). Where others saw only chains and bars, Paul saw his Roman guards as potential souls in God’s kingdom. He saw also that his imprisonment greatly encouraged others to be more active and more determined to spread the gospel, to speak boldly for Christ without fear of the consequences.
It may be hard to imagine, but some actually thought to benefit from Paul’s imprisonment. Apparently, they thought his obscurity would lead to more attention for themselves and their own preaching of the gospel. What a powerful but sad example of human selfishness, even in the church. As Jeremiah said long before Paul: “ ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, / And desperately wicked; / Who can know it?’ ” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV).
Fortunately, in contrast, some faithful workers also became more zealous to spread the gospel. They loved Paul so much that the suffering they saw him endure for his faith led them to trust Christ more and emboldened them to be even more active for the Lord. It energized them to go where before they were afraid to go; it led them to speak in situations during which before they kept silent; it led to even more people accepting Christ and spreading the gospel of salvation.
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What lesson have you learned from experiences that, though unquestionably bad, also brought about some benefits? Even in cases in which a benefit might not be apparent, how can we learn to trust God regardless? |
I would guess that very few of us have been in prison but all of us have probably had annoying situations where you have been out of action when you really wanted to get on with the job. 30 years ago, I had a back operation and, in those days, it required a 6 week recovery period where I could not do very much. I was imprisoned by my recovery, when I should have been teaching and doing research. You feel as though you are no longer in control.
Some people faced with that situation wallow in the mud of self-pity and expect others to attend their needs. Others make use of their time and find productive things to fill in the time, making use of the change in circumstances.
Paul belongs to the second kind. Always the preacher, he preaches to those in his smaller horizon. And he writes letters. We can be thankful for that because someone had the foresight to collect them up and preserve them for us.
The experience of Paul is a salient one for me. I reached the age of retirement over a dozen years ago, and around the same time, I was relieved of my church visuals director position by a pastor who thought “that old bloke does not know what he is doing!” Suddenly I had time on my hands, and for a while I felt pretty sorry for myself. God has been good to me and had found many tasks to occupy my time. In particular, much of the work I do now is outside the Seventh-day Adventist community. After a lifetime of working for the church, this is a new and rewarding experience.
I would like to hear the stories of others who have been imprisoned by circumstances but have found them to be a blessing, both to themselves and to others.
I was stuck in the hospital after my sigmoid colon burst, almost causing me to bleed out. It was a very harrowing time for me, not having friends in the area or even the state. The medical staff made decisions the way they wanted to and I was not informed or made a part in the recovery process. There were many instances where they blatantly ignored what I needed to improve, i.e. help learning how to deal with the necessary colostomy, how to build my strength up after all the trauma that accompanied the pain, blood loss, two surgeries within 24 hours, trying to make me eat highly spicy food that included shellfish and pork,forcing a nasogastric tube on me(in me) against my wishes, etc.
A year prior, my small intestine had burst, and I recovered much quicker, did so well that the nursing staff called me their poster child for surgical post op.
I knew the drill. This 2nd intestinal situation was a nightmare that I was “imprisoned” in for around 3 months.
I learned severally things from those experiences…patients need advocates, and someone to visit them letting the patient be the ‘star’ of the visit.
On one lonely night as I struggled with pain, loneliness and low self worth, I had a “vision”.
I saw a Being, and right away, I knew that He was Jesus, stretching His hand out to me, telling me it was going to be alright.
That promise helped me through, and I was able to push through very stressful times that followed.
I’m not Paul, but I do try to help thojuse around me and obey the urging of the Holy Spirit as to the when, where and how.
I’m not certain my little history is what you are asking, and there’s much more that has happened.
I look for the every day miracles and thank Father God for them.
I try to encourage others to do the same.
Thank you for sharing, Susan. I am so glad that you seem to have recovered from what seems to have been a deeply traumatic experience.
You make some important point re patient advocacy and visitation. I pray that our readers will take these to heart, so that others may be saved from some of the trauma you endured.
Thank you for sharing how Jesus was there for you in your hospital prison, just as He was there for His witnesses in literal prisons throughout the ages. It is encouraging to read affirmation that He has not changed.
I’m so glad you are with us in this little spot in cyberspace!
In 1978 I had a bad car accident. The friend with me was killed and I fractured my pelvis in four places. In the hospital the pastor asked if I wanted him to say a prayer for me to which I said, “yes”. I don’t remember anything he said because I was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace, which I didn’t deserve as the accident was my fault. I have never nor will I ever forget the Being who is able to do that, that peace that surpasses all understanding.
The biggest one for me was losing my mother at the age of 7 and a lot that followed was quite hard. I will not say too much more in case people who know my family read this. For sure these events shaped me in ways I wish were not and I live with some of that 40 years later. However, I know these experiences made me much more kind and empathetic.
God has also worked in my career – doors have slammed shut that led to opportunties later.
I had a teaching experience that was pretty profound for me. Most of my teaching has been in online/distance learning. I’m an excellent teacher in that world, but it requires much less classroom management.
Four years ago, I was asked to teach a grade 9 class in an actual school and I agreed because I didn’t have a fulltime load at the time. It was a classroom from you know where and my rusty classroom management skills showed very quickly. I was discouraged every day and often had nightmares about it. I couldn’t understand why God allowed me to face such a difficult situation.
However, I did connect with a young man who was dealing with some depression and encouraged him. At the end of the year, he actually told me he probably wouldn’t be alive if it hadn’t been for me. And then I understood. And like Paul, I wouldn’t have wished for anything else.
Those are my two stories.
A big thank you to all who have added their stories to this thread. By sharing, we become bonded in love to one another and to God.
Grow in the grace and love of Jesus
Cheers
Maurice
How did Paul, a prisoner, have the courage and strength to be of cheer even in prison? How did a prisoner who was in chains and bars have the ability to lift the spirits of those who were free? It is amazing what those who live in the Spirit can do. The Spirit of God bring new meaning to our suffering. Suffering made sense to Paul because he had a new revelation and discernment through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we trust in God, we receive inner stability which dispels all the fears in the world. When we are in the Spirit, we view our predicaments from a different and positive perspective. Paul viewed his imprisonment in light of eternity, not temporary suffering.
How can we acquire the same spirit as Paul?
1. We need to have a different and positive perspective on our sufferings. We need to view our suffering as a crucible through which our spirituality is refined.
2. We should make Christ the center of our lives. When Christ is the center of our lives, circumstances lose their power to destroy our joy.
3. We should trust in the sovereignty of God. God has all the power to control every circumstance in our lives.
4. We should always rely on the Holy Spirit. Paul did not depend on his resilience but on “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” to sustain him. Through prayer, we can come to depend on the Holy Spirit.
“I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11, 13, KJV)
Why do we preach? Or sing? Or pray, or serve, or teach, or go to church, or the myriad of other good things we do? I read of these wicked people in Philippians 1:15-18 who “preach Christ even from envy and strife, and… from selfish ambition.” What terrible people! Then, the Holy Spirit checked me. Is all I do always with the motive to glorify God? Are all my actions and inactions driven by sincere love? Always? Have I never acted because of how X will make me look (good or otherwise)? It may not be that my motives are “evil”. It may just be a little people pleasing or conformity or habit. But whatever the motive, if it isn’t sincere love, Paul is speaking about people like me.
Thank you Holy Spirt for that little check. Thank you that you check me to change me and perfect me. Thank you that even when my good acts are not always done with good motives, you can use them for good.
Lord, keep me open to spending a little time asking myself if the “wicked” people being spoken of/to in God’s word could be me and not just “them”, so I can better reflect Your character. So help me God.
In photography there is always a purpose informing every shot. One may want to capture a magical waterfall, beautiful flowers, a once-in-a-lifetime graduation moment, or an important recognition. Whatever the circumstance,intentionally the phographer avoids focusing on irrelevant background details and instead captures what matters most. Paul demonstrated this same principle while he was in prison. He wrote, “For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 3:1). Although Paul had been arrested and imprisoned by Roman authorities because of his faith, he did not see himself as a prisoner of Rome. Instead, he viewed himself as a prisoner of Christ. His circumstances did not define him—Christ did.
As much as it appeared that Paul’s imprisonment was keeping him away from his mission, he understood that the Lord was still in control. Paul believed he belonged entirely to Christ and was determined to serve Him wherever he was placed. Even in chains, Paul remained faithful, trusting God’s purpose in that season. He explained this perspective to the church in Philippi, saying that his imprisonment had actually advanced the gospel, because “it has become evident… that my chains are in Christ” (Philippians 1:13). Paul understood that God could work powerfully through difficult and unexpected circumstances.
If I were in Paul’s position, I might naturally feel discouraged or depressed. Yet Paul’s confidence came from knowing Christ and trusting His power in every season of life. This challenges me to examine my own perspective when I face the hardest chapters of my life. For me, there are times when I want to cry out, “Lord, I know You’re in control, but somehow I find myself struggling to see the bigger picture.” In moments like these, I must remind myself that God is always at work, even when I do not understand. Scripture reassures us of this truth: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). Whether in joy or hardship, Christ remains the focus, and He gives meaning to every season.
I love that photography analogy. I’ll remember that sometimes in the shot we should blur out everything irrelevant to the purpose of the shot.
Philippians 1:18 (NIV)
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Paul had an incredible way of keeping perspective. He didn’t get caught up in petty drama or people’s motives, he focused on the bigger picture: Christ was being preached, and that was reason enough to rejoice.
Today, it’s so easy to lose that perspective. In our churches, when a leader or a member is under scrutiny, we often pour our energy into the scandal, talking, speculating, judging. But what if we shifted our focus?
Instead of letting situations sour our spirit, let’s learn to make lemonade from life’s lemons. Let’s not let side issues distract us from the main thing—Jesus. Like Paul, may we find joy even when things aren’t perfect, because Christ is still being made known.
In the middle of the pandemic, I went through a terrible relationship ordeal. At the time, I thought the feelings were similar to or worse than losing someone by death. My recovery was largely possible because I answered a call from my local church to lead the stewardship ministry. While I dedicated myself to the work, I truly felt God healing the emotional wounds. A personal prayer ministry was also born from that chaos, and several others have been blessed with it, even people living on the other side of the world. So I praise the Lord because I learned to be thankful, although the situation may look pretty dark.
In my difficult moments,I have come to realize my need to depend on Him. While difficulty must not be the means to relying on God,It is necessary to build a relationship of trust in God in every circumstance of our lives.
In the words of the great theologian, Jim Carrey; “Suffering leads to salvation”
It seems to me that many people have suffered and not been saved. (Think of wars and natural disasters, for instance.)
Suffering may lead a Christian closer to Jesus, and Jesus saves. That’s the only way that “suffering leads to salvation,” as I understand it.
I remember it was hard to go through infertility. I desperately wanted to have children. in 2009 God finally blessed us with a little girl and 16 months later God blessed us with a little boy. I remember all of the needles I had to endure because of my infertility journey.
A couple of years after having our children I was asked to do a workshop. I don’t even remember the title of the workshop, but I knew I for some reason shared my infertility journey in passing. After the workshop a couple came up to me and shared they’re currently going through the journey.
After speaking with the couple for awhile I asked if I could pray with them. They said yes. After we prayed, they felt at peace. Then, a while later, I received a call from my wife saying they were pregnant, and months later, they had a bouncing baby boy.
Paul’s spiritual discernment allowed him to have a lens focused on “although things are happening to me, it’s not about me, it’s about advancing the gospel.” I hope you’re encouraged by reading this today.
A young man at our church, Lucca, was in a very serious car accident this past Friday night. God has given him so many talents – he plays the cello beautifully, his kindness and smile light up a room, he was headed to Weimar University in California for a Christian degree in healthcare. Now, he is in a coma in the hospital, with critical brain injuries and hooked up to full life support. Intercranial pressure is not supposed to go above 20 and his has been into the 50s. We are all in much pain, and constantly grieve with his parents, sister and family. He is their only son/brother. Sunday evening we had a 2-hour prayer vigil by Zoom with around 100 people attending…pouring out our hearts to God and claiming Scripture promises. As the lessons of Paul’s life illustrate, God’s permissive will in this situation of extreme hardship and suffering by faith we know holds a rainbow of promise. I invite you to pray with us on Lucca’s behalf. We long for that miracle of complete restoration to health and well-being, and we pray that whatever the final outcome, God’s goodness is lifted up, and hearts are moved towards a closer, trusting walk with Jesus.
Esther, I’ve joined in prayer for Lucca and for his family.
We pray for Lucca healing in Jesus Mighty name
Praying for Lucca and family during this desperately difficult time. Please update us sis Esther.
Thank you so much dear Sr. Jocelyn, Br. Isaac, and all my brothers and sisters in Jesus as you add your prayers for Lucca. For updates or to leave a comment for his family, you may go to http://www.caringbridge.org and search for “Lucca Mazone” (site created 1/6/2026). Also, there is a GoFundMe page….titled “Support for Lucca’s Recovery Journey”…https://gofund.me/fc72133c8.
Thank you for sharing, Esther.
I just read the updates on the CaringBridge page, and it seems so obvious that the accident and subsequent injuries are the work of the enemy of God and man.
Such incidents make us long for Jesus to come and set things right. In the meantime, we pray for a miracle. But even if the miracle does not happen, we pray that our Savior will sustain the family in this tragedy.
Thank you, dear Inge. Yes, your comment reminds me of how when Job was hurt, many others were affected because he was a caretaker (Job 29:12-16). Similarly, Lucca’s parents, Zach and Kim Mazone, minister to so many within our conference and the local community through their healthcare and lifestyle center, DaySpring Integrative Wellness (http://dayspringintegrativewellness.com). So in hurting them, I’m sure that the enemy of God and man intends to hurt many.
Today’s lesson on “Prayer Power” is so fitting. Prayer truly is the greatest power we hold! God is the only One who knows the end from the beginning AND does everything for our eternal benefit. It is a great comfort that the more restricted we are from a human viewpoint, the greater the opportunity for God to do something extraordinary to show us His faithful love. “ALL THINGS work together for good for those who love God…” (Rom. 8:28). He is the God of transformation!
‘Spiritual discernment applied’ – in all circumstances looking toward the heavenly Light to bring into focus that which helps us grow spiritually.
No matter how often we are being put down, criticized for this or that, not ‘towing the line’, not having enough of this or that to please those who look through a different lens and judge us by it – we always have the Light of God to help us discern the best way forward, and, along the way, learn the most important lesson: to apply those experiences toward growing in the Grace and faith of Christ Jesus.
This is said to encourage myself as much as those who read it. Personal things are mostly kept to myself. I find it difficult to talk with people about mundane things. The lense I see and experience my life through is mostly spiritual.
To me, every encounter has a spiritual component. Looking back, it seemed to have always been like this; alienating family, friends, and acqauintances less so inclined. It’s been a lonely road, but that’s ok. In all I do, I will always be in the best company – that of my heavenly Father and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let’s do the God’s work faithfully.
Phil. 1:12-18 presents a short story that define the essence and substance of Paul in relation to the his purpose that became a lesson to those around his immediate circumstances, those concerned of him and especially those of us living now.
There are many lessons to draw for our contemporary living
1. Paul is defined by purpose and not circumstances: free or in bond, both worked for his purpose even when it seems plainly impossible or illogical
2. Paul somehow knows how to channel the energy of his circumstances to fuel his purpose: that Christ is preached. He makes aware the palace guards that his chains are for the sake of Christ which is sermon without reading a verse to them
3. Paul is proud of what many of us would be ashamed of; inconvenienced for the gospel. We always don’t like the names like elder, deaconess when people chide us on our faith convictions. I like the message in hymn “the old rugged cross”
4. Paul’s tone doesn’t sound like one who struggles to be freed or released from confinement because the circumstances are feeding his purpose. Phil 1:14 His circumstances is encouraging people initially cowards into gallant solders of the gospel. During the reformation in the dark ages, the blood one saint gave birth to many and emboldened many in faith.
Moments of pain, sorrow and inconvenience tend to produce either more hope in God or despair. This lesson flips the coin of what we mostly do- despair- into taking the pain to feed purpose and hope in God more
In Paul’s predicament we are encouraged and inspired to stick to purpose and see the golden ring on every bad circumstance
A gentleman took both hearing aids out and his discernment of sounds diminished. If we turn off our hearing of the soft voice(Holy Spirit), and sometimes a loud voice. when we are not paying attention or are distracted our discernment of spiritual things is dulled.
Deuteronomy 1:43.
I believe Paul’s “spiritual discernment” was the result of allowing the spirit of Christ to work in him and through him. Paul gave a clue as to how that works, when he wrote, “I am crucified with Christ.” (Gal 2:20) Crucifixion is an instrument of death. Dead people don’t get offended or ever even think of themselves.
Instead, Christ “in Paul” reached out in love and words of comfort and cheer. Ellen White said it beautifully:
Like Jesus, Paul related to people in the “mundane” aspects of their lives – in practical words and actions. (Remember he spent time working as a tent maker to support himself before his imprisonment.)
How true!