Love That Approves is the Heart of Discernment (Part 4)

Love That Approves is the Heart of Discernment (Part 4)

As we journey through this study, we’ve uncovered a compelling spiritual progression. In Part 1, we introduced the scale of the mind—caught between proving and reprobation. Part 2 explored the Greek roots of dokimazō and adokimos, revealing the tension between approval and rejection. Then in Part 3, we recognised that every believer lives in a season of probation—a time of testing, where the mind is being shaped by its response to truth. Now, we turn to a vital truth that undergirds the entire process: love is the key to approving rightly. Without love, discernment falters. Without love, judgment becomes harsh. But when love abounds in knowledge and judgment, the believer is equipped to prove what pleases God.

Love That Discerns

Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-10 is both profound and practical:

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent…”

Here, love is not sentimental—it is intelligent. It is not blind—it is discerning. The Greek word for “judgment” (aisthēsis) speaks of moral insight, the ability to perceive what is spiritually valuable. And “approve” (dokimazō) again calls us to test and affirm what is excellent. But the condition is clear: love must abound first. Without love, knowledge becomes cold. Without love, judgment becomes critical. But when love abounds, the believer sees with clarity and responds with grace.

This is not a love that ignores truth—it is a love that seeks it. It is a love that discerns rightly because it desires what is good for others and what is pleasing to God. Paul does not separate love from doctrine—he binds them together. The more we love, the more we are able to judge rightly (discern wisely, or perceive clearly). And the more we judge rightly, the more we are able to approve what is excellent.

Judging Through Love

In Romans 14:13-15, Paul writes:

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock… But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably.”

Here, love governs liberty. The believer is called to judge—not to condemn, but to protect. Love becomes the filter through which judgment is made. If our discernment causes harm, it is not love. If our liberty causes grief, it is not love. Paul’s instruction is clear: love must guide our judgment, especially in matters of conscience and community.

In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul warns:

“And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.”

Even the greatest spiritual gifts are worthless without love. This confirms that love is the qualifying agent for all discernment. It is not enough to be right—we must be loving. It is not enough to know—we must care.

Approving What Is Excellent

To “approve things that are excellent” is to affirm what is spiritually superior—what aligns with God’s will, reflects His character, and edifies His people. To approving what is excellent isn't about personal preference but about divine priority. Love helps us see what truly matters. It helps us distinguish between what is good and what is best. It helps us choose what pleases God, not just what pleases us.

This kind of approval requires a renewed mind, a softened heart, and a love that is willing to yield. It is not passive but intentional, and not vague but precise. This type of godly approval is only possible when love abounds in knowledge and judgment.

Living It Out

So how do we cultivate this kind of love?

To live out the kind of love that discerns and approves rightly, the believer must be intentional. This is not a passive posture—it’s a daily pursuit. Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-10 reminds us that love must abound in knowledge and judgment so that we may approve things that are excellent. That kind of love is cultivated through spiritual disciplines and relational obedience.

• First, we must grow in knowledge—not just head knowledge, but spiritual understanding rooted in Scripture. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). This kind of knowledge shapes our discernment and anchors our love in truth.
• Second, we must develop judgment—the ability to perceive what is spiritually valuable. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Discernment grows through practice, through yielding to the Spirit and applying the Word.
• Finally, we must let love guide our discernment. Galatians 5:13 exhorts, “...by love serve one another.” Love is not just the motive—it’s the method. When love governs our judgment, we seek what edifies, not what flatters; what restores, not what condemns.

Living it out means letting love shape our thoughts, our choices, and our responses. It means proving what pleases God—not just in theory, but in action. And it means walking in a way that reflects both truth and tenderness, conviction and compassion.

Summary: Discernment Begins with Love

Spiritual discernment isn’t merely about knowing right from wrong—it’s about approving what pleases God through a heart anchored in love. Paul teaches that love must abound in knowledge and judgment before we can truly discern what is excellent. Without love, our insights can become harsh, our convictions cold. But when love guides our understanding, we see clearly, judge wisely, and respond faithfully.

So let your love grow. Let it lead your choices, inform your judgments, and refine your discernment. In this season of proving, love is not optional—it is essential. Because the truth we carry is only powerful when it’s spoken through love and lived with grace.