Growth in Faith and Discernment

A brother in Christ reminded me today how vital it is to continually grow in both faith and discernment. We were talking about how easily the enemy can disguise something that looks good but isn’t God. It struck a chord deep in me, because that’s exactly where many of us stumble—not in the obvious wrongs, but in the subtle deceptions that appear righteous, harmless, or beneficial.

The Bible tells us plainly that Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). The danger isn’t always in what’s dark, but in what looks bright yet pulls us off the path. That’s why discernment—spiritual hearing, guided by the Holy Spirit—is one of the most important gifts we can grow in as believers.

“But solid food is for the mature—those whose faculties have been trained by continuous exercise to distinguish good from evil.”

— Hebrews 5:14 (CJB)

Maturity in Christ doesn’t come from years of belief, but from daily obedience. It comes from being trained—from listening, praying, testing the spirits, and walking in alignment with God’s Word. We grow discernment not by running from challenges but by leaning into them with faith and trust, allowing the Spirit to refine our hearts and sharpen our vision.

When we pray for growth, it’s not just growth in knowledge or comfort—it’s growth in faith that anchors and trust that sustains. Growth that strengthens us to follow God’s leading even when it doesn’t make sense to our flesh.

So today, I encourage you to pause and pray:

“Lord, help me grow. Not just in what I know, but in how I see, hear, and follow You. Strengthen my faith and sharpen my discernment, that I may walk in truth, even when the truth is hard to see.”

Keep walking, brothers and sisters. Growth takes time. Discernment takes discipline. But both are built in the presence of God. 
 

-Rev Carlos Figueroa