Exodus 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

In this I am reminded of old World War II movies I watched as a youth. A destroyer would sail across the advance of the armada laying down a smoke screen so that the enemy could not take dead aim on our ships. That was ancient warfare but still holds a practical application of personal behavior.

We as sinners do not like to have anyone taking potshots at our sin. We lay down a smokescreen of sorts to hide from others. We put on a brave face to hide our pain. We do good works to disguise our sinful nature. We make excuses and rationalize continually to justify ourselves rather than do anything that might just change our hearts. I’ve done it, and I doubt I am alone in this.

A faithful man of God who knew me would set me down and ask me what was going on in my life. I would talk, laying down that smokescreen, heaven help if I should tell the truth. But then this gifted man of God would use the gift of spiritual discernment to cut thru my smokescreen and make a direct hit on my problem.

I know I did not say anything that would expose myself. I was very careful, but there I was exposed and vulnerable. The God who knows my heart revealed me to another. My secret darkness was exposed to the light of truth.

This is true spiritual discernment. Others that have declared that gift have been found to be nothing more than judgmental. You will not find judgment in discernment, only truth telling, with love, grace and mercy.

Do you know the heart and mind of another? Examine yourself as to how that came into being.