In the context of the Bible, the concept of distinguishing often relates to discernment, separation, and the ability to recognize differences between what is holy and what is profane, truth and falsehood, or good and evil. This ability is seen as a gift from God and a mark of spiritual maturity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "distinguish" is "בָּדַל" (badal), which means to separate or set apart. This concept is foundational in the Levitical laws, where God commands the Israelites to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common. Leviticus 10:10 states, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean." This command underscores the importance of discernment in maintaining purity and holiness before God.

The ability to distinguish is also evident in the wisdom literature. In Proverbs, discernment is closely linked with wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages believers to seek discernment: "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "διακρίνω" (diakrinō) is often used to convey the idea of distinguishing or discerning. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of spiritual discernment in the life of a believer. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 , Paul writes, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

The gift of discernment is also highlighted as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10 , where Paul lists "distinguishing between spirits" as one of the gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church. This gift enables believers to discern the true nature of spiritual influences and teachings, ensuring that the church remains grounded in truth.

Practical Application

The ability to distinguish is crucial for Christians as they navigate a world filled with competing ideologies and moral challenges. Hebrews 5:14 speaks to the maturity required for discernment: "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil." This verse suggests that discernment is developed through spiritual growth and the consistent application of biblical principles.

In the pastoral epistles, Paul advises Timothy to be discerning in his ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:15 , he writes, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." This charge underscores the importance of distinguishing truth from error in teaching and doctrine.

Conclusion

The biblical call to distinguish is a call to spiritual vigilance and maturity. It requires believers to be rooted in Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and committed to living lives that reflect the holiness and truth of God.1. (v. t.) Not set apart from others by visible marks; to make distinctive or discernible by exhibiting differences; to mark off by some characteristic.

2. (v. t.) To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with regard to difference; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low.

3. (v. t.) To recognize or discern by marks, signs, or characteristic quality or qualities; to know and discriminate (anything) from other things with which it might be confounded; as, to distinguish the sound of a drum.

4. (v. t.) To constitute a difference; to make to differ.

5. (v. t.) To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by or for.

6. (v. i.) To make distinctions; to perceive the difference; to exercise discrimination; -- with between; as, a judge distinguishes between cases apparently similar, but differing in principle.

7. (v. i.) To become distinguished or distinctive; to make one's self or itself discernible.

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... to distinguish, to judge. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diakrino Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ak-ree'-no) Short Definition: I distinguish, discern, doubt ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

1291. diastello -- to set apart, fig. to distinguish, to charge ...
... to distinguish, to charge expressly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diastello
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-tel'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I give a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1291.htm - 7k

1231. diaginosko -- to distinguish, to determine
... to distinguish, to determine. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaginosko Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-ag-in-o'-sko) Short Definition: I know accurately, examine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1231.htm - 7k

2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... 2919 -- properly, to separate (distinguish), ie judge; come to a (decision, judgment)
by making a -- either positive (a verdict in favor of) or negative (which ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2919.htm - 11k

1270. dianoema -- a thought
... cogitation. Cognate: 1270 (from 1223 , "through," which intensifies 3539 ,
"to think") -- "think , distinguish. This substantive ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1270.htm - 7k

2920. krisis -- a decision, judgment
... Cognate: 2920 (a noun derived from 2919 , "to separate, distinguish, judge") --
judgment, emphasizing its qualitative aspect that can apply either to a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2920.htm - 7k

1381. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... Phonetic Spelling: (dok-im-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine
Definition: I put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish by testing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381.htm - 8k

145. aistheterion -- organ of perception
... 145 () is "the concrete organ of , becoming virtually a habitual ability which must
be developed and enables believers to distinguish between the spirits. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/145.htm - 7k

3307. merizo -- to divide
... 3307 (from 3313 , "a single part, member") -- properly, to , distribute into parts
(portions), ie separate (distinguish) one part from another. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3307.htm - 7k

1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a ...
... 1308 (from 1223 , "through," intensifying 5342 , "carry") -- properly, take
(ie to the ); (figuratively) to distinguish to show what is (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1308.htm - 8k

466. Eliphelehu -- "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper
... Eliphelehu. 467 . "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper. Transliteration:
Eliphelehu Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-fe-lay'-hoo) Short Definition: Eliphelehu. ...
/hebrew/466.htm - 6k

5330. netsach -- to distinguish oneself
... 5329, 5330. netsach. 5331 . to distinguish oneself. Transliteration: netsach
Phonetic Spelling: (nets-akh') Short Definition: distinguishing. ...
/hebrew/5330.htm - 6k

6395. palah -- to be separated or distinct
... A primitive root; to distinguish (literally or figuratively) -- put a difference,
show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully. 6394, 6395. ...
/hebrew/6395.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... 1), concern (2), concerned (1), consider (3), declare (1), detected (1), directed
(1), discern (2), disciplined (1), discovered (3), distinguish (1), endowed (3 ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

6381. pala -- to be surpassing or extraordinary
... A primitive root; properly, perhaps to separate, ie Distinguish (literally or
figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult ...
/hebrew/6381.htm - 6k

995. bin -- to discern
... A primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), ie(generally) understand --
attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

914. badal -- to be divided, separate
... A primitive root; to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate,
distinguish, differ, select, etc.) -- (make, put) difference, divide ...
/hebrew/914.htm - 6k

7200. raah -- to see
... 1), became visible (1), become visible (1), behold (9), choice (1), consider (13),
considered (1), display (1), displayed (1), distinguish (1), encountered (1 ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... root Definition to regard, recognize NASB Word Usage able (1), acknowledge (3),
acknowledges (1), discern (1), distinguish (1), distinguishes (1), examine (1 ...
/hebrew/5234.htm - 6k

The Attempt is Made to Distinguish Out of the Scriptures the ...
... Book XIII. Chapter 1."The Attempt is Made to Distinguish Out of the
Scriptures the Offices of Wisdom and of Knowledge. That in ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 the attempt is made.htm

Whether it is Right to Distinguish Other Moral Precepts of the Law ...
... OF THE MORAL PRECEPTS OF THE OLD LAW (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether it is right to
distinguish other moral precepts of the law besides the decalogue? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is right to.htm

The Christians Distinguish God from Matter.
... Chapter XV."The Christians Distinguish God from Matter. But grant that they
acknowledge the same. What then? Because the multitude ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter xv the christians distinguish god.htm

Whether it is Fitting to Distinguish Six Kinds of Sin against the ...
... OF BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is fitting
to distinguish six kinds of sin against the Holy Ghost? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fitting to.htm

Once More we Will Distinguish of Christians
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 9 Once more we will distinguish of Christians. Once more
we will distinguish of Christians. There are Christians ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/9 once more we will.htm

Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Species of Divination?
... OF SUPERSTITION IN DIVINATIONS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether we ought to distinguish
several species of divination? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to distinguish.htm

Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Orders?
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF ORDERS, OF THEIR ACTS, AND THE IMPRINTING OF THE CHARACTER
(FIVE ARTICLES) Whether we ought to distinguish several Orders? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to distinguish 2.htm

Whether we Should Distinguish Irascible and Concupiscible Parts in ...
... OF THE WILL (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether we should distinguish irascible and
concupiscible parts in the superior appetite? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should distinguish irascible.htm

To Distinguish the Gospels.
... To Distinguish the Gospels. Then, to enable the reader to discriminate
as he reads, we have indicated the particular Gospel from ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/to distinguish the gospels.htm

Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two Spirits Attendant on ...
... Commandment Sixth. How to Recognise the Two Spirits Attendant on Each Man, and How
to Distinguish the Suggestions of the One from Those of the Other. Chap. I. ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment sixth how to recognise.htm

Distinguish (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with
regard to difference; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low. ...
/d/distinguish.htm - 12k

Jew (34 Occurrences)
... There are three names used in the New Testament to designate this people,. (1.)
Jews, as regards their nationality, to distinguish them from Gentiles. ...
/j/jew.htm - 22k

Judge (297 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their relations and attributes,
and thus distinguish truth from falsehood; to determine; to discern; to ...
/j/judge.htm - 46k

Distinguished (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Distinguish. 2. (a.) Marked; special.
3. (a.) Separated from others by distinct difference ...
/d/distinguished.htm - 11k

Difference (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Choice; preference. 5. (n.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish
the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. ...
/d/difference.htm - 13k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... Interpreters seldom distinguish between these two aspects of His work, and it is
plain that sometimes at least the author himself made no effort sharply to ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Shibboleth (1 Occurrence)
... customs, and from mixing largely with the Moabites, Ishmaelites, and Ammonites to
pronounce certain letters in such a manner as to distinguish them from the ...
/s/shibboleth.htm - 8k

Pisidia (2 Occurrences)
... 1. History: (1) Antioch of Pisidia was so called to distinguish it from the many
other cities of the same name founded by Seleucus Nicator (301-280 BC) and ...
/p/pisidia.htm - 21k

Distinctly (8 Occurrences)

/d/distinctly.htm - 9k

Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... 1. History: (1) Antioch of Pisidia was so called to distinguish it from the many
other cities of the same name founded by Seleucus Nicator (301-280 BC) and ...
/a/antioch.htm - 27k

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