Before we could begin to exercise discernment and hear the voice of God, we must humble ourselves. Getting ourselves to stop talking is only a beginning that gives us room to place our hearts in a position of humility.  We cannot expect to have the help of God in any other area of our life until we first allow Him to humble us. The essence of humility ism as C.J. Mahaney states in Humility: True Greatness, “honestly assessing ourselves in light of God’s holiness and our sinfulness.” He is perfect. We are imperfect. He is great. We are small. He is Creator. We are created. He is righteous. We are rebellious. He is merciful. We are unforgiving. He is just. We are corrupt. And so on it goes. When we see ourselves in comparison to this God and recognize the depth and unsurpassing worth of His grace, we will begin to see the fruit of humility in our lives.

This is essential. Without humility, we’ll never gain discernment. Scripture is replete with the connection between knowledge of holiness and understanding. Unless we pursue knowledge of the Holy One and see who we are in comparison to Him and recognize our place and our need for His grace, we will never have discernment. So, humble yourself. Spend time in the Word, in prayer, and considering the greatness of God. Surround yourself with those things and those people who remind you sharply of the holiness of God and your own inability to hold to that standard. Seek His face, receive His grace and then we will have been positioned to hear God’s direction.