A dictionary defines "discerment" in part as the "power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another." By his use of parables or little stories to arouse those who listened to his inspired teaching to greater mental and spiritual vigor, the Master evidently was endeavoring to develop in his listeners a right discernment. He once said to his disciples, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see."
With matchless patience and wisdom Christ Jesus drew for those men and women who marveled at his mighty deeds vivid word pictures of familiar objects and events that made up their own day. Simple as these parables themselves might be, they set forth deep spiritual truths. He told them of the two houses: the one, built on the rock, which withstood the fury of the winds and the rain; the other, built upon sand, which fell before the onslaught of the storm. He reminded them of how the tares sprang up almost unseen amongst the good grain, and of how, at harvest time, they must detect and remove them. He cited illustration after illustration to bring home to them the great need of developing wise discernment, in order that they might reject that which is false and establish or demonstrate that which is true.
Today, just as definitely as during the brief distant years when our beloved Master went humbly from village to village in Galilee, healing the sick, comforting weary, saddened hearts, raising the dead to life and usefulness, it is necessary to cultivate this invaluable quality in order readily to perceive that which is false and turn quickly from its argument to the harmonious and everlasting facts of being.
