Open Heaven 22 May 2026: Spiritually Discerned I
MEMORISE
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
READ: Numbers 22:22-33
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
Read Other Open Heaven Devotional Here
Today’s memory verse tells us that the natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. This means that such a fellow cannot follow God’s direction, as he or she cannot understand spiritual things and will even consider them foolish. Those who walk in the spirit, however, know how to discern spiritual things.
For instance, when it seems that several people are trying to get a Christian angry, it could be that the devil is seeking to open a window through which he can attack him or her. If the believer cannot spiritually discern the devil’s plan, he or she might eventually give in to anger, thereby giving the devil access to carry out his attack.
Likewise, if a Christian keeps encountering people in need, especially if they are fellow Christians, it could be that God wants the believer to help them so that He can open windows of blessings over his or her life. However, if the Christian cannot spiritually discern what is happening and ignores the people in need, he or she would miss out on God’s blessing.
Spiritual discernment is crucial in the journey of every Christian.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Proverbs 22:3
In today’s Bible reading, Balaam’s donkey began to behave strangely when he was on his way to meet Balak despite God’s initial instruction forbidding him from going (Numbers 22:12). Balaam was so spiritually insensitive that he didn’t know the actions of the donkey were for his own good. When his donkey didn’t move as he wanted it to and kept turning away from the path it was supposed to take, he hit it in an attempt to force it to obey him.
Even when the donkey spoke, which was very strange, Balaam was too spiritually insensitive to sense the danger ahead until God opened his eyes.
I pray that your spiritual senses will be sharpened enough to see any dangers that are ahead of you, and you will be prudent enough to hide yourself, in Jesus’ name.
The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed so many homes and ended so many lives prematurely. This is why spiritual discernment is a must-have for you in your walk with God, relationship with others, and dealings with the world.
I pray that the Almighty God, in His mercy, will sharpen your discernment and help you see things as they really are, in Jesus’ name.
ACTION POINT
Father, please help me to discern spiritual matters and see things as they truly are.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Open Heaven 22 May 2026
