The Importance of Discernment Over Judgment

Hi everyone,

Today, I want to talk about something that often causes confusion on the spiritual path:

the difference between discernment and judgment , and why it's so important to understand.

In spiritual communities, judgment is often seen as something negative—something to be avoided or even punished. But once you begin walking a spiritual path, it can be hard to tell where judgment ends and discernment begins. Are you being judgmental, or are you simply honoring your truth?

Let’s explore this together.

What Is Discernment?

Discernment is the ability to make choices that align with your values, integrity, and personal goals. It’s about asking yourself: Does this feel right for me? Does this situation, or energy support the life I want to build?

Discernment is an internal compass. It doesn’t focus on whether someone else is right or wrong—it simply guides you to recognize what resonates with you and what doesn’t. It’s deeply personal and has everything to do with self-awareness, not criticism.

This self-awareness invites you to take full responsibility for your emotional and mental well-being. When something or someone unsettles you, discernment allows you to recognize that discomfort without immediately assigning blame. Instead, it gives you the clarity to respond with intention—whether that means initiating an honest conversation, setting firm boundaries, or stepping away altogether. It’s not about controlling others or labeling them as wrong; it’s about staying true to your own values and making choices that support your inner alignment.

💡In fact, I always encourage people to actively develop their discernment. It’s one of the most powerful tools for protecting yourself from manipulation—whether intentional or not—and maintaining your individuality in a world that often wants to shape you. When you learn to trust your inner signals and act on them with clarity and courage, you stop outsourcing your sense of truth—and start living from a place of alignment.

What Is Judgment?

Judgment, on the other hand, is rooted in casting opinions onto others—They’re wrong. They shouldn’t do that. They’re not spiritual enough. It positions you above them, assuming you know what’s best for their path or choices. Unlike discernment, which is grounded in self-awareness, judgment pulls you into comparison and superiority—disconnecting you not only from empathy and humility, but also from your own responsibility. It shifts the focus outward, making it easier to critique others than to reflect on your own boundaries, choices, or growth.

Personally, I don’t believe it’s our place to judge others. We haven’t lived their lives, walked in their shoes, or witnessed the full depth of who they are.

That said, what is within our place—and our power—is how we choose to live our own lives. We get to decide what we allow in, and what we say no to. That’s not judgment; it’s discernment: the ability to recognize what nurtures our well-being. ✨

Discernment, then, is not just a tool for inner clarity—it’s a practice of self-love. It says: I trust myself enough to know what aligns with my soul, and I don’t need to tear anyone else down to honor that truth.

It brings you back home to yourself, inviting you to stand fully in your personal power.

I’ll end this post with an invitation:

Take a quiet moment to reflect on what discernment means to you. Where in your life are you being called to choose with clarity, with love, with alignment?

Allow your own reflections to gently arise. And as always, take what resonates, and leave what doesn’t.

May these words bring light and wisdom to your path. 🕯️

With love,

Giuliana