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The Familiar Stranger Podcast

Discernment with Rich Villodas

Mar 11, 2025
Rich Villodas, lead pastor of New Life Fellowship and author of 'The Deeply Formed Life', dives into discernment and spirituality. He discusses how to differentiate the voice of Jesus from societal influences in decision-making. Rich emphasizes that discernment is an ongoing process, vital for spiritual growth. He reframes indifference as constructive openness, essential for community building. The conversation highlights the transformative effects of discernment on identity and the importance of humility and community in one's spiritual journey.
29:37

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Discernment involves recognizing and filtering out personal desires and external influences to align with God's will in everyday situations.
  • Regular practice of discernment fosters a deeper relationship with God and strengthens community through shared conversations and experiences.

Deep dives

Understanding Discernment

Discernment is defined as the process of distinguishing the voice of Jesus amidst various competing influences. It is not restricted to significant life decisions but applies to everyday situations, helping individuals identify what Jesus might be inviting them into. A key aspect of discernment is recognizing and filtering out personal desires, family expectations, cultural influences, and the deceptive voice of external forces. This understanding emphasizes that discernment leads to discovering and carrying out God's will, which involves action rather than mere reflection.

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