"Discernment of spirits" is a term used in both Roman Catholic and Charismatic (Pentecostal) Christian theology to indicate judging various spiritual agents for their moral influence.
The following actions can be made in the course of discernment: taking time in making decisions, using both the head and heart, and assessing important values involved in the situation.
Time has been considered necessary in the process of making a smart choice; decisions made in a hurry can be altered by[clarification needed] lack of contemplation.
[7] The same guiding principles (of values, using the head and heart, and ample time) all still apply in group discernment.
Group discernment is different because it requires multiple people to have a unanimous decision in order to move forward.
[8]: 12 The fundamental definition of Christian discernment is a decision-making process in which an individual makes a discovery that can lead to future action.
[10] People who practise this believe that in the process of Christian spiritual discernment God guides the individual to help them arrive at the best decision.