DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

 

Introduction: Today the gift of discerning of spirits is greatly needed for the times in which we live. Since not all supernatural activity comes from the Holy Spirit, sometimes it can be hard to tell where it originates. But someone who can penetrate deeply with the gift of discerning of spirits can tell the difference between supernatural activity from the Holy Spirit and that from another source. As evil continues to escalate on the earth, so does the need for a higher level of discernment.

Text: 1 Cor. 12:7-11

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor. 12:7-11)

A. What is Discernment of spirits?

Discernment of spirits is a gift of the Holy Spirit given to some Christian believers. It is a Spirit-given ability to distinguish whether Divine, human or demonic origins are the source of what is presented—whether it be in an atmosphere, encounter, event, or prophetic message.

B. What is the Purpose?

Its purpose is to protect, guard, guide and properly feed the flock of God.

1 John 4:1 – “Beloved believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

Spirits Must Express Itself

1 John 4:2,3 – “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

C. Christ Ministry Discerned Spirits

Matthew 9:4 – “And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?”

Matthew 16:23 – Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

a) In the Old Testament

1 Kings 22:23 –”Now therefore, behold the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.”

The prophet Micaiah saw the whole picture, from the heavenlies down to the spirit, which motivated the false prophets

b) In the New Testament - Acts 13:9,10

⁹ Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ¹⁰ “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹ Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

D. What are Some Signs You May Have the Gift of Discernment?

Following are some signs that you may have the spiritual gift of discernment, from my personal study, observation and experience. You may not identify with all of them, but if you do have the gift, you will recognise some of these in your life:

1. Desire for the Gift

As with other spiritual gifts, desire is often the first sign of a gift of discernment of spirits (1 Cor. 14:1).

·         You may have a longing to see people set free from demonic bondage.

·         You may want to be more effective in prayer and spiritual warfare.

·         You may have a desire for holiness and live right with God.

·         You may simply be curious about the spiritual realm.

2. Sensitivity to the Spiritual Atmosphere

You may be more sensitive to spiritual atmospheres than most other people. In the early stages of developing the gift, you may be affected adversely by the presence of any demonic activity in the environment around you.

3. Love for God’s Presence

One of the benefits of having a gift of discernment of spirits is a heightened awareness of God’s Presence and anointing. A true discerner will have a passion for the un-grieved Presence of the Holy Spirit.

The highest use of the gift of discernment is not to see what the enemy is doing, but to discern what the Spirit of God is doing.

4. Ability to Know What Lies Behind a Person’s Words or Actions

Someone with a gift of discernment has the ability to see behind what a person is saying and presenting. You may know whether they are telling the truth or not. You may also recognise if someone is manifesting a demonic spirit and be able to identify what that spirit is.

E. Seducing Spirits

If a prophetic or revelatory message is brought, a discerner can often tell whether it is anointed of the Spirit or from the speaker’s own heart.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; – 1 Timothy 4:1

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. – 1 Timothy 4:16

Somebody’s got to keep saying the truth or preaching the Word. Notice he said they would depart from the faith. (Today Covid 19 cases many believer faith have been shaken. Psalms 91 has been forgotten then.)  You can’t depart from the church fellowship until you first go to church. The purpose of seducing spirits today is to get us to depart from the faith that was once delivered to us.

There are seducing spirits and doctrines of devils working together that have been released in the earth today to get people to calm down the power Holy Spirit - its gifts, put Him in the back room, and eventually push Him out the back door and say He’s not even welcome here anymore. Then Religious Spirit takes over without power just a form or ritual.