Discerning of Spirits

Text: 1 Cor . 12: 10
More Lessons: Acts 16:16-18
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 25-27

Paul and his fellow labourers in Christ were in Philippi and a certain girl followed them through the street shouting, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.' Acts 16:17. Many of us would have been happy if such affirmation were made of us, but that was not for these men who had the gift of the Holy Spirit to know that even though the girl was seemingly saying the right things, she was speaking by the spirit of the devil. Paul rebuked her and cast the evil spirit of divination out of her in the name of Jesus. It is not every one who says the right things that is operating with the right spirit. It is not every one who quotes scriptures and preaches that is of the Holy Spirit of God. It is not every song in which the name of Jesus or God is mentioned that is of God. This is the reason you have to be careful who and what you watch, listen to and open yourself to.

The discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to a man to have insight into the realm of the spirit to detect spirits, their plans, activities and intentions. It involves the ability to detect and differentiate the activities of the Holy Spirit from those of the devil, angels from demons, and that which is of God from that which is of man. There are many spirits at work in these end-times. This is the reason the Bible says, Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world: 1 John 4:1. And also, Test everything. Hold on to the good. 1 Thess 5:21-22 (NIV).

Every believer that is well established in the Word of God can have the ability to judge and discern every spiritual manifestation, whether they are from God or not. Every manifestation that contradicts the Scripture does not glorify Jesus or reveal the nature of God is not of God. There are, however, some believers that are gifted to see visions into the realm of the spirit; they can see demonic or angelic activities. Discerning of spirit can also be by hearing in the realm of the spirit or feeling a sense of rightness or wrongness of a spiritual manifestation.

However, the discerning comes only when a man is well grounded in the Word of God and can ultimately discern correctly spiritual activities. When a genuine servant of God advises or warns you against certain company, relationship, songs, programmes, gathering or people, don't be quick to claim there is nothing wrong with such things. The man of God may be talking from discernment of spirits. I pray that God will sharpen your discernment and you will not be swayed by deceit any more, in Jesus’ name.

Prayer /Action
*Ask God for the gift of the discerning of spirits.
*Ask the Spirit of God to scan through all relationships around you and expose the wrong ones.

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