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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Enemies of Glory II

Text: Ezek.37:1-14
More Lessons: Job 14:7-14
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 22-24

Be assured this morning as you step out that there is no hopelessness in God. Today's scripture clearly tells the truth that even in written off matters, there's hope, For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease: Job 14:7. This is the season of the Lord's glory. Whatever the enemy has done to your glory and things seem hopeless, this morning, I announce that your glory will sing again. What else can satan do to hinder a man's glory?

1. Satan defiles glory (Psa. 4:2). Take care to avoid the defilement of sin that can turn glory to shame. Avoid the silent invasions of a defiled spirit that comes in various shades of emotional entanglements. These include bitterness and unforgiveness.
2. Satan exchanges glory (Gen 48:20). Walk with God and seek His face for your divine purpose in life. There is that right connection, right place, right time for the manifestation of your glory. It will not be exchanged, in Jesus' name. Y our portion will be given to you and your lot another will not take, in Jesus’ name.
3. Satan causes a man's glory to sleep. (II Sam. 9: 5-7). The glory of Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan was sleeping until God caused David to remember him, And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually: II Sam 9:7. When Mephibosheth's glory awoke he moved from an obscure, crippled man to a celebrated land owner with a permanent seat in the royal palace. Indicators of a sleeping glory to pray about include:

1. Thick stiff opposition everywhere.
2. Worthless life with no respect.
3. Opportunities elude you mysteriously;
4. You arrive late instead of on time.
5. Your benefactors depart just before you arrive and helpers of destiny disappear for no reason or refuse to help.

Hear the testimony of a man whose glory awoke, This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him: Jn.2:11. The Lord Jesus paved the way for your glory to manifest. Declare that as the Lord showed forth His glory, so also will my glory manifest in the land of the living.

Prayer/Action
* With your hand raised declare with authority:
- Let all enemies of my glory be consumed by fire.
- Opportunities of glory will not elude me, in Jesus’ name.
-I command my glory to wake up and manifest to the full.

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Enemies of Glory I

Text: Judg.16:1-20
More Lessons: Psa. 91
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 19-21

It's been said before that glory must be discovered, pursued and defended. Any glory that will last must be well managed. When glory is not well managed, it can turn to shame. 'Kabowd' can become 'Ichabod'. This implies that the glory, though heavy and weighty, placed on a man by God can depart. The devil does not want anyone to manifest his created glory; therefore, he lays different traps for the one carrying glory to fall into. A man must recognise that not all like his existence; there are enemies of glory. To have a lasting glory, you must know satan's tricks to spoil the glory and labour to defend it. You will not experience Ichabod, in Jesus' name. What can the enemy, satan, do to a man's glory?

1. He can strip him of his glory (Job 19:9). The devil used calamities, disasters and death to strip Job of his glory. The blood of Jesus will speak for you. You will not be stripped of your glory; you will not be made naked by the enemy.
2. Satan sometimes steals a man's glory (Judg 16:20). Glory can be stolen at various levels; individual, family and community. Even national glory can be stolen. In Judg. 16: 19, Samson's glory was stolen by the tool of sex. How do you know your glory is stolen?
a. When you become a shadow of yourself.
b. Constant set backs though you are labouring.
c. When you become an object of ridicule as a weakling just as Samson after Delilah emptied him of his glory.
d. When there is perennial barrenness of good things.
e. When you lose self-confidence and become scared to step out in greatness.
These are all indications that the enemy has stolen your glory. You need to cry out to the Lord of glory if any of these indicators occur in your life. Check yourself like Samson did! Several times sin opens the door for glories to be stolen. If it’s sin that led to it, then quickly confess that sin to the Lord, repent of it and the Lord will forgive you. Now cry out for a restoration of what the thief has stolen from your life. Don't stop insisting on a restoration until you see your abilities/glory returned.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, forgive me for allowing sin into my life.
* Deliver me from glory robbers.
* Restore to me all that the enemy stole. I take it back.

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Glory Within II

Read: Prov.18:15-16, Matt. 25:14-30
More Lessons: Prov.24:30-34
Bible Reading in one Year: Isaiah 16-18

A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men: Prov . 18:16. This text makes it clear that every man has the glory within that when discovered and managed well, it will take him to the limelight, out of obscurity . Some people live beggarly lives today because they believe they have to live on other's welfare and leave their own talents untended. Know this today , child of God, that all that you need to excel in life has been packaged by God and put within you.

Every man has a talent, an ability , a gift just waiting to find expression in him and take him to glory , And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey: Matt 25:15. Cease envying others for the expression of their glory within. Locate yours because God gave every man. How can you locate yours and get into glory?

1. Fellowship with God and ask Him to show you what He put in you as talents and gifts.
2. Focus on your area of interest and allow it to work as soon as you discover the talent. Put it to work at home, school and in church. Joseph's gift was so expressed that it became a title for him by his brothers, …Behold, this dreamer cometh: Gen. 37:19. Put those singing, writing, imaginative and creative talents to work. Some people have the talent but because of laziness, they hide it from being expressed. Don't allow fear, laziness or procrastination to hinder you from putting your gift to work. That is the key for your lime light glory. Take avenues of service to others to utilise your talent and soon someone will be ready to pay huge sums for that same service you rendered. Daniel's gift made him a vice president in a foreign land, Joseph became a prime minister in Egypt due to his God-given talent, David entered the palace and took over the throne by his musical ability. May your gift take you into great places.
3. Develop the gift by prayer, correct relationship, education and service.

Prayer/Action
* Lord, breathe upon me and let my talent take me into glory.

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