The Gift of Discernment

sermonindex Feb 8, 2006

Does anyone understand the gift of discernment or know anyone who has this gift? One of my pastors has the gift of discernment.His father also had the gift of discernment.His father could not read at all as far as I know and his wife usually read the bible to him.His father totally had to rely on the holy spirit and God gave him this gift of discernment.Now his son, my pastor, has this gift.He can discern when there is evil present or if something is of God.He will get a word about someone in the service.He will for instance get a word about someone who needs to forgive someone and apologize to them and even tell them who the person is like their daughter or a son that they need to make things right with.It sure puts the fear of God in you in the service but in a good way.There is not alot of hypocrisy in this church or hidden agendas.I guess we could debate till the cows come home about "what is sin" and "must we sin" but when the power of God is present nothing is hidden that shall not be made known. Whenever I go to this church I always have to pray "God are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" I know alot of people will say we shouldn't have to be afraid when we go in a meeting but this is a good kind of fear.It is quite intimidating to go but I really do want to know if there is sin in my life and it's very humbling but we need to be humble and realize that we are just dust.

P

PreachParsly Feb 8, 2006

From what I understand (and have been taught), the gift of discernment would allow one to see the intents /motives of someone.

I

InTheLight Feb 8, 2006

Whenever I go to this church I always have to pray "God are my hands clean? Is my heart pure?" I know alot of people will say we shouldn't have to be afraid when we go in a meeting but this is a good kind of fear.Dear sister, questions to ask yourself are, "am I responding in faith and love, or in fear?" "Am I obeying Christ in peace or am I driven by condemnation?"If you feel your life to be one of pressure, fear, proving your relationship or obedience from condemnation, I urge you to calmly consider the spirit that you listen to. Does it provide assurance and comfort when it corrects you? Does it provide a way of escape when conviction comes? Are the accusations clear and specific? Do they lead to openness with others, or do they make you want to hide in fear? You may be doing the right things, but are you being led, or driven?In Christ,Ron

C

ccchhhrrriiisss Feb 8, 2006

PreachParsly wrote:From what I understand (and have been taught), the gift of discernment would allow one to see the intents /motives of someone.I'm not really certain what the gift of discernment is. I've looked into it several times, and I have always confused the gift of discernment with other gifts. Unfortunately, there seems to be more of a "gift of suspicion" amongst many believers lately. They "get a hunch" about something, and then confuse that with "discernment." I have seen many people hurt by such false discernment. I suppose that we should be slow to believe the worst in others -- unless we are willing to truly blame such "discernment" on the Holy Spirit. In the past, I have been guilty of truly believing that the Lord had given me discernment about someone or something, and then later find out that I was completely wrong. I suppose we have all been guilty of blaming God for "telling us" something that we just either "figured out" ourselves, or was actually an opinion. However, there are those times where I somehow knew something that went against by cognitive perception in a matter -- and I lately found out that this understanding was completely correct. Is that discernment? I'm not really sure. But this is certainly a good topic for discussion! :-)

sermonindex Feb 8, 2006

I think your right, that he is able to see the motives and intents.There are also people in that meeting that will get a word about someone.Sometimes it's a word of encouragement and sometimes it is to reveal an area of sin in a persons life.One woman I know got so uncomfortable because this person kept getting words about her that she moved to another seat.You really feel naked whenever you walk in this meeting and you can feel the presence of God before you walk in the building.I can feel the fear of God on me before I ever get in the parking lot. I think he also has the discernment of spirits because sometimes the Lord will allow him to actually see the spirit that is affecting the person and he will pray over you until it leaves. This is the first meeting that I ever experienced the power of God this way.This church has taught me alot on what it means to be holy.Whenever there is backbiting in the church he will get a word.This is not the kind of church you would go to if you are not serious with God that's for sure!

sermonindex Feb 8, 2006

This pastor is really sensitive about being wrong about someone.He admitted that he had been wrong about someone before.It takes alot to get him to address anything anymore in the church unless he knows for sure it's God because he doesn't want to be wrong again.He is a VERY non-judgemental person.

P

PreachParsly Feb 8, 2006

I've heard this story that relates to this gift.Once in a meeting a woman stood up and proclaimed, "God has sent me here to minister and I will be ministering for a few days. We will need to take up an offering." Then after a few moments of silence another old women stood up and said something to this effect, " You are filled with the devil. You are a prostitute and are only here for money." Then the proclaiming woman went fleeing from the building in fear….

sermonindex Feb 8, 2006

IntheLight, This is why I want to understand this gift because it is SO intimidating sometimes but it's not the fault of the preacher. People in the meeting will joke around sometimes about the pastor "reading their mail".People really do search themselves before they come to the meeting which is why the power of God is so strong.

J

jimp Feb 8, 2006

hi, i thought the gift was the decernings of spirits. jimp

sermonindex Feb 8, 2006

Jimp, We are talking about discerning of spirits.

J

jimp Feb 8, 2006

hi rebecca, len ravenhill ministered with a man in the latter rain era(50s)who one night called for three people who really need healing to come forth.when they came up to the minister he asked the first,a woman,if God heals you will you stop sleeping with the married man in the third pew with the red tie on. God is tired of healing people so they can use their healed bodies for sin. the other two people took their seats. sounds like you found yourself a good place to worship Jesus.jimp

T

tinluke Feb 9, 2006

To me discernment is the ability to "see" someones spirit. I think that anyone who is filled with the spirit would have this ability. Of course in different messures, but we ALL have it if we have the spirit of Christ within us. I don't see it as a special gift set aside for only an elect few. The primary reason we have this ability from the holy spirit is so that we will not be deceived in these final days. Not to go around pointing out all the devils in our church. If there are devils in your church then bind in the name of JESUS. God doesn't need spectacular performances to stop the enemy right in his tracks. We need to bind the power of the devil in people, but keep the people in the church. How do we know they won't surrend to Christ? The Lord has only had me confront 2 people in the past. One was a false prophet who had many people in my area in bondage. I went to a "prophecy" meeting not knowing what to do or say, but knowing that night a vicotry would be won in heaven! What I said to him did not seem like much. I didn't say, "you devil, you false prophet" and point my finger at him. I simply asked him a few questions that the Lord had me to ask him. And that was it. It didn't seem like a great vicotry at the time, but as the months past I got to talk to a few people who had been totally set free from the lies of the enemy because of that brief encounter. We have to be careful not to esteem anyone who appears to have a special gift from God. Even if that person is me or you. We need to KNOW CHRIST!! I am determined to know Chirst and His cross!! Anything else is a distraction.

P

philologos Feb 9, 2006

Woah, tinlukeTo me discernment is the ability to "see" someones spirit. This is a massive assumption with serious implications. The context of the phrase “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”(1Cor 12:10 KJVS) seems to be in a local gathering of the saints. To make 'discerning of spirits' a private gift would be contrary to the whole theme of this part of 1 Corinthians.The opening verses of 1 Cor 12 may also point to the historical context for such a need. “But concerning spiritual [manifestations], brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant. Ye know that when ye were [of the] nations [ye were] led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led. I give you therefore to know, that no one, speaking in [the power of the] Spirit of God, says, Curse [on] Jesus; and no one can say, Lord Jesus, unless in [the power of the] Holy Spirit.” (1Cor 12:1-3 DRBY)It is easy to forget that 1 Corinthians was written to people who knew what it was like to be 'carried away' by other spirits.

sermonindex Feb 9, 2006

To make 'discerning of spirits' a private gift would be contrary to the whole theme of this part of 1 Corinthians.philologos,While recognising it is important for us to know what the scripture tells us, and I'm glad you have done so here, are you saying, then, that when a person needs to be delivered from a spirit, the whole church should be present? Or, that those with the gift of discernment should exercise it only in the presence of the whole church?I think of the disciples when they were sent out two by two...... and feel this is a practical precedent in many naturally arising situations.Lastly, how many of us have prayed for our children, all alone - not necessarily in extremis, but, say in the night or early morning - when the only recourse is directly to the Lord and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit? I would do the same for an adult - not in church - if I felt the Lord's leading in that direction..... Possibly my 'take' on gifts is slightly non-standard, in that I don't think of myself as possessing or owning any gift I feel called upon to exercise..... and I always expect to call upon the Lord's faith as much as my own (such as my faith is), when praying for others.I identify with Tinluke's experience of non-church situations, too, in which bringing the authority of God into the scenario alters the spiritual dynamic (towards God-in-control) very effectively.EDIT: I immediately wonder whether 'under the guidance of the Holy Spirit' is what I mean. What happens is, one is praying as one is living through an event, listening to what the Lord is prompting, and making choices as to how to bring His word to bear on the situation. Sometimes, all that is necessary is to have heard Him, and to not 'do' anything, except remain open to His word... I mean, the 'doing' may be other than to speak.

sermonindex Feb 9, 2006

I believe we do all have the ability to discern.For example someone can be saying all the right things but you can sense darkness on them or deception.There are alot of people that I will run into in the grocery store and you can sense darkness. There is though a gift of the discerning of spirits.Like the woman in Acts who was prophesying about Paul and the apostles and Paul rebuked her. I have been more aware of the fact that we all have this ability to discern since I have been going to this fellowship.It has helped me to be more aware and more sensitive to the spiritual realm.We need alot of discernment in the churches today.

T

tinluke Feb 9, 2006

Philologos, I hate to quote myself, but I think I'm going to have to in this case. Seems like you read the first line of my post and stopped there.I think that anyone who is filled with the spirit would have this ability. Of course in different messures, but we ALL have it if we have the spirit of Christ within us. I don't see it as a special gift set aside for only an elect few.

T

tinluke Feb 9, 2006

Rebecca,I love you're example of the women in Acts! For example someone can be saying all the right things but you can sense darkness on them or deception. Exactly!! Anyone can quote scripute and put on a good performance. Any one of us could be fooled by a good actor in a suite and tie, standing behind a pulpit. But thank God for His spirit within us. It will keep up from being deceived every time!!

sermonindex Feb 9, 2006

hmm, I never saw this thread until now.I do have the gift of discernment.First and formost, I believe EVERY Christian has a hint of discernment. I think there are some scriptures on this.The 'gift' is something truly amazing. Some people say to me 'I dont see that' or 'your being judgemental'.I could give you over 100 examples of the gift. But let me just try to tell you 'what' i've seen with no examples (if you can understand me telling you plainly)All of this is SOMETIMES, NOT all the time."I can tell" = by the power of the Holy SpiritI can tell if someone is Christian.I can tell if someone is possessed, and sometimes how many demons are in that person.I can tell if someone is going to get angry in 10 seconds, by the way I feel their spirit stur up. And can stop it, because of that knowledge.I can tell when someone is in the flesh. (doing things on their own will)I can tell when someone else is getting blessed.I can sense someone's calling. (Prophet, janitor, preacher, evangelist..etc; that relates to that person)I can NOW, (before I couldn't) almost find the ROOT of someone's problems.I can sense someone's feelings miles away, after thinking about them for a little bit.I can tell the maturity of a person, in their walk, and in their life.I can tell when someone has been turning away from God.I can tell when their are demonic creatures in my area, or certain areas that I drive by."I can sense angels as well.I can tell when Jesus is about to come completly with POWER. (like, when worship turns from good...to GREAT)I can spot false christians/prophets/etc.I can tell when someone is offfended. (I'm trying to be more pro-active on this)Without words I can do all of this. (neither on me, or the person i'm 'discerning'.)I can describe each of those more in-depth if you would like.I don't say any of those out of pride, because they BAFFLE ME. I don't understand how I see this stuff, I just do. God's grace.But, I believe those who have discernment, just like any gift. Have a responsiblity to use to. If you see someone is possessed, and they are just sitting their quitely but you KNOW their possessed, if you don't have the faith, get someone else to help you and cast those demons out.No use in burrying your gift in the ground.Blessings

P

philologos Feb 9, 2006

tinluke's I hate to quote myself, but I think I'm going to have to in this case. Seems like you read the first line of my post and stopped there. Not at all, I read the whole of it. My objection, in case you didn't read all mine ;-) was that you are defining 'discerning of spirits' as though it were referring to one man's discerning of another man's personal spirit. As this is the only passage of scripture that speaks directly of 'the discerning of spirits' we have some responsibility to see what it says and its context. The context is of unique spiritual manifestations which are not the possession of every saint in the church.rebecca 5'a I believe we do all have the ability to discern.For example someone can be saying all the right things but you can sense darkness on them or deception.There are alot of people that I will run into in the grocery store and you can sense darkness. You will recall Paul's question as little later in the chapter “Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” (1Cor 12:30 KJVS) The implied answer is clearly 'no'. Paul has taken two examples of the whole group. If he had chosen to do so he might well worked his way through the whole list “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:”(1Cor 12:8-10 KJVS)These 'spirituals' are not universally spread through all the church to every saint. Your sense of who belongs to the Lord may be more general but it is not what the scriptures mean by 'discerning of spirits'.

P

PreachParsly Feb 9, 2006

I would think every believer, without a doubt mature believers, have 'discernment.'Hbr 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. I think people get confused about the 'gift of discernment' along with the gifts of the word of wisdom and knowledge. We all have (or should!) have wisdom and knowledge, but not all have that gift. There is a difference between having the "gift of ___" and a Christian having "____."Am I making sense?