There's a lot of talk today about discernment. I've heard many people say, "I have the gift of discernment." I have searched my Bible and I do not find the gift of discernment listed anywhere in Scripture. I do, however, find the gift of discerning of spirits. Let's look at this Scripture.
1 Cor. 12:7-10 - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Discerning of spirits is one of the Gifts of Holy Spirit available to all those who have been saved and baptized by His Spirit. It's not the gift of discernment, it's the gift of discerning of spirits. We don't discern people, we discern spirits, both good and evil spirits.
Discerning of spirits enables us to understand what spirit is operating in an individual or situation.
This gift is very much needed in this day and in this hour, because the devil is manifesting himself through many. We must not be ignorant of the enemies devices, nor must we be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1). We must be able to know and understand the gifts and how they operate.
What is a spirit? A spirit is a living personality whether it is the Spirit of God, the human spirit (which is the spirit of man), or an evil spirit.
Discerning of spirits gives us supernatural insight into the realm of "spirits." Discern means to "see." God gives us the ability to "see" in the realm of the spirit.
Discerning of spirits is the God-given ability to detect the presence of and the identity of spirits.
As Christians, we must be able to discern what spirits are operating in our church services. Many times, in deliverance services, the Lord will speak to me and tell me the name of specific spirits that are possessing a particular individual and we are then able to command the spirit to come out of the person.
Acts 16:16-18 - Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most Hight God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.
In this Scripture, we see Paul operating in the gift of discerning of spirits. The words that this woman was speaking were accurate, but the spirit behind what she was saying was not right. It was an evil spirit. A spirit of divination was actually operating in this woman. This spirit was coming against Paul and all those who were with him. Holy Spirit revealed what spirit was operating in the woman and Paul took authority over that spirit and commanded the spirit to come out of the woman. Notice that Paul did not speak to the woman. He spoke directly to the spirit. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our battle is against evil spirits. Don't rebuke the individual, rebuke the spirit operating in the individual.
Jesus also operated in this gift. As we study Scripture, we see that one third of Jesus' ministry was deliverance ministry. Jesus was continually casting out devils and commanding evil spirits to depart. He was not afraid of the demonic forces of hell, He commanded them to loose the people and come out. Thank God we have power over all devils and demons. We don't have to walk in fear or be timid regarding the spirit world. The Lord desires to teach us and make us knowledgeable regarding spiritual matters.
If you've been baptized with the Holy Spirit and you speak in tongues, the Gifts of the Spirit are available to you. Scripture tells us to covet spiritual gifts. We are not to covet anything except the Gifts of the Spirit.
The Lord wants to do mighty things through us and in us. We just need to be available for His use. He is looking for holy vessels that He can minister through. Many people need to be set free by His wonder working power. If you have the gift of discerning of spirits, you will know what kind of spirit is operating in the lives of those you come in contact with. The Spirit of God on the inside of you will quickly pick up on any spirit that is demonic or evil in nature. As Holy Spirit shows you the different kinds of spirits, you then have authority over them.
If you desire to have this gift in operation in your life, pray and ask the Lord to give you the ability to discern spirits. He is a prayer answering God.
May the Lord touch you in a mighty way and may He grant you the desires of your heart.
God Bless You!
