Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.   8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom;  to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  9 To another faith by the same Spirit;  to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  10 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:  

Monday, 18^th November 2024

THE OPERATION OF THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT  

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Memory verse: Mark 9:38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

The spiritual gift of discerning of spirits can aid the church, set people free, protect the integrity of what God is doing, and help us overcome in spiritual warfare. Discerning of spirits operates a bit like a Geiger counter that measures radiation; it is a spiritual detection system that measures spiritual realities not apparent to the natural senses. It is the God-given ability or enablement to recognize the source of spirits; whether they come from the Holy Spirit, angelic spirits, demonic spirits, or individual human spirits, which are behind different manifestations or activities. It is not natural discernment. Many people are by nature very perceptive or discerning, but that is not the same as the spiritual gift of discerning of spirits.

The gift of discerning of spirits is often interwoven with other manifestation gifts. For example, a believer operating in discerning of spirits may be simultaneously aware of the presence of a demon, know what to do about the situation, and begin to command it to come out of the person. Receiving the information about the demon and knowing what to do with it is like and interwoven with a word of knowledge and a word of wisdom; while casting out the demon can be in the category of working a miracle.

Not all revelation comes from God, and certainly not everything that appears spiritual is from the Holy Spirit. When we have an insight about what is taking place in the spiritual realm, our first response should always be prayer. This is as simple as dialoguing with the Holy Spirit to ask him if whatever is happening is from him or another source. Sometimes the gift of discernment is a “knowing” that can feel like an instinct, but it does not originate with us. It can often be a warning from God. If we sense pride, perversion, occultism, or any other form of evil, our spirits will grow uncomfortable. We may not know exactly what is wrong with a person or his or her message, but we will sense danger and recognize the warning to be on guard.

CGDS HYMN 27: SS&S 

THERE'S A LIGHT THAT IS SHINING IN DRKNESS

1. There's a light that is shining in darkness,

While we wait for the dawning of day;

And it cheers us along on our journey,

Till the shadows shall vanish away !

2. So we'll wait and watch for the dawning,

The day of eternity blest;

Then take the wings of the morning,

And fly away to our rest.

3. From the sure word the prophets

have spoken, [the gloom;

There is light flashing forth through

For the Scripture can never be broken,

And the King in His glory will come.

4. Now we sing 'mid the darkness and shadows, ;

And we pray and we watch for the dawn

Till the Day-star, in glory arising,

Shall betoken the coming of morn.

His Second Coming

5. We are not of the night nor of darkness,

Let us walk, then, as children of day;

Our weeping shall be for a moment,

And our joy shall ne'er vanish away !

  Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, put me on guide always to detect deceptive spirits.

2.  LORD God Almighty, protect your Church from deceptive spirits in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.