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:  

Tuesday, 19^th November 2024

THE OPERATION OF THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT  2

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

Memory verse: 1 John 4:1; 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 Thessalonians 5:21; Prove all things;  hold fast that which is good.

There are three Greek root words for discerning. There is “anakrino,” which is spiritual discernment. There is “dokimazo,” which means to test or prove spirits and prophecies. There is the word “krino,“ which means to judge or condemn as it is used in Matthew 7:1-2. However, this definition represents one type of discernment we are NEVER to operate in. We must look at the situation or the person through the eyes of the Spirit of Truth and not through our own human eyes or assessment. The term “the discerning of spirits” as it is used in the Greek word in 1 Corinthians 12:10 is daikrisis for discernment. It means to distinguish between or judicial estimation. The discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability to recognize and distinguish between not only good or bad, but various classes of spirits. “Spiritual discernment is the grace to see into the unseen. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit to perceive what is in the spirit. Its purpose is to see into the nature of that which is veiled.”

The Holy Spirit will often give a warning dream in preparation for what is coming. Recently I had a dream in which I was resting comfortably in a large chair when a giant wall gecko appeared and leaped toward me causing me to flinch and wake up. Making a quick, nervous movement as an automatic reaction to fear, and surprise. Within a week I found myself in a difficult relational situation that came at me like that wall gecko, symbolically, wall gecko come to betray, steal, and destroy. In this case because of the dream, I was at alerted and better prepared to deal with the enemy’s scheme.

The gift of discerning of spirits is not the gift of suspicion or judgment. Insights and perceptions should never be used to gossip or defame another person. This gift, like the other gifts of the Spirit, are always for edification and building up the Body of Christ. As you can imagine, the gift of discerning of spirits has great potential; therefore, it is crucial to use wisdom while exercising it. To keep from learning everything the hard way and potentially doing damage, obtain wisdom by consulting others who have greater experience. It is vital, and a matter of protection for others and us, that we operate in the gift of discernment with accountability and under God-given leadership.

There is a misconception that discernment is primarily seeing what is happening in the demonic realm. But the highest and best use of the gift of discernment is to see what God is doing. So, when you perceive the enemy is at work, you can go back to God and ask him, “Father, what are YOU up to?” “What are YOU doing?” As His children, we have to partner with him in His purposes.

CGDS HYMN 7; SS&S 49:

WHAT A BLESSED HOPE IS MINE

1. What a blessed hope is mine,

Through the love of Jesus!

I’m an heir of life divine,

Through the love of Jesus!

Refrain

He will my soul defend.

He, my unchanging Friend;

He will keep me to the end:

All glory be to Jesus!

2. I can sing without fear,

Praise the name of Jesus!

He, my present help, is near,

Praise the name of Jesus!

3. Pressing on my pilgrim way,

Trusting only Jesus!

Oh, ‘tis joy from day to day,

Trusting only Jesus!

4. Thus, my journey I’ll pursue,

Looking unto Jesus!

Till the land of rest I view,

There to dwell with Jesus!

  Prayers 

1.  Lord Jesus, empower me to detect what is happening in the demonic realm.

2.  LORD God Almighty, give me the insight to detect your presence in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.