Discerning of Spirits

[CounselorForChrist]

I have the gift of discernment but people need to realize sometimes they might be thinking with their own mind and not using the discrenment. Its why I don't say anything unless I am 100% positive, example when around people are are into wicca (and I don't know that) I feel my discernment kick in! Unless I feel that feeling I won't say anything.

 

[parsley]

I have no doubt you were given a gift of discerning of spirits. It is very scriptural -- just as scriptural as a gift of healing.

Think -- When would the body of believers need spirits discerned?

* When a dark influence seeps into a service, you would be able to sense it and talk to other members who are committed to intercession.

* Maybe a visitor in the church has an ulterior motive, and starts infiltrating leadership to sway people away from the faith and toward an agenda. Others might have that can't-put-a-finger-on-it squirm, while you would have a clearer word on what that problem would be.

* A church leader is trying to rev people up to agree to a change -- one that takes care of a financial problem they don't want to admit to -- and you can smell the fear, so can see the different angles of the situation, and can move in greater caution.

* Sensing the intent of a stranger walking down the street, caring for your relatives, or offering a business deal.

* Sensing evil spirits are oppressing a person.
As with any of the areas you might discern, there are decisions to be made on how to use that information wisely, and in love. The goal is to set people free.

We can get very impatient when we know information. People with gifts of prophecy etc. also find this, and learn that there are times to speak and times to hold back, times to delay and times to only tell one person.

If you are seeing bad motives in people, the first thing you should do is pray. You are not going to change someone's heart and path by telling them what they already know. God is the one who convicts, and the one who can turn a person's heart toward Him. So the gift of discerning spirits can also become very linked with responses of intercession.

If you get a lot of information and don't know what to do with it all, look for a discreet -- I mean really discreet group of intercessors who can commit a few of these concerns to confidential prayer. Your aim should be to protect individuals and dole out love, so little annoying observations should not be brought up. A good prayer group should not be corrupted with the temptation to gossip.

As a general rule, anything that is not constructive should be kept quiet. The greatest aim is love. A superhero doesn't use their powers for everything, all day long -- they swing from building to building to chase major evil out of town. It can be just as destructive to accuse someone of harm, as it is to do the actual harm. Use God's power for good.

The evil one is always lurking to deceive the brethren, so make sure you are hearing from God before you act on what you sense.

 

[StoneWater]

I’m a new Christian, about 5 months old, 2 weeks after receiving Christ I received the gift of Spirit Discernment. I can sometimes see sins of people, sometimes I can see what type of sins (i.e. lust, idol worship, etc), and I can see when a person is controlled by the enemy, and I can see when a person is possessed.

I am under developed in this gift because I’m so new, sometimes I get it wrong and it confuses me.. I’ve read up on this topic already and have spoken to my church leaders, but I’ve yet met anyone who has this gift who can share their experience with me, I was wondering if anyone here can share.

I thank God for giving me this gift, but I would really love meet someone of Spirit Discernment so I don’t feel so isolated with it.

Please write to me ONLY IF YOU HAVE this gift, thank you.

God bless.

The Spirit is the trainer. It is rarely in explicit answers.

The Spirit is everywhere, can work through everyone and anyone, and God will constatly teach you.

You do not have to believe that. It happens anyway. What not believing it does is make all the lessons conscious to you. Become conscious of it, and you will excel.


Sometimes? On a rare moon? The Spirit is explicit.

Sometimes, the Spirit is always explicit and it is not rare at all.


One day, maybe it will never be rare that way again.

 

[Nanopants]

I remember that when I was a brand new Christian, I felt like I had been plunged into a fantastic new world. I went from atheism straight into this new way of viewing everything, and I would always be amazed at every strange little happening as if I had this newly discovered ability.

Was I "discerning" spirits? Well I was discerning something, perhaps not clearly, but really I was just like a newborn who was learning to walk for the first time. If you have been given a gift, it will not be like a natural ability that you are born with. In other words, it's not you that the gift originates from. The gifts are the product of the work of God in our lives, and with the gifts comes the understanding of how to use them. In my case it took years.

 

[drjean]

Very defensive of you to say this to Wayseer and to others.

I disagree a lot with Wayseer, but if you really had a gift of discernment, you'd see he was in no way being rude or insulting towards you. His concern is genuine, his argument perfectly sound (and Scripturally-based), and his temperment, based on his wording, is mild.

I do have a gift of discernment. You, based on this response alone, do not. Your defensiveness is proof that you don't have such a charismata.

I would encourage you to discover the gifts that you do possess and enrich the Kingdom with them. Everyone has their place and no one is greater or lesser than another. You have a place and it is vital and important; I'm certain you probably truly know deep inside where it is, and I encourage you to embrace it!

This isn't judgmentalism; this is observation. Please learn the difference.

I remember learning, as a new Christian, myself. Don't you?

 

[PaladinValer]

I remember learning, as a new Christian, myself. Don't you?

I never was a "new Christian" when I was able to comprehend.

Furthermore, look at the dates of the posts, both literally when the posts were made and also when cited within.

 

[parsley]

I think that some of the reactions here were precautions that you (OP) don't dash out and start telling people about their sins without giving them a fair hearing. Not an insult to you personally, but that this tends to happen when people believe they are hearing from supernatural sources -- they trust everything they hear, and make some impulsive mistakes.

I remember a thread here a few years ago, where a person had to leave their favorite Bible study because someone had a dream about them being a predator/pervert, and told their friends it was a dream from God.

That is an extreme example of mismanagement of what we hear. Gossip can divide churches and destroy reputations.

People say that there are no mixed messages in prophetic giftings, but I don't see it play out that way. I have had very clear and meaningful words from established prophetic people, who also add something that was way off base.. and friends have assumed the prophetic person was right, and I was wrong about my own life.

We always need to be dependent on God, and humble, and in prayerful approach with what to do with information. If the word of God just tumbled out of our mouths, we wouldn't need the relationship with God to minister to others. The dependence on Him and the conversations are important parts of our faith walk.

This is a faith about love and relationship, and there are many nuances and protections in a relationship. God shows us things when we need to see, or delivers information when others need to hear. The gifts are not about our own skills, but about what He wants to get done at the moment.

 

[day time]

@ Don Loves Jesus:

Hi, nice to e-meet you :~)

I have an idea ..... why don't you list an example of a time when you thought you were discerning the spirits, that way those who want to comment have something to work with and perhaps everyone can learn something with a practical example. Maybe a practical example would be better ... especially if you have one that really stands out to you as being worthwhile to discuss. One from your own experience. The more relevant details the better. :~)