Discerning of spirits

[tturt]

Learning that one of the ways that non-believers have decided to damage Christianity is by sowing discord within the church. Soon after beginning to attend a particular church, they usually volunteer to serve in some capacity. Usually they're accepted and the church is glad for the help. They use Christian terminology for acceptance but they really complain and criticize. They are successful in causing division and sometimes causing church splits.

Seems we need to desire discerning of spirits (through His Spirit) as in I Cor 12 and 14:1.

Discerning of spirits -distinguishes the source - either evil or Godly spirits One example -. Even though Ananias put the money "laid it at the apostles' feet." But in spite of what they saw, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" (Acts 5:3) The same for his wife (v 9) Another example - girl followed Paul "and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days." (Acts 16) Even though she spoke the truth, she had the spirit of divination and Paul cast it out.

It's not the discerning of evil spirits only.

Then here's an example of the Godly - "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." (Gal 2:9).

Also, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" I Thess 5

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Learning that one of the ways that non-believers have decided to damage Christianity is by sowing discord within the church. Soon after beginning to attend a particular church, they usually volunteer to serve in some capacity. Usually they're accepted and the church is glad for the help. They use Christian terminology for acceptance but they really complain and criticize. They are successful in causing division and sometimes causing church splits.

Seems we need to desire discerning of spirits (through His Spirit) as in I Cor 12 and 14:1.

Discerning of spirits -distinguishes the source - either evil or Godly spirits One example -. Even though Ananias put the money "laid it at the apostles' feet." But in spite of what they saw, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" (Acts 5:3) The same for his wife (v 9) Another example - girl followed Paul "and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days." (Acts 16) Even though she spoke the truth, she had the spirit of divination and Paul cast it out.

It's not the discerning of evil spirits only.

Then here's an example of the Godly - "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." (Gal 2:9).

Also, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" I Thess 5

General discernment is one of the gifts least practiced in congregations. This is always done in love. But most important one must check themselves first.
Examine your own thoughts, actions, and attitudes to see if they align with the fruits of His Holy Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Blessings

 

[rocknanchor]

"But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ,"

It is an interesting contemplation to me. On the one hand; here, the Apostles who could not avail themselves to the New Testament "instruction" (2Tim 3:16) to reach for as we, yet walked in that grace of God. They still expected us to maintain their tradition of activities.

 

[mourningdove~]

Learning that one of the ways that non-believers have decided to damage Christianity is by sowing discord within the church. Soon after beginning to attend a particular church, they usually volunteer to serve in some capacity. Usually they're accepted and the church is glad for the help. They use Christian terminology for acceptance but they really complain and criticize. They are successful in causing division and sometimes causing church splits.

Seems we need to desire discerning of spirits (through His Spirit) as in I Cor 12 and 14:1.

Discernment within the Body of Christ is so needed.
It is horrible, when the scenario you described above happens in a church.
I watched it happen once, and the damage caused changed that church's focus and mission ... probably forever.

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

A church can be deacon possessed, a term coined by Rodney Howard Brown, in the Spirit.

The witch hunts of centuries past were a horrible time of misdiscerning spirits.

There are people locally who sow discord, dissenters from continuationism. Trolls, sinner hunters, NAR conspiracy theorists...

 

[William1213]

Learning that one of the ways that non-believers have decided to damage Christianity is by sowing discord within the church. Soon after beginning to attend a particular church, they usually volunteer to serve in some capacity. Usually they're accepted and the church is glad for the help. They use Christian terminology for acceptance but they really complain and criticize. They are successful in causing division and sometimes causing church splits.

Seems we need to desire discerning of spirits (through His Spirit) as in I Cor 12 and 14:1.

Discerning of spirits -distinguishes the source - either evil or Godly spirits One example -. Even though Ananias put the money "laid it at the apostles' feet." But in spite of what they saw, "But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?" (Acts 5:3) The same for his wife (v 9) Another example - girl followed Paul "and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days." (Acts 16) Even though she spoke the truth, she had the spirit of divination and Paul cast it out.

It's not the discerning of evil spirits only.

Then here's an example of the Godly - "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." (Gal 2:9).

Also, "And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" I Thess 5

But not all who cause trouble are under the control of spirits. People are capable of great evil on their own

 

[GoldenKingGaze]

But not all who cause trouble are under the control of spirits. People are capable of great evil on their own

Discerning spirits, the human spirit, demonic, holy angelic, and God's Spirit. Telling them apart.

 

[William1213]

Discerning spirits, the human spirit, demonic, holy angelic, and God's Spirit. Telling them apart.

Honestly, I am not familiar with that gift. I thought it was only to tell when demonic spirits were around.

 

[tturt]

Had a chance to read post #1?

 

[ARBITER01]

It's not the discerning of evil spirits only.

Correct,.... but we must be careful that we are being led by The Holy Spirit in this area and we are not becoming just glorified critics of people.

 

[tturt]

Agree.

Hesitated posting about this for awhile - actually a couple of yrs. But seeing it more so put it to raise awareness and prayer concern.

A couple of them had set 10 ys as their goal & bragged they had succeeded earlier than exppected. Another larger group set a goal of 30 yrs about 30 ys ago to change culture and evolve Christians into the New Age belief system. You can decide if they've achieved their aim. They do.

A Scripture that applies to this thread:
"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;" I Thess 5

 

[tturt]

Discernment and discerning of spirits are different.

Discerning of spirits is under the direction of the Holy Spirit.