Discerning Spirits
Discernment in the Bible:
Is the spiritual characteristic of sound judgment for perceiving the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and error, and identifying God’s will and direction for his people.
Discernment is necessary to understand spiritual truth, and to live holy as God intends, also to
avoid life’s pitfalls and dangers.
1Cor 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers (Diversity) kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1John 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.
1Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(House divided will FALL
Kinds of spirits
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
“Unclean spirits” or “impure spirits,” “deceiving spirits” or “lying spirits,” “demonic spirits,” and “demons.”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Warning Deception
The act of hiding the truth, especially to get an advantage.
2Cor 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Act 20:28-29 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Example of putting God to the test.
1Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
1Kings 18:23-24 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
1Kings 18:38 -40 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
(Lack of trust in the true God)
They were not convinced but confused, in their reasoning not knowing which to choose.
Eph 4:14 -16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1Cor 9:26 -27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:(Control) lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
JESUS does not COMPROMISE, Stand for RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Absolute)
When we turn to God for discernment, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of all thigs that are arounds us and we are more qualified /prepared to make wise choices.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
How does God talk to us?
2Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
God Speaks Through:
Scriptures.
Prayer.
Holy Spirit.
Nature. (Gods/Jesus Creation) (No excuse)
Others.
Life Experiences.
Worship.
Dreams and Visions.
Personal Observations / Impression)
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Through our Silence)
2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
It is through Jesus that we can receive the Divine light, and it is in him that we can be made partakers of the Divine glory, of the Father.
Is the spiritual characteristic of sound judgment for perceiving the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, truth and error, and identifying God’s will and direction for his people.
Discernment is necessary to understand spiritual truth, and to live holy as God intends, also to
avoid life’s pitfalls and dangers.
1Cor 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers (Diversity) kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
1John 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.
1Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(House divided will FALL
Kinds of spirits
- Lords Spirit
John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
- satan’s spirit
“Unclean spirits” or “impure spirits,” “deceiving spirits” or “lying spirits,” “demonic spirits,” and “demons.”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Warning Deception
The act of hiding the truth, especially to get an advantage.
2Cor 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Act 20:28-29 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Example of putting God to the test.
1Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
1Kings 18:23-24 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
1Kings 18:38 -40 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.
(Lack of trust in the true God)
They were not convinced but confused, in their reasoning not knowing which to choose.
Eph 4:14 -16 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
1Cor 9:26 -27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:(Control) lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
JESUS does not COMPROMISE, Stand for RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Absolute)
When we turn to God for discernment, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of all thigs that are arounds us and we are more qualified /prepared to make wise choices.
Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
How does God talk to us?
2Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1Peter 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
God Speaks Through:
Scriptures.
Prayer.
Holy Spirit.
Nature. (Gods/Jesus Creation) (No excuse)
Others.
Life Experiences.
Worship.
Dreams and Visions.
Personal Observations / Impression)
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Through our Silence)
2Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
It is through Jesus that we can receive the Divine light, and it is in him that we can be made partakers of the Divine glory, of the Father.