Discerning of spirits
To another discerning of spirits. 1 Corinthians 12:10
The Holy Spirit gift of discerning spirits is being made aware of the presence of a demonic spirit. I have heard people say in the past that they had the gift of discernment, but there is not gift of discernment. It is the gift of discerning spirits. Claiming to have the gift of discernment usually meant that they were good at criticizing and judging others.
Discerning of spirits is critical because it is important to know the spirit behind a voice. In Acts 16, Paul and his team were being followed around by a girl that was saying “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim the way of salvation.” She wasn’t wrong. What that demonic spirit was saying through her was actually true, but after it went on for many days, Paul finally turned to her and commanded the demon to come out of her, and it left. The reason he discerned that evil spirit and called it out was for two reasons. First, it was to set that young girl free. The second reason was for the ministry. The people of that region knew that girl was a slave to those who were taking advantage of her fortune telling ability. Paul did not want their ministry to be validated by her and look like she was working with them.
Jesus operated in the gift of discerning of spirits many times during His ministry. He even told the religious leaders of the day that they were of their father the devil in John 8. Even though they were the leaders of the people of Israel, Jesus could tell that the spirit behind them was not from God. He said, “I desire mercy over sacrifice.” He also told James and John that they did not know what spirit they were of now that they were following Him. (see Luke 9) He told them that He did not come to destroy men but to save them.
Even though people may look like they were spiritual, as in the case of the religious leaders and the disciples, it is still important to be able to discern the spirit behind their voice. Mostly, you can discern a wrong spirit when words do not line up with the Word of God. In the case of James and John, they were actually with Jesus and part of His ministry team, yet they still took on a worldly spirit when the pressure was on.
Today I want to encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to discern Him from the evil spirits in this world. Ask for the wisdom to see the forces of evil that try to stir up discord and trouble everywhere they are. Stand against the spirits of darkness each morning and resist them as you are on your way. Lastly, refuse to be pushed into taking on their ways of pride, arrogance, evil thinking and hate for others. Instead, turn your heart to God and take on His way of loving others because God’s love will push the evil away, always.
Today’s scripture reading: Luke 9:51-56
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,
52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him.
53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.
54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.
56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
The Daily Dose 