Spiritual Gifts - The Gift of Discernment

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1 Spiritual Gifts - The Gift of Discernment Introduction We have 3 enemies The world The flesh The devil The first 2 are easy to discern The world that is we are tempted by the things in this world The flesh are those things within our own desires or as Paul wrote to the Galatians the lusts of the flesh and I guess we all know our areas of vulnerability But the enemy is unseen, he is devious and does not play fair, he is a liar from the start, the accuser of God s children That s why we need the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us, The gift of Discernment brings clarity and makes us more effective in the kingdom. What is discernment? The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis. The word describes being able to:- Distinguish or discern, Able to judge or appraise a person, motives, statement, situation, or environment. Having the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. Discernment is the process of making careful distinctions in our thinking about truth. The ability to think with discernment is synonymous with an ability to think biblically. The Lord wants us to be wise but there are the limitations to our wisdom and that is where the Spirit comes in. And He is able and He is faithful If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 ESV First Thessalonians 5:21-22 teaches that it is the responsibility of every Christian to be discerning: "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil." The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says,

2 "Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). According to the New Testament, discernment is not optional for every believer-it is necessary requirement In Hebrews 5:13-14 we read that a believer who has matured beyond using the milk of the Word as a babe in Christ is able to discern both good and evil. having their powers of discernment trained how? By constant practice We are to be empowered by the Spirit of God through the Scriptures to tell the difference between good and evil Acts 17:11 they searched the scripture to check out what was happening to see if it was from God 1 John 4:1 Beloved do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world but we can all in the body of Christ be given the unique ability to spot the doctrinal forgeries that have plagued the church from the start. This discernment does not involve mystical, extra-biblical revelations or a voice from God. Rather, the spiritually discerning are so familiar with the Word of God that they instantly recognize what is contrary to it. They do not receive special messages from God; they use the Word of God to test the spirits to see which line up with God and which are in opposition to Him. The spiritually discerning are diligent to rightly divide (2 Timothy 2:15) the Word of God. The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of "discernment of spirits" or "distinguishing between spirits." We need this gift as much as ever in our post modern secular society where every mans own truth is true for them and considered right. In Acts 15 v 28 we find this phrase it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. That phrase is so important in Christian decision-making. We should have an awareness that the Holy Spirit is guiding our thoughts as we prayerfully determine our steps. People can be and sometimes are easily deceived by all sorts of things, many Christians good men and women have been led astray by what appears to be true and can sound like it s the truth but it's not quite right The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in any given situation. Discernment of false truth

3 Fake Christianity existed long before someone nameless introduced fake news For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV We are told of a spiritual battle and we are warned by Paul, we need to be able to discern what s going on Our battle is with the unseen It s in the spiritual realm As Christians Gut feelings are very often the way the Holy Spirit helps us to discern if something is right or wrong. We need to and should know the truth that we can discern if what is being said or taught is truth and from God Jesus warned of false teachers and prophets These are those who have been deceived and the unseen becomes seen is Jesus warned us For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:24-25 ESV Peter wrote also about false prophets But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3 ESV This is how we have cults and denominations that on the face of it appear to be good and right They are only an imitation, a mere shadow of the real thing, a knock off of the real truth and power. Some fakes are hard to spot unless you have the discernment. Jesus spoke of false doctrines taught by demons Jesus also spoke of demons appearing as angels of light to decide and lead astray God s people

4 During times when the Holy Spirit has been poured out and there has been various manifestations people have said that is not of God he doesn t do that. Our own Fear is not a good test as to whether or not it s from God, although whenever a angel appeared to a man or women it seems their first words usually were do not be afraid Discernment in Ministering the kingdom Look at a story of Jesus whilst ministering discerns the root of sickness And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" he said to the paralytic "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!" Mark 2:1-12 ESV Jesus discerned that this man s sickness was not due to a physical condition, he wasn t born like this, he had not had a accident or suffered some injury. It was because of sin and once that had been forgiven he could be released and set free to walk again Healing of back story Conclusion This gift of discernment is for every believer and is necessary for everyday living that we would not be blown about by every wind of doctrine, that we would know when our enemy is trying to deceive us That as we minister the kingdom to others we are more effective because we are able to discern and deal the root cause of any issue rather than just try to ease the symptom. Paul when writing concerning spiritual gifts encouraged us to desire the best gift, he was not setting up one gift as more important than another, he was saying what s the most

5 appropriate gift for the situation that will deal with the root cause bring truth, healing, Freedom and deliverance. Ministry Questions In what ways can we test the spirits as described in 2 Timothy 2 v 15 Paul writing to the Ephesians Our fight is with the unseen realm how do we recognise these attacks and how do we resist them? Is discernment only to be used when praying for some one? At what other times do we need to be able to the gift of discernment? Paul encourages us to desire the best gifts? How are we to know what the best gifts are?

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