GIFTS 101 The Gift of Discerning Spirits 1 Corinthians 12:10 Pastor Jason Dennett s notes

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1 GIFTS 101 The Gift of Discerning Spirits 1 Corinthians 12:10 Pastor Jason Dennett s notes NKJV - "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits.." ESP - "Pero a cada uno se le da la manifestación del Espíritu para el bien común. 8Pues a uno le es dada palabra de sabiduría por el Espíritu; a otro, palabra de conocimiento según el mismo Espíritu; 9a otro, fe por el mismo Espíritu; a otro, dones de sanidad por el único Espíritu; 10a otro, poder de milagros; a otro, profecía; a otro, discernimiento de espíritus.." NLT - "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.* The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit." The WHAT of Discernment - Definition. The WHY of Discernment - Imitation. The WHERE of Discernment - Location. The WHAT of Discernment - DEFINITION. διακρίσεις or "diakriseis" meaning "to Distinguish, Differentiate, Discern." This is the ability to discern and distinguish whether a message is from the Spirit of God, from a demonic spirit, or simply from the human spirit. "Discernment in Scripture is the skill that enables us to differentiate. It is the ability to see issues clearly. We desperately need to cultivate this

2 spiritual skill that will enable us to know right from wrong. We must be prepared to distinguish light from darkness, truth from error, best from better, righteousness from unrighteousness, purity from defilement, and principles from pragmatics." - Joseph Stowell The WHY of Discernment - IMITATION. Satan is a real SPIRITUAL ENEMY: "Know your enemy, and know yourself.." - Sun Tzu Isaiah 14: "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! [How] you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit." Satan is ACTIVELY AT WAR with Christians: "To be prepared for war, is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." - George Washington Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]." Satan seeks to spread a FALSE GOSPEL: "The first casualty of war is the Truth." - Sen. Hiram Johnson Galatians 1: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." Satan seeks to use FALSE MINISTERS: "The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is; attack him as soon as you can; strike him as hard as you can.." - Gen. Ulysses S. Grant

3 2 Cor 11:2-4, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or [if] you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it! For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." Satan seeks to build FALSE CHURCHES: - "All warfare is based upon Deception. When we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe that we are far away.." - Sun Tzu Rev 2:8-9 - "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and [I know] the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but [are] a synagogue of Satan. Rev 3:9 - "Indeed I will make [those] of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you." "Turkish authorities are cracking down on Jediism, a religion based on the popular Star Wars films. Turkish authorities were alarmed when students from a Turkish university launched an online campaign to have a Jedi temple/church be built on their campus. According to the Temple of the Jedi Order s website, its members are described as real people that live or lived their lives according to the principles of Jediism, the real Jedi religion or philosophy. The website also makes clear that its members are not merely Star Wars role players. Although Jediism does not have any official doctrine, its website states, "The Jedi church recognizes that all living things share a living force and that all people have an innate knowledge of what is right and wrong, and the Jedi church celebrates this like no other religion. One member of Jediism, Iraq War veteran Ally Thompson stated, No, we don't worship Yoda. And

4 telekinesis is not something that we necessarily do at least not like in the movies. But I won't deny that the force is very present in our teachings. Some people call it magic. Some call it ashe. The scientific community calls it energy. But it's everywhere. You can find it in the Bible. When Moses parted the Red Sea how did he do that? With energy. With the force." - ChristianHeadlines.com, August 27, 2015 Satan seeks to use FALSE CHRISTS: "To me a Leader is a visionary that energizes others: he creates a vision for the future, and then inspires others to make it a reality." - Vince Lombardi Matthew 24:4-5 - "And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." 1 John 4:1 - "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." We have seen many of false "christs" throughout the past decades: Jim Jones in French Guiana; David Koresh in Waco TX; Sun Yung Moon from Korea; Jesus Miranda from Ponce PR... The WHERE of Discernment - LOCATION. There are 2 PRIMARY SOURCES to which we look, to increase our DISCERNMENT of spiritual things: 1. The Holy SCRIPTURES from God: John 8:31,32 - "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." John 17:17 - "Sanctify them by Your Truth. Your Word is Truth." Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Secret Service...Counterfeits??) Ephesians 6: "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with Truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of

5 salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.." QUESTION: How has your time been lately in God's Word? Is it increasing and growing your spiritual discernment? Do you need to ask the Lord to strengthen your commitment to His Word again? 2. The Holy SPIRIT of God: John 16:13 - "..when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth.." John 15:26 - "..the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 1 John 2: "These things I have written to you concerning those who [try to] deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him." QUESTION: Do you need to ask the Holy Spirit for the Gift of Discernment? Do you need a special touch from Him to be filled with the supernatural ability to distinguish between spiritual truth and error?