The Gift of Discerning of Spirits

LESSON 4

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Gifts of the Spirit. The topic for this study is: The Gift of Discerning of Spirits. In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul listed several spiritual gifts which are manifested in the body of Christ. These spiritual gifts include the following: "12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; TO ANOTHER DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:"

(1 Corinthians 12:8-10; Capital Emphasis Added) The passage above, coupled with several others (see Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11), outline various spiritual gifts that are provided by the Holy Spirit to members of the body of Christ. In this study, our focus will be on the gift of discerning of spirits. The battle between good and evil that is being played out in our world involve good and evil angels or spirits (see Revelation 12:7-9; Daniel 10:11-13; Acts 12:5-9; Revelation 16:13-14). In this battle, God has graciously given some in His church the gift of discerning of spirits to unmask the schemes of Satan against His church (review 1 Corinthians 12:10).

Persons with the gift of discerning of spirits are able to identify whether a spirit that is being manifested at a particular time in the church is from God or Satan. Sometimes, the Lord may permit some with this gift to actually see the operations and plans of evil spirits against God's church so God's children can pray specifically on such issues to undermine the works of the devil. Basically, people with the gift of discerning of spirits become gatekeepers who protect the church from being deceived by evil spirits who masquerades as spirits of light. As the apostles shared the message of the risen Christ across the world, the gift of discerning of spirits enabled them to keep the devil from infiltrating their ranks. In the New Testament Church, we find the following demonstrations of this gift as the church expanded to Gentile lands:

1) PETER AND SIMON THE SORCERER

In the book of Acts, we read the following story in relation to the missionary work of Peter and John: "8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

8:21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

8:22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."

(Acts 8:14-23) From the passage above, we learn how through the gift of discerning of spirits, the apostle Peter realised that though Simon the sorcerer had professed to believe in the gospel and even got baptised (see Acts 8:5-13), he was still "in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity" (Acts 8:23). The demonstration of the gift of discernment in this case was timely to expose the hypocrisy of the unconverted Simon, and to protect the church from trusting him with key responsibilities.

2) PAUL AND THE DAMSEL WITH THE SPIRIT OF DIVINATION

In the book of Acts, we also read the following story in relation to the missionary pursuits of the apostle Paul: "16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

16:18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."

(Acts 16:16-18) In the passage above, we learn about how Paul was grieved with a damsel who had the spirit of divination. Even though the spirit seemed to continuously promote the work Paul and his men, the apostle realised through the gift of discerning of spirits that the girl possessed an evil spirit whose objective was not to further the cause of Christ, and as a result decided to silence her proclamations by casting out the evil spirit.

As the church will not come behind in any gift of the Spirit as she awaits the Second Advent of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:5-8), it is clear that some people in God's end time church will possess the gift of discerning of spirits to help with the overall mission of spreading the everlasting gospel to the ends of the world. But even as this gift is of invaluable worth, it can easily be perverted or counterfeited by the devil. Due to these dangers, the church must ensure that the manifestation of this gift is in line with the counsels of Scripture which leads to the edification of the church body (see 1 Corinthians 14:12).

Exhortation: From the apostle Peter, we read the following in regard to the nature of the Christian warfare: "6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

(Ephesians 6:10-13) In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Gift of Prophecy: Part 1. The Bible Study references for this study are Amos 3:7, Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 24:4, 5, 11, 24; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 1 John 4:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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