The Nine Gifts of the Spirit -- part 7

The Gift of Discerning of Spirits 

Today we will look at the third “revelation gift” called discerning of spirits. This gift is defined as supernatural insight into the realm of the spirits. When this spiritual gift operates, we can see and discern angels or demons, the human spirit, or God’s Spirit.

There are two worlds. One is the visible, natural world and the other is the supernatural, invisible world. The powers at work in these worlds are either of God, man, or the devil. The natural world is affected and perceived by our senses, whereas the supernatural world is perceived by discerning of spirits.

There are many examples of demon spirits in the Bible.

Luke 13: 10-13 (NKJV) talks about the spirit of infirmity. “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’  And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”

In Mark 9: 25 (NIV) we witness that a deaf and mute spirit is rebuked. “When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 

References to evil spirits, unclean spirits, and jealous spirits are also found throughout Scripture. Some examples show that there are people with more than one demon spirit. Mary Magdalene had seven and the man with the legion had many spirits controlling him.

Mark 16: 9  Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

Luke 8: 30  Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”  And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.

Mothers of Nations, the gift of discerning of spirits helps us to see demons, recognize who they are, and determine what they are doing. Combining the spiritual gift of faith and the spiritual gift of discerning of spirits, we can take authority over these demons and cast them out.

In chapter eight of the book of Acts, we read that Peter recognized Simon the Sorcerer’s heart and told him to repent. It was through the gift of discerning of spirits that Peter could see the true motivation of Simon’s heart.

Acts 8: 18-22

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”

John 2: 24-25 (NKJV) says, “But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man,  for He knew what was in man.”  Jesus discerned their hearts through this spiritual gift.

Because Jesus lives in us, He can reveal to us when the motivation of someone else is not pure. More than once as a pastor the Holy Spirit has told me that a person will stay in our church only two years, another will try to deceive, and another will betray me. Each time this has happened, my heart has been prepared for the event to take place.

Discerning of spirits can also reveal manifestations of God’s presence such as the glory cloud, angels, heavenly dew, fire, anointings for healing or deliverance, prophetic giftings, and more. This spiritual gift is not the ability to see faults in others, read someone’s mind, hypnotize, or tell on others. Never should the gift of discerning of spirits be used to deceive people, capture their minds, bring them under control, or turn them over to familiar powers.

In the Old Testament we find examples of people doing divination, casting spells, charming by using trinkets, and consulting familiar spirits or the dead. These activities appear as though they are revelatory or discerning, but all of them are examples of witchcraft and should never be used. Mothers of Nations, if you have taken part in any of these practices, it is vitally important to ask God for forgiveness and pray that He cleanses you of all sin related to these actions.

If you need to take care of this with the Lord, let’s pray right now.

Lord, forgive me for stepping into areas I should not have been. I renounce Satan and all his evil ways. Release me from the devil’s power and create in me a clean heart and a renewed spirit. In Jesus’ holy Name I pray, Amen.

Dr. Sharon Predovich