The Discerning of Spirits
If you find yourself in a church where the leadership employs manipulation and control masked as religious doctrine, it’s essential to recognize that this is not a true church but rather a cult. The name or denomination associated with it is irrelevant. The gift of discernment exists for a reason. This ability to distinguish between divine, demonic, and human spirits is crucial. It serves as a safeguard against confusion and protects the congregation from false teachings. Discernment should be practiced both individually and collectively within the church community.
The Bible highlights the invaluable gift of discernment, which allows individuals to distinguish between different spirits. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasizes this important gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10. This ability was bestowed upon the church of Jesus Christ as a vital aspect of the Holy Spirit's gifts.
WHAT IS THE GIFT?
Initially, it's important to note that the gift of discernment, or the ability to distinguish between spirits, is referenced only a single time in the New Testament. Unfortunately, the text does not provide a clear explanation or definition of this gift. As a result, various interpretations have emerged among Bible-believing Christians regarding its meaning and application. These interpretations include the following.
1. It was a remarkable ability to determine if the prophets were genuinely conveying messages from God. 2. The purpose of the gift was to differentiate between the Holy Spirit and the influence of malevolent spirits. 3. Some believe that the gift encompassed not only these two abilities but also a multitude of others.
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1: The Ability to Discern Spirits Relates to Assessing Prophecies One viewpoint considers the gift of discerning spirits as a temporary endowment, primarily utilized by the early Christians. Its main function was to discern whether a prophetic message originated from God or from another source. The mention of discernment of spirits following the gift of prophecy offers a clear indication of its role. This gift empowers individuals to differentiate between authentic revelations from God and those that are misleading or false.
As the New Testament was nearing its completion, most of the knowledge that believers had about Jesus Christ existed in spoken form. This made it essential for Christians to develop the ability to differentiate between authentic teachings and misleading ones. With the Old Testament serving as the sole comprehensive written revelation, the early church required a method to identify genuine doctrine about Jesus amidst the numerous narratives that were being shared. Consequently, believers needed a divinely granted skill to distinguish truth from falsehood.
It was essential to discern the source of any prophecy spoken. Some individuals were divinely endowed with the ability to distinguish whether a message originated from God, stemmed from the prophet's own thoughts, or was a deceptive lie from Satan. The Scriptures caution believers about the cunning deceptions of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:14).
One method he employed to mislead others was by pretending to be a messenger of God. These impostors could deliver misleading messages to the congregation. Jesus had previously cautioned about the presence of false prophets who would lead people astray. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord warns us (Matthew 24:23,24). Consequently, it is crucial for believers to recognize that such deceivers are very real.
THE CHURCH WAS URGED TO PRACTICE THIS GIFT
The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonian church to embrace this gift wholeheartedly. He specifically instructed them with a clear command in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, emphasizing that prophecies should be evaluated rather than dismissed.
THE GIFT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY
The essence of this gift suggests that it would have come to an end with the conclusion of divine revelation and the completion of the New Testament. In the present day, believers rely entirely on the written Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to differentiate between truth and falsehood. This means that they no longer depend on this extraordinary gift. Instead, the Holy Spirit's presence within each Christian now enables them to make these crucial distinctions. As John stated in 1 John 2:27. The existence of a completed New Testament, combined with the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit in every believer, empowers individuals to discern truth from falsehood. As a result, the spiritual gift of discernment, or the ability to distinguish between spirits, is no longer essential in today's context.
2: The Gift Was Discerning between the Holy Spirit and Evil Spirits
One perspective suggests that this gift serves to differentiate the actions of the Holy Spirit from those of malevolent spirits, particularly in relation to demonic influence. The Scriptures affirm the existence of the devil as a genuine entity, along with his legion of demons. Consequently, this gift is essential for discerning the divine workings of God from the deceptive operations of evil forces.
This gift is fundamentally linked to spiritual warfare rather than merely interpreting prophetic messages. The Bible explicitly states that Christians are engaged in a spiritual conflict (Ephesians 6:12). We are undeniably entrenched in this spiritual struggle.
THERE SEEMS TO BE VARIOUS TYPES OF EVIL SPIRITS
John emphasized the importance of discerning the spirits. He addressed the believers with these words (1 John 4:1), suggesting that various kinds of malevolent spirits exist that can mislead us. The Bible indeed references several distinct types of evil spirits.
THERE WAS A MUTE AND DEAF SPIRIT
Jesus expelled a demon from a man afflicted by a "mute and deaf spirit," as recorded in Mark 9:25. This specific kind of spirit was identified by Jesus himself.
THERE WAS A SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY
Jesus performed a miraculous healing for an individual afflicted by what is described as the "spirit of infirmity." This significant event is documented in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 13:11). It suggests the presence of a distinct kind of malevolent spirit at work.
THERE WAS A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION
The Apostle Paul expelled a demon from an individual possessed by a “spirit of divination,” as recorded in the Book of Acts (Acts 16:16). This incident highlights yet another distinct form of malevolent spirit that was present during that time.
THERE WAS A SPIRIT OF TRUTH AND ERROR
John spoke of the “spirit of truth and the spirit of error,” elaborating on this concept in 1 John 4:6. This leads us to recognize the existence of a “spirit of error.” Individuals endowed with the ability to distinguish between these spirits can identify the nature of the spirit influencing a person or situation. This gift remains incredibly valuable in our lives today.
3: The Gift Has Many Uses
This gift should not be viewed solely as a means to interpret prophetic messages or to differentiate between malevolent spirits and the Holy Spirit. In fact, it serves these purposes and so much more, showcasing its versatility and depth.
WE ARE TO DISCERN THE GOOD FROM THE EVIL
The ability to discern spirits is a powerful gift that allows believers to distinguish between good and evil. Take, for instance, Jesus' perception of Nathanael; He recognized the goodness within him, as noted in the Gospel of John (John 1:47). This insight into Nathanael's true character exemplifies the gift of discernment. Similarly, Barnabas saw potential in John Mark, as illustrated in the Book of Acts (Acts 15:36-39). Despite a disagreement with Paul regarding John Mark, Barnabas's judgment was ultimately validated. Later, Paul acknowledged John Mark's value in ministry, stating he was indeed useful (2 Timothy 4:11). This demonstrates Barnabas's remarkable ability to see the potential for good in others, affirming the importance of discernment in fulfilling the Lord's work.
THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS CAN BE EXERCISED BY INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS
Believers have the powerful ability to discern when faced with false teachings. John emphasized the importance of this in his writings (1 John 2:22,23). This gift of discernment is available to every believer, empowering them to recognize and reject misleading doctrines.
PAUL PROVIDES AN EXAMPLE OF DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
The Apostle Paul exemplifies the correct use of spiritual gifts. When he encountered a man named Elymas, Paul recognized him as a false prophet. This significant moment is documented in the Book of Acts (Acts 13:8-10), showcasing a historical instance of the gift in action.
THE CHURCH NEEDS TO EXERCISE THE GIFT
In the first century, churches were encouraged to actively utilize the gift of discernment. The church in Ephesus received commendation for their ability to distinguish between true and false apostles, as noted in Revelation 2:2. In contrast, the church at Thyatira struggled with this vital practice, as highlighted in Revelation 2:20, where Jesus pointed out their lack of spiritual discernment. Believers were explicitly instructed to avoid fellowship with those who embraced false teachings, as stated in 2 John 10. There is a clear divide between light and darkness, and we should aspire to emulate Solomon, who sought divine discernment in his prayer to the Lord (1 Kings 3:9).
Deceptive spirits are known to seek entry into the church, particularly as we approach the end times. As Paul warns us in 1 Timothy 4:1, vigilance is essential. The church must remain ever-watchful against the threat of false teachings, which may very well be its most formidable adversary.
IS THE GIFT STILL NECESSARY?
Some individuals argue that the gift of discernment was only relevant until the completion of the Bible. Once the New Testament was finalized, they believe that divine revelation ceased to be necessary. This perspective suggests that the gift was crucial in the early church, a time when there was no written New Testament to evaluate teachings. During that period, God communicated directly through His prophets, and believers needed the ability to differentiate between true and false prophets. Thus, the gift of discerning spirits was bestowed upon them. However, it is reasonable to consider that God can still grant this gift to Christian leaders today, enabling them to assess whether certain messages or teachings originate from the Lord. This gift also serves to differentiate between various malevolent spirits and the workings of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the gift of discernment remains vital for the church today, as it allows for the testing of spirits to ensure that messages align with New Testament teachings. This is true for many spiritual gifts.
We must reflect on why we are often hesitant to reject the teachings of false prophets today, especially when God has dealt with them so severely in the past. I urge you to consider that we should take decisive action. It is essential to distance ourselves from their influence and ensure that we are not linked to their misguided beliefs in any manner.
Explore the Word of God on your own, as it is the ultimate source of truth. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you will uncover profound insights and understanding.
