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Discernment of Spirits

Definition:

A supernatural ability the Holy Spirit gives certain people to perceive the presence and/or activity of spiritual entities and correctly identify their origins; i.e. whether they are from God or Satan. The person with this gift can rightly differentiate between good and evil spirits.

Biblical References:

• 1 Corinthians 12:10
• Mark 9:5
• Acts 16:16-18
• Acts 21:10-14

Gift Characteristics:

Is a supernatural capability.... Like other charisma, the gift of discerning spirits is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit and does not result from individual ability or maturity. Receiving this gift enables a person to immediately understand what is occuring in the spiritual realm. This discernment is not an ongoing experience, but a momentary and limited understanding that is directed at a specific situation or circumstance.

Does not displace the need to be spiritually discerning.... The Bible also admonishes Christians to be spiritually discerning. To test spirits and see whether or not they are from God (1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). The Greek word used for discernment in this application is dokimazete, which suggests taking up some action or behavior that verifies or confirms something to be true. However, when discussing the charisma gift of discerning spirits, the Greek word diakriseis is used, which implies an understanding or insight that is already known for certain. Both types of discernment are important to the church, but only the first kind can be actively pursued by the believer.

Can come in the form of words, intuition or actual sight.... The gift of discerning spirits can by received by people in several different ways. It may come like a word of knowledge and be an inner voice speaking words to your mind. Or it may come in the form of an emotional response or intuitive feeling, where you sudden sense being in the presence of a spiritual force. In some cases, you may actually see the spiritual entity that is present among them.

Can distinguish between good and evil spirits.... Those given this gift may see the work of angels as well as demons. Elisha saw thousands of angels being sent to protect him and the city he was in from an attacking enemy (2 Kings 6:15-17). Three of Jesus' disciples saw Moses and Elijah walking among them (Matthew 17:1-4). Jesus was often aware of the presence of Satan (Luke 4:1-13). And Paul was able to distinguish that the outcries of a woman following him was the work of a demon and not merely the confrontation of someone in disagreement with him (Acts 16:16-18).