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Chapter Four
The three gifts of revelation and information
The gift of discernings of spirits. "diakriseis pneumaton"
This is the third of the three gifts of revelation, though it is seventh in the list in 1Cor.12v8-10.. It is spoken of in the plural, “diakriseis,” means “discernings;” probably because its operation usually reveals the activities of both good and evil spirits.
WHAT THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS IS NOT.
It is not a critical spirit, or the ability to find fault in others.
This gift discerns spiritual beings, not human faults, for the Scriptures condemn derogatory faultfinding. Mt.7v1. Rom.2v1-4.
It is not Christian discernment, or natural discernment.
Though Christ warned us against having a critical spirit, He also told us to use a loving Christian discernment; we are not to believe or swallow everything we are told or taught; Jesus told us to test people by the fruit of their lives. Mt.7v5-23. 10v16. 1Thes.5v21. Mature Christians may possess great ability to wisely discern the characters of human beings; however, this is not the gift of discerning of spirits, which is concerned with the revelation of the activities of spiritual beings. The gift of discerning of spirits has also nothing to do with psychology, or psychiatry; it is the discerning of spirits, not minds.
Discernings of spirits is not the discernment that every Christian has as a result of having a born again spirit. John.3v3-7. Eph.2v1. 1Cor.2v9-16. As our spirit grows stronger, we are more and more able to discern spiritual things, and to receive the revelations of the Holy Spirit. Lk.1v80. 2v42,52. Heb.5v13,14. The new birth enables every Christian to possess, in some measure, the ability to discern Satanic inspiration. However, the spiritual capacity to receive the gift of discerning of spirits, is not the gift itself, it is not the exercise of our own spirit, it is a revelation of the Holy Spirit. The apostle John tells us that we can discern truth from error by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, and most Christians can, if they are spiritually mature enough, sense the presence of good or evil powers. 1Jn.2v26,27. However, the discernings of Spirits is a far more enlightening revelation than ordinary Christian discernment, and has a far wider sphere of operation. A Christian may see the activities of good or evil powers in open, pictorial, or mental vision, in the past, present and future. Exod.24v9-18. Our Lord saw all the details of Satan's future sifting of Peter. Lk.22v31-34. Both Christian discernment and the gift of discerning of spirits have an important place in the protection of Christians from Satan's wiles. We should exercise Christian discernment all the time, and expect the Holy Spirit manifest His gift of discerning of spirits, when He feels that it is necessary.
It is not to take the place of Scriptural tests of character or inspiration.
We are to test people by the fruit of their lives, their love for people and God, their doctrine; particularly about Christ, and by their love of prayer and God's word. Mt.7v15-23. 1Cor.12v3. Is.8v19.20. 1Jn.4v1-5. Jn.13v34,35. Ps.24v6. 1v1-6. Lk.24v53. All Christians can, and should, test people's doctrine and fruit, but not all Christians have the gift of discerning of spirits.
It is not communication with spirits as in Spiritualism, etc..
The visit of Moses and Elijah at the glorious transfiguration of Jesus in Lk.9v28-36., must not be confused with Spiritualism and similar evil occult manifestations, such as divination, astral projection, sorcery, black magic, fortune telling, astrology, and witchcraft, which are repeatedly condemned in the Scriptures. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v8-20. 2King.21v2,6. Ex.22v18. with 1Sam.28v6,7. Is.8v18-20. 1Chron.10v13,14. Is.19v3. 47v13. Mal.3v.5. Acts.13v1-11. 16v16-18. 19v19. 1Cor.10v20,21. Gal.5v19,21. 1Jn.4v1-5. Rev.21v8. 22v15. (We must remember that Elijah had never died, and, from Jude.v9, it appears that Moses had a special resurrection to appear in “The Holy Mount. 2Pet.1v16-21.) When supposed communications with the dead occur, they are really familiar spirits who impersonate the dead. God does not allow the living to contact dead relatives. 2Sam.12v22,23. Eccles.9v5-10. Job.7v7-10,21. 20v5-9. Lk.16v19-31. Evil spirits are familiar with the lives of the people they imitate; they give correct information and a clever imitation of people who are dead. By such deceptions Satan attempts to destroy the souls of men, He is a master of illusion, lies and deception. The dead cannot be contacted, for if they have been wicked, they are in Hades; and if righteous, in Heaven. Jesus has the keys of death and Hades, and the souls of the dead are in His care. Rev.1v18. Spiritualists and other false cults deny Christ’s deity, atonement and resurrection, and His doctrine about Heaven, Hell, and eternal judgement, as well as other vital truths; we can have no part with them. As Christians, we can seek and receive the genuine gift of discerning of spirits, from Christ our Lamb, and the Holy Spirit our comforting gentle dove.
It is not to be confused with the word of knowledge.
The revelations of people's hearts and minds is in the province of the word of knowledge, the vision of the influence of good or evil spirits upon a person's mind is in the province of the discerning of spirits.
A DEFINITION OF THE DISCERNINGS OF SPIRITS.
It is a supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to temporarily see into the spirit world. It can reveal a fragment, or a wide range of activity in the spirit world, in the past, present, or future. It brings the revelation of either good or evil spirits.
SOME EXAMPLES AND USES OF THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS.
This gift can reveal if demon power is the cause of sickness.
The Scriptures inform us that the primary cause of sickness is sin, which resulted in the taking away of the tree of life through Adam's sin. Gen.2v9-17. 3v1-24. Ez.47v7-12. Rom.5v12-14. Rev.2v7. 22v7. The Bible also tells us that some sickness is caused by demons. Mt.4v23,24. 8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v23. Christ came to deliver mankind from Satan's power and malice, and destroy his evil works. Acts.10v38. Jn.8v36. 1Jn.3v8. Lk.4v17-21. 13v10-17. Heb.13v8. However, all sickness should not be attributed to Satan. Sickness can also be due to natural causes, such as ageing, neglect of the body, heredity, accident, war, poisoning, infection, virus and germs, etc.. The Scriptures clearly distinguish between ordinary sickness and lunacy and epilepsy through natural causes, and lunacy and sickness due to demon possession. Mt.4v23,24. 17v15-18. This gift can reveal if sickness is due to demon oppression or demon possession.
N.B. No Christian can be possessed by demons.
Even godly children of God have been ill as a result of Satan's attacks, but there is no record of them being sick as a result of demon possession. Indeed, Jesus promised that Christians cannot be possessed by Satan. Lk.11v9-13. 1Jn.5v18. A Christian may fail God, and say, or do, something wrong; but this should never be confused with demon possession. Mt.16v13-27. 26v69-75. Only Christians who have apostatised from Jesus get possessed. Mt.12v22-32,43-45. Mk.3v22-30. Do not suffer from “demonitis,” and blame everything on demons. It is foolish and harmful to pretend that we have this gift and pretend to cast out demons from everybody, including good Christians. Those who hurt people by saying that they have a demon, when they have not, will experience severe discipline from God.
If a Christian has the gifts of the Holy Spirit, they will be able to deal with a demon who is oppressing a person, without anybody knowing about it. The revelation of a demon's influence, by discerning of spirits, and the removal of that influence by the gift of faith, can take place by the operation of the power of God, through silent prayer and a command in the mind and spirit of the Christian praying for the person, without any other person knowing it, or anyone being hurt or disturbed. Demon possession occurs rarely, and then only among people who are not Christians. Sometimes demons will openly manifest themselves in public in unbelievers; and so they have to be openly dealt with. To deal with some powerful evil spirits needs real faith and much prayer. Mk.9v14-18. Jesus never demanded faith from a person who was mentally sick, or out of their minds because of the oppression or possession of demons, the onus is upon the person praying for them. Jesus cast out demons with His word, not by the laying on of hands, this was perhaps because demons can be very violent..
It can safeguard the spiritual life of a Christian or a church.
It can reveal a Satanic oppression of the mind.
Even Jesus was viciously attacked by Satan in His thoughts, Satan nagged and derided Him, and tried to destroy His faith and character, and divert Him from His mission. Mt.4v1-11. Lk.4v1-14. Satan attacks us in the same way, and tries to discourage and divert us. This gift exposes his attacks on Christians and set them free from fear and stress. 2Cor.10v4,5.
b. It can reveal a servant of Satan and the power behind Satanic miracles.
As we have seen, false prophets can be tested by their lives and doctrine, Mt.7v15-23. 1Jn.4v1-9., but we may need to know the spirit moving a person before we can know their lives or doctrine. False prophets craftily hide their true doctrine, but God can reveal the evil spirit that is with them, and so protect us from them. Acts.8v9-23. 13v6-12. 16v16-18. 19v17-20.
c. It can reveal Satan's attempts to corrupt and hinder God's work.
Satan tries to corrupt, seduce, divide, and infiltrate churches. 1Cor.1v10-17. 3v1-7. Acts.5v3,4. 2Cor.11v3,4,13-15. Eph.6v11. We need to take great care in these last days. 1Tim.4v1-7. 2Pet.2v1-4. This gift can reveal the spirit moving fanatics, occultists, Spiritualists, and false prophets, or even carnal Christians out to oppose the Pentecostal experience. Satan puts carnal people in control of churches to hinder God’s work. We need to know when and how Satan is trying to seduce Christians, this knowledge can deliver them from evil, temptation and trial. Peter had a revelation from God, then, shortly after he had one from Satan; Jesus perceived the source of both. Mt.16v22,23.
It can reveal the power behind persecution, blasphemy and slander.
Paul's thorn was an angel of Satan who stirred up persecution wherever he went. Gal.6v17. 2Cor.11v23 to 12v12. People stirred up by Satan persecuted Christ. Mk.3v22-30. Jn.8v44.
It can stop us from failing to discern a genuine move of the Holy Spirit.
Revivals have often been greatly hindered by ministers and others, who have strongly objected to the emotional effects of the movings of the Holy Spirit, they have criticised fervent praise and worship as “emotionalism” and “hysteria.” John Wesley writes in his journal on Dec. 24th 1739: “Towards morning, one of them was overwhelmed with joy and love, and could not help showing it by strong cries and tears. At this, another was much displeased, saying, 'It was only nature, imagination, and animal spirits.' O thou jealous God, lay not this sin to her charge; and let us not be wise above what is written.”
Those who are critical of a Pentecostal revival must not only be prepared to give a full Scriptural reason for their unbelief, but also to show us their personal spiritual credentials for making that judgement. We have to be very careful lest we resist the Holy Spirit by our unscriptural traditions, prejudice, unbelief, fear of the supernatural, and a determination to run to time, or the plan or order that we have arranged. We need above all things to discern the plans and movings of the Holy Spirit.
It can deliver from deadly persecution, and bring people to Christ.
Paul was converted by a vision of Jesus, this achieved what even miracles could not do. This is an unusual way for people to be converted, but it is certainly the most powerful way that God can speak to men. Acts.10v1-8. Compare Rev.19v11-21.
The discerning of spirits can be the ultimate encouragement to the Christian.
God can give us visions of Himself, the Lord Jesus, and good angels, that can transform us, indeed, it was these visions that made the prophets and apostles what they were, and gave them the strength to fulfil their missions. Exod.3v1-6. Numb.22v22-32. Judges.13v3,8-21. 1Kings.22v19. 2Kings.6v17. Is.6v1-13. Ezek.1v1-28. Lk.1v10-8. Mt.28v2-7. 2Pet.1v16-21. Rev.1v1-20. Acts.12v7-10. etc. Visions like these are absolutely indispensable in difficult circumstances, and murderous persecution, such a vision upheld the martyr Stephen at his death. Acts.7v55. Paul had several visions of Christ and angels, and of the glory of Heaven, these gave him the strength to perform his mission. Acts.9v3-6. 22v17-21 18v9-11. 2Cor.12v1-4. Acts.17v23-25. Jesus needed this help, because of the pressure of his ministry and his humanity; the Father gave Him a glorious revelation in the Holy Mount at His transfiguration. Lk.9v28-36. 22v23-26. 2Pet.1v16-18. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the sufferings of death, crowned with glory and honour: that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Heb.2v9. The gift of discerning of spirits varies from a simple revelation of a demon, to the ultimate beatific vision of God. We need the manifestation of this gift today; it is one of God's great gifts to His Church.
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