“He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”
1 Corinthians 12:10-11 NLT
“and to another the working of miracles, and to another prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people], and to another discernment of spirits [the ability to distinguish sound, godly doctrine from the deceptive doctrine of man-made religions and cults], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues.”
1 Corinthians 12:10 AMP
Today, we look at another of the spiritual gifts listed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, namely the discernment of spirits. The Amplified version, as usual, is very helpful in expanding what this means. All believers have a certain ability to distinguish between right and wrong, particularly as they become more mature in their faith. However, some believers have the spiritual gift of discerning spirits—that is, the God-given ability to distinguish between the truth of the Word and the deceptive doctrines propagated by demons. But we must begin with one important principle – the authenticity of the Word of God, the Bible. There are many today who lack trust in God’s Word or who adopt a more liberal approach to what is contained therein. These are Christians who approach their faith with an emphasis on personal liberty, human reason, and worldly experience rather than strict adherence to the things of God. They interpret chapters and verses in the Bible from a more socially inclusive and tolerant worldview that incorporates suspect and even blatantly sinful ideologies, resulting in the re-evaluation and rejection of what God intended through His Word.
The spiritual gift of discernment of spirits is founded on what the Bible says, and, building on that, a believer moving in this particular gift will be able to feel that what is before them isn’t quite right. What they are being told might sound very plausible, and the person presenting it might even use Bible verses to support what they are saying, but that is where the Holy Spirit’s gift of discernment kicks in and sometimes exposes a lie that probably originated from something demonic.
The Apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here” (1 John 4:1-3). Immediately, the JW’s come to mind. They do not really believe the truth about Jesus being the Son of God and part of the Trinitarian Godhead, regardless of what they say, so straight away, they fall into the category of being a cult.
Again, there are some Christians who believe the spiritual gifts died out with the Apostles, and they rationalise 1 Corinthians 12:10 so that their view is based on Scripture only. However, I believe the Holy Spirit can also bring direct revelation, helping believers and those around them to discern when something is wrong. This revelation will not conflict with what the Bible says, of course, but the Holy Spirit will bring to the believer’s attention something that leads them along a God-illumined path that discerns if the spirit behind what is before them is right or wrong. God is wonderful, and His gifts are limitless.
Dear Lord. Thank You for Your gifts, and the Spirit dwelling within each one of us. We love You and worship You today. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 