The Gift of Discerning of Spirits

I. DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

A. In Revelation 2:2 Jesus commended the church at Ephesus because they could discern spirits. They recognized the false apostles and rejected their teaching.

B. False prophets or teachers often say mostly true things. We must listen very carefully because their lies are subtle and the errors they teach are damning.

C. People are often taken in by false prophets because they don't listen carefully. They are lulled by the truth in the message and do not catch the lies.

D. Another reason people are led astray by false teaching is that they really don't know God's Word. They haven't grounded their faith in the Bible by careful study.

E. There are two ways to test for a false prophet. 1. Listen to his testimony.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/smith_chuck/studyguides_spirit/spirit.cfm 13/21

2/22/2019 Study Guide for Holy Spirit by Chuck Smith

2. See if he puts a strong emphasis on money. (When God guides, God provides).