The Discerning of Spirits

Intro:

Today we continue in our study on the gifts of the Spirit. So far we have covered.

Word of Wisdom which is a revelation of divine counsel. It gives Supernatural insight into some particular need or problem, and brings practical application of God’s Word. Word of Knowledge which is not not natural knowledge based on your own understanding or studying. Also it doesn't come by experience or expertise in a Situation. The Gift of Faith is a miraculous faith that meets unusual opportunities. (Unshakeable Faith) The Gift of Healing is a physical revelation/manifestation of the Good Nature of God, not determined by the receiving persons faith, and a supernatural Sign that points people to God and his unfailing Love for them. The Working of Miracles: The working of Miracles are deeds of mighty supernatural power that produce results which glorify God and defeat Satan. Miracles are distinguished from healing’s in that miracles include a demonstration of God’s power in an unusual measure beyond the physical body. Miracles are supernatural events that occur outside the bounds of what is natural. By definition, they are rare and out of the ordinary To prophesy means to speak for God. Yet the gift is intended in the threefold purpose: for strengthening, encouragement and comfort” (1 Corinthians 14:3–4). This “edifies the church” (Acts 15:32).

Submit:

As we begin to look at the Discerning of Spirits. I want to draw our attention to a great truth. God has set a system in place to protect and mature us. That through the things which we learn and experience we can know the great love of God for us. I want to remind you that God is not mad at you. He is for you, he loves you, and he has an amazing plan for your life.

He proves this in that He has given us The indwelling Holy Spirit, The word of God, the gifts of the Spirit, correction, and instruction for our benefit.

I think many times in the process of Growth the enemy can lure us to become so fixated and focused on what we feel still needs to change in our lives that we fail to see how far we have come in the process, and essentially render us blind to the goodness of God in our lives. I want to encourage you that as we continue to study the word remember where you come from, and also remind your self of where God wants to take you. Hold and cling to the promises that God has spoken to you.

The Discerning of Spirits:

This gift does one thing. It reveals the presence and identity of supernatural spirits.

IT IS NOT analyzing human character or a power to discern faults in others. Training and skill can provide that ability. This is a gift from the Lord and not a learned ability.

There are 3 kinds of spirits:

Divine 2. Satanic 3. Human

John warns us not to believe every spirit, but to test them “to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

-Divine Spirit & The Human Spirit:

John 4:24, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Genesis 1:27 As we understand that God is a Spirit, we must also remember that man was created in the image and likeness of God. As God is one God represented in the persons, Man too is a tribune being. We are a Spirit, we have a soul (Mind, Will, Emotions), and we live in a body.

Matthew 10:28 shows us an example of this. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

We are created spiritual beings with a capacity to Discern Spirits, but in order to do that we must first have experienced the New Birth (Salvation/ Born Again). I believe the Baptism in the Holy Spirit will increase the ability to Discern Spiritual things as the gift is intended for the demonstration of the kingdom of God, and Power.

Turn with me to Hebrews 5:12-14, “for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; And you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of Full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Apply:

Since the Garden of Eden satan has tried to counterfeit the works of God. As he brings about the counterfeit it is necessary to test the spirit to see whether they are from God.

The counterfeit is a lie, and believing the lie empowers the liar.

Turn to Matthew 4:1-11.

The Gift Discerning of Spirits reveals the presence and identity of supernatural spirits.

Q. How will I Know when it is God and when its Not?

When a spirit is Divine in nature we will know as it will be in line with the Word of God.

Lets Read the Story of Jesus Temptation in the Wilderness. Vs. 6-7 is Key

The Goal of Satanic (Demonic) Spirits is to manipulate and control you. The Devil attempted to use a distorted portion of Scripture to get Jesus Jump off a building. Do you know what the result of the would have been? Possibly Jesus’s Death. He would have never accomplished his mission. Remember believing the Lie empowers the Liar.

It was God’s Word that brought Clarity to the Situation. Jesus Knew what the word said and that what he heard was not fully accurate. Again in the last temptation Satan offered Jesus a seemingly easy path to accomplish the same goal for which he came. The kingdoms of the earth. He who gets the kingdoms gets the souls in the Kingdoms. All he had to do was Worship satan. Jesus knew through the Word that the only one to Worship was God. Had he submitted himself in worship to Satan, he would have never been able to accomplish his mission.

The Same holds true for us. We may also have a mission and purpose that God has set for us. It is Vital that we too know the word. Not only do we have to know the word but live out Hebrews 5:12-14. We must have our senses trained by reason of use to discern both Good and evil.

What happens if we don’t? Then likely we will fall into deception that may cost us our very lives, or bring great destruction into our lives.

Closing:

Knowing, Memorizing, and Submitting to God’s Word will help us to Discern Good and Evil. It will also help us to defeat the Works of Darkness.

The Reality is that we all have to Start Somewhere

If your not currently reading the Word. Then it is time to start with the Milk. Begin to Read.

If you have been reading a bit. Then the next step is to begin to apply it to your life. Live what you read.

If you have been reading and applying it to your life not only is there always more to learn and apply, but take the time to invest in someone else to help them Grow. Many times what propels you to greater understanding is through teaching someone else.

I have printed some further individual study material on this subject. They are available at the Info Center if you would like to Grab one today after Service.