In 1 Corinthians 12, nine gifts from the Holy Spirit are mentioned and they include: word of wisdom; word of knowledge; faith; gifts of healing; working of miracles; prophecy; discerning of spirits; divers kinds of tongues and finally; the interpretation of tongues. All these gifts are essential in the believers’ growth. As a believer, you could find a gift that is most obvious than the rest. However, I believe every believer should possess every gift inasmuch as one becomes dominant. Even with this I also believe every believer must possess and strengthen the ability to discern between spirits.
Being able to discern between spirits is expected to be an ability that draws the believers closer to God in terms of understanding. The reason is because Christianity as a relationship implies one need to know when the other party communicates and not another spirit. We are in a battle field as the devil act as wolf in sheep clothing and would try as much as possible to deceive the believers. Just as Jesus warned us to watch out for false prophets [ref. Matthew 7:15]; the only way this can be done is by having a strong gift of discerning between spirits.
Furthermore, Apostle John asks us to test the spirits: “Beloved, do not put faith in every spirit, but prove (test) the spirits to discover whether they proceed from God; for many false prophets have gone forth into the world. By this you may know (perceive and recognize) the Spirit of God: every spirit which acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [actually] has become man and has come in the flesh is of God [has God for its source]...” 1 John 4:1-2 AMP. Anything outside this is from the devil. This is very important because we should not be deceived by how they present their catchy words, but carefully avoid the acknowledgement of 1 John 4:1-2. We must test the spirit.
We are to be like the Bereans who would go back home and search the scriptures if what was heard corresponds with the scriptures [ref. Acts 17:11]. This implies that to properly develop the gift of the discerning of spirit, we need to be vast in the scriptures; with this the Holy Spirit uses what we have studied to help us identify the authentic Word and the counterfeit. This was how Jesus didn’t fall for the devil’s temptation because, first of all He had a vast knowledge of the scriptures and secondly He had the Holy Spirit in Him.
Note this; having a vast knowledge of the scriptures without the Holy Spirit is like reading mere literature; the Holy Spirit is essential. Also, you should not have the Holy Spirit without having the scriptures because, the Holy Spirit interprets the scriptures and if there are no scriptures there won’t be interpretation. The presence of the scriptures with the Holy Spirit whom we listen to helps us develop the gift of discernment of spirits. There is no cause for alarm when this is done; it’s because of the love God has for us and this is the gospel truth.
Why not accept Jesus today if you haven’t. Pray out loud, “Jesus, I confess that You are my Lord and Saviour. I believe in my heart that God raised You from the dead. By faith in Your Word, I receive salvation now. Thank You for saving me!” Congratulations, you’re born again, you are now brand new!
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GOD BLESS YOU.
Unless otherwise stated, the following scriptures are gotten from King James Version (KJV)
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