The Supernatural Gift of Discerning of Spirits: Have you ever walked into a room and sensed something was off, even though everything looked normal on the surface? Or met someone whose words seemed fine, but something in your spirit raised a red flag? That internal awareness isn't just intuition—it's often the Holy Spirit activating one of His most vital gifts in us to manifest His presence here on earth: discerning of spirits.
Beyond Human Perception In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul outlines nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit, each designed to make God's presence tangible in our world. These aren't talents we develop or skills we master. They're supernatural abilities the Holy Spirit distributes to each one individually - as He chooses; they flow through yielded believers to accomplish His purposes. The gift of discerning of spirits stands as a crucial defense mechanism in our spiritual lives. It's the supernatural ability to recognize and distinguish between what is true and what is false, to see the spiritual forces operating behind physical circumstances. It is the spiritual capacity to perceive what's really happening beneath the surface of situations, false doctrines, and even people's daily struggles.
The Four Voices: In our every day life - we navigate a chaotic "mash-up" of voices clamoring for our attention. Understanding these voices is essential to developing spiritual discernment: The World's Voice blares constantly through media, culture, and societal pressures. It's loud, persistent, and nearly impossible to avoid. Our Own Voice chatters endlessly in our minds—analyzing, worrying, planning, and second-guessing. We talk to ourselves more than we realize. Then there's - satan's voice - he whispers doubts and deceptions, always questioning God's word: "Did God really say that?" His specialty is sowing seeds of doubt, confusion and discouragement. He comes only to rob, kill and destroy! God's Voice most often comes as a still, small whisper, easily drowned out by the other three. Yet it's the only voice that leads to truth and life. The challenge? Learning to filter everything through the Holy Spirit's perspective, putting on the mind of Christ to navigate our noisy world.
Three Keys to Developing Discernment -
Protection -Through God's Word: You cannot recognize counterfeit currency unless you're intimately familiar with the real thing. Monopoly money looks the part - but if you accept it all day long into your cash register - you'll be broke by the end of the day. The same principle applies to spiritual truth. If you don't know what God has actually said, you're vulnerable to every false doctrine and deceptive teaching that comes along. If you accept enough of it - it's liable to bankrupt your faith. The Bible isn't just a promise book—it's an instruction manual for living. The Creator of the universe wrote down everything humanity needs to navigate this life. How could we not hunger to study it, meditate on it, and let it shape our thinking? Joshua 1:8 offers this promise: "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night...for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success." Meditation doesn't mean emptying your mind. It means chewing on Scripture, asking questions of it, reasoning with God about His word. "Lord, when You said - ..... what did You mean and how can I do that?" It's an invitation to a conversation with the Almighty - the One who made everything and everyone. - He knows everything about us - and by the way ... He knows everything about every other person and every circumstance you will ever face. - He has already gone before you! "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". - Deuteronomy 31:8
Direction -Through Prayer Prayer isn't meant to be a "break glass in case of emergency" type activity. God desires an ongoing dialogue—a relationship, not semi-occasional transactions. He's inviting us to 'come, and reason together.' As well - we are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) which means developing an ongoing dialogue with God, not just when crisis hits - but an on-going intimate discussion. This involves taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and confirming that we're truly hearing from Jesus by testing the spirits (1 John 4:1).
In 1 John 2:20-23 - The Apostle John teaches us that we ... "have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." Consider starting a prayer journal to develop this beautiful habit of continual prayer (as dialogue), always confirming you're speaking with Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, died, and rose again.
Connection -Through Intentionality We live in an age of distraction. Like Adam Sandler in the Movie "Click" - and his - universal remote control - fast-forwarding through life's "boring parts"! Sadly, when we do that - we can miss the divine appointments God has arranged for us and others - if we're not intentionally present. Also ... this - "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" requires moment-by-moment awareness. It means approaching each conversation, each decision, every circumstance with spiritual sensitivity, asking the Holy Spirit for insight and direction. It's realizing we can't do this on our own - only He can - so that we are continually yielded to His voice and discernment.
Seeing the Spiritual Behind the Physical: Whatever manifests in the physical realm many times has a spiritual component to it. That difficult coworker, that family conflict, that chronic health issue—there's always more happening than meets the eye. I shared a story recently of an encounter I had with a notoriously brusque medical professional. On the surface, their harsh demeanor seemed like a personality flaw - or down right disdain, such that one could begin to take it personally - "what have I done - was it something I said"? But through the gift of discerning of spirits, the spiritual reality became clear as I prayed in the Spirit: Holy Spirit revealed that the person was carrying an oppressive burden, so deep - so hurting - some kind of a broken trust - perhaps from childhood - perhaps a recent relationship, (I wasn't given specific - that didn't matter - what mattered was to pray urgently in the Spirit) Whatever the source it was making it nearly impossible for them to function. This person wasn't mean—(and they really didn't realize how they were coming across) because they were drowning. With that insight came the opportunity to pray specifically against the spiritual oppression weighing her down to the depths of despair, I began to intercede for someone who desperately needed breakthrough. I witnessed their countenance brighten visibly, demonstrating the power of prayer when directed by spiritual discernment.
The Purpose of Discernment Why does the Holy Spirit give us this gift? To protect us from deception, to direct us in ministry to others, and to keep us connected to Him and His truth in a world saturated with lies. This gift operates alongside the other eight manifestation gifts. A word of knowledge might reveal what someone is struggling with; discernment reveals the spiritual source. Prophecy might speak encouragement; discernment confirms whether that word is truly from God. All these gifts flow best through an "unkinked hose"—a yielded spirit and a surrendered life - wholly submitted to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
All these gifts of the Spirit - move along the 'twin train tracks' of faith and love. Faith to move at His Word and to move in His Love - for without love, even accurate discernment becomes nothing more than 'nosey' and noisy gongs or clanging (condemning) cymbals.
Your Invitation The gift of discerning of spirits isn't reserved for pastors or spiritual superstars. It's available to every believer who will commit to knowing God's word, that will maintain a life of prayer, and remain intentionally connected to the Holy Spirit. Every person you encounter is carrying a burden you know nothing about. When God puts them in your path - it's because He knows that they need - what you've got! Even if you never speak a word to them, you can pray in the Spirit, asking God to lift oppression and bring breakthrough. The supernatural life isn't mystical or weird—it's simply learning to see what God sees, hear what He's saying, and partner with Him in bringing heaven down to earth. Will you accept His invitation?
Blessings, Bob
Beyond Human Perception In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul outlines nine manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit, each designed to make God's presence tangible in our world. These aren't talents we develop or skills we master. They're supernatural abilities the Holy Spirit distributes to each one individually - as He chooses; they flow through yielded believers to accomplish His purposes. The gift of discerning of spirits stands as a crucial defense mechanism in our spiritual lives. It's the supernatural ability to recognize and distinguish between what is true and what is false, to see the spiritual forces operating behind physical circumstances. It is the spiritual capacity to perceive what's really happening beneath the surface of situations, false doctrines, and even people's daily struggles.
The Four Voices: In our every day life - we navigate a chaotic "mash-up" of voices clamoring for our attention. Understanding these voices is essential to developing spiritual discernment: The World's Voice blares constantly through media, culture, and societal pressures. It's loud, persistent, and nearly impossible to avoid. Our Own Voice chatters endlessly in our minds—analyzing, worrying, planning, and second-guessing. We talk to ourselves more than we realize. Then there's - satan's voice - he whispers doubts and deceptions, always questioning God's word: "Did God really say that?" His specialty is sowing seeds of doubt, confusion and discouragement. He comes only to rob, kill and destroy! God's Voice most often comes as a still, small whisper, easily drowned out by the other three. Yet it's the only voice that leads to truth and life. The challenge? Learning to filter everything through the Holy Spirit's perspective, putting on the mind of Christ to navigate our noisy world.
Three Keys to Developing Discernment -
Protection -Through God's Word: You cannot recognize counterfeit currency unless you're intimately familiar with the real thing. Monopoly money looks the part - but if you accept it all day long into your cash register - you'll be broke by the end of the day. The same principle applies to spiritual truth. If you don't know what God has actually said, you're vulnerable to every false doctrine and deceptive teaching that comes along. If you accept enough of it - it's liable to bankrupt your faith. The Bible isn't just a promise book—it's an instruction manual for living. The Creator of the universe wrote down everything humanity needs to navigate this life. How could we not hunger to study it, meditate on it, and let it shape our thinking? Joshua 1:8 offers this promise: "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night...for then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success." Meditation doesn't mean emptying your mind. It means chewing on Scripture, asking questions of it, reasoning with God about His word. "Lord, when You said - ..... what did You mean and how can I do that?" It's an invitation to a conversation with the Almighty - the One who made everything and everyone. - He knows everything about us - and by the way ... He knows everything about every other person and every circumstance you will ever face. - He has already gone before you! "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged". - Deuteronomy 31:8
Direction -Through Prayer Prayer isn't meant to be a "break glass in case of emergency" type activity. God desires an ongoing dialogue—a relationship, not semi-occasional transactions. He's inviting us to 'come, and reason together.' As well - we are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) which means developing an ongoing dialogue with God, not just when crisis hits - but an on-going intimate discussion. This involves taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and confirming that we're truly hearing from Jesus by testing the spirits (1 John 4:1).
In 1 John 2:20-23 - The Apostle John teaches us that we ... "have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." Consider starting a prayer journal to develop this beautiful habit of continual prayer (as dialogue), always confirming you're speaking with Jesus Christ who came in the flesh, died, and rose again.
Connection -Through Intentionality We live in an age of distraction. Like Adam Sandler in the Movie "Click" - and his - universal remote control - fast-forwarding through life's "boring parts"! Sadly, when we do that - we can miss the divine appointments God has arranged for us and others - if we're not intentionally present. Also ... this - "taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" requires moment-by-moment awareness. It means approaching each conversation, each decision, every circumstance with spiritual sensitivity, asking the Holy Spirit for insight and direction. It's realizing we can't do this on our own - only He can - so that we are continually yielded to His voice and discernment.
Seeing the Spiritual Behind the Physical: Whatever manifests in the physical realm many times has a spiritual component to it. That difficult coworker, that family conflict, that chronic health issue—there's always more happening than meets the eye. I shared a story recently of an encounter I had with a notoriously brusque medical professional. On the surface, their harsh demeanor seemed like a personality flaw - or down right disdain, such that one could begin to take it personally - "what have I done - was it something I said"? But through the gift of discerning of spirits, the spiritual reality became clear as I prayed in the Spirit: Holy Spirit revealed that the person was carrying an oppressive burden, so deep - so hurting - some kind of a broken trust - perhaps from childhood - perhaps a recent relationship, (I wasn't given specific - that didn't matter - what mattered was to pray urgently in the Spirit) Whatever the source it was making it nearly impossible for them to function. This person wasn't mean—(and they really didn't realize how they were coming across) because they were drowning. With that insight came the opportunity to pray specifically against the spiritual oppression weighing her down to the depths of despair, I began to intercede for someone who desperately needed breakthrough. I witnessed their countenance brighten visibly, demonstrating the power of prayer when directed by spiritual discernment.
The Purpose of Discernment Why does the Holy Spirit give us this gift? To protect us from deception, to direct us in ministry to others, and to keep us connected to Him and His truth in a world saturated with lies. This gift operates alongside the other eight manifestation gifts. A word of knowledge might reveal what someone is struggling with; discernment reveals the spiritual source. Prophecy might speak encouragement; discernment confirms whether that word is truly from God. All these gifts flow best through an "unkinked hose"—a yielded spirit and a surrendered life - wholly submitted to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
All these gifts of the Spirit - move along the 'twin train tracks' of faith and love. Faith to move at His Word and to move in His Love - for without love, even accurate discernment becomes nothing more than 'nosey' and noisy gongs or clanging (condemning) cymbals.
Your Invitation The gift of discerning of spirits isn't reserved for pastors or spiritual superstars. It's available to every believer who will commit to knowing God's word, that will maintain a life of prayer, and remain intentionally connected to the Holy Spirit. Every person you encounter is carrying a burden you know nothing about. When God puts them in your path - it's because He knows that they need - what you've got! Even if you never speak a word to them, you can pray in the Spirit, asking God to lift oppression and bring breakthrough. The supernatural life isn't mystical or weird—it's simply learning to see what God sees, hear what He's saying, and partner with Him in bringing heaven down to earth. Will you accept His invitation?
Blessings, Bob
HOPE Blog ... Pastor Bob DeFelice
Sometimes random - sometimes not - some things I think - measured against scripture.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
~ 2 Timothy 2:15
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