(this is a continuation from Gifts of the Spirit Part 3)
Let’s look more closely at the Gift of the Discernment of the spirits.
Definition: a spiritual gift that supernaturally enables a Christian believer to distinguish between holy and unholy spirits through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many times, in our Christian experience, we are too quick to embrace anything and everything that comes our way in the name of Christianity.
Many say they are Christians today, but Do not possess the Spirit of Christ.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Now this verse is not talking about having the Gift of Discernment.
“try the spirits” TEST them… the test was… those who say that Christ did not come in the flesh, (incarnation) were not of God.
So the TEST had to do with their doctrine preached.
YOU don’t have to have the gift of Discernment to know Whether a preacher is of God or not. You can simply tell it by what they preach or don’t preach.
So why then do we need the Gift of Discernment?
Because there is less and less distinction between the world and the church!!!! AND because there are less boundary lines, there is more confusion than ever before!
Let me draw your attention to an incident in the OT concerning Moses and Pharoah.
Exod. 7: 10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents
The devil duplicated the miracle…
And there are many things going on in the name of Christianity today that are not of God but are a duplication, an imitation of the real thing.
We are living in a day of Co-existence.
I was surfing the internet one night and came across this church website which I thought was rather interesting. I won’t name the church or where it is located, but I jotted down some things that caught my eye, specifically the advertisement that they were a "Come as you are Church."
Now what exactly is a “Come As You Are” Church? (this is what they explained.)
When we say we are a “come as you are” church, we aren’t just talking about the clothes you wear. No matter your background or current circumstances, you will feel loved and accepted at our Church. We believe Jesus always taught that “It’s not where you’ve been...it’s where you’re going” that matters most.
Soon after you walk through the doors into our comfortable worship area, you’ll feel right at home when you discover you’re with people who are just like you. You’ll also notice that we don’t have pews. We have comfortable chairs to sit in. We also offer a variety of free drinks and snacks for you to enjoy during the service.
You’ll like our music. Some of the songs our band plays are contemporary but you’ll also hear some familiar favorites mixed in.
Our pastor has a great sense of humor. His messages are Bible-based, easy to understand and to the point.
There is no high pressure “altar call” and no formal offering is taken in our Sunday services...EVER!
(end of their description)
NOW… what does this have to do with the Gift of Discerning of Spirits?
Devil doesn’t care if you go to church
If you sing in the choir… etc…
It’s when you “come out and be separate” that really riles him up. It’s when you...
are different
do stand out and make a difference.
purpose to be peculiar.
strive for godliness.
Those are the things that the devil cannot stand for you to do.
What happened in Moses’ day of Co-existance?
Satan convinced the people that both good and evil could co-exist together. Therefore...the devil duplicated the miracle.
…he copied what God did.
The same type of thing will happen in the end times:
Rev. 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Even now, we are living in a day of co-existance. There is little or no distinction between the holy and the profane!
So how will we know the difference? Look at what happened in Moses situation:
: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.
When we have the genuine power of God, the REAL will always prevail!
When it comes down to this GIFT, ministers especially need this gift.
Paul told the elders in the Church of Ephesus:
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Paul was insistent that there be a distinction... a separation... that there could never be a co-existence!
This gift is vital in our church today! Paul said to covet ernestly the best gifts. (1 Cor. 12:31)
(The Gift of Faith is next in Gifts of the Spirit Part 5)
