Sermons on discernment through the spirit:

Developing Discerning Spirits Or One Might Say The Spirit Of Truth & Error

Contributed by Ed Pruitt on Jun 17, 2005

I remember a fellow saying: "Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see!" I was only a teenager when I heard this bit of wisdom from a heart that had grown cynical. However cynical the person who spoke these words, I realized there

Developing Discerning Spirits Or One Might Say The Spirit Of Truth And Error Sunday, April 07, 2002 This morning I certainly hope that you all have your bibles with you as I will be using quite a lot of scripture in my sermon. Let’s turn if you will to, 1 John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God

Judging Or Discerning?

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Jun 19, 2006

Jesus taught us to be discerning rather than judging.

INTRO.- Here is an Aesop’s Fable to help us with this subject. ILL.- A Lion, unable from old age and infirmities to provide himself with food by force, resolved to do so by savvy or wit. He returned to his den, and lying down there, pretended to be sick, taking care that his sickness should be ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Judging And Discernment Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on May 21, 2024

There is a right way and a wrong way to judge. This message looks at the right way

JUDGING AND DISCERNMENT MATTHEW 7:1–6 “DO NOT JUDGE, OR YOU TOO WILL BE JUDGED. 2FOR IN THE SAME WAY YOU JUDGE OTHERS, YOU WILL BE JUDGED, AND WITH THE MEASURE YOU USE, IT WILL BE MEASURED TO YOU. 3“WHY DO YOU LOOK AT THE SPECK OF SAWDUST IN YOUR BROTHER’S EYE AND PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE PLANK IN ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Discerning The Spirit Between Demonic Manifestation Vs. Holy Spirit Manifestation. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 18, 2025

The following content may be disturbing to some readers. As believers, we are called to discern the spirits and test every manifestation to ensure it aligns with the will and character of God (1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21).

As believers, we are called to discern the spirits and test every manifestation to ensure it aligns with the will and character of God (1 John 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bible warns us about the schemes of the devil and his attempts to deceive and lead us astray (2 Corinthians 11:14, Ephesians ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:4, Luke 8:26-39, Mark 16:17

Discerning The Body

Contributed by John Kapteyn on Oct 18, 2000

We are warned not to partake of the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner - that is unless we discern or recognize His body . What does this mean?

1. Special occasions often celebrated by a special meal. The host spends much time preparing for the meal. The Lord’s Supper is a special meal in which not the host but the guests are to prepare themselves. 2. Have you prepared yourself for this meal? Did you listen to the call for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Discernment Camp Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 27, 2012

Solomon is training us to develop discernment, the ability to distinguish between truth and lies, integrity and dishonesty, foolishness and wisdom. From his words, we can draw four important principles.

Discernment Camp (Proverbs 20:5-8) 1. Once when Red Skelton was being interviewed he was asked if he ever was at a loss for words. He hesitated a minute then said, "I dreamed I died and went to heaven. Just as I was taken before God, he sneezed...and I just didn’t know what to say to Him!" 2. We ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:5-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Let The Spirit Win Souls

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jun 22, 2024

You need to know your audience, but don't rush the Spirit. We have enough inoculated tares already.

Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; KJV Sometimes you have to appeal to a person they respect and use what that person ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:15, Titus 1:12-13

Denomination: Baptist

A River Runs Through It

Contributed by Mark Jones on Jun 8, 2004

Essence of the Lesson: Ezekiels’ River of Life is the River of God running through Holy History and its life-giving waters grow deeper and deeper as we are invited to immerse ourselves in its refreshing!

A River Runs Through It Ezekiel 47:1-12 Copyright John Mark Jones 2004 All Rights Reserved All scripture quotes: Holy Bible, New King James Version Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1-12, Revelation 22:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

May God Sanctify You Through And Through

Contributed by Dan Stires on May 2, 2010

The experience of sanctification and the walk of Holiness

Pataskala Church of the Nazarene May 2, 2010 May God Make You Holy Through and Through Scripture Reading: I Peter 1:13-25 I Thessalonians 5:16-24 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14 ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Denomination: Nazarene

Flawed Thinking: Learn Discernment!

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Nov 19, 2018

People today are easily deceived because they have their minds darkened by flawed thinking, or a reprobate mind. Only God and the Holy Spirit can illuminate these flaws to correct them.

Flawed Thinking: Learn Discernment! Flawed Thinking: The Reprobate Mind Learn Discernment! Kelly Durant 10-7-12 Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 2 Timothy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:8, Romans 1:28

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Holy Spirit And The Cross

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Sep 15, 2016

A hitherto hidden wisdom revealed in the Apostolic preaching of the Cross.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE CROSS. 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. Paul is at pains to stress the very different manner in which he teaches when compared with the peddlers of the wisdom of this age. This does not mean that he lacks wisdom, nor that he is any less capable than the rhetoricians: but that he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 9, 2025

Life in the Spirit is a call to higher living—a life of power, purity, purpose, and divine presence.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Romans 8:1-14 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit... For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Supporting Texts: ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How The Holy Spirit Uses Discernment To Protect Us

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Apr 10, 2003

The Holy Spirit gives us a discerning mind to help us distinguish between truth and partial truths. Hebrews 5:14 says, "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

How the Holy Spirit Protects Us From People Who Would Use the Scriptures for Their Selfish Ambitions (Mark 7:11,12) Illustration:Get the right perspective. When Goliath came against the Israelites, the soldiers all thought, "He’s so big we can never kill him." David looked at the same giant and ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:10-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

1 John 4:1-6 Series

Contributed by Zak Saenz on Apr 3, 2025

1 John 4:1-6

1 John 4:1-6 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. Before we get started with this verse I just want to remind you about two verses we read last week that I think go well with verse 1 ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:1-6

Denomination: Other

Pray For Discernment: Fight The Confusion

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jan 21, 2017

So many people, even Christians, are confused on what is right and wrong because of the current climate of the flood of lies being spread by all news sources. We must hold to the Holy Spirit and God's Word to illuminate us with the truth of God.

Pray for Discernment: Fight The Confusion Capt. Kelly Durant Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 5:20, Isaiah 14:33

Denomination: Salvation Army