Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Discernment

“That is what we speak about. We don't use words taught to us by people. We use words taught to us by the Holy Spirit. We use the words of the Spirit to teach the truths of the Spirit.

 Some people don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. Things like that are foolish to them. They can't understand them. In fact, such things can't be understood without the Spirit's help.”                I Cor. 2:13-14  NIRV

The gift of discernment is the ability to recognize what is genuine from what is false.

Discernment is not a function of the mind; it is a function of the Holy Spirit which is in union with your spirit.

When the Holy Spirit sounds a warning, your mind may not be able to perceive what is wrong.   Have the courage to acknowledge that something is wrong when your spirit is troubled.   Do not be afraid to share with another trusted Christian what you’re sensing and ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom.

Christians with the gift of discernment learn how to:

    Have a clear sense of right from wrong, truth from error, and genuine motives    from false motives

    Perceive deception in others

    Recognize inconsistencies between words and actions/deeds

    Sense falseness

    Know whether a word or action is in accordance with God or not.

The gift of discernment can be used in helping settle disputes, counseling and/or spiritual warfare.

Christians with this gift must be careful not to fall into the temptation to always be ‘right’ and not admit when a mistake has been made.   Pride could prevent a humble spirit in the use of this gift.

Spiritual discernment is calling on the Holy Spirit to lead or give direction on a matter.   It is how the Holy Spirit shows the Church what God wants them to do and be.

“But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.”   I John 4:6  NLT

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