What is discerning the spirits?
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Discerning the spirits
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Tlaloc said:
How do you think that portion of it works, do you think it is something that people can learn to improve on?
Tlaloc said:
How do you improve on this portion be more specific than by reading the Bible?
Tlaloc
Member
Like the other things listed here (In Corinthians 12), this isn't just a natural ability you can improve upon. It's given to people as God wills, it can be asked for and the theory behind it can be studied, but it cannot be acquired by force of will or work.
I for one know quite a lot about the gift of healing, and desire the gift greatly, but neither the knowledge nor the desire will give it too much unless God chooses to give it to me at some set time in the future. It's not my gift, and realistically it never will be.
Spending time in prayer, meditation, and study, and spending time 'in the spirit' and with spiritual elders can help awaken latent gifts and refine the ones you already have, but this is one of those 'either you've got it or you don't' things.
Like doctors heal without supernatural gifts and scholars learn languages without gifts of toungs there are ways to read people quickly and effectively via behavior analysis. That goes a long ways, and lets you know a lot about what 'normal' people are thinking. It's not very useful with wildcards, or people that understand what you're doing and can deflect it. I personally have a lot of fun with behavior analysists when I encounter them, but you can't fool someone with this kind of gift, at least when its fully mature.
This gift, fully mature, lets you find out Ananias and Sapphira type things in detail, when immature it at least sends up warning bells as soon as you meet someone before they've even opened their mouth (or, alternatively, given you a sense of security about someone other people don't like or trust).
As for 'how it works' the simplest, safest answer is that the Holy Spirit tells someone something directly. Though, personally I see these gifts as just that, gifts given to someone that becomes part of who they are, anyone can be given a warning by the Holy Spirit (and probably will be many times in their Christian Walk) but those with discernment know in and of themselves, and continue to be able to know should they depart from the straight and narrow. They may corrupt this or any other gift they have received if they choose re-probation.
I for one know quite a lot about the gift of healing, and desire the gift greatly, but neither the knowledge nor the desire will give it too much unless God chooses to give it to me at some set time in the future. It's not my gift, and realistically it never will be.
Spending time in prayer, meditation, and study, and spending time 'in the spirit' and with spiritual elders can help awaken latent gifts and refine the ones you already have, but this is one of those 'either you've got it or you don't' things.
Like doctors heal without supernatural gifts and scholars learn languages without gifts of toungs there are ways to read people quickly and effectively via behavior analysis. That goes a long ways, and lets you know a lot about what 'normal' people are thinking. It's not very useful with wildcards, or people that understand what you're doing and can deflect it. I personally have a lot of fun with behavior analysists when I encounter them, but you can't fool someone with this kind of gift, at least when its fully mature.
This gift, fully mature, lets you find out Ananias and Sapphira type things in detail, when immature it at least sends up warning bells as soon as you meet someone before they've even opened their mouth (or, alternatively, given you a sense of security about someone other people don't like or trust).
As for 'how it works' the simplest, safest answer is that the Holy Spirit tells someone something directly. Though, personally I see these gifts as just that, gifts given to someone that becomes part of who they are, anyone can be given a warning by the Holy Spirit (and probably will be many times in their Christian Walk) but those with discernment know in and of themselves, and continue to be able to know should they depart from the straight and narrow. They may corrupt this or any other gift they have received if they choose re-probation.
Tlaloc said:
Do you think those who have been given it by God need to learn how to use it or they just automatically have it?
I think it is something that becomes more fine-tuned as you mature. For me, it started out as "gut-feeling" Once I realized what it was I started paying attention to what I was sensing and began using scripture to balance my feelings from what is real. Using God's word to balance out natural gifts is always necessary. There are people who "prophecy" stuff that goes against God's word, using their gift of prophecy to substantiate their claims, but God won't go against his own word, so those things are suspicious.
I also believe that someone who isn't gifted with discernment of spirits can still learn to use God's word to help them develop the skill. Because discernment is something that comes from observation, I believe anyone can do it to an extent, but that it comes easier and more completely to those that are gifted with it.
SweetLissa
I also believe that someone who isn't gifted with discernment of spirits can still learn to use God's word to help them develop the skill. Because discernment is something that comes from observation, I believe anyone can do it to an extent, but that it comes easier and more completely to those that are gifted with it.
SweetLissa
The real question is what is one going to do with them once they are discerned. Satan just bides his time, knowing he and his, can eat the lunch of any Christian that claims authority over spirits yet knows not the power of the Holy Spirit. A Christian walk without the Holy Spirit is hopeless, as pointed out as follows.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I remember mowing over a nest of bees. A John 3:16 tee shirt, would not have slowed them down at all. But I did find something a little more powerful to apply to the situation.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I remember mowing over a nest of bees. A John 3:16 tee shirt, would not have slowed them down at all. But I did find something a little more powerful to apply to the situation.
Every one's posts on this topic are excellent. I find it so interesting that God does not bother to give out a manual when it comes to the gifts, and I think that was smart, as no doubt we would wreck things worse than usual! 
People are prone to wanting to control and quantify what God does, and especially in the gifts, that just won't fly.
DTT, some people who have the gift of discernment of spirits see them, (both angels and fallen angels) in our natural realm. Some smell them. I have been told that cancer has a particular smell, and I have no reason to doubt that. Conversely, angels can have a wonderful smell. Some people see nothing, and none of their other senses are involved, but word of knowledge and wisdom operate as to what what is going on and how to pray. Some will see an allegorical picture in their mind and then know how to proceed. It is very different for each person.
Re: discerning the presence of angels, one man who was used in documented miracles as well as in healings during the late '40s used to wait until an angel came and stood beside him. Sometimes the wait was a long one, but he would not begin to pray until he knew that the angel that had been assigned to him was present, and he really took heat for it.
Remember that when God commands us to "earnestly desire the best gifts," that means what is best for you as well as for His people. If you feel that God may want to use you this way, let Him cleanse, prepare and strengthen you to the depths,transform your mind continually, and make the Word of God your standard and passion. That will be your safety, and you won't find yourself "running your lawnmower over a beehive," as Weltan said so perfectly. Good one! :lol:
People are prone to wanting to control and quantify what God does, and especially in the gifts, that just won't fly.DTT, some people who have the gift of discernment of spirits see them, (both angels and fallen angels) in our natural realm. Some smell them. I have been told that cancer has a particular smell, and I have no reason to doubt that. Conversely, angels can have a wonderful smell. Some people see nothing, and none of their other senses are involved, but word of knowledge and wisdom operate as to what what is going on and how to pray. Some will see an allegorical picture in their mind and then know how to proceed. It is very different for each person.
Re: discerning the presence of angels, one man who was used in documented miracles as well as in healings during the late '40s used to wait until an angel came and stood beside him. Sometimes the wait was a long one, but he would not begin to pray until he knew that the angel that had been assigned to him was present, and he really took heat for it.
Remember that when God commands us to "earnestly desire the best gifts," that means what is best for you as well as for His people. If you feel that God may want to use you this way, let Him cleanse, prepare and strengthen you to the depths,transform your mind continually, and make the Word of God your standard and passion. That will be your safety, and you won't find yourself "running your lawnmower over a beehive," as Weltan said so perfectly. Good one! :lol: