“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God…” (1 Joh 4:1, NKJ)
In our day and age the gift of discernment is possibly one of the most important to put into practice. The spiritual man is very open to the working of spirits from both spiritual realms: the kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. If you can’t discern, then you are quite easily misled by a spirit from the other kingdom that presents itself as the Holy Spirit. If the born-again person’s spirit does not move with the Holy Spirit of God, then deceiving spirits can occur (1 Tim 4:1) that can provide you with all kinds of spiritual experiences, even spiritual guidance.
The believer has the responsibility to resist Satan and his demonic aides (1 Pet 5:9). By means of the authority that Jesus, through His death and resurrection, acquired over the powers of darkness – because He disarmed the principalities and made a public spectacle of them (Col 2:15) – it is possible that we as His followers can “trample on serpents and scorpions”. We have authority over the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Thus the spirits are subject to us (Luke 10:20). We are called, like Jesus, to destroy the works of the enemy.
But first we must learn to discern the spiritual realm. This means we must gain a spirit of discernment regarding the “spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12), in “habitations of the wilderness” (Jer 9:10; Is 34:13-14), but especially in people, and most especially in other believers: “… the spirit that now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph 2:2). The CEV states it as follows: “You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God.” (These are also the “disobedient” that need to be brought to the “wisdom of the just” – Luke 1:17.)
The Spirit of God will lead us in all truth (John 16:13) and thus you must learn to discern. Let Solomon’s words in 1 Kings 3:9 (WEB) be your constant prayer: “Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people that I may discern between good and evil.”
- Sela: Pray Solomon’s prayer and ask God for practical experience regarding this gift of the Spirit.
- Read: Ex 4; Ps 54; Matt 24
- Memorise: Matt 24:14
