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Gifts of the Holy Spirit 7
The Discerning of Spirits
by Pastor John Hamel
We have come to the
third and final Revelation Gift. Remember, Revelation Gifts always
REVEAL something.
I should
immediately point out that this Gift is not called the “Gift of
Discernment.” Some use this erroneous name. We should call this
Gift what the Bible calls it. The Bible calls it the “Discerning of
Spirits.”
Also, this is not
the “Gift of Criticism.” Some meddling individuals are always
sticking their noses into the business of others, claiming, “I have the
Gift of Discernment. I just want to help.” These folks actually
have a critical spirit. Fortunately, having a critical spirit is not the unforgivable sin.
The Discerning of Spirits
is a Supernatural revelation from the Spirit of God, which opens one’s eyes
to the activities of the Spirit realm. Through the operation of this
Gift one can see Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the similitude of God, Angels,
Satan, demons and any other spirit beings, objects or spiritual
activities. This Gift also enables the possessor to discern the
power, good or evil, which prompts certain behaviors in other living
beings. (Numbers 22:27-35; Mark 8:33; John 1:47; 6:70)
It must also be
noted that this Gift has nothing to do with the delusions of the mentally
ill. It has nothing to do with the delirium of the drug or
alcohol-induced or addicted. This Gift has nothing at all to do with
the natural mind, sober or inebriated. This Gift is Supernatural as
are all of the other Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Anytime an
individual experiences a Holy Spirit induced inward vision, open vision, trance or dream in which the Spirit realm is
looked into, the Discerning of Spirits is in operation. Let’s look at
a Biblical example.
“…the angel Gabriel
was sent from God … to a virgin … the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel
came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured,
the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. … And the angel
said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour
with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy
womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his
name Jesus.” (Luke 1:26-31)
Here the Virgin
Mary’s eyes were opened to the presence of the Angel Gabriel. This
was the Discerning of Spirits in operation. Gabriel informed Mary
that she had (past and present tense) found favor with God. This was the
Word of Knowledge. Gabriel also informed Mary, “Thou shalt conceive …” (future tense). This was the
Word of Wisdom. Here we find all three Revelation Gifts operating
together; the Word of Knowledge, the Word of Wisdom and the Discerning of
Spirits. The Gifts of the Spirit frequently operate together.
An Angel later
appeared to Mary’s fiancé, Joseph, in a dream. The Angel told him
that Mary’s conceived and soon to be born child was from God and that he
should not reject her. (Matthew 1:19-21) This was also the Discerning
of Spirits operating together with a Word of Wisdom and a Word of Knowledge.
I have experienced
the Discerning of Spirits frequently operating with the other Revelation
Gifts on many occasions. I have had visitations of Jesus
and Angels through open visions, a trance
and dreams. One evening God’s Angel appeared to me in a dream, even
as he did to Joseph. He said to me, “You will place your feet on the
soil of no fewer than 35 nations of the world and preach the Gospel of the
Lord Jesus Christ.” This was the Discerning of Spirits operating in
conjunction with the Word of Wisdom.
The Discerning of
Spirits is a tremendous Gift indeed. Through its operation comes protection, direction, correction, connection,
revelation, emancipation and provision.
A microscope
enables one to see the minutest atoms and molecules of our world.
A telescope enables
one to see into the mysteries of other worlds.
However, only the
Discerning of Spirits can enable one to see directly into the Spirit
world.
This Gift brings
great Glory to God, advancing His Kingdom in the Earth.
Be Blessed … John and Barbara Hamel
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