Deceptions Design

Discerning of Spirits

This gift, the discerning of spirits, is not just a devil detector, its primary purpose is to discern what God is doing to sense his presence and what his Spirit is doing and wants to do on this earth. 

I compared this gift to an electrical tester or a multi volt meter.  This helps us see the unseen to determine what invisible powerful thing is at hand.

God is giving this gift that we might be able to co-labor with him. 

Now the enemy is currently trying to design something to deceive us that would cause us to separate ourselves from God. 

So the purpose of this gift is to recognize that as well and to discern when deception is knocking on the door that I might be aware of it. Expose the lie of the enemy and not fall prey to it. 

The example that we used on Sunday was that the enemy throws out the lie. I need to worry about that. 

He then interjects whatever subject or topic that hits close to home for us and we find ourselves deceived by the enemy to worry about something that seems legitimate.  It is a non-threatening attack yet it causes us to shift our attention from what God is doing to what the enemy could be doing. 

We went through some of the examples of when the holy Spirit was seen such as when John the Baptist testified of the dove descending and resting and remaining upon Jesus. 

We talked about many instances when an angel came and either gave instruction or assisted or helped in a situation in a person's life. 

We also spoke about the human spirit and how it's very possible we may need God's assistance to see through the situation someone is presenting to see through their pain, their anger or them trying to look okay. 

And then finally last and least we utilize this gift to recognize when an evil spirit is trying to influence and distract and disrupt and cause harm in people's lives. 

In these instances we see that either the disciples or the apostles simply told it to leave and because of their obedience and submission to God they have authority over the enemy. 

In 1st John 4:4 we read the greater is he that is in you then he that is in the world we have authority over the enemy when our life and our heart is submitted unto the authority of Almighty God. 

So in conclusion we must use this gift with balance to first of all discern what God is doing and where we can work with him.  Then to be aware and recognize what the enemy is doing so that we understand how we can overcome and what we must overcome by the authority of God. 

What’s one of the ways you've tried to utilize this gift improperly?

How do you see it now in contrast to before?

What part of the Word came alive to you through this Message?