picture of angel from product CD that came with Print Shop 3.0
Discerning of Spirits - To be able to tell what is good and what is evil, tell what is of God, what is of man and what is of Satan. This gift would be handy for pastors, judges, CEOs of businesses, any Christian, etc. because it would help them know what is from God and what is not; what is good and what is evil; who is telling the truth and who is lying.
Definition: transitive verb to detect with the eyes <discerned a figure approaching through the fog>; to detect with senses other than vision <discerned a strange odor>; to recognize or identify as separate and distinct : discriminate <discern right from wrong>; to come to know or recognize mentally <unable to discern his motives>intransitive verb: to see or understand the difference
Example: I met a woman at the Methodist church in Alvin TX who walked past me (I was in the middle of the pew), whirled around, came over to me and said, "The Holy Spirit is so strong on you - may I sit next to you?" I said of course and we chatted until the commencement services started. Doug had this gift and he could see into the spirit world - he could see demons and it scared him. He saw the demons around certain houses in Wichita and on certain people. He hated the gift but learned it really helped him to know where some things were coming from. One time I met a lady who could see angels. My husband Al has this gift and knows what is of God and what is of Satan; he has been able to warn me when I am about to trust someone I shouldn't. He has always been correct.
I prayed and asked God for this gift. He told me to be a fruit inspector and if someone told me they were a Christian, I was to treat them as if they were. By being a fruit inspector I had to get to know the person and if I treated everyone the same, they knew I was not prejudiced. It also kept me from being judgmental and helped me to show unconditional love. God had me using "Friendship Evangelism." I had always used "Friendship Evangelism" but did not know what it was called until I took the course at 1st Baptist Clear Lake (Houston TX) in 1987. The course helped me hone the skills I already had.
God wants most of us to be fruit inspectors and to learn how to discern from studying God's word (Bible). We can also be taught discernment; but it's not a gift when we learn from scripture or from being taught.
Gen 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
Exo 23:8 "And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.
1 Ki 3:9 "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
1 Ki 3:11-12 Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, "behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
Prov 2:3-5 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.
Eccl 8:5-6 He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; And a wise man's heart discerns both time and judgment, Because for every matter there is a time and judgment, Though the misery of man increases greatly.
Ezek 44:23 "And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
Mal 3:18 Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.
Mat 16:2-3 He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; "and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.
1 Cor 2:14-16 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Cor 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
Phil 1:9-11 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Home Frances M. McCrory-Meservy AKA pennywind