How Do You Know if You Have the Gift of Prophesy

What Is the Gift of the Spirit of Discernment and How Can Prayer Help?

Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
2019 11 Jul

Have y'all ever had a conversation with another believer that caused unrest in your spirit? Perhaps it was when you started hearing nigh a relationship or lifestyle – or even a new philosophy or perspective of theirs – that gave you lot a ill feeling in your gut.

Did you consider your internal response an indication that you lot were being critical, judgmental, or intolerant of that brother or sister in Christ? Or could information technology be that you accept the souvenir of a spirit of discernment?

If you've ever wondered "What is a spirit of discernment?" yous wouldn't exist the first to ask.

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What is the gift of a spirit of discernment?

What is the souvenir of a spirit of discernment?

In First Corinthians 12:x, Paul refers to "distinguishing betwixt spirits" (or "discerning of spirits" in the NKJV) – as a spiritual gift that God gives to believers in order to recognize lying spirits and to identify deceptive and erroneous doctrines.

Paul warned when this gift of discernment is non being exercised in the church building, distortion of the truth occurs.

But this gift of discernment is not something that is only exercised in a corporate church setting.

In one John iv:1, believers were exhorted to "not believe every sprit, but test the spirits to run into whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the globe."

As believers today, you and I are to mind that pedagogy to test worldly philosophies, strange doctrines, and even new perspectives and ideas that come up out of the mouths of politicians, celebrities, customs leaders, and fifty-fifty pastors and religious leaders. We are to examination everything that comes through our television set sets, over our radio waves, and beyond our laptops and phone screens.

To have the spirit of discernment is to possess the power to approximate well. We get our English discussion "aesthetic" from the Greek word for discernment, meaning moral perception, insight, and the practical application of cognition.

Start Timothy 4:i tells united states of america: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some volition carelessness the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." Thus, we are urged to "See to information technology that no 1 takes y'all captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ" (Colossians 1:viii).

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Where is the spiritual gift of discernment mentioned in the Bible?

In 1 Kings iii, when the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him to name whatever he desired, Solomon pleased God by request for the spirit of discernment. Solomon'due south words were "Then give your retainer a discerning center to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong…" (1 Kings 3:nine).

Solomon's asking for discernment so pleased the Lord that God not only gave Solomon a wise and discerning eye, but He too gave him what he didn't ask for – "both wealth and honor – so that in your lifetime you volition have no equal among kings" (ane Kings 3:xiii).

In the New Attestation, Paul prayed that believers would take and apply the spirit of discernment: "And this is my prayer: that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that yous may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ" (Philippians ane:9-x).

Paul realized if believers were able to discern what is all-time from what is only proficient or acceptable, they would exist pure and blameless, and stand up apart from the rest of the world.

The Apostle John likewise urged the showtime century Christians to practice the spiritual gift of discernment because of how quickly they could be deceived if they weren't grounded in the truth: "Dearest friends, do not believe every spirit, but exam the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many faux prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

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How do I know if I have the gift of discernment?

How exercise I know if I have the gift of discernment?

Scripture implies that if nosotros are wise and walk in the ways of the Lord, our lives are evidence of a spirit of discernment. "Who is wise? Permit them realize these things. Who is discerning? Allow them understand. The ways of the LORD are correct; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them" (Hosea 14:9).

All spiritual gifts are abilities that are empowered and enabled past the Holy Spirit and used for the edification of the church.

If you accept the gift of discernment, then, information technology isn't something that is evidenced by your wisdom and savvy in the workplace or your strong opinions that stand up out amid unbelievers. If it is truly a gift information technology is given to yous to uplift and encourage the trunk of Christ.

Are you a person who studies the Word of God so you tin take a discerning heart? Are you one who pours over His precepts so yous know how to discern God's truth and rightly separate it, teach it, and apply it?

Hebrews 5:xiv tells us if we take a maturity in the Word, we likely possess a spirit of discernment: "Just solid nutrient is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil."

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How do I pray for the spirit of discernment?

How exercise I pray for the spirit of discernment?

Since Solomon pleased God past asking for a wise and discerning heart, we would practise well to request of God the aforementioned.

We tin can pray for a middle of discernment as the Psalmist did in Psalm 119:25: "I am your retainer; requite me discernment that I may empathize your statutes."

When we pray for discernment, we are to enquire for it in religion, like nosotros would inquire for anything (Matthew 21:22). Nosotros are also to ask for it with the right motives. James 4:three tells us "When you lot ask, you do not receive, considering you ask with incorrect motives, that you may spend what you lot get on your pleasures."

If you are asking God for anything, not really assertive God will requite information technology to you, yous are one who "should non expect to receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:vii). And if you lot ask so that you lot can wield a spiritual super-power and appear more spiritual than others around you lot, that, besides is not pleasing to the Lord.

But, when you ask humbly, in religion, and with the motive of living a more holy life, God will hear you lot (Matthew 21:22).

Pray as well for a renewed heed and a stronger want for God'southward Word than the globe'south philosophies. Romans 12:2 tells united states of america: Do not conform to the design of this earth, only exist transformed by the renewing of your mind. And then y'all will be able to test and approve what God's volition is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

The more you grow in your love for and cognition of God'southward Word, the more discerning you will exist.

Suggested Prayers for Discernment

Hither are some suggested brusk prayers for a discerning spirit:

Lord, God, please give me an understanding middle and a sensitivity to Your ways.

Lord, help me to distinguish between the truth of Your Word and the lies of this world.

Lord God, help me to discern betwixt Your voice and the enemy'south voice. May Your gentle warnings exist louder in my ears than the enemy'due south empty threats.

Lord God, grant me a desire for Your Discussion so I volition crave Your instruction, guidance and wisdom. Your Word tells me if I lack wisdom, to inquire You for information technology and Yous will give it generously and without finding fault in me. Thanks for Your desire to give me a discerning spirit.

Lord Jesus, melody my ears to Your still small vocalism that convicts my center of sin, corrects my ways, and counsels my center. I know You are not the accuser who wants to discourage me and give me a spirit of despair. You are instead, my Abet, who gently corrects me with Your Word, and steers me along the correct path.

Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker and award-winning writer who helps women and couples strengthen their relationship with God and with others. She has authored more than a dozen books including When Women Walk Alone (more than than 130,000 copies sold), When God Sees Your Tears, When a Woman Overcomes Life's Hurts, When Couples Walk Together (co-authored with her husband, Hugh), and Drama Complimentary: Finding Peace When Emotions Overwhelm You, and God's Whispers to a Woman's Eye. For more on her resources to help strengthen your walk with God, your marriage, or your parenting, see her website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.