If we were sitting at lunch together, I could tell you some stories...(boy! could I ever tell you some stories) of times God has manifested this gift in me. There have been times I have sensed Satanic spirits, lies, false teachings, and so much more. Those of you who have this gift, are totally nodding in agreement with me right now. We are kindred spirits. We understand each other on a very deep level, because we have walked through the same experiences.
Thankfully, God has given me doses of a couple of other spiritual gifts, like giving and faith. The gift of faith goes hand in hand with my gift of discernment. I can not possibly tell you how many times God has given me insight into something someone is going through, and called me to pray. These may be close friends, or people I barely know. Sometimes I pray for the people He lays on my heart for month's, until He lifts the burden.
Can I just say? That's my favorite way He manifests this gift. I love it when He does this. He will give me specific Scriptures to pray for them, or lay a specific need on my heart that they may have. Sometimes, I see the fruits of this, and sometimes I don't. The results are up to God.
But when He calls me to use my gift, it burns inside of me. I literally CAN NOT stop myself from speaking up about what He has shown me, or stop myself from praying for the people He puts in my heart. Lindsay and I were laughing about this last night. She knows me so well, and she can see it on my face when God has given me a revelation. Most of the time, she is understanding, or she at least acts like she is. But then there are times when she looks at me, with a bit of panic in her eyes, and says to me "Mom, NO! Please don't say anything. Please pray about it before you speak! Mom, PLEASE!" We laughed together last night and talked about how, if I always said what God revealed to me, people would think I was pretty loony! haha So, yes, I must shut it up a lot times. :)
And she is right. This unusual gift must be used with a healthy dose of wisdom. I have to be reminded of that from time to time, or I can really make a mess of things. Just because God has revealed something to me, doesn't mean I have to speak up and confront it. Sometimes He wants me to speak up. But often He's calling me to pray and allow Him to take care of the rest....
A healthy dose of wisdom...that's what is required of me. And a good sense of humor, because at times this gift can break my heart, especially when I watch people I've prayed for for a long time reject the path that God is calling them to. Some decisions that seem small, or simple at the time, can literally change the course of your life and pull you away from all He has for you. Satan is so subtle, and good Christian people, all to often, don't see his schemes.
That's where my gift comes in...Thank you Jesus, for this wonderful gift! When You allow me to use it, I am at my best! This body of Christ works so beautifully when all gifts are used as You plan. Love You so much!
Discernment / Distinguishing of Spirits - The special ability God gives to some to know with assurance whether certain behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power. The divine enablement to distinguish between truth and error, to discern the spirits, differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong.
People with this gift:
- distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
- identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
- determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic
- recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation
- are able to sense the presence of evil.
- distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
- identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
- determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic
- recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation
- are able to sense the presence of evil.
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