Week 31: Last Week we read part 1 of Discerning of Spirits.

A Study on the Holy Ghost

̶ Week 31 of 38 ̶

By David Wilson

© 2017 by David Wilson

All rights reserved

 

Discerning of Spirits

(Conclusion)

There are two realms of the spirit world. The great-unseen world of spirits is divided into the good and evil. Our Lord God and Satan are the rulers over these respective realms. Cherubim, seraphim and angels do the bidding of God. Principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this world, wicked spirits in high places, and evil spirits and demons are all under the authority of Satan. These two realms are arrayed against each other, and the war of the ages is still going on. The Holy Ghost is the active Commander-in-Chief of God’s army. He personally indwells and energizes spirit-filled believers. Discerning of spirits is a valuable weapon both of defense and offense for the spirit-filled believer.

In the realm of affliction, the Bible speaks of dumb spirits (Matthew 9:21); blind spirits (Matthew 12:22); deaf spirits (Matthew 9:25); spirits of infirmity (Luke 13:11, 16); and spirits of lunacy (Matthew 14:15, 18). There are also cases of those who were just “possessed with devils” (Matthew 4:24).

The gift of discerning of spirits enables the saints of God to approach these cases with knowledge and understanding. With the word of authority, he cast out the evil spirits (Mark 16:17). Paul’s reference to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1) reveals a very subtle trick of Satan to deceive mankind. Also, in the last days will come false prophets, who will perform miracles with signs and lying wonders in the name of the antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:9 and Revelations 13:14).

Without the gift of discerning of spirits or discernment, we would not recognize these evil spirits that surrounds us. They dwell on every hand and can only be recognized through the gift of discernment. The Word tells us to know those that labor among us; this can only be done as God reveals to us their true spiritual nature. Not everyone that is evil is possessed of evil spirits, but a good many are. We must be open to the voice of God as He speaks to us concerning those evil spirits. Every spirit-filled believer needs the gift of discernment to fulfill God’s calling in his or her life.

(Next week we will read about the gifts of Power.

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