Topic: Spirit of Discernment
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 10-12; Luke 20:1-26
Memory Verse: “But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?” Luke 20:23 (KJV)
Spirit of Discernment is God’s given ability to perceive the true nature, source, and intent behind people, situations or spiritual manifestations. It enables believers to see beyond appearances, distinguishing between the influence of God, satan, the world and the flesh. There are many examples of discernment in the Bible. In our Bible reading today, the chief priest and scribes were looking for ways to get hold of the words of Jesus so that they could deliver Him to the governor for capital punishment and so they sent spies to Him. They asked Him whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.( Luke 20:19-22). But Jesus, using the Spirit of discernment recognised their evil plan. In Luke 20:23 (KJV), the Bible says “But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?” If he didn’t have the spirit of discernment, he would have thought it was a sincere question and fallen into their trap! Sometimes the gift of discernment may be given to someone to recognise a true child of God for the person’s benefit. A Nigerian man of God went to a shop in UK and while there, a woman in the shop saw the light of God on him to show he was a disciple of Christ and she approached the man and asked him to pray for her. In another instance an usher in a church was at his duty post when he saw someone walked into the church on her head and immediately recognised that she was an agent of the devil!
This spirit of discernment should be differentiated from the familiar spirit or spirit of divination which is the satanic counterfeit of discernment. It enables the carrier to also recognise the supernatural power in the life of another and its often corrupted and for deceit. Thus, in Acts 16:16-18; a slave girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas saying these men are servants of the most high God. Though the words are true, it was intended to validate the girl’s power and showed that it’s similar to the power of God in Paul and Silas thus enhancing her trade which was soothsaying for people for material gains to her masters! Paul recognised the satanic nature of her gift and commanded it out of her!
It is important therefore to differentiate the two as one is used for the general good of human being without any material gain and it is given to true children of God while the spirit of divination is possessed by satanic agents. You should therefore check the fruit of the spirit of the possessor of a gift to ascertain the source. This is why the Bible says you should test every spirit to know if they are of God ( 1 John 4: 1-3).
But you can also ask God for this gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) so that you can discern situations and be guided in your actions in serving God.
Prayer point:
Father, please give me the spirit of discernment to enable me live a victorious Christian life.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero