Chapter 3

by Praise Malinga

The gift of discerning of spirits is a very sensitive gift, as it deals with supernatural discernment of the source of spirits in a person's life. This gift is not about testing someone's words or actions, but rather it's about sensing the spirit behind them.

The general way of testing spirits is through what they say, as it is written in 1 John 4:1-3, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world."

However, the gift of discerning of spirits goes beyond testing words, it's a supernatural insight that reveals the source of the spirit, even if the person says the right things but is operating under a familiar spirit. This gift takes time to develop and respond, like Paul did in the case of the girl with the spirit of divination in Acts 16:16-18, "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour."

It's essential to note that testing spirits is different from judging prophecy. Judging prophecy is for those who already have been proven to have the Holy Spirit, while testing spirits is generally for those whom we are not yet sure are Christians. The gift of discerning of spirits is a supernatural testing of spirits, without relying on words or actions, but by sensing the spirit behind them.

Characteristics of the Gift of Discerning of Spirits

• Supernatural insight: The gift of discerning of spirits is a supernatural gift that reveals the source of spirits.
• Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit: The one operating in this gift is highly sensitive to the Holy Spirit and can sense the presence of other spirits.
• Discernment: The gift of discerning of spirits brings discernment and clarity to situations, helping to distinguish between true and false.

When to deliver it?

All the manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be inspired by God's love. It is important to take time to speak out what you may have received about someone because if you didn't discern well, you might lose a soul of someone forever for whom our Lord died on the cross. It is also important that if you discerned rightly about someone, to intercede rather than to speak out or cast out those spirits, than to show off about someone.

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