THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS.

This is the third of the three gifts of revelation, however, it is seventh in the list in 1Cor.12v8-10. This gift has a much more limited use than the word of wisdom or the word of knowledge, however, it is a spiritual gift of very great use and importance and can be the ultimate in blessing to the child of God. This gift is an indispensable means of defence from Satan's attacks, and it enables the Church to attack Satan's kingdom and works. The discerning of spirits is entirely supernatural in operation, it is seeing the supernatural by supernatural means, it is the bringing of part of the unseen realm into visibility. It is the Holy Spirit enabling us to discern unseen spiritual things by supernatural means. The regularity of the manifestation of this gift varies very considerably with different Christians, some have a regular ministry of this gift, others have a less regular occurrence of this gift, and some we are sorry to say have no desire for this precious gift and so they have no manifestations of the discerning of spirits. Let us now consider some important facts about the discerning of spirits.

1. It is not a critical spirit, or the ability to find fault in others.

This undesirable characteristic or "gift" is condemned in the Scriptures, "judge not , lest ye be not judged," as William's translates it, "Stop criticising others so that ye may not be criticised yourselves." Mt.7v1. This gift is a discerning of spirits, not a discerning of faults. This kind of critical spirit has led some through unspirituality, fear of the supernatural, false tradition, and prejudice to criticise the gift we are discussing.

2. It is not Christian discernment.

Though Christ told us not to have a critical spirit, He also told us to use Christian discernment and test people by the fruit of their lives, so that we might not be deceived by people. Mt.7v5-23. Christ told us to "be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves, in other words we must use Christian discernment with pure Christian love. Mt.10v16. We must be as wise as a serpent but not be as treacherous as one, we must be harmless and loving as a dove. Some mature Christians, like my old grandmother, can spend fifteen minutes in a person's company and sum them up with great accuracy, however, this Christian discernment of character is not the gift of discerning of spirits. It is also not the Christian ability to understand spiritual truths, it is the discerning of spirits.

It is not the normal spiritual discernment that every Christian has as a result of having a born again quickened spirit. Jn.3v3-7. Eph.2v1. Spiritual things are discerned by the spirit that God gives to man, the unconverted natural man cannot comprehend the things of the Holy Spirit, but by the new birth the Christian can. 1Cor.2v9-16. As the Christian's spirit grows it is able to discern more and more, and it is more and more able to receive the revelations of the Holy Spirit. Lk.1v80. 2v42,52. However, the capacity to receive the gift of discerning of spirits is not the gift itself; nor is it the normal ability that every Christian possesses in some measure because of the new birth, to discern false Satanic inspiration, by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The anointing of the Holy Spirit, or lack of it, should also be discerned by born again Christians without the need for a gift of discerning of spirits. Doubtless some Christians have never developed the spiritual powers that the new birth has laid at their disposal, because they have accepted false tradition and resisted the workings and leadings of the Holy Spirit. However, all people, even if they do not possess the gift of discerning of spirits. John tells us in Jn.2v26,27., that the anointing of the Holy Spirit will reveal the power behind the words of seductive false prophets, and the writer to the Hebrews tells us in Heb.5v13,14., that this ability to discern between good and evil grows with Christian maturity, By Christian discernment a Christian can sense or feel the presence of good or evil powers. By a discerning of spirits a Christian can see in vision the activities of good and evil powers, even at a distance, and even in the past and future as well as the present. The discerning of spirits reveals by vision; the anointing of the Holy Spirit that accompanies normal Christian discernment reveals by feeling and inner witness, both have a very important place in the protection of the Church from Satan's wiles. The discerning of spirits is far more specific and illuminating than ordinary Christian discernment, and it has a far wider sphere of operation, and a greater delivering power when in operation.

4. It is not psychology or the study of the workings of the mind.

It is discerning of spirits, not the discerning of minds.

5. It is not to be confused with a word of knowledge.

The revelation of the secrets of people's hearts and minds is in the province of the word of knowledge, the revelation of the influence of good or evil spirits upon a person's mind is in the province of the discerning of spirits.

6. It is not communication with familiar spirits as in Spiritualism.

Spiritualism and associated manifestations such as divination, necromancy, sorcery, occult science, black magic, fortune telling, astrology, and witchcraft, are repeatedly condemned in the Scripture. Lev.19v31. 20v6. Deut.18v8-20. 2Kings.21v2,6. Exod.22v18. with 1Sam.28v6,7. and 1Chron.10v20,21. Gal.5v19-21. 2Thes.2v9-12. with Rev.12v12. and 13v13,14. 1Jn.4v1-5. Rev.21v8. 22v15. God says that all those who do these things are "an abomination unto the Lord" and spiritually defiled. Deut18v8-10. Lev.19v31. Manifestations of spiritual power do exist in Spiritualist meetings, but these are the Satanic counterfeit of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The Spiritualist magicians of Egypt had the power given to them by evil spirits to create serpents, and do other miracles, the source of their power was Satanic and they withstood the gifts of the Holy Spirit through Moses. Ex.7v10-12,20-22. 8v6,7 16-19. with 2Tim.3v8,9.

When the supposed manifestations of the dead occur, they are really familiar spirits impersonating the dead. When King Saul sought the guidance of an impersonating familiar spirit through the witch of Endor, God executed him for it. 1Sam.28v6,7. with 1Chron.10v13,14. The apostle Paul brought judgement upon Elymas for his wickedness and sorcery. Acts.13v1-11. Since the death and resurrection of Christ the souls of the wicked are in Hades and Christ has control of the keys, and there is no communication between the unconverted dead and the living as Lk.16v25,26. makes quite clear. The souls of the righteous dead are now in Heaven in the New Testament dispensation, but there is no record of any communication of the dead with the living other than at the transfiguration of Christ, Lk.9v28-36., and here we need to remember that this was over the redemption of mankind, and that Elijah never died, he was translated by God, and that Moses had to have a special resurrection according to Judev9.. 2Kings.2v3,5,11.

The Old Testament and the New Testament make it quite clear that God does not let the living communicate with the dead 2Sam12v22,23. Eccles.9v5-10. Job.7v7-10,21. 20v5-9. Lk.16v19-31. The Spiritualist is deceived by Satan, and they are only allowed to see what Satan and the powers of darkness allow them to, Satan is a master of illusion and deception, he cleverly cloths delusion and deception with a measure of truth and Scripture, in order to deceive people. The clever display of the familiar spirit in 1Sam.28v8-21., deceived Saul completely, and Satan used these same powers of illusion to try to deceive his creator, the Lord Jesus. Lk.4v1-13. N.B. v5,6. Doubtless the evil spirit that possessed the witch of Endor knew of Samuel's prophecy of 1Sam15v16-28. and Saul's fears, 1Sam.20v30., it would also know the relative strength of the armies and that God would execute Saul because he had consulted a familiar spirit. Lev.18v29. 19v31. 20v6. The familiar spirit knew that God would keep his word, even if Saul did not realise it.

Spiritualists deny most of the major doctrines of Christianity, they deny the authority and inspiration of the Scriptures, the Deity, atonement and resurrection of Christ, and His teaching about Heaven and Hell and eternal punishment. Spiritualists have themselves stated that Christianity and Spiritualism are the very antithesis of each other, and this is certainly true. Christians manifest their gifts by the power of the pure Holy Spirit, the dove; whereas the Scriptures teach that Satan is the source of the manifestations of counterfeit gifts through mediums. Satan, the roaring lion, destroys; Christ, the Lamb, and the Holy Spirit, the dove, save, heal and bless. Christians can experience the lovely gift of discerning of spirits, through Christ our Lamb, and the Holy Spirit our comforter.

7. Discerning of spirits is not to take the place of Scriptural tests of character, or source of inspiration.

Christ said that Christians can and should test a person's source of inspiration, by the fruit of their life, and their doctrine, we need to remember that a person's doctrine is a fruit by which we can test people. Mt.7v15-23. 1Cor.12v3. Isaiah in Is.8v19,20. tells us that if people do not speak according to the Word of God they have no light in them, they are only filled with darkness. The apostle John gives us another striking test in 1Jn.4v1-5., he says that we can test a person's source of inspiration by what they say about the Lord Jesus Christ, do they acknowledge that He is the Messiah who was the Jehovah, Creator, Redeemer and God of the Old Testament if they do they are "of God," if not they are "not of God." Micah.5v2. Is.9v6,7. 7v14. Neh.9v6. and Ps.102.v25-27. with Jn.1v3. Col.1v16,17. Heb.1v8-12. Is.44v6. 41v4. 48v12. with Rev.1v8,17. 22v13.etc. All Christians can and should test false prophets by doctrine, but not all have the gift of discerning of spirits.

Definition.

The gift of discerning of spirits is the supernatural discerning ability given by the Holy Spirit to temporarily see into the spirit world. It can reveal a fragment or a wide range of activity in the spirit-world, either in the past, present or future. It brings the revelation of either good or evil spirits. It can reveal the presence of the angels of God and the ministrations, activities, and accomplishments of the Holy Spirit, and it can be the ultimate means of encouraging a child of God, when they are given visions of Christ, the Father and Heaven. 1Cor.12v1-4. This gift can also reveal the operation of Satanic forces, and can reveal the presence of demon-possessed or demon inspired people, or the demon powers oppressing a person. This gift reveals the unseen source of outward spiritual manifestations, by a vision into the unseen world, so it can deliver us from evil angelic deception. In Eph.6v11. Paul warns us against the "wiles," or rather "stratagems," of the Devil. The gift of discerning of spirits is a God-given gift that can protect individual Christians and churches from the wiles and stratagems of Satan, God can give us visions and reveal the presence and activities of the powers of evil.

Paul warns the Corinthians of Satan's subtle ways of beguiling them, and warns that Satan may come as an angel of light, with another Gospel, another Jesus, another Spirit; in other words Satan would use the same Christian phraseology, but it would mean something entirely different from normal Christian phraseology and doctrine, and all the false cults use this subtle method to deceive people. This gift can on occasions be used to protect us from this kind of seducing spirit, or other kinds of seducing spirits that attack us and the rest of Christ's Church. Satan tries to make his stratagems appear to be of God as 2Cor.11v13-15. informs us, he changes the outward appearance, "meta schemata," but not the inner nature, so what may appear to be of God is sometimes the subtle workings of Satan. People can use the name of God and Jesus in praying for the sick, but because they are not born again Christians, they can be using Satan's power. It is not the use of the name of God or Jesus as a formula that guarantees a person's source of inspiration, it is the conformity to the Scriptures over salvation, holiness and other vital Christian doctrines that proves a person6S source of inspiration. Acts.8v13-23. 16v16-18. Gal.1v6-9. Jn.4v1-5. This gift can show us people who are under the influence of a seducing spirit and a potential menace to the Church of Christ. However, to manifest this gift and deal with evil spirits, a Christian must have a close walk with God and a real humility of mind and heart. Mt.17v1,16,21. Acts.19v11-17. We need God's equipment to deal with Satan's "lying wonders." 2Thes.2v7-12., we need spiritual gifts just as much as the early Church did.

Some have thought that the discerning of spirits covers the area of human deception and pretension, and the workings of the human mind, however, though man has the ability to communicate with God through the spirit God has given him, Paul is obviously not speaking in this capacity, but rather the spirit beings which cannot be discerned by natural means.

Some Examples and Uses of the Gift of Discerning of Spirits.

1. This gift can reveal if Satan or demon power is the cause of sickness.
a. The Bible tells us that sickness is primarily caused by the loss of the tree of life because of Adam's sin. Gen.2v9,16,17. 3v1-24. Ezek.47v7-12. Rom.5v12-14. Rev.22v2. 2v7. Adam's fall brought sickness and death upon mankind.

b. The Bible tells us that sometimes disease and sickness is caused by demons.

Evil spirits are said to be the cause of some sickness, blindness, dumbness, madness and epilepsy. Mt.4v23,24. 8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v23. We read in the Scriptures that Satan takes advantage of the fall of man and oppresses mankind with sickness. Christ came to deliver mankind from Satan's power and malice and to destroy these evil works. Acts.10v38. Jn.8v36. 1Jn.3v8. Lk.4v17-21. 13v10-17. Heb.13v8.

However, we must remember that not all sickness is caused by Satan or demons. In Mt.4v23,24. ordinary sickness is clearly distinguished from demon-possession. Sickness can be the result of natural ageing, neglect of the body, heredity, accident, war, poisoning, infection, etc.; in other words it can be due to natural causes as well as Satan. Epilepsy, mental illness, and nervous breakdown, are not always due to demon -oppression, or demon-possession, these sicknesses can be the result of grief, accident, injury, old-age, overwork, and other natural causes. The Bible tells us that some lunacy can be caused by demon powers, however, the Bible also distinguishes between those who are lunatic through natural causes and those who are ill or lunatic through demon possession. Mt.17v15-18. 4v23,24.

Evil spirits have other activities besides causing illness, they try to cause disease of the soul as well as the body, indeed, disease of the soul is their main aim and their most dangerous work. Mt.4v1-12. 2Cor.4v4. Demons manifest themselves as unclean spirits, lying spirits, seducing spirits, familiar spirits, political spirits, religious spirits, as well as spirits of infirmity that cause physical illness. Mk.1v23,24. 2Chron.18v22. 1Tim.4v1-3. Lev.19v31. 10v6. Deut.18v10-12. Dan.10v12-14,20,21. Eph.6v11-13. 2v1,2. Jn.8v33-47. Mt.15v1-14. Rom.1v19-23.

c. The need for spiritual honesty and spiritual equipment when dealing with demon powers.

We need to remember that it is an abomination to God to make a person think that they have a demon when they have not. Some people who are praying for the sick say a person has a demon, just to cover up their ignorance of the true cause. This kind of thing can cause real agony of mind in a person who is suffering from some quite natural cause of sickness and is neither demon-possessed nor demon-oppressed. Particular care has to be taken with people who may be nervous, run-down, unable to cope with life, or suffering from some mental illness due to brain damage or weakness of the body.

A Christian praying for the sick needs to be spiritually equipped to discern whether a person is suffering sickness as a result of demon oppression, demon possession, or natural illness. It is also very necessary to distinguish between sickness which is the result of demon oppression from outside the body and demon possession from within the body. The best Christian may sometimes suffer sickness as a result of demon oppression. Job.2v4-7. Lk.13v11-16. To hurt people by saying that they have a demon, when they have no such thing, is very wrong, and for this kind of thing we shall have to answer to God.

If a Christian has real power with God it will cause demons to manifest themselves if they are in a person, the demon speaking to the person praying for the possessed one either in the spiritual realm, directly to the mind and spirit, or openly to all through the mouth of the possessed one. Very often a person praying for a demon-possessed person, or demon-oppressed person, will be able to deal with the demon without anybody knowing about it. The revelation of the demon influence and the removal of that demon influence, take place through silent prayer in the heart of the person praying for the sick, without anybody else knowing it, or anybody being hurt or disturbed. At other times demons will openly manifest themselves in public and so they will have to be dealt with openly. Remember that Christ never demanded faith from a person who was mentally sick, or out of their senses because of the oppression or possession of demons. If we walk with the Lord He will give us the power to discern and deal with demons who are causing sickness and opposing the work of God. However, as Mk.9v14-18. makes clear, to deal with some very wicked spirits needs real faith and much prayer.

Some people place to much emphasis on demons when dealing with sickness, we should not always be talking about demons, we should be positive and talk about God. Whatever you do don't suffer from demonitis, don't be looking for demons in everything, or blame everything upon demons, there can be other causes of sickness, and very often sickness can be due to our own actions and foolishness. We also need to remember that Christ cast out demons with His word, not by the laying on of His hands this was probably because demons can be extremely violent. On occasions He asked the name or names of the demons, on other occasions He cast them out without asking them their names, the Holy Spirit will guide us as He did the Lord Jesus if we let Him.

d. It is a sin to tell Christians that they have an evil spirit in them when they are sick, or experiencing stress.

A Christian may be tempted by Satan, and some may give way to seducing spirits in certain areas of their lives, as the Corinthians did. This is, of course, very deplorable and dangerous and can lead to spiritual apostasy, but we must emphatically state that a Christian who is born of the Holy Spirit and washed in the blood of Christ, cannot be possessed by Satan, for Christ Himself promised that this was impossible. Lk.11v9-13. 1Jn.5v18. Like Peter a Christian may be inspired by Satan to say something that is not right, Mt.16v13-27. N.B. v22., or even to temporarily backslide under persecution like Peter in Mt.26v69-75., because of Satanic oppression, but it is quite wicked and wrong to say that they get filled with an evil spirit. The Lord Jesus told us that a Christian cannot receive an evil spirit, they can only receive the clean and pure Holy Spirit. Lk.11v11-13. The apostate Christian who has lost all faith and hates God and righteousness may become demon-possessed, but not the Christian who is walking with God. 1Jn.5v18. It is the empty Christ-less life that gets filled with evil spirits. Mt.12v22-32. Mk.3v22-30. Mt.12v43-45. Those who said that Jesus had an evil spirit were in danger of eternal damnation, and those who say Christians are filled with evil spirits are heading for severe judgement. It is quite wicked to pretend that one has this gift and go around casting demons out of everybody including good Christians. Though I have often seen demon powers attacking Christians, I have never seen a demon in a Christian, nor do I ever expect to.

2. It can reveal a Satanic oppression of the mind.

The first place that Satan attacks in the Christian is the mind, the discerning of spirits can reveal Satan's attacks on the minds of Christians and so bring deliverance and blessing to them. We need to remember that Christ was viciously attacked by Satan in His thoughts, Satan nagged and derided Him and tried to destroy His faith and character, and deter Him from His mission. It is not a sin to be tempted by Satan, victory over His attacks makes us stronger Christians. Satan often plays upon a Christian's limitations, and tells them "You will never do any good," or "You will never do anything for Jesus," or "You will never learn the Scriptures." The writer has seen Christians helped again and again through the revelations of Satanic attacks on their minds and the Holy Spirits ministry by word of knowledge etc.. Sometimes it reveals a Christian who has given way to a seducing spirit and is living in sin, or their mind and thought life is perverted and their doctrine corrupted as a result. The Church of Christ cannot afford to be without this precious ministry.

3. It can reveal a servant of Satan and the power behind Satanic miracles.

The Scriptures warn us that in the last days there will be a great deal of demon activity through false prophets and so we shall need the gift of discerning of spirits even more than we do now. Mt.24v4,5,22-26. 2Thes.2v4-12. Rev.13v11-15. 16v13,14. As we have seen before false prophets can be tested by their life and doctrine, Mt.7v15-23. 1Jn.4v1-9., but sometimes you need to know the spirit moving a person before you can know their lives or doctrine. Sometimes false prophets are so crafty that they hide their true doctrine, but the Holy Spirit can reveal the evil spirit that is with them and so protect us from them. Acts.16v16-18. One of the major obstacles that the early Church had to face was servants of Satan masquerading as servants of God. Acts.8v9-23. 13v6-12. 16v16-18. 19v17-20. When Antichrist and the False Prophet arise the Christian Church will have to face the greatest challenge it has ever known. I believe that God is trying to prepare His Church for these days.

4. It can guard the spiritual life of a Christian or a Church.

a. It can reveal Satan's attempts to corrupt and hinder God's work.

Satan tries to infiltrate churches with His children, or corrupt churches from within, he tries to bring in unscriptural religion and low standards. He tries to divide the churches by party spirit and bigotry. Acts.5v3,4. 2Cor.11v3,4,13-15. Eph.6v11. The apostle John received the revelation of Satan's activities in the seven churches in Asia and so he was able to warn the churches. Rev.2 and 3. Paul warns us of the activities of evil spirits in these last days and tells us to take heed. 1Tim.4v1-7. 2Pet.2v1-4. Peter had a revelation from God, then shortly after he had one from Satan, Christ through the Holy Spirit perceived the source of both. Mt.16v22,23. To protect the church and ourselves we often need the same experience. The Holy Spirit can preserve us from evil by revealing the source of a doctrine, revelation, statement or action within a church.

By the discerning of spirits and a word of knowledge the Holy Spirit can reveal the source of a struggle for power in a church and the strategy behind it. 1Cor.1v10-13. 3v1-4. The Devil loves to have the carnal in control of a church or a denomination, and central government is Satan's delight, because he can control so many people with a few unspiritual or carnal people. He has only to corrupt a few people to influence a great number of people.

b. It can reveal the power behind persecution, blasphemy and slander.

Paul's thorn in the flesh was a messenger of Satan, i.e. an angel of Satan, which stirred up persecution and trouble for Paul wherever he went. 2Cor.12v9. Gal.6v17. 2Cor.11v23-12v12. Christ explained that the persecution that He endured was from Satan. Mk.3v22-30. Jn.8v44. 2Chron.18v22. We can be prepared for persecution before it happens by the revelation of the activities of evil spirits stirring up trouble against us.

c. It can check manifestations that occur in meetings.

The wise leader will be very careful when strangers manifest spiritual gifts in meetings, for Satan can send in fanatics, Spiritualists, or people speaking in known languages to deceive. There are also the arrogant who are determined to manifest tongues and other spiritual gifts whether the Holy Spirit moves them or not, by word of knowledge and discerning of spirits this abuse can be discerned.

We also have to be careful that we don't miss the moving of God's Holy Spirit by spiritual lethargy, deafness and insensibility. Open Satanic manifestations through Satan's children do not occur very often in Christian meetings, though they have occasionally occurred in big public meetings. We are more likely to get into trouble by failing to discern a genuine move of the Holy Spirit, as the late Donald Gee says on page 51 of his book "Concerning Spiritual Gifts:-

"Much harm has been done, and the work of God grievously hindered, by unspiritual or prejudiced people judging and condemning a real work of God because it did not conform to their personal standards of just how the Almighty should manifest His power."

Revivals have been hindered by ministers and others who objected to the strong workings by the Spirit of God upon the emotions, and this has hastily been put down as "false excitement," "hysteria," etc.. Note an experience of John Wesley's taken from his Journal under the date of Dec. 24th., 1739: "Toward morning, one of them was overwhelmed with joy and love, and could not help showing it by strong cries and tears. At this another was much displeased, saying, 'It is only nature, imagination, and animal spirits.' O thou jealous God, law not this sin to her charge; and let us not be wise above what is written." Wesley had need of that prayer today for some we have met.---- Those who pretend to pass judgement in spiritual matters must be prepared to show their credentials of personal spiritual experience. Unfortunately a great many people condemn wholesale manifestations and experiences connected with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts who have practically no personal experience of either. We bluntly ask. Are they in a position to judge? Both the New Testament and common reason agree in giving a negative reply."

We have to be very careful lest we hinder the workings of the Holy Spirit by unscriptural tradition, prejudice, unbelief, fear of the supernatural, and a determination to run to time or the plan or order that we have previously arranged. We need above all things to discern the plans and movings of the Holy Spirit.

d. It can deliver the church from deadly persecution.

The apostle Paul was converted by a vision of Christ as he was travelling to Damascus to persecute the Christians there. The vision of the risen Christ accomplished what augment and even miracles could not accomplish, it brought Saul to immediate repentance. Acts.9v1-25. This is an unusual way for people to be converted, but it is certainly by far the most powerful way that God can speak to the soul of man.

e. The discerning of spirits can be the ultimate in encouragement to the Christian.

It can reveal God our heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus, and good angels and this can have the most tremendous effect on a person's life, it always transformed the ministries of the prophets and New Testament apostles, indeed it was the visions of God that made the Old Testament prophets what they were. Exod.3v1-6. Numb.22v22-32. Judges13v3,8-21. 1Kings.22v19. 2Kings.6v17. Is.6v1-13. Ezek.1v1-28. Lk.1v10-38. Mt.28v2-7. Acts.7v55. 12v7-10. How this gift inspires to new heights of service and new holiness of life, and how valuable it is in persecution. Ezek.33v18-23. Lk.9v27-36. Rev.1v9-18. What a comfort and assurance this gift can bring. It makes the unseen world real and vivid and makes the Bible come alive. For those who have a difficult task to do for God it is almost indispensable, for this gift can give us the strength to do the will of God even in the most difficult and impossible situations. Lk.22v41-46. Acts.27v21-26. Paul suffered the most consistent murderous persecution, five times he received 39 stripes, three times he was beaten with rods, and he suffered a multitude of other sufferings; what was it that kept him going? A vision of the glorified Christ on the Damascus road, another vision of Christ at Jerusalem, a vision of the glories of Heaven, and other wonderful spiritual experiences of his Lord's presence and power. Acts.9v3-6. 22v17-21. 2Cor.11v16 to12v7. N.B. 12v4. Paul experienced the ultimate in Christian encouragement, he saw his Lord, and this vision lived with him through the tremendous persecution he suffered down through his life.

We can see that the gift of discerning of spirits varies a great deal in the way it is manifested, it is one thing to have a simple revelation of a demon, it is quite another to see the Lord upon His throne and hear direct commands from Him, this is the ultimate in Christian experience.

All the realms of knowledge come within the scope of these three gifts of revelation, the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits. These three gifts of revelation have brought to us all the revelations of God found in the Scriptures, the book of Revelation is a result of the continuous manifestation of these three mighty gifts. What power they possess. What a blessing they can be. Beloved, let us earnestly desire these lovely spiritual gifts. These three gifts guide the gifts of power in their ministrations, and provide the Church of Christ with the wisdom and knowledge to attack the evil works of Satan, without them the Church is comparatively powerless and quite unable to perform the works that its Lord desires it to. Beloved earnestly desire spiritual gifts, so that Christ's will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.


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