Discernment, and the gift of discerning spirits

[Brad Huber]

Ya very interesting thoughts, I have sensed spirits many times as well, but not sure if that would really fit with the discern of spirits gift, but interesting thoughts indeed.

LOL, its literally in the topic....discernment of spirits. I dont understand why you wouldnt think this is the same thing.

 

[Gerbolski]

LOL, its literally in the topic....discernment of spirits. I dont understand why you wouldnt think this is the same thing.

I know it is in the statement, but in what way is it so, for all believers sense spirits, and I am not saying it has nothing to do with that at all, but in what way.

Because if all believers can sense in the spirit which they can, then what about this:

1Co 12:10-11
(10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

It does not say to all, and the Spirit divides severally as he wills.

Could it be to some degree a special gift of sensing in the spirit or of even actually seeing the actual spirit in people, is referred to?

Could it be a combination of both ?

If all believers can sense in the spirit, and the special gift of discernment of spirits are only given to some, then were is the differentiating line ?

I think we laugh a little too quickly at people, at times.

 

[Gerbolski]

LOL, its literally in the topic....discernment of spirits. I dont understand why you wouldnt think this is the same thing.

And Brad I am trying to understand this topic better, it is evident that there is natural discernment (discerning between good and evil), and discerning of spirits.

It is in the text.

But are you understanding my reasoning ?

If all believers can sense in the spirit, and that the Corinthians gift is only for some, then there has to be some difference.

It may just be some special gift to were these people because of that gift, sense spirits in a deeper way, and at more frequent intervals, but it may be also actually seeing the actual spirit behind someone.

Just want to understand it better, and obviously there is some type of differentiation.

 

[Gerbolski]

This is a topic I have not discussed much in the past, trying to get a better understanding of it, and want to be honest with each verse.

 

[Gerbolski]

I say thanks to everyone who has participated in this discussion, it has been thought provoking, and yes Brad what you said was thought provoking as well.

I have been kind of going back and forth in my thoughts as we have been discussing these things.

Especially upon thinking upon the gift of discerning of spirits.

My thoughts were either it is a gift that enables one to see the actual spirit behind a person, or a special God given ability to sensing the spirits in a deeper way.

And then I thought upon how all Christians to one degree or another sense spirits.

But the special gift of discerning of spirits is only given to some, so then there must be a difference.

It is possible, and maybe even likely that it has to do with both a gift that enables to see an actual spirit behind a person, and a special gift that enables people to operate in the sensing of spirits at more frequent intervals.

I am starting to think more that the key word of differentiation, might be in the actual word "gift".

So then if it is, then sensing an evil spirit in and of itself, does not necessarily mean you have this gift of discerning of spirits, but if it is activated in you in a manner that is more frequent, than you just might have this gift.

I am not here to judge if you have this gift or not, just provoking us to thinking a little bit.

 

[Gerbolski]

For me, myself, if I do not know for a certainty if I have a certain gift of the Spirit or not, then I refuse to say that I do.

In Christ we have nothing to prove, we are not at competition with one another, if something is, it is, if something is not, than it is not.

 

[Gerbolski]

And these special gifts of the spirit in Corinthians, seem to be in one fashion of another, a gift that indwells this or that believer.

 

[Brad Huber]

And Brad I am trying to understand this topic better, it is evident that there is natural discernment (discerning between good and evil), and discerning of spirits.

It is in the text.

But are you understanding my reasoning ?

If all believers can sense in the spirit, and that the Corinthians gift is only for some, then there has to be some difference.

It may just be some special gift to were these people because of that gift, sense spirits in a deeper way, and at more frequent intervals, but it may be also actually seeing the actual spirit behind someone.

Just want to understand it better, and obviously there is some type of differentiation.

Yes, sometimes I see the actual spirit behind someone, but even more often than that I see the spirits of animals, I assume there is a reason for this, but I myself dont know why.

 

[Brad Huber]

I know it is in the statement, but in what way is it so, for all believers sense spirits, and I am not saying it has nothing to do with that at all, but in what way.

Because if all believers can sense in the spirit which they can, then what about this:

1Co 12:10-11
(10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
(11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

It does not say to all, and the Spirit divides severally as he wills.

Could it be to some degree a special gift of sensing in the spirit or of even actually seeing the actual spirit in people, is referred to?

Could it be a combination of both ?

If all believers can sense in the spirit, and the special gift of discernment of spirits are only given to some, then were is the differentiating line ?

I think we laugh a little too quickly at people, at times.

Discernment of spirits is a spiritual gift which not everyone has, just like not everyone can heal or prophetically speak the word of God. God purposely seperated them out amoung His children so that they would be more of a community working together with our different gifts. Otherwise people would purposely be more like an island, not needing the help of others and its not good for us to be on our own. But the natural discernment that everyone has differing amounts of is just you know what is wrong and right, not meaning you always choose what is right, but you know inherently that its right or wrong. Some people, especially those not in the Lord have a harder time knowing whats right and wrong, as I am sure you have noticed this before. Its when we turn to the Lord and are saved, that we are less likely to be deceived as to whats right and wrong.