1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV): But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
We shall look at this gift of discerning of spirits today. The word 'discern' here is 'diakrisis' in Greek, from the word 'diakrino' meaning 'to separate thoroughly', or in other words, 'to differentiate (between 'what is' and 'what is not')'. Just as some have, for example, the gift of faith, but all can exercise faith in their lives, or some have a specific gift of healing, but all can pray for healing when the need arises, it is the same with this gift of discerning of spirits. Some have this gift of discerning of spirits, but all can discern (i.e. to differentiate between 'what is' and 'what is not') with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I am writing on this topic because the Lord recently spoke that 'many are going to make key decisions and crucial decisions in life, ministry, career, or business in the weeks to come'. We all need the Holy Spirit to know and discern 'what is of God and what is not', or 'what is God's will and what is not', and even discerning if it is 'a lie or not' (as in Acts 5:1-5 when Peter discerned a lie). As a matter of fact, there is a very thin line between what is a 'truth' (from God) and what is a 'lie' (being conjured up by the enemy) in the world we are living in today. That's why all the more we cannot rely merely on our own wisdom and intelligence, but on the Holy Spirit who is all-wise and all-knowing.
Indeed, this is a time to involve the Holy Spirit to lead you, prompt you, teach you, guide you, and correct you in all your decision-makings in life. Proverbs 9:7-9 says, 'He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, and he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser. Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning'. May we be like the wise man Proverbs 9:7-9 talks about.
In Matthew 10:16, Jesus says, 'Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless (gentle) as doves'. It means no matter how 'cunning' the 'serpents' (i.e. the enemy) are, you can be even wiser (Proverbs 9:7-9) and not be deceived by them!
By the way, 'being wise' = 'knowing what to do and how to go about doing it'.
People of God, it is also important to choose friends, associates, or partner (in life, ministry, business) who fear the Lord (i.e. having reverential fear of the Lord). You know why? Because Proverbs 9:10-11 says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me (i.e. wisdom) your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you'. In other words, those who fear the Lord in all that they are (and do) will have wisdom of God following them, and they will not easily be deceived into walking out of the will of God! They are humble enough to be 'bended' and 'corrected' by the Lord when they start to go 'off-track', hence prevented from stepping into 'pitfalls' or 'landmines' in life!
And why is wisdom of God so important in life? The answer is found in Ecclesiastes 8:1 that says, 'Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine...' See? Wisdom makes your face shine! Not only that, wisdom clears the path for you, and causes your path to shine brighter and brighter till the day Jesus comes! (see Proverbs 4:18)
Ecclesiastes 8:5 then says, 'He who keeps his command will experience nothing harmful; and a wise man's heart discerns both time (timing) and judgment (i.e. the ability to make the right judgment in life)'. The word 'discern' here is 'yada' in Hebrew, meaning 'to have understanding (of what is and what is not), and to recognize the difference'.
As the saying goes, 'Practice makes perfect'. This is true even in training (and exercising) your spirit man and spiritual senses to discern. Pray in the spirit much! That is the key. Every time you pray in the spirit, you are activating (and strengthening) your spirit man (1 Corinthians 14:4, 1 Corinthians 14:14, Jude 1:20) and exercising your spiritual senses to discern! Hebrews 5:13-14 says, 'For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age (spiritually mature), that is, those who by reason of use (practice) have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (i.e. 'what is of God and what is not')'.
Another important key in making the right decisions in life is that whatever decision you make must 'pass through' the Word of God. Why? Because Hebrews 4:12-13 says, 'For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account'. See the word 'discerner' here? This word is 'kritikos' in Greek, from the word 'krino' meaning 'to differentiate, to distinguish, to decide (mentally or judicially) like a judge'. In other words, the Word of God discovers the condition and the intents of the heart, and it is a foolproof way (i.e. simple, plain and clear, leaving no opportunity for error) to help you make the right decisions in life.
People of God, as you enter a season of the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this is also a time to desire the Holy Spirit to teach you to discern in everything you do and in every area of your life (1 Corinthians 14:1). The Word of God says the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17). Ask of Him, and you will receive! Amen!
