One of the 9 spiritual gifts listed in 1 Cor 12 is ‘discerning of spirits’. The Pentecostals / Charismatics believe that this gift (Greek: charisma) is a special (supernatural) ability given to certain Pentecostals / Charismatics. This gift is similar to other charisma in 1 Cor 12:4-11 such as speaking in tongues, supernatural healings, words of wisdom and knowledge, direct prophecy given by God and miracles (power). This ability to ‘discern spirits’ is to innately detect whether people are speaking by the Holy Spirit or by evil spirits. It is true that in the Apostolic Church, this was a necessary gift to be able to differentiate between true and false prophecy. However, upon completion of the New Testament by the Apostolic Church this gift ceased as well as the other supernatural gifts. All these gifts were important witnesses of the Apostolic Church and served to spread the Gospel in the 1st Century A.D. These gifts also have important symbolic, spiritual truths as well. Discernment of spirits today occurs by the indwelling Holy Spirit working through God’s people using the Bible in order to distinguish truth from error. This is very important since demons reside within churches during the Last Days. Please click on You Tube video. Or, continue with this study below.
Pentecostal / Charismatic Beliefs – Discerning of Spirits
Discerning of Spirits – Key Passages
What is Discernment of Spirits
Spiritual Gifts (charisma) Passages – New Testament
Pentecostal / Charismatic Beliefs – Discerning of Spirits
- Certain Pentecostals / Charismatics can discern spirits
- Special spiritual gift (1 Cor 12:10)
- Ability to determine if a spiritual gift is from Holy Spirit or an evil spirit (demon)
- Gifts of prophecy, tongues, healings
- Judge demonic possession versus physical illness
- Sources:
- Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, Burgess / McGee, Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
- https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Discernment_of_Spirits
Discerning of Spirits – Key Passages
- But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit … To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues … (1Co 12:7,10)
- Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1Th 5:21)
- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1Jn 4:1)
- And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge. (1Co 14:29, MKJV)
What is Discernment of Spirits
It is important to understand that a human being is made up of three parts: spirit, soul and body: There are distinct differences between the spirit and the soul:
- And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1Th 5:23)
- Spirit – connection to God
- Christians are spiritually made alive – Eph 2:-6, John 3:3, etc.
- Soul (a.k.a., life) – connection to the creation
- Currently the earth, future – new earth
- Soul to be saved at the Last Day – 1 Pet 1:8-9
- Body
- Glorified, spiritual bodies – 1 Cor 15:35-54
- Spirit – connection to God
- Spirits
- God and angels
- Satan and demons
Meaning of Discernment:
- … To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues … (1Co 12:7,10)
- Discerning – Greek: diakrisis, diakrino
- Literally, ‘through judgment’ (judge thoroughly)
- And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge. (1Co 14:29, MKJV)
- But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:14)
- … Foul weather today; for the sky is red and gloomy. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky, but you cannot see the signs of the times! (Mat 16:3, MKJV)
- Discerning – Greek: diakrisis, diakrino
Discerning of Spirits
G1253 – diakrisis – 3 occurrences – discern
- But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Heb 5:14)
- 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: (1Co 12:10)
- Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (Rom 14:1)
G1252 – diakrino – 19 occurrences – judge thoroughly, contend
- And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (Mat 16:3)
- Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. (Mat 21:21)
- For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mar 11:23)
- Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. (Act 10:20)
- And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, (Act 11:2)
- And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: (Act 11:12)
- And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Act 15:9)
- He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (Rom 4:20)
- And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (Rom 14:23)
- For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1Co 4:7)
- I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (1Co 6:5)
- For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. (1Co 11:29)
- For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1Co 11:31)
- Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1Co 14:29)
- But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (Jas 1:6)
- Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? (Jas 2:4)
- Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. (Jud 1:9)
- And of some have compassion, making a difference: (Jud 1:22)
Spiritual Gifts (charisma) Passages – New Testament
1 Cor 12
- Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 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: But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1Co 12:4-11)
- And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. (1Co 12:28-31)
Eph 4
- And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Eph 4:11-15)
Ro 12
- For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:3-8)
1 Pet 4
- As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1Pe 4:10-11)
Gifts
- Greek: charisma (G5486) – 17 occurrences – a grace, favor that is given
- For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; (Rom 1:11)
- But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Rom 5:15)
- And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. (Rom 5:16)
- For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:23)
- For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom 11:29)
- Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (Rom 12:6)
- So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1Co 1:7)
- For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. (1Co 7:7)
- Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1Co 12:4)
- To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (1Co 12:9)
- And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1Co 12:28)
- Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1Co 12:30)
- But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent (1Co 12:31)
- Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. (2Co 1:11)
- Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. (1Ti 4:14)
- Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. (2Ti 1:6)
- As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1Pe 4:10)
- G5487 – Greek: charitoo – 2 occurrences
- To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Eph 1:6)
- And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (Luk 1:28)
- G5485 – Greek: charis – 156 occurrences – grace, thanks, pleasure, favor, liberality
- G5483 – Greek: charizomai – 23 occurrences – give, gave, forgiven
- And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. (Luk 7:21)
- And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? (Luk 7:42)
- Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (Luk 7:43)
- But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; (Act 3:14)
- For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. (Act 25:11)
- To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. (Act 25:16)
- Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. (Act 27:24)
- He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Rom 8:32)
- Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1Co 2:12)
- So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. (2Co 2:7)
- To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; (2Co 2:10)
- For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. (2Co 12:13)
- For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. (Gal 3:18)
- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. (Eph 4:32)
- For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Php 1:29)
- Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (Php 2:9)
- And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Col 2:13)
- Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do (Col 3:13)
- But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. (Phm 1:22)
- G350 (Greek: anakrino) – 16 occurrences – ‘up judge’ – intensely examine
- Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: (Luk 23:14)
- If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; (Act 4:9)
- And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there (Act 12:19)
- These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Act 17:11)
- Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. (Act 24:8)
- Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. (Act 28:18)
- But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:14)
- But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1Co 2:15)
- But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. (1Co 4:3)
- For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. (1Co 4:4)
- Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, (1Co 9:3)
- Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: (1Co 10:25)
- If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. (1Co 10:27)
- But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (1Co 14:24)
- G4793 (Greek: sugkrino) – literally, together judge – 3 occurrences
- Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13)
- For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (2Co 10:12)
Signs and Wonders have Ceased
Please visit the ‘signs and wonders have ceased’ page on this website.
- Signs and wonders were an ‘Apostolic’ gift during the 1st Century A.D. – Mat 10:1, etc.
- An Apostle is a ‘Sent one’ who was a first hand witness of Jesus Christ – 1 Cor 15:7-9
- Signs and wonders validated apostolic authority – 2 Cor 12:12, Heb 2:3-4
- Signs and wonders were as also symbols of spiritual truth (Gospel) – Ro 15:19, etc.
- Signs and wonders (e.g., tongues) ceased after:
- Word of God completed by Apostles – 2 Pet 3:2, Jude 17, Eph 3:3-5, 1 Cor 15:6-8, Rev 22:18, Pro 30:6, etc.
Symbolic Meaning – Charisma
- Word of wisdom / knowledge – Bible truths (OT and NT)
- Faith – special faith (all Christians have faith)
- Healing – salvation / sanctification
- See previous video
- Miracles – power of Holy Spirit’s work in Christians
- Prophecy – all Christians have the hope of Christ’s return
- Discerning of spirits – Bible study / Holy Spirit leads to truth
- New Testament interprets Old
- Tongues / interpretation – new song of salvation by God’s people
Discernment of Spirits Today
- Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats … (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
- Demons in the church
False Teaching – Spirit of Antichrist
- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try 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 confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesses 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 is it in the world. (1 John 4:1-3)
- Christianity is often blended with new age mystic religions
- ‘Christ’ means ‘anointed one’ (Prophet, Priest, King)
Ministers in the Church
- But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Cor 11:3-4)
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- Simplicity = singleness (no hypocrisy)
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- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Cor 11:13-15)
False Prophets
- Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (2Th 2:1-3)
- Thus says the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! (Eze 13:3)
Babylon – Idolatry / False Prophecy
- Babylon – false Christian churches and parachurches
- And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her … (Rev 18:2-3)
- And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (Revelation 16:13)
- Unclean spirits are demons
- Mouth is where words come out of
How to Discern Spirits
- Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13)
- Comparing – Greek: sugkrino – literally, judge together
- But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1Co 2:14)
- But he that is spiritual judges all things … For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:15-16)
- Judges – Greek: anakrino – literally, up judges (intensely examine)
Holy Spirit – the Truth of the Word of God
- But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Joh 14:26)
- But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of me (Joh 15:26)
- 1 Corinthians 2 – Important Method to Discern Truth
- … the things which God hath prepared for them that love him … God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit … the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God. (1Co 2:9-11)
- Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1Co 2:12)
Comparing Spiritual with Spiritual
- Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1Co 2:13)
- Comparing – Greek: sugkrino – literally, judge together
- It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (Joh 6:63)
- Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1)
- Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? … For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little (Isa 28:9-10)
Christian Judgment of Spirits
- Judging – to make a decision / determination
- But he that is spiritual judges all things … For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1Co 2:15-16)
- Judges – Greek: anakrino – literally, up judges (intensely examine)
- Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? (1Co 6:2)
- Christians do not judge whether someone will become saved – 1 Cor 4:5