“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:5

“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.” 1 Corinthians 12:10

Discerning = to distinguish, discern, judge, disputation

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

Try = to test, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy

A discerning spirit is rooted in a knowledge of right and wrong.

A discerning person will be quick to explain, “Here’s the trap satan set and here’s how to get out of it.”

We must know right from wrong in practice; know how to apply God’s truth to our lives and how to live in obedience to His commandments. We are to say plainly to them, “this is right behavior, this is wrong behavior”.

Begin to teach a child at a young age what is right and wrong. See Deuteronomy 6:6-9

The importance of the word:

“For the word of God s quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the diving asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130

“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies: and they shall hallow my Sabbaths.” Ezekiel 44:23-24

Read Hebrews 5:13-14

You will grow in discernment as you remain in His Word.

Our culture is opposed to the Truth of God. People that don’t want the Truth, will not have discernment.

“As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity; but peace shall be upon Israel.” Psalm 125:5

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Fable = fiction, a fable, an invention, a falsehood

What are some consequences of not being able to discern?

“Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“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.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

The enemy will try to get you to doubt the Word of God. If you do not understand parts of God’s Word, ask God.

“But the comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, 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.” John 14:26

You must learn not to listen to false teachers.

“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.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Be sensitive to your surroundings.

“Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

“But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4

Can you recall a time where you experienced a negative influence in your surroundings?

Remain in submission to God = Reliance

“Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Wiles = cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery

For further reading: Psalm 40:4, 70:5, 141:8-10