Discernment is a gift from God. As a spirit filled believer I actually believe, know that I do not have to consider beforehand what I shall speak in any situation. As I remain close Him I am certain that He will supply every bit of speech and knowledge that is required.
It depends in no way upon any natural talent, education, experience or credentials we may or may not have. So the excellency of the gift is always plainly from Him. That is except for those deceived puffed up individuals that seek to skim off part of the glory for themselves.
For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
1 Corinthians 4:7 NASB
Discernment allows us to see this glory theft in others we hear that are supposedly speaking in His name. TV preachers and teachers are some of the most common glory seekers.
The gift of discernment will move
1. Instantly
2. With total assurance.
The gift of discernment and the gift of word(s) of knowledge often work simultaneously.
All spiritual gifts are for use in love. Period. Once as I stood by the door of our church a young man stormed by me in anger. I caught him and began to speak with him. He was the boyfriend of a young woman that was attending there. As he went by me obviously agitated and angered the Lord through discernment of spirits and word of knowlege showed me in an instant what was going on. During the service an evil spirit of condemnation began to speak to him with all kinds of lies and condemnations. Not being wise to the Devil's ploys he received those lies and felt hopeless regarding his situation. The Holy Spirit allowed me to speak peacefully to him and tell him what was going down spiritually. His peace returned and he was restored from the enemy's attack.
This is an example of the workings of the spiritual gifts of God. For love and restoration. Not for fleshly puffing up. Love covers the multitude of sins.
That the gifts of the spirit move by will of the Holy Spirit and not by natural abilities are shown in a testimony by Corrie Ten Boom. Corrie started different groups of young girls in prayer and bible study. Some were special and learning disadvantaged from birth. Even so the wonderful things some of them said made it plain that the Holy Spirit operated freely through their innocent hearts.
Corrie asked one such girl whaf was the difference between a preacher and a prophet. The girl answered "a preacher stands with his back to God and His face toward the people. A prophet stands with his back to the people and his face toward God".
What a powerful answer that could only have come from God!
In discernment the important things are aways;
1. We are totally dependent upon Him.
2. His strength is made perfect in weakness
3. We must needs leave the burden upon Him
4. Discernment will instantly cause you to know a thing or things that you did not know a micro second before.
5. Discernment will always move in love and never in judgement.
As we are told in James as a wonderful guide.
The discernment /wisdom from above is;
1. First pure
2. Then peaceable
3. Gentle
4. Easy to implement
5. Full of mercy
6. Full of good fruits
7. With no hypocrisy
8. With no partiality
James 3:17 KJVS
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
