Lord, what do you want me to know about discernment?
Discernment – the Greek word is anakrino
Definition:
to examine or judge, to investigate, examine, enquire into, scrutinise, sift, question specifically in a forensic sense of a judge to hold an investigation
to interrogate, examine the accused or witnesses to judge of, estimate, determine the excellence or defects of any person or thing.
Discernment is mentioned 167 times in scripture in one form or another.
Do you know who had amazing discernment?
Deborah…Deborah – the judge
Deborah was a woman of great wisdom, revelation, and discernment.
Discernment is critical in this hour.
Mission critical.
I’ve noticed a theme in the body of Christ.
We lack it.
We lack discernment.
We sign up for anything with a Jesus bumper sticker on it….or….we run screaming away from Holy Spirit, trying to quench Him as quickly as humanly possible.
This shows a tragic lack of discernment on both ends of the spectrum.
It’s scary that evil spirits have better discernment than most believers. Yes…evil spirits discern.
Evil spirits were not ignorant as to who Jesus is…
Mark 1:34
34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Luke 4:41
41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
Luke 4:33-34
33 In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34 “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Evil spirits are also not ignorant to true Holy Spirit-filled believers…
Acts 16:17
17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
The discerning of spirits is critical, multifaceted, and a spiritual gift from God.
Holy Spirt, angelic spirits, human spirits, and evil spirits….all can be discerned.
To discern spirits, we must dwell with Him who is holy, and He will give the revelation and unveil the mask of satanic power on all lines.” Smith Wigglesworth
It’s more than this, however…it’s more than knowing an angel from a devil.
What does discernment mean in the Bible?
The word discernment and discern are derivatives of a Greek word anakrino. This means “to distinguish, to separate out by diligent search, to examine.” Discernment allows us to properly make decisions. It is closely related to wisdom.
I believe discernment is where wisdom intersects with knowledge. It’s where we see, hear, taste, smell, and perceive with our spiritual senses.
We not only know what is right – but we know how to walk it out – by the unction of Holy Spirit.
Those with this gift should be considered for leadership roles or as a resource for leadership. They offer a clear and concise view from a spiritual perspective. They have the ability to observe and weigh situations from a different vantage point. They can see from where they’re seated – with Christ Jesus.
1. Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
2. 2 Timothy 2:7 “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”
3. James 3:17 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
4. Proverbs 17:27-28 “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise, when he closes his lips he is deemed intelligent.”
5. Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.””
6. Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
Discernment isn’t suspicion.
Suspicion often tries to mask as discernment.
Suspicion is fueled by insecurity and is not holy.
Discernment also allows us to accurately judge prophecy, a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, the intentions behind a “thing”, the accuracy of a sermon, or the interpretation of scripture.
I will tell you this – I highly doubt God gives discernment to a man or woman ignorant to His word.
If we want DISCERNMENT, we need to be BIBLICALLY LITERATE.
I don’t mean listening to 45 different pastors – prophets – or teachers, with 45 differing theologies, on 45 different secondary issues….
I mean getting alone with God and studying out the word of God with THE ONE WHO BREATHED IT.
• Discernment comes with FEAR OF THE LORD.
• Discernment balances wisdom with knowledge.
• Discernment knows cause and effect.
• Discernment knows God never contradicts nor changes His word.
• Discernment doesn’t think everything’s a demon
• Discernment judges prophecy by the Spirit and cross references it with the word of God.
• Discernment speaks less and observes more.
• Discernment does not look to what is seen but to what God said.
Let us all pray for discernment.
We desperately need it in this hour.
The Lord has to shorten the days because if not, even the elect would be deceived.
Why?
A LACK OF DISCERNMENT.
To learn more about Heidi and her Kingdom passion, visit Kingdom Come Home
Featured Image by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
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