"Moreover, to another working of miracles, moreover, to another discerning of spirits, and to a different one various kind of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues."1
Notice the structure, to another. to a different one, it is being clear as to distribution of these gifts. As Paul writes these gifts work to the edification of the body, for the purpose of ministry. Some times we put so much authority in a few, ones with specific gifts, but lets look at the gifts of apostles and specifically at the gift of discerning spirits.
The disciples were arguing on several occasions as to who would be greatest in the kingdom of God. Maybe they sensed what was coming, the kingdom of God on earth as in heaven, or maybe they were still focused on the earthly kingdom as man sees it. Jesus did not sit down and say explicitly you are the leader... even the appointment of deacons and such was after Jesus. Though he did implicitly, not according to favoritism, but according to gift I believe. Look at Peter, would not we agree Peter had great faith? "and to a different one the faith by the same Spirit."2 It is truly Spirit and Truthin which we worship God. We know faith comes by the Word of God and the Spirit draws, empowers, anoints, gives gifts... a gift of faith is given by the Spirit.
Now, John was the "beloved" he writes such intimate details about Jesus, the Word in the beginning, who created all things, bringing light to men, bread of life, and who gives living water... his insight is meaningful to the body, "what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."4 Would not we say Love is gift of the Spirit? as Paul writes it is the greatest gift to be desired.5 John understood this love that motivates people to follow Jesus, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure."6 Now, look at the other apostles, could we say the apostles were chosen or given gifts to the edification of the body? The church was built on the apostles and prophets with Jesus being the Rock, cornerstone, and there were twelve. Could we find that "gift" given for each apostle? given to the edification of the church.
Hello, My Name Is
Notice the structure, to another. to a different one, it is being clear as to distribution of these gifts. As Paul writes these gifts work to the edification of the body, for the purpose of ministry. Some times we put so much authority in a few, ones with specific gifts, but lets look at the gifts of apostles and specifically at the gift of discerning spirits.
The disciples were arguing on several occasions as to who would be greatest in the kingdom of God. Maybe they sensed what was coming, the kingdom of God on earth as in heaven, or maybe they were still focused on the earthly kingdom as man sees it. Jesus did not sit down and say explicitly you are the leader... even the appointment of deacons and such was after Jesus. Though he did implicitly, not according to favoritism, but according to gift I believe. Look at Peter, would not we agree Peter had great faith? "and to a different one the faith by the same Spirit."2 It is truly Spirit and Truthin which we worship God. We know faith comes by the Word of God and the Spirit draws, empowers, anoints, gives gifts... a gift of faith is given by the Spirit.
Now, John was the "beloved" he writes such intimate details about Jesus, the Word in the beginning, who created all things, bringing light to men, bread of life, and who gives living water... his insight is meaningful to the body, "what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God."4 Would not we say Love is gift of the Spirit? as Paul writes it is the greatest gift to be desired.5 John understood this love that motivates people to follow Jesus, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure."6 Now, look at the other apostles, could we say the apostles were chosen or given gifts to the edification of the body? The church was built on the apostles and prophets with Jesus being the Rock, cornerstone, and there were twelve. Could we find that "gift" given for each apostle? given to the edification of the church.
Now lets look at the gift of discerning spirits. Does God's sovereignty supersede His Word? Lets take for example the nation of Israel. If there is a returning of the nation of Israel at the end, so be it, I support Israel and pray they all turn to Jesus. If we agree Jesus will set up his throne in Jerusalem and reign for 1,000 years then this implies that Jesus reigns, and He is the Way, truth, and life and only way to the Father, as the Word speaks. Anything against Christ is anti-Christ. So put aside the debate whether Israel, the earthly, is under an old covenant or will be redeemed at a future time. Now, today is the day of salvation, and the Bible says the Jew is one who is of the circumcision of the heart, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, sealed by the Spirit of God, born from above.
We tend to focus on the external, the person, but often it is the spirit behind the person we do not see. Many Christians have strongholds, we are not to tear down each other but to tear down strongholds. God may allow us to discern spirits in organizations, such is not an easy thing. You may be the one labeled disobedient, the one causing division and strife, but such is the duty of those who are given such a gift. And there are Biblical principles that work, remember people who do good like the light, they are ok if you come to them. Don't gossip and take it to others but follow the Biblical principle of going to them in private, mediation, take it before the church... have witnesses if you charge a leader, these things work to protect you... And such comes with training, you fight spirits not with the same spirit of attack, but wise as a serpent, gentle as a dove. There are spirits at work, strongholds as Paul writes, doctrines of demons have entered in, there purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy the work of God.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses..."
So we learn that we do not fight flesh and blood but things in high places, "arguments overthrowing and every high thing lifting itself up against the knowledge of God and taking captive every thought into obedience to God."9 It is a spiritual battle and includes the logical mind. This word for argument is logismos, (from logízomai, "to reckon") – properly, "bottom-line" reasoning that reflects someone's values. Jesus ascended above all these things, His name is above all names... He even took captive captivity, the very things that would hold us captive. Jesus gives gifts to men to fight the battle in the heavenlies, to the glory and edification of His church.
"Therefore, he says, having ascended on high, he led captive captivity and gave gifts to his people."10
We tend to focus on the external, the person, but often it is the spirit behind the person we do not see. Many Christians have strongholds, we are not to tear down each other but to tear down strongholds. God may allow us to discern spirits in organizations, such is not an easy thing. You may be the one labeled disobedient, the one causing division and strife, but such is the duty of those who are given such a gift. And there are Biblical principles that work, remember people who do good like the light, they are ok if you come to them. Don't gossip and take it to others but follow the Biblical principle of going to them in private, mediation, take it before the church... have witnesses if you charge a leader, these things work to protect you... And such comes with training, you fight spirits not with the same spirit of attack, but wise as a serpent, gentle as a dove. There are spirits at work, strongholds as Paul writes, doctrines of demons have entered in, there purpose is to kill, steal, and destroy the work of God.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses..."
So we learn that we do not fight flesh and blood but things in high places, "arguments overthrowing and every high thing lifting itself up against the knowledge of God and taking captive every thought into obedience to God."9 It is a spiritual battle and includes the logical mind. This word for argument is logismos, (from logízomai, "to reckon") – properly, "bottom-line" reasoning that reflects someone's values. Jesus ascended above all these things, His name is above all names... He even took captive captivity, the very things that would hold us captive. Jesus gives gifts to men to fight the battle in the heavenlies, to the glory and edification of His church.
"Therefore, he says, having ascended on high, he led captive captivity and gave gifts to his people."10
There is no distinction between Jew nor Gentile, as we are given the same Spirit of God. "And every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist,"10 Now lets look at why this is important. Say the leader of Israel or any other country wants to attack another, say Iran, and say Russia gets involve, what do we have the end time or another world war? Do we say we support this leader, of Israel, because of the sovereignty of God? it is one thing to support an ally and another to follow them as if it is God's will. Can we say the spirit of God rests in the leader of Israel if he is not a believer? Some would say the sovereignty of God supersedes. The Bible says there will be false prophets who operate in spirits that would deceive many, even the "elect" if it were possible.
These prophesies of Gog and Magog are being applied to countries today, specifically to these two countries of Russia and Iran. Now, if this is true then it is end time prophecy, but if it is false it is what? and seeks what? another world war, such is not a trivial thing. A leader justified war by saying he saw "Gog and Magog at work" and the biblical prophecies unfolding.8 The Bible says Gog and Magog happens at the end of the 1,000 year reign of Christ.8 Now, maybe I missed something.... Can we also assign this to countries today? or would the Great deception that would fool many, even the elect if possible, be of this very same thing? of false prophecy that seeks to bring on another world war in the name of God. There is a great battle in the heavens over this, I pray we are able to discern.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets have gone out into the world."7
Test the spirits. This word for test is dokimazo, "to approve by testing," to recognize as genuine after examination. Maybe you have learned how to spot a counterfeit bill, if so you know you focus on the genuine. And this is the concept of testing the spirits, we are to discern the fruit; "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law..." An apple tree can not produce pears, so you are a child or not, if you are a child of God then His Spirit lives in you, you bear apples, though the gardener prunes those branches that do not bear fruit. Now, have we labeled countries evil, when the Bibles says in Christ all nations are blessed? Iran has one of the fastest growing churches and there are many believers in Russia, so what spirit says to attack such?
"By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…"9
Now, we see we how we begin to test the spirits. Jew or Gentile, if they have not the Spirit of God they are of anti-Christ. So we set our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith. A good soldier understands we are to know the enemy, "the schemes of the devil." And the enemy attacks those things of the Spirit and Word of God. Human nature tends to focus on the external but the deception is not so subtle, these spirits attack the greater commandments of God; love, forgiveness, unity in the Spirit and the bond of peace. Jesus said it is this unity that the world would know He is from God and that by our love for one another we are His disciples. Anti-Christ promotes division, distrust, racism, lies, secrecy... in the body. While the world will not be at unity nor at peace, the church, which are people "called out" by God, are commanded to be.
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."11
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."11
Now, is not the purpose of tests and trials to prove our faith? "distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"9 So if you want the gift of discerning spirits, then ask God for such, but be prepared it doesn't come easily. Discerning the spirits requires training, "solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."11 We see Ezekiel given this high gift of prophesy, he was strapped to a bed for 395 days, tested, trained... such trials are endured and such gifts are given for the edification of the body into ministry.