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A Gift for Today...continuedThe Gifts of the Holy Spirit - Discerning of SpiritsDiscerning of spirits is best understood when the word discern is defined. The Collins English Dictionary defines discern as "to recognise or perceive clearly". We can therefore see the implications of this gift and its necessity in the church. Discerning of spirits becomes a specific and individual gift in a moment of time that enables the recipient to clearly recognise and or perceive spirits in a given situation, seeing into the spiritual realm and perceiving and recognising spirits but not motives, attitudes or character faults or strengths in people. Think about spiritual warfare and intercession and the usefulness of this gift. W.R. Jones in the book Pentecostal Doctrine in the chapter headed 'The nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit' (8) states: ""To another discerning of Spirits" (1
Corinthians 12:10): this very clear designation given by Scripture shows both
the limits and the extent of this gift. It is not discernment of motive or
character. It is not the ability to discover faults, nor is it a brand of
spiritual-psychological insight. It is rather the supernatural power of the
Spirit enabling one to receive insight into the secret realm of spirits, and is
given by the Holy Spirit to give protection to God's people against the
counterfeits of the adversary. |
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