Discernment - the special ability that God gives to certain members of the body of Christ to distinguish between truth and error, and to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human, or satanic.1
Within the body of Christ, there are people given a gift to discern spirits, events, and words of instruction (1 Corinthians 12:10, 12-16). Now, there are many people that desire the gift of discernment. Beyond having a bad or peaceful feeling about someone or something (or receiving guidance from the Holy Spirit), they want to receive deeper insight into the intents and purposes of the people and circumstances surrounding them. However, there are a few things I'd like share about such a gift:
1. Discernment comes from the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (KJV) - But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 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: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
It is by the Spirit that someone is given such a gift…we cannot forget that!
2. The reasons for discernment:
- distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
- identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
- determine whether a testimony attributed to God is authentic
- recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message or interpretation
- are able to sense the presence of evil.2
3. There is a responsibility with discernment.
Discernment is not just for someone to know intimate details about someone in order to share with others. It is a great and sacred trust to be forewarned about anyone or anything. As such, those with the gift of discernment on any level should remain prayerful, patient and attentive to the Spirit's guidance. Within the local assembly, these individuals carry an important role and they should uphold standards of integrity and righteousness and engage in spiritual warfare.
Sources 1 and 2: What is the Gift of Discernment? Retrieved May 31, 2009 from the Cyberspace Ministry web site: http://www.cyberspaceministry.org/Services/Gifts/eng/eng-disc.html
