The Concept of Spiritual Discernment

Our mother passed away when we were young, and I remember getting sick during lunchtime in the first grade; I still can’t drink whole milk as I reminisce. The disconnect became a reality on that day. The physical disconnect became a spiritual reconnect to the Father and the spirit domain. My spiritual senses were awakened.

My maternal grandmother took us in; she was a heavy churchgoer in those days (C.O.G.I.C), Church of God in Christ, for those who don’t know. It was something new at first, but then it became something I hated. “Derick, it’s time to get ready for church.” That melody from my sister still rings clear in my head. She seemed to always sound off in the middle of a pass play during our street football games. Football was a childhood compulsion, and church seemed always to interrupt the obsession. Attendance was mandatory and a routine repeated every week that I wouldn’t say I liked growing up.

I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior at an early age, eleven or twelve. I remember coming home from a revival service, going to my bedroom, praying to God, and asking, “Lord, if the Holy Spirit is real, I want it." Before I could finish the prayer, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit’s presence on the right side of me. Now I know why it always felt like someone was watching me. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; before thou cometh forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

When I grew older, into my teens, so did my relationship with God and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit and I would occasionally converse about the directions I chose. I’m a loner and comfortable being alone 100% of the time, which made it easy for me to learn and discern the difference between the voice of truth and the voice of a lie. I made a lot of left turns when I should’ve turned right, but as I matured, so did the Spirit of Discernment within me.

What is the Discerning of spirits? The basic definition of a Discerning Spirit is a term that means to know or understand something through the power of the Spirit. In the first book of Corinthians chapter 12, the apostle Paul is not necessarily exhaustive on the gifts, but he speaks on them, which may emerge from God at work in various combinations. 1 Corinthians 12.

Gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to people:

Word of wisdom – There have been situations when I needed scripture to help someone or myself understand a trial or circumstance; I would pray and ask for scripture, and the Holy Spirit would deliver it instantly, on point. Acts 6:10, Acts 19:6.

Word of knowledge – This is inspired by the Holy Spirit that reveals knowledge about circumstances, people, or Biblical truth. Acts 5:1-10.

Gift of faith – Faith comes by hearing and meditating on the whole word of God. Romans 10:17. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Hebrews11:6.

Gifts of healing – These are not given to every believer in the body of Christ, but believers in the faith should pray and intercede for the sick. When it’s in God’s will, the sick will be healed when faith is present. Matthew 8:16-17.

Miracles – These supernatural powers shift the ordinary course of nature. Matthew 12:28.

Prophecy – Prophecy is a distinct ability that empowers a believer to convey a divine message or revelation directly from God, guided by the Holy Spirit. We have a temporary manifestation of the Spirit and a ministry gift of the church given only to some believers who must function within the church. Prophecy is available to every Spirit-filled believer.

Discerning of spirits – Is to know, to distinguish between right and wrong, sound and evil. 1 John 4:1-6.

Kinds of tongues – Tongues can be a language spoken on the earth or a language that is not understood on the earth. Acts 2:4.

Interpretation of tongues – Pray to interpret. 1 Corinthians14:13-14.

The Holy Spirit is manifested through these gifts, and according to the will of the Spirit, the manifestations arise to the believer's desire. Some believers have more than one gift to minister, and we all should desire more than one. One advantage is not more significant than another gift; they all minister to a need and may be produced daily.

By the Spirit, I was led to Saint Barsanuphius the Great, born in Egypt and lived during the sixth century during the reign of the emperor Justinian I (483-565). As a youngster, avoiding all forms of indulgence, he began living under severe self-discipline for religious reasons.

Saint Barsanuphius rose to the pinnacles of humility, profound reasoning, and genuine love through fasting, silence, guarding his heart, and ceaseless prayer. The Lord gave him the extraordinary gifts of discernment, prophecy, and wonderworking.

How does one acquire the gifts of the Spirit?

Saint Barsanuphius wrote in his book Letters 124:10-13, Since then, it was written about the snake that “is the most crafty,” (11) and always watch its head (12) in case it finds itself a nest and a home inside you, thereby devastating everything. So if you, too, wish to become spiritual, then reject the things of the flesh. For whatever one denies, one also leaves. Listen to the Lord, who says: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (13) How else do people deny themselves except by leaving behind their natural desires and following him? Knowing that he is speaking about natural desires, this is precisely why he advised that one should deny oneself and not what is contrary to one’s nature. Letter 124.

Apostle Paul inscribed, If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (2) If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. (3) And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

In closing, when we love, we experience eternal life in the present moment. This is the reason behind the gifts of the Spirit-to smooth the way for our experience of love right now. We are now prepared to learn how the gifts of the Spirit can be utilized to strengthen their sense of community through love. May love be the principal possession among us, through the gifts of the Spirit, uniting us in the construction of the body of Christ, thereby bringing honor to God.