DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS

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Scripture ref: Mark 5:2-20, 1 Corinthians 12:10, Hebrews 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Romans 12:2,

Discernment means the ability to judge well or distinguish, or appraise a person, situation, an environment or a spirit whether be good or evil.

Key Verses;

(As a gift) ; To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)
(As an ability); But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:14)
(As a duty); But test everything; hold fast what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1)
(As not emotion or about feelings) ; Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2)

(As Word based); For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12)

In view of Mark 5:5-20;
This region was under strong spirits. One of them, (a man) under evil spirits was;

  •  bound
  • in chains,
  • dwelt out of his family,
  • alone in the tombs,
  • resisted all help from people near him,
  • often strayed to the mountains,
  •  always cut himself with stones ( self harm)
  • always cried ( out agonies of terror& oppression)

People of Gadarenes under evil spirits;

  •  lived in sin, (reared the what their law prohibited.
  • were not happy with the work of Jesus in their area.
  • Instead starting asking Jesus out of their lives/village (resisting goodness of God).
  • feared to have Jesus in their daily life, ( no salvation).

The healed man NOW under the spirit of Jesus; could sit quietly/ peacefully at the feet of Jesus, was now clothed, his nakedness of shame ( read sin) was covered wanted to follow Jesus everywhere he goes, not like his demon possessed villagemates that are sending away the Deliverer.  He was able to go and gladly give a testimony of what God has done in his life.

Those are three pictures of;

  • a demon possessed man,
  • a demon infested village
  • a demon free person, now delivered.

To help us relate and distinguish or discern the manifestations of good & evil spirits, good and evil works. We have a duty to ask God that thing (be it a sin or demon or both) in our lives that is taking us away from Jesus, from following him daily & from testifying about the goodness of God in our lives.

Blessings.