Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8 NKJV
The primary purpose of the gift of discerning of spirits is to enable you to know God, to see Him, to experience Him more fully, and enjoy Him more intimately. As teachers, myself included, we have approached this subject almost completely backwards, emphasizing knowing and understanding the devil and his realm as perhaps in lieu of it’s more primary purpose, of knowing God. (I’m not denigrating spiritual warfare – we, Lightbearers, have by God’s grace used it to great effect in helping to change the course of one nation, which was recorded in their history. But that’s a story for another day!) This trickery is not surprising, seeing as the devil is the serpent (Heb. NACHASH), meaning shining or fascinating being. The devil fascinates us with his wickedness and perversions, distracting us from the One that we love.
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 NKJV
This article will be the beginning of a redirect in our teaching of this gift to emphasize knowing God more fully, knowing that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
…nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Matt 11:27 NKJV
Discerning of spirits is a revelation gift, and all revelation is received both actively and passively. To passively receive revelation means that you are simply living your life when a vision comes, or you hear a word in your spirit, or an insight without effort pops up in your mind. Actively seeking revelation is when you are specifically asking God to show you things. ‘If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,’ James 1:5. The Spirit of God will speak in both ways as He wants to, and as you are able to receive.
A great key to the gift of discerning of spirits in knowing God is in knowing Him in His triune nature: Father, Son and Spirit. Every born again one knows the Son to a certain degree, but could be totally unaware of the Father and Spirit. A pastor in South Sudan one time said to me, “Brother, I have never heard of the Holy Spirit.” I said, “Brother, sit down. I will tell you about Him.” What a joy it is to bring such revelation to a believer’s life!
Many, many saints do not know God as Father. For whatever reason, they do not know the loving care of a father. In fact, the term ‘father’ could have dirty and sinister meanings to them because of their relationship with earthly fathers. Consequently, they grow up as spiritual orphans and cunning survivors who never have their needs met and cannot really learn to be led by the Spirit, because they don’t trust or know God as Father. And, they reproduce who they are.
The critical need of the great gift of discerning of spirits is to reveal the fullness of the triune nature of God.
Many attributes of God are shared by all three Beings. For instance, Creator. The Bible attributes the creation in various places to the Father God, the Son and the Spirit (Gen.1:1, Heb. 1:10, Gen.1:2). All three are involved intimately with the gifts and manifestations in the Church (1 Cor. 12:4-6). But in other areas they are unique. The Father is spoken of as the One who meets our needs (Jn.6:31-33). Jesus spoke of sending the Spirit from the Father to the believers (Jn.15:26). Jesus alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6).
Let’s examine a few critical aspects of each that we might believe God to reveal more fully to us so that we can deeply enjoy the more abundant life. The Lord never intended that we merely knew God through the written Word, but that with the Word and the Spirit we would know God most intimately.
The great attribute of God the Father that I want to emphasize is that of a father. A physical father is the progenitor of a child. As such he is responsible for that child’s conception and birth, which morally makes him responsible for that child’s life, upbringing, training, education and release as a mature young adult into the world. In one physical sense, the responsibility of that father ends with that release. But if the child cannot be released into the world to stand on its own, then the fathers responsibility continues over that one.
…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV
We are sons and daughters of God by the new birth. We are born again of incorruptible seed with Christ in us. Although we chose to follow Christ, the real reality of our being born again is no more our achievement than that of a physical baby that is born to its father and mother. We are born again because our heavenly Father wanted us born again, and just like a baby is nine months from conception to birth, the Father planned for us from before the foundation of the world. Now, to want something, to prepare for something, is to love something. You were loved from before the foundation of the world!
Now in that preparation, the Father prepared for every single thing you would ever need every day of your life unto eternity. If you can begin to grasp that statement and its implications, then you are on your way to knowing God as Father. The key is to believe that He has made that provision, and to seek it with expectation.
Do you know that there is no AAA roadside assistance in west Africa? One night, as we were traveling from Parakou, Benin back to Cotonou, our Toyota Land Cruiser began to slow down inexplicably, and we coasted to the side of the road. I texted the intercessors to pray! Within five minutes, out of nowhere, our driver’s personal mechanic was leaning over the engine, which he also repaired in five minutes. My Father knew from before the foundation of the world that I would breakdown on that road that night, and He prepared a miracle to take care of my need. That’s the love of a father…
If you feel you don’t know God as Father – you’re born again, but you’re a comfortless, cunning survivor – let’s pray together. First, to prepare your heart, please confess any sins you may have on your plate right now. Then forgive everyone, one by one, who has ever hurt you. Say, ‘I forgive you, and I love you’ over each one. Then pray this prayer…
“Lord Jesus, You became a curse so that I could have the blessings of Abraham. Through the blood of the Lamb I rebuke this orphan curse off of my soul and claim those blessings. Father, Jesus is revealing You to me even now. Father, I receive Your love, praising and thanking You that You love and supply continuously all of my needs. Thank You Father, I love you! Amen.”
When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. Ps 9:3-4 NKJV
The attribute of our Lord Jesus that we want to develop an appreciation of is the presence of the Lord. There is no greater faith building reality than to be fully aware of the personal, manifest presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord gives rest and peace (Exodus 33:14, Judges 18:6).
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Ps 16:11 NKJV
At a recent ordination service that we did, a dear one reported seeing the Lord, walking through the congregation, touching this one and that one. I didn’t see Him but I sure felt Him! One time my wife had been wondering about going to Friday night services at our church. That night, I looked over at her as she was weeping and pointing to an empty spot. She saw the Lord sitting next to her! We didn’t have any more discussions about that…
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest (Grk. EMPHANIZO, to appear, show, demonstrate, inform) Myself to him.” John 14:21 NKJV
The manifest presence of God is the dwellingplace for every believer (please visit the archives at lightbearers.injesus.com and look for the article OUR DWELLINGPLACE. It’s fairly recent!). You can enjoy His presence all day long daily. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart to sense His presence throughout your day.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 NKJV
Finally, the Holy Spirit. Help! Is the cry of all mankind. I find it fascinating that the One whom I worship seeks to help me in every situation. How foolish I am when I ignore that help! There is a bond with the Holy Spirit that is so unique and must be developed in each believer’s life. The Holy Spirit is JUST THE OPPOSITE of the cold, aloof, narcissistic demonic gods of other religions. It is interesting to note that Eve was made specifically as a helper to Adam, while the Holy Spirit comes as a Helper to the body of Christ.
But seek to know the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Who desires to help you personally in every circumstance, with every need, both large and small. He is the One who releases the gifts of the Spirit to you. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. Fear God!
Dear one, the great gift of discerning of spirits is given primarily for you to intimately know and experience each Member of the Godhead, that you might live exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or think. Don’t you just love Him? Love you!
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…