PDA

View Full Version : Discerning of Spirits

CoreIssue
02-22-2006, 09:18 PM
Maybe the most mysterious to many people as to meaning.

What do you think it means?


1 Corinthians 12:10
10and to another the effecting of (A (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:10;&version=49;#cen-NASB-28645A))miracles, and to another (B (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:10;&version=49;#cen-NASB-28645B))prophecy, and to another the (C (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:10;&version=49;#cen-NASB-28645C))distinguishing of spirits, to another various (D (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:10;&version=49;#cen-NASB-28645D))kinds of tongues, and to another the (E (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Co%2012:10;&version=49;#cen-NASB-28645E))interpretation of tongues.


Strong's Number: 1253 Browse Lexicon (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/browse.cgi?number=1253&version=kjv)Original WordWord Origindiavkrisißfrom (1252 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1252&version=kjv))Transliterated WordTDNT (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1253&version=kjv#Legend) EntryDiakrisis3:949,469Phonetic SpellingParts of Speechdee-ak'-ree-sis http://bible.crosswalk.com/images/audio.gif (http://bible.crosswalk.com/cgi-bin/lexicon.pl?id=1253g) Noun Feminine Definition

a distinguishing, discerning, judging
Strong's Number: 4151 Browse Lexicon (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/browse.cgi?number=4151&version=kjv)Original WordWord Originpneu'mafrom (4154 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4154&version=kjv))Transliterated WordTDNT (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4151&version=kjv#Legend) EntryPneuma6:332,876Phonetic SpellingParts of Speechpnyoo'-mah http://bible.crosswalk.com/images/audio.gif (http://bible.crosswalk.com/cgi-bin/lexicon.pl?id=4151g) Noun Neuter Definition

the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son
sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his personality and character (the \\Holy\\ Spirit)
sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his work and power (the Spirit of \\Truth\\)
never referred to as a depersonalised force
the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated

the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
the soul
a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting

a life giving spirit
a human soul that has left the body
a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e. an angel
used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men
the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ

the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one

the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.
a movement of air (a gentle blast)

of the wind, hence the wind itself
breath of nostrils or mouth
CTZonEdit
02-23-2006, 10:20 AM
I believe it is the ability to detect or a heightened awareness of the spritual realm that is all around us.
Sid
02-23-2006, 02:00 PM
Maybe the most mysterious to many people as to meaning.

What do you think it means?


I believe that looking at things like miracles and prophesy for discerning of Spirits is dangerous because these things are too easily faked.

Looking for the fruits of the Spirit, things like love, joy and peace . . . that is where the genuine article can be discerned.

And by their fruits we shall know them.
CoreIssue
02-23-2006, 03:06 PM
I believe it is the ability to detect or a heightened awareness of the spritual realm that is all around us.

Right on the money.
CoreIssue
02-23-2006, 03:17 PM
I believe that looking at things like miracles and prophesy for discerning of Spirits is dangerous because these things are too easily faked.
Hmmm. Prophecy is a completely separate gift. And because a gift can be faked does not mean it is not given, is not given for a purpose and is to be avoided.

No. Looking for miracles, prophecy and such actually has nothing to do with what this gift is. But many do commit that error.

And it is a gift that is given for reasons.
Looking for the fruits of the Spirit, things like love, joy and peace . . . that is where the genuine article can be discerned.
Looking for the fruits one bears has nothing to do with this gift. But I agree it is important we do look at one's gifts.

Fruits speak of the person. No gift is needed for that kind of judging.

And by their fruits we shall know them.
Agree. But does not relate to having a gift.

Remember, ALL saints have at least one gift. Gifts did not cease, but indeed the are not given at the Biblical levels for those sent to give God's new revelations.
CTZonEdit
02-23-2006, 05:28 PM
The ones that are "faking" this gift or making it look like they have it....dont.

The ones that I know that do have it dont understand it enough to label it, or do understand its power and remain quiet about it because it is so overwhelming.
Chrystalwuzhere
02-23-2006, 06:45 PM
:popcorn:
CoreIssue
02-24-2006, 11:17 AM
An added thought here.

It should not suprise any Christian such a gift exists.

After all, we do live in a world where there is continual actions by humans, angels, God and demons.

Why do so many think demons and angels rarely get involved in things and must possess a human to do anything? Totally false notion.

No. Demons and angels are not in action around every saint. But yes, they are in action around saints that impact the world spiritually.

The work of some Chrisitians makes an ability to see and feel them essential.

Why should this gift suprise or trouble anyone?
Jessie
02-24-2006, 12:11 PM
The ones that are "faking" this gift or making it look like they have it....dont.

The ones that I know that do have it dont understand it enough to label it, or do understand its power and remain quiet about it because it is so overwhelming.


it would be overwhelming!
Jessie
02-24-2006, 12:18 PM
An added thought here.

It should not suprise any Christian such a gift exists.

After all, we do live in a world where there is continual actions by humans, angels, God and demons.

Why do so many think demons and angels rarely get involved in things and must possess a human to do anything? Totally false notion.

No. Demons and angels are not in action around every saint. But yes, they are in action around saints that impact the world spiritually.

The work of some Chrisitians makes an ability to see and feel them essential.

Why should this gift suprise or trouble anyone?

nudging one would do the trick. which I think they do.
we have a choice in matters.

like one time I was sitting at a red light, it was late no one much around.
then comes this other car going the opposite way, I was tired and not paying much attn.
but my light turned green and I could have gone, but something said, dont go.
hes not gonna stop. this was a odd one cause it did'nt look like he was going that fast.
but for some reason, I just sat there. and right thru the red light he went.
so I believe a angel nudged me and told me that.
the whole thing was for some reason kindof surreal.

for the other side I do NOT like feeling them.
sometimes ya just know they are there, but feeling them is like CTZ said,
good word... overwhelming!

but seriously I dont think I have that gift.
just instances in my life where God has taken care of me.
eahaddix
02-25-2006, 10:00 PM
I believe it is the ability to detect or a heightened awareness of the spritual realm that is all around us.

Right on the money.


Correct, yet this description is a vast understatement. When this gift is fully exercised, one can see spiritual things like one sees regular physical objects.

Why should this gift suprise or trouble anyone?

Because every aspect of this gift uproots worldly norms. Put another way, the power of this gift makes spiritual reality too tangible for many people. For instance, looking into the eyes of a mature discerning believer is like looking into the eyes of a spirit. Such people can "see though" other people. It is a sight!

The ones that are "faking" this gift or making it look like they have it....dont.

The ones that I know that do have it dont understand it enough to label it, or do understand its power and remain quiet about it because it is so overwhelming.

Agreed. The gift of discernment requires significant spiritual maturity. But such overwhelming sensations are a sign that the possessor needs to spiritually grow.

These people need to understand that this gift is to be used, not hidden away.
CoreIssue
02-25-2006, 10:10 PM
Correct, yet this description is a vast understatement. When this gift is fully exercised, one can see spiritual things like one sees regular physical objects.

Agree on what you said except for the definition being too understated.

For most that explanation is most sufficient and the best to understand.
eahaddix
02-25-2006, 10:18 PM
Agree on what you said except for the definition being too understated.

For most that explanation is most sufficient and the best to understand.

"Detection" and "heightened awareness" are ambiguous descriptives. The Spirit can give such things to individuals who do not have this gift.
CoreIssue
02-25-2006, 10:21 PM
"Detection" and "heightened awareness" are ambiguous descriptives. The Spirit can give such things to individuals who do not have this gift.

Agree.

But unless one can explain and show what is seen and how it is seen it will remain an abiguous gift to them.
eahaddix
02-25-2006, 10:43 PM
Agree.

But unless one can explain and show what is seen and how it is seen it will remain an abiguous gift to them.

Then I was correct. By definition (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/understatement), the act of representing the gift of discernment with lesser forms of discernment is an understatement.

Now, if this gift remains ambiguous to CTZonEdit, then how does the definition offered serve any edifying purpose?
CoreIssue
02-25-2006, 10:45 PM
Then I was correct. By definition (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/understatement), the act of representing the gift of discernment with lesser forms of discernment is an understatement.

Now, if this gift remains ambiguous to CTZonEdit, then how does the definition offered serve any edifying purpose?

Never said you were not.

But it sufficient for those who have no idea how such gifts work.
eahaddix
02-25-2006, 11:00 PM
Never said you were not.

But it sufficient for those who have no idea how such gifts work.

I agree that intellectual knowledge is not a substitute for first-person experience. However, I believe that we could provide more information before "crossing that line."

That is my point. I did not intent to be quarrelsome. :):
CoreIssue
02-25-2006, 11:07 PM
I agree that intellectual knowledge is not a substitute for first-person experience. However, I believe that we could provide more information before "crossing that line."

That is my point. I did not intent to be quarrelsome. :):

Trying to describe what falls into the realm of the unexperience is impossible.

Like asking people how the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, prophecy and others work. They just are.