Post by Zac Loh on Jan 23, 2009 6:47:59 GMT -5
THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS (The Corinthians Group Of Gifts: 1 Corinthians 12:7-10)
As we have learned, this gift is connected to `administrations’.
But, it is not connected to `office’ nor `organizational’ administrations.
Rather, it is `spiritual’ administrations.
As for those gifted with `office’ or `organizational’ administrations, it is the people gifted …who `leads’ …as we have learned in The Romans Group Of Gifts (Romans 12:6-8). Do you remember this gift (BSN Notes 5th November 2008)?
Matthew 16:16-18
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ (Anointed One), the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter (small rock), and on this rock (big rock) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16-18; parenthesis and underline mine)
`Petros’ – you are `Peter’ (small rock). `Petra’ – upon this `rock’ (big rock)
Peter was the small rock. The revelation that he had was the big rock.
The church is to be built on revelation.
House construction during those days, the foundation of the house begins with a very big rock (cut); it is the chief corner stone.
Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). The church is to be built on the revelation of who Christ is, the Son of the Living God.
`Christ’ means `anointed one’.
Psalm 133:2
The oil symbolic was symbolic of the anointing. The anointing flows from the head to the body. Christ is the head, we are the body.
The church is, first and foremost, spiritual. We see 2 powerful essentials for the building of the church: revelation and anointing.
Revelation has divine unending life. It lives within us all the time. This heavenly mandate will keep-on growing. Without revelation, we will just be going day-by-day without spiritual excitement, zeal and passion.
Revelation gives a very strong spiritual aim and purpose internally. We might have setbacks, disappointments and difficulties on the outside; but this calling within us will just keep us going. We know it is real within us. We will find ourselves not giving up. Without revelation, we keep-on changing directions because we are affected by the outward circumstances. Changing vision/direction and changing style/method are two different things.
Revelation is accompanied by wisdom from God. Revelation and wisdom are like brother-and-sister. When we know how to get revelation from God, we will also know how to get wisdom from God to do the things we are to do. We will have clarity and ideas from God.
Without revelation, we can work hard, but we will be frustrated because we are depending on our own soul and brain effort …depending on our own flesh …our own devices …our own planning and programming.
The anointing refreshes, energizes and revitalizes. Without anointing, we will be tired and lethargic, we will get burnt out.
The anointing breaks the yoke. Without anointing, there might be exciting activities, but lives are not changed. We can minister to the surface, but only with the anointing can we go to the root.
The anointing empowers. Without anointing, we will not be able to go as far we could be. Without anointing, we are limiting ourselves.
Because the anointing is essential to the church, the gift of discerning of spirits plays an important role. It is crucial that the anointing not be wasted, so this gift will help us to maximize God’s provision of His anointing for the health, growth and expansion of the church.
Usage Of The Gift Of Discerning Of Spirits
• All Christian meetings and gatherings will benefit from this gift, because the anointing can come, and the anointing can fall.
This gift helps us to follow the move and the workings of the Holy Spirit. This gift detects and recognizes the anointing, so we do not carry-on business as usual.
• This gift is able to distinguish whether a manifestation, a message, an act …is of the Holy Spirit …or purely human (no discharge/flow of the anointing even though there might be the presence of the Holy Spirit) …or demonic.
Of course, this gift will effectively assist in deliverance from demonic possession/oppression. Knowing whether a problem/disease has a demonic origin or is demonically caused, and knowing the nature and type of demon involved, will certainly help.
Also in detecting. How would you like if someone can detect a spiritual attack and inform you about it?
• Selecting leaders and ministry appointments based on the specific anointing in the individual candidate’s life.
This gift can help in the selecting process if the leadership realizes the importance and function of this gift. The leadership must be open to God to use the people gifted in discerning of spirits in contributing to the decision-making.
The Key
Acronym happens to be my hobby, it is not necessary to memorize if you are not so inclined.
The key to encourage all spiritual gifts to be put into service, as to benefit others, and for the kingdom of God:
I.nspire
O.pportunity
U.nderstand
As church leaders, we owe it to the people. We must be able to say, by our behavior and actions:
“I.O.U. to inspire you to eager for spiritual gifts.”
“I.O.U. the opportunity to express and excel your gifts.”
“I.O.U. to understand your gifts.”
As we have learned, this gift is connected to `administrations’.
But, it is not connected to `office’ nor `organizational’ administrations.
Rather, it is `spiritual’ administrations.
As for those gifted with `office’ or `organizational’ administrations, it is the people gifted …who `leads’ …as we have learned in The Romans Group Of Gifts (Romans 12:6-8). Do you remember this gift (BSN Notes 5th November 2008)?
Matthew 16:16-18
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ (Anointed One), the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter (small rock), and on this rock (big rock) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:16-18; parenthesis and underline mine)
`Petros’ – you are `Peter’ (small rock). `Petra’ – upon this `rock’ (big rock)
Peter was the small rock. The revelation that he had was the big rock.
The church is to be built on revelation.
House construction during those days, the foundation of the house begins with a very big rock (cut); it is the chief corner stone.
Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone (Ephesians 2:20). The church is to be built on the revelation of who Christ is, the Son of the Living God.
`Christ’ means `anointed one’.
Psalm 133:2
The oil symbolic was symbolic of the anointing. The anointing flows from the head to the body. Christ is the head, we are the body.
The church is, first and foremost, spiritual. We see 2 powerful essentials for the building of the church: revelation and anointing.
Revelation has divine unending life. It lives within us all the time. This heavenly mandate will keep-on growing. Without revelation, we will just be going day-by-day without spiritual excitement, zeal and passion.
Revelation gives a very strong spiritual aim and purpose internally. We might have setbacks, disappointments and difficulties on the outside; but this calling within us will just keep us going. We know it is real within us. We will find ourselves not giving up. Without revelation, we keep-on changing directions because we are affected by the outward circumstances. Changing vision/direction and changing style/method are two different things.
Revelation is accompanied by wisdom from God. Revelation and wisdom are like brother-and-sister. When we know how to get revelation from God, we will also know how to get wisdom from God to do the things we are to do. We will have clarity and ideas from God.
Without revelation, we can work hard, but we will be frustrated because we are depending on our own soul and brain effort …depending on our own flesh …our own devices …our own planning and programming.
The anointing refreshes, energizes and revitalizes. Without anointing, we will be tired and lethargic, we will get burnt out.
The anointing breaks the yoke. Without anointing, there might be exciting activities, but lives are not changed. We can minister to the surface, but only with the anointing can we go to the root.
The anointing empowers. Without anointing, we will not be able to go as far we could be. Without anointing, we are limiting ourselves.
Because the anointing is essential to the church, the gift of discerning of spirits plays an important role. It is crucial that the anointing not be wasted, so this gift will help us to maximize God’s provision of His anointing for the health, growth and expansion of the church.
Usage Of The Gift Of Discerning Of Spirits
• All Christian meetings and gatherings will benefit from this gift, because the anointing can come, and the anointing can fall.
This gift helps us to follow the move and the workings of the Holy Spirit. This gift detects and recognizes the anointing, so we do not carry-on business as usual.
• This gift is able to distinguish whether a manifestation, a message, an act …is of the Holy Spirit …or purely human (no discharge/flow of the anointing even though there might be the presence of the Holy Spirit) …or demonic.
Of course, this gift will effectively assist in deliverance from demonic possession/oppression. Knowing whether a problem/disease has a demonic origin or is demonically caused, and knowing the nature and type of demon involved, will certainly help.
Also in detecting. How would you like if someone can detect a spiritual attack and inform you about it?
• Selecting leaders and ministry appointments based on the specific anointing in the individual candidate’s life.
This gift can help in the selecting process if the leadership realizes the importance and function of this gift. The leadership must be open to God to use the people gifted in discerning of spirits in contributing to the decision-making.
The Key
Acronym happens to be my hobby, it is not necessary to memorize if you are not so inclined.
The key to encourage all spiritual gifts to be put into service, as to benefit others, and for the kingdom of God:
I.nspire
O.pportunity
U.nderstand
As church leaders, we owe it to the people. We must be able to say, by our behavior and actions:
“I.O.U. to inspire you to eager for spiritual gifts.”
“I.O.U. the opportunity to express and excel your gifts.”
“I.O.U. to understand your gifts.”