Module 11 Discerning of Spirits

Discerning of Spirits.

To discern: -

• Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
• 1 Corinth 11:29 for anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgement on himself.
• 1 Corinth 2:6 – 16 v14 they are spiritually discerned

General discernment compared to Gift of Discerning

• 1 Corinth 12:10 to another distinguishing between spirits….

Discern…Diakrisis…to see right through, to examine, search, Question

The concept of determining the correctness of a matter, pass judgement on

• 2 Corinth 10:3 – 5 our weapons are not carnal…power to demolish strongholds
• Ephes 6:10 – 12 our struggle not against flesh and blood….

3 Types of Spirit: -

· Godly…. Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and Angels

· Human

· Satanic…. Devil and his demons

Strongholds.

Personal

Local …church / small group / Town or City

National…ethnic grouping

Purpose of Gift of Discerning of spirits.

D Determine Origin…spiritual problem not natural 2 Cor 4:4

I Identify accurately…Mark 9: 17 – 29

rather than suspect. Bring conviction not condemnation

S Separate between Spirit and Soul Hebrews 4:12

C Convicts of Sin Acts 8:24

E Executes Judgement Acts 13:9 – 12

R Reveals motives of the heart Acts 8:18 – 23

N Name and Number of the spirits Mark 5:8 –17

Carpet cleaning / stain removal.

Need to know type of stain to know type of stain remover

Window cleaning.

Windows need to be cleaned on the inside as well as outside.

Spirits can cling to inside as well as the outside, they can penetrate the body and the Soul, but not the Spirit. Their greatest weapon is to remain undetected, so they can continue their task unhindered.

How to Discern.

There are clues left that can alert our natural senses, so that we begin to use our spiritual senses, such as :-

• Conversation, the words they use and the way they say them
• Actions, and the way they do them.
• Smells – unusual, strong, unpleasant
• Temperature - sudden changes in, normally becomes colder for the demonic, and hotter for the angelic.
• Physical manifestations
• Soulish manifestations,
• mind – trances, madness, irrational thoughts
• emotions – unbalanced, moodiness
• will – unable to make a decision or stick to it

Spiritual discerning can be by: -

• Word
• Picture
• Vision
• Troubling of your spirit.
• Person reminds you of someone else

Again,by reason of use, the accuracy of the discerning can increase, from general to specific.

Examples.

Fear.

Words used… Scared to death, so afraid, I am so worried about…

But if this happens. I could never go there because this might happen….

Manifestations.

Shaking with fear

Paralysed with fear

Sick with fear, white in the face.

Unable to think straight

Palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath

Lack of boldness….timidity

Intimidating people to get their way

Grief.

Words used like… I just can't let go of him/it. I just can't move on, I seem to be stuck in the past. I can't cope without them

Manifestations…after normal mourning period

Crying/weeping for no apparent reason

Heartbreak / loss / emptiness.

Sadness / sorrow

Creation of shrines to dead person/bedroom left the same etc.

Depression /heaviness /lack of Joy