How to Recognize the Discerning of Spirits Gift
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
In our daily three-minute meditations at groupbiblestudy.com, we focus on the Holy Spirit and the Spiritual Gifts in 1 Corinthians, chapters 12 and 14. Today's theme is the gift of the Spirit, called the Discerning of Spirits.
Understanding the Discerning of Spirits Gift
In a world full of "spiritual" messages and conflicting voices, how do you know what is truly from God? Bank tellers are not trained to spot forgeries by looking at fakes; they are trained by constantly handling genuine banknotes. The Discerning of Spirits is the gift that allows a believer to "feel" the difference between the Spirit of God, a human spirit, or a demonic spirit.
This gift is more than just a "gut feeling." It is a knowledge imparted by the Holy Spirit that makes you aware of the source of a behavior or teaching.
What Does a "Check in Your Spirit" Feel Like?
Sometimes it manifests as a "check in your spirit" or an uneasy feeling when something seems "off." It could be an awareness of a demonic spirit manifesting itself near the believer. It could also be that the believer picks up on someone operating in the flesh rather than in what God is doing. I feel sure that if the Holy Spirit were to depart from many churches today, most of what goes on would not stop.
How to Test the Spirits and Develop Discernment
We are told to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1). The best way to develop this gift of discernment is by constantly spending time with the genuine, seeking out good spiritual food for your soul. The writer to the Hebrews says, “solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14, emphasis added). As you immerse yourself in the Word and prayer, you become sensitive to the peace of the Holy Spirit. When you encounter the counterfeit—be it joyless religion or deceitful spirits—the Spirit within you will provide the warning you need to stay on the path of truth.
Reflection & Breath Prayer
Have you ever felt a "warning" in your spirit? How did you respond?
Breath Prayer:
Inhale: "Spirit of Truth."
Exhale: "Help me discern the genuine."
How to Apply This to Your Life Today
Real spiritual discernment isn't about becoming suspicious of everyone; it's about becoming highly sensitive to God. Here is how you can practice handling the "genuine" today:
Hit the Pause Button: The next time you feel a sudden, unexplained wave of uneasiness during a conversation, a sermon, or while watching media, don't ignore it. Pause and ask internally: “Holy Spirit, is this you, a human agenda, or something else?”
Audit Your Spiritual Diet: Just like the bank teller, spend 5 to 10 minutes today reading a passage of Scripture purely to familiarize yourself with how God talks, acts, and feels.
Keep a Discernment Journal: Jot down times when you felt that "check in your spirit." Note what the situation was and how it eventually played out. Tracking these moments builds your spiritual confidence over time.
Watch the Full Study
Learn how to protect your heart through the gift of discernment in today's video on The Revelation Gifts: Understanding the Word of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Discerning of Spirits:
Continue Your Spiritual Journey…
Consider bookmarking this page: Browse our free 3-minute Bible Meditations. You can also read the full online written study here: The Revelation Gifts: Understanding the Word of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Discerning of Spirits
Comments