Now, the third gift is the ability to know supernaturally--the discerning of spirits. (I Cor. 12:10) This gift is self-explanatory. It is the discerning of bad spirits and of good spirits. The Greek word for discerning means "through judgment.
God has placed in the body Spirit-filled positions to keep the Body of Christ healthy, also to alert people to the long list of cults that are springing up in this world today. They are growing like weeds in the fertile fields of the world's carnality. It is to keep the church free from defiling spirits. Many people are in mental institutions. The tragedy is that worldly doctors cannot discern evil spirits which may cause some mental illnesses--but a servant of God can discern the reason and deliver them! How can a mere doctor, without the supernatural gift of discernment, discern spirits? Anyone who receives this gift must be endowed with a large measure of the Spirit and of love. Perhaps they see wrong motives and attitudes in their best friends, but in discerning such they would have the necessary love to pray for them to be delivered from their troubles.
I remember a man In Canada who was desirous of having the gift of discernment of spirits. When he received it, he came back to the brethren and said, "Yes, I can discern evil spirits of many kinds--but I also see motives and attitudes that are wrong in my friends."
Because none of us are perfect, he wasn't so sure that he wanted that gift! However, people would be wise to take the advice of a man of God who manifests this gift and is full of the love of God. A doctor, when diagnosing a patient, will take x-rays. He will not operate before knowing what the exact nature of the need is. The same principle applies today: the situation is discerned and then deliverance is able to be performed.
As I said before, God has placed spiritual gifts within the Body, His Church, to bring victory. Let me give you a few of the spirits that are named in the Bible:
The spirit of jealousy (Numbers 5:14); the spirit of sleep (Isaiah 29:10); the spirit of bondage (Romans 8:15); a perverse spirit (Isaiah 19:14); the spirit of infirmity (Luke 13: 11); the spirit of divination (Acts 16:16).
There is a whole list of spirits. Some are good, and some are bad. The Bible talks about the spirit of truth (John 16:13); a right spirit (Psalms 51:10); a free spirit (Psalms 51:12); an excellent spirit (Daniel 6:3).
These are just a few of those mentioned in the Bible. We are to embrace good spirits, but bad spirits are to be resisted and cast out.
An example of the gift of discernment in operation Is given In the case of Simon the sorcerer. (Acts 8:21-22)
Peter discerned his motives and said in verse 20, "...because thou hast thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money, thou has neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of thy wickedness and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."
Peter could discern that he was a sorcerer by the gift of discernment.
In Acts 16:16-18, the apostle Paul discerned a spirit of divination in a young girl, and he cast it out.
In Acts 5:1-10, Peter could discern Ananias and Sapphira's covetous, lying spirit, and they both died.
A gift of discernment would be a mighty gift--a real necessity--in one who has a deliverance ministry. It is an eye-opener to people when this discernment of spirits works! They are amazed at how the man of God can deliver people. It is not a gift of criticism as so many might think. It is not someone going around looking for devils or evil spirits under every pew. It's more like a family doctor who analyzes disease and brings healing. A proper analysis of one's own self is essential if one is exercising this gift. Let us welcome this spiritual x-ray to keep the ministry holy. God desires a Church without a spot or blemish.