The Spiritual Gift of Discernment
Service Gift — 1 Corinthians 12:10
διάκρισις (dee-ak’-ree-sis) — /diá, through + /kríno, to judge. A thorough separation — judging between spirits. The full phrase is διακρίσεις πνευμάτων — discernings of spirits. Both words are plural, pointing to an ongoing, active capacity to distinguish between the Spirit of God, the spirit of man, and the spirit of the enemy.
Discernment as Defined
- Investigate — PHI 1:9
- Distinguish — HEB 5:14
- Examine — LUK 23:14
- Judge — 1CO 2:15
- Discern — 1CO 12:10
Discernment is a protection gift. God uses it to keep the Body from becoming controlled by heretics, God-haters, and unbelievers.
Discernment as Named
Jesus discerned Satan speaking through Peter — Get thee behind me, Satan (MAT 16:23). Paul discerned a spirit of divination in the girl who followed him in Philippi and commanded it to leave (ACS 16:16-19). Peter discerned the deception of Ananias — why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? (ACS 5:3).
Discernment as Ministry
Discernment is accomplished by comparing people, events, and situations to the standards found in God’s Word. Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (HEB 5:14).
Serving in Discernment
Avoid attributing the chastening of God or the weakness of flesh to spiritual warfare. Avoid cynicism — assuming everyone is lying. Avoid arrogance — you are neither Judge nor Jury. Avoid manipulation — convincing people to follow your leadership instead of God’s.