Discerning of Spirits is Not a Spooky Manifestation

When some people hear the phrase 'discerning of spirits', it congers up a dark sinister image in their minds.  They might think of horns and pitchforks.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The fruit that is produced by the proper use of this unique function of the gift of holy spirit in our lives brings peace to our minds.  A person who loves God has power, love and a sound mind because of the enablements God has given through holy spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering (long fuse), gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

God wants to help us separate good from evil. Of course he does! He does this by impressing information about any situation on our spirits. He does it to protect us.  At some point God may show us clearly to take a stand against evil. Sometimes we can't do anything about it so then God can show us how to navigate the problem which may include staying away from it. Either way it produces nice juicy fruit in our lives because it settles our hearts.

The whole purpose of 'discerning of spirits' is to help ourselves and others. It is not thinking evil.  It is important to separate good and evil. Often evil disguises itself as good.  We can be deceived very easily when presented with something that seems like such a good thing. In the world and culture we live in today, it sometimes can be hard to distinguish between those things that that richly bless our lives and those things that subtract from our peace.

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Isaiah call this deception a"woe". The Bible says we are not to be ignorant of how evil works. God wants us to be free of evil, frustration and woe. The woe is not punishment, it is a result. God wants the best for us.

How a person reacts to information of the presence of evil involves staying quiet, peaceful and waiting on God as to the wisdom in what to do about the situation. In the records involving David, there are very clear examples how God helped him walk through evil and chaos. At times he had to watch his own life and thinking:

3 Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips 4 Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. Psalm 141:3-4

We have the same responsibility. We don't want to be lured into and fall prey to the vain and false reasonings that might pop up in our day to day living:

9 Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Romans 12:8