Discerning of Spirits

Dear beloved: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of distinguishing or discerning of spirits, spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:10. This is a supernatural gift given so that we will not be tricked and fooled into thinking we are following someone who is of the kingdom of God, but in reality is an agent for satan. Paul tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians about false apostles and teachers who are preaching a gospel other than the one that he taught them. v13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. v14 And no marvel: for satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. v15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be to their works.


The devil is setting up the whole world for the appearance of the antichist, the beast of Revelation 13. This beast will have authority and power over the economic system and all the religions of the world, save for those who are set aside to follow Jesus Christ. Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leapord, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion; and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and his authority. v4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast saying, "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" v6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And so as little antichrists appear on the world stage to deceive and trick the people into following them, it is very important to be able to tell if this person speaking is being led of God or the devil.


The apostle John gives us good instruction in 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God: because many false prophets have gone out into the world. v2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God v3 And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now is already in the world. In the next post I will talk about how we can test the spirit to see if it is the spirit of the antichrist. Keep praying, God bless you, Jim