The discerning of spirits: telling what comes from God

In the city of Philippi, a slave girl followed Paul and his companions through the streets crying out: “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” Everything she said was true. Anyone would have thought it an unexpected help for the mission. Paul, however, was grieved; and after several days he turned and commanded the spirit that held her in bondage to come out (Acts 16:16-18). How did he know that behind correct words there was something that did not come from God? Scripture asks this of all believers:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

1 John 4:1

And it also speaks of a particular gift for the purpose, “discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10). This article is part of the series The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. We will look at what this gift is, what tests the Bible gives, what it is for, what abuses must be avoided—and they are serious—and how to grow in it. At the end there is a prayer.

What the discerning of spirits is

The Greek word means “to distinguish, to judge between one thing and another.” The gift is the capacity given by the Holy Spirit to perceive where something comes from: a teaching, a prophecy, a manifestation, an impulse, an atmosphere. It does not stop at what is seen or heard; it looks at the source. In Paul’s list it comes right after prophecy, and not by chance: where someone speaks on God’s behalf, someone is needed to discern. “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29).

Three possible sources

The Spirit of God, who leads to Christ, to truth, to love.

The human spirit. Much of what is presented as “from God” simply arises from ourselves: desires, fears, wounds, ambition. Jeremiah said of certain prophets: “they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:16); and Ezekiel: they “follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing” (Ezekiel 13:3). There is not always bad faith; sometimes there is only confusion.

The enemy, who does not usually appear with horns. “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14), and Paul warns of “seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).

One episode shows how fine the line is. Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ, and Jesus says to him: “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). A few verses later the same Peter tries to turn him away from the cross, and hears: “Get thee behind me, Satan… for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (16:23). The same man, the same day, two sources. That is why discerning is not sorting people into good and bad, but examining where each thing comes from.

The discernment of all, and the gift

Every Christian is called to discern. It is a mark of maturity: adults in the faith are “those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Paul asked it for everyone: “that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent” (Philippians 1:9-10). This discernment is learned through the Word, prayer and the years.

The gift is something else: a particular perception, often immediate, which the Spirit grants to some in order to protect and guide the community. Whoever has it “notices” what others do not; and must then submit that perception to the same tests as everyone else.

In the Bible

Micaiah against four hundred. Four hundred prophets were telling the king what he wanted to hear. Micaiah was advised to join the majority, and replied: “As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak” (1 Kings 22:14). He alone was right. The number of voices does not guarantee the truth.

Jesus in the wilderness. The tempter quoted a psalm to him: “it is written…”. Jesus recognised that Scripture twisted is no longer the voice of God, and answered with Scripture whole: “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matthew 4:7).

Jesus and the “sons of thunder.” A village refused to receive him, and James and John proposed calling down fire from heaven, “even as Elias did.” They had zeal; they had a biblical precedent. Jesus rebuked them: “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of” (Luke 9:55). Religious zeal also needs to be discerned.

Peter and Simon the sorcerer. Simon had believed and been baptised. When he offered money for the power to confer the Spirit, Peter saw what lay beneath: “I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:23). And even so he called him to repent.

Paul at Philippi, with whom we began. True words, wrong spirit. And note one detail: “this did she many days.” Paul did not react to a first impression.

The tests Scripture gives

The gift does not work in a vacuum. The Bible offers clear criteria, and every perception must pass through them.

1. What does it say about Jesus? This is the first test and the decisive one.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”

1 John 4:2-3

2. Does it agree with Scripture? “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).
3. What fruit does it bear? “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, meekness; the wisdom that is not from above leaves “bitter envying and strife” (James 3:14).
4. Whom does it glorify? Of the Spirit Jesus said: “He shall glorify me” (John 16:14). Whatever puts a man, a group or an experience at the centre does not bear his signature.
5. Does it produce freedom or bondage? “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). Fear, control and guilt with no way out are not his work.
6. Does it accept being tested? What comes from God fears neither light nor questions.
7. Does it bring peace and order? “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Knowing the Shepherd’s voice

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

Jesus says that his sheep follow the shepherd “for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-5). Sheep do not study every false voice; they know the true one well. It is said that those who learn to detect counterfeit banknotes do not start with the forgeries, but by handling genuine notes for a long time, until a false one “feels” different. That is how discernment is formed: by much time spent with Jesus in his Word and in prayer.

What it is for

To protect from deception. Jesus warned that false prophets would come with “great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24). Neither a miracle, nor eloquence, nor success is sufficient proof.

To recognise the work of God. This is the side most often forgotten. The gift does not exist only to detect what is bad, but above all to recognise what truly is of the Spirit, even when it comes in a form we did not expect. When Gentiles began to be converted at Antioch, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to see what was happening. Someone else would have seen disorder; he, “when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad” (Acts 11:23). To see grace is discernment. So too was Gamaliel’s advice: “if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:39).

To accompany people. Faced with someone who is suffering, it helps to distinguish whether what they need is a doctor, a friend, forgiveness, rest, instruction or prayer for deliverance, and not to mistake one for another.

To examine one’s own heart. The first place where I must discern spirits is within myself: why do I want this? Where does this impulse come from?

Dangers and abuses

Permanent suspicion. Some people call it “discernment” to distrust everything and everyone. That is not a gift: it is a wound. True discernment sees evil without ceasing to see grace.

Seeing demons everywhere. The Bible is not ignorant of the enemy—“we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11)—but neither is it obsessed with him. When the seventy came back thrilled that the demons were subject to them, Jesus moved the centre: “in this rejoice not… but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Confusing illness with possession. This is the most harmful abuse. Depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addictions and many other conditions are illnesses, and need medical and psychological care. Telling a sick person they have a demon, or encouraging them to stop their treatment, can cost them their life. The Gospels themselves distinguish between the sick and the possessed. When in doubt, the doctor always comes first; prayer accompanies and never replaces.

Judging people. “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1). Discerning a spirit is not condemning a brother or sister. “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye” (7:5).

Using it as a weapon. “You have a spirit of rebellion,” “that is a Jezebel spirit”: phrases like these have been used to silence those who ask questions or to discredit those who leave. That is not discernment, it is manipulation. We wrestle “not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12): people are never the enemy.

A word about deliverance

Jesus set oppressed people free, and gave his disciples authority to do so in his name. The churches have looked after this ministry prudently: in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions it is exercised by priests appointed for the purpose; in many evangelical churches, by pastors and experienced prayer teams. All consider it necessary to rule out medical causes first, not to act alone, never to use violence or humiliation, and to care for the person afterwards. For the great majority of spiritual battles, Scripture gives a simple way: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). And a certainty: “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Read How to resist Satan’s attacks with the Bible.

How to grow in discernment

1. Live in the Word. It “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
2. Pray before concluding. Ask the Spirit to show you what you cannot see.
3. Do not hurry. Paul waited “many days.” Time reveals the fruit.
4. Begin with your own heart.
5. Discern with others. Share your perception with mature believers; the gift is exercised in the body.
6. Grow in love. Paul joins the two: that love may abound “that ye may approve things that are excellent.” Without love, discernment turns into criticism.
7. Practise. The senses are exercised “by reason of use.”

Frequently asked questions

Does this gift consist of seeing demons? No. It consists of distinguishing the source of something. Most of the time what has to be distinguished is what comes from God and what comes from ourselves.

Can I be mistaken? Yes, and that is why every perception is tested by Scripture and by the community, and spoken humbly.

Is it the same as intuition? Intuition is a valuable natural capacity, and God can use it; the gift is a grace of the Spirit. Both must pass the same tests.

How do I know whether a church or a teacher can be trusted? Look at the place Jesus holds, how the Bible is used, how money and power are handled, how those who ask questions or leave are treated, and what fruit there is in families. Read The gift of prophecy according to the Bible and What is apostasy?.

Series “The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit”: Introduction · previous: The word of knowledge · next: The gift of faith.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, there are many voices, and I do not always know which is yours. Some flatter me, others frighten me, others resemble you so closely that they confuse me. And the voice that deceives me most is my own. Forgive me for the times I called my own desire “your will,” and my suspicion “discernment.” Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth, and tune my ear. Let me spend so much time with you that I recognise your voice among a thousand. Give me eyes to see deception without becoming hard, and eyes, above all, to see your grace where others do not. Keep me from judging my brothers and sisters and from seeing the enemy in people. Protect your Church from wolves, and heal the sheep that were wounded by false shepherds. Your sheep hear your voice: let me hear it, and follow you. Amen.