Deep Discerners – The Presidential Prayer Team

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits. – 1 Corinthians 12:10

Among the many gifts given to believers by the Holy Spirit is the “ability to distinguish between spirits.” Not every gift is given to every Christian, but all gifts are given purposefully. Pastor Jeff Van Wyrt with Teen Impact in Baton Rouge, reminded his people that the gifts were given “to build the church in unity and love for Christ.” He says gifts of edification are to build up, those of exhortation to stir up, those of comfort to cheer up, and those of direction to bring instruction to the body of Christ.

For those who are given the ability to discern among spirits, this kind of deep discernment relies totally on the Holy Spirit and it develops in a climate of humility. This deeper level of discernment is the result of a heart totally committed to God, sensitive to His leading, obedient and yielded to His will. The deep discerner will see beyond the obvious to the motives that lie behind, forcing that Holy Spirit-led person to their knees in intercession. It involves heavy-duty spiritual warfare where only Christ, and not pride, gives the victory.

If you are or know a deep discerner, pray for the ongoing protection of God, for the days in which we live are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Pray that judges and justices across the United States, who issue rulings that often require discernment beyond their scope of understanding, will go to the Lord for guidance in those cases.

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:10

to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

¹⁷Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. ¹⁸Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. ¹⁹For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. ²⁰Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. ²¹Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) ²²For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. ²³You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. ²⁴So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.