Spiritual Discernment - Part 1

Spiritual Discernment (Part 1)
By Ben Dixon – 11th Hour Ministries


Introduction

Having discernment is crucial as we navigate through all that life brings. Discernment is the ability to perceive from God’s perspective in any given scenario.

Discernment is a sophistication of our spiritual awareness. We are occupying a physical world and yet know there is also a spiritual world that we transact with regularly. This means there is more to see then what we see.

Discernment takes what is obscure and makes it clear to us – the goal is clarity – to have INSIGHT!

1. True discernment is having the mind of Christ

- How we think determines what we discern

- Jesus taught us to repent – which means to “think differently”

- The way we think prompts our discernment. Having the mind of Christ causes us to discern properly.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NASB) 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 16 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 12:2 (NASB) 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

- As we are transformed by the renewing of our mind we will be able to tell what God’s will is (discern).

- Jesus taught us to think new, the Holy Spirit is working in us to think differently, thus discern differently.

2. Two Kinds of Spiritual Discernment

A. Developed discernment

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NASB) 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
- One of the outcomes of our spiritual development is to be able to discern things properly.

- The outcome for those who lack development is “dull of hearing” – “slothfulness” – no discernment.

- To be an infant in our ability to discern things is related to our development.


B. The gift of discernment

1 Corinthians 12:10 (NASB) 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.

- This gift is the ability to determine the source of something (words, teachings, ministry, etc) as being from the Holy Spirit, the human soul or a demonic power.

- Remember, just having the tool does not mean you know how to use it.

- This gift is also operative to determine whether prophecy/teaching is the Lord or not.

3. What is Spiritual Discernment for?

A. Avoid deception

- The devil is a liar and his main strategy is to try and deceive us through lies, trickery and half truth.

- As you go through the Bible you see moments where God’s people were deceived and lacked discernment.

Examples
1. Adam & Eve – Genesis 3:1-7, The devil deceived them and they ate the forbidden fruit.
2. Young Prophet – 1 Kings 13:11-32, He believed a lie and went back to Bethel – he died.
3. Joshua & Gibeonites – Joshua 9, Joshua believed a lie and made a treaty with Gibeonites.
4. Samson – Judges 16:10, Samson was deceived by Delilah and was captured.

Matthew 24:4-5 (NASB) 4 And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.
5 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
Matthew 24:11 (NASB) 11 "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
- Jesus warned that before His return many would come to deceive, even to those who believed.

- Discernment will cause us to see things as they really are, and to steer away from deception.

B. Identify the enemies schemes

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- The Devil has schemes, blueprints and plans in order to deceive us.

- We are fighting an invisible battle and need discernment to know what we are fighting

C. Identify what God is doing

- Ultimately discernment is about knowing what God is doing so we can partner with the Holy Spirit.

- When we see what is bad about somebody, then that says we know what it should be like.

- Would God give us insight into somebody’s life other then to help them, pray for them and hope for them?

- Discernment shows us what God wants to do.

D. Help other people see clearly

- As we discern things in people’s lives we can begin to pray and look for a time to share with them.

- Jesus would always share things directly and indirectly to help people see clearly.

E. To weigh/test prophetic words and teaching

1 John 4:1-2 (NASB) 1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God;
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NASB) 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
1 Corinthians 14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
- Discernment helps us to determine the source of our gifts to weed out falsehood, deceptive teaching, etc.

F. Show us what to pray for (intercession)

- A lot of things do not need to be said. The Lord wants us to discern things and become people of prayer!

- God helps us discern things that need to change so we will press into prayer to see it change.

4. How do you grow in discernment?

A. Ask God for discernment

B. Study the Scriptures – gain God’s perspective

C. Develop your prayer life – learn to listen and you will become more sensitive to the Spirit

D. Spend time with people who are discerning – ask questions

E. Share what you discerning with someone who is mature in discernment

F. Follow through in some way with what you are discerning (don’t do nothing with it)

G. Repent and steer clear of having a critical spirit

Hearing God Training Course - starting in February 2010

We are excited to announce our Hearing God training course through 11th Hour Ministries. Starting Tuesday February 9th we are meeting for 6 weeks to go over the issue of Hearing God's voice and speaking prophetically. This training course will provide you with the tools needed to hear the Lord's voice more clearly in your life. This is an inter-denominational, multi-church training, so all are welcome to join.

Please register through our website or email us at ben@eleventhhourministries.org to let us know you will be attending. You can register when you come as well and feel free to bring your friends (however, we may not have enough notebooks for everyone so registering in advance will be better for you). It is preferred that you are able to make all six sessions, but if you cannot please let us know and we will gladly make an exception for those of you who simply cannot attend all of them. Those that come will receive a notebook with our training materials and a CD of all the teachings after all sessions are complete.

The Hearing God training course will be located at Mill Creek Foursquare Church in their larger sanctuary. This is a free training course, but we will take an offering during one of our sessions - feel free to give. Childcare is not provided. Please email or call us with any questions you may have!

I look forward to our time together!

Ben Dixon
11th Hour Ministries

For more information contact:

Ben Dixon
ben@eleventhhourministries.org
425-742-3366