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SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

  • Writer: Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
    Olufunmilayo Adekusibe
  • 10 minutes ago
  • 3 min read

Today’s Reading:

I John 3:1-6

“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)

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We are in a very noisy world where different sermons are being preached, ranging from different social media platforms to all manner of churches springing up every day. Every Tom, dick and Harry is a pastor. Even those without adequate training, sound mentorship and balanced Christian Life are on the pulpit. The saddest thing is that all of them are using the bible to back up their sermon. Those who were disciplined due to immorality moved out of their base church to start their own ministry. Several names and appellations today without commensurate anointing and God’s grace upon their lives. They are just empty barrels making the most noise. No one to sanitise them. Some of the ‘One Man’ churches are being bastardised as several cases of decay and devilish acts are being shown on the media. The Apostle John warns believers to test every spirit because many false prophets have gone out into the world. The word test means to examine, scrutinise, sieve and check properly to be sure it is the same Spirit which we received from God. The danger of deception is real, and the solution is spiritual discernment.


Now, what is Spiritual discernment? Spiritual discernment is the Holy Spirit–given ability to recognise the difference between truth and error, right and wrong, and God’s voice among other voices. Spiritual discernment is seeing life through God’s eyes so you can avoid deception and walk in His truth. It’s not the same as suspicion or guesswork — it is a clear, Spirit-led understanding that helps you: test teachings and prophecies against God’s Word (1 John 4:1); identify false spirits or influences no matter how convincing they look (Hebrews 5:14) and make godly choices even when the options look similar. Your relationship with the Holy Spirit will go a long way toward not falling into error in a time like this.


These six questions will help you to discern the error from the truth:

  1. Does it agree with God’s Word? God’s Word is the final standard or authority on all issues of life, Isaiah 8:20, 40:8. The idea of putting God’s Word aside and facing reality is a fallacy from the pit of hell. No reality apart from His Word. A Christian who is far from the scripture can never discern error.

  2. Does it align with God’s character? God’s character is holiness without which no one can see God. Exodus 34:6-7

  3. Does it give honour and glory to Jesus? All that the scripture is pointing to is Jesus. Likewise, every prophecy or sermon must also point to Jesus. Anything short of that is an error from demons.

  4. Does it help one to live righteously or promote righteousness? Righteousness is right standing with God; if any spirit doesn’t provoke one to a righteous living, then it is not from God.

  5. What do mature Christians say about it? For in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

  6. Do I have peace that surpasses human understanding about the matter? One of the ways God guides is through inner peace, not manufactured by man but unexplainable by ordinary human reasoning.

There’s a lot of noise in the world, but God has given us His Spirit to help us know His voice.

Test the spirits, hold on to truth, and walk in victory every day.

JAMES ALADE



To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud. “Father, I acknowledge my sin against You. I repent and ask for forgiveness, in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in Your path of righteousness.


Thank you, Lord.” If you said the prayer, Congratulations! You are welcome to the body of Christ. Prayerfully seek out a living church and meet the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.



Prayer:

  1. Every spirit of error working among the people of God be exposed and be disgraced in Jesus’ name.

  2. I shall not be a victim of these spirits of errors in Jesus’ name.

  3. For as many who have been caught unaware by the spirit of deception, let them be released by fire in Jesus’ name

 
 
 

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