Old Dog V
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
Bob Neumann
Years ago i came upon this verse and wondered what kind of gifts should we be asking for? I had been to enough “prayer meetings” that basically were long “wish lists” for money, power, health and favor…and usually in that order. “Finances” was always a hot request. Once i heard a young associate pastor simply ask for “LOTS OF WEALTH”. At the time i thought it was fairly funny. Later i realized it was sad to find out that “bigger boys and bigger toys” was just as real in the congregations as it is in the world.
How can anyone preach a “prosperity gospel” that says the SAINTS should all be filthy rich, and anyone struggling from paycheck to paycheck is “lacking in faith”? In the same train of thought how can someone who claims a “healing” ministry say all who go away unhealed do so from lack of faith? It is like when the disciples asked JESUS whose sin caused the man to be blind from birth, his sins or his parents? Even then JESUS had to deal with FALSE TEACHINGS. It is hard to reconcile that someone goes through life without sight because one day THE CARPENTER goes through town. Even harder that JESUS purposefully stayed away from Bethany so that LAZARUS would be dead and buried….so he could be raised so that the people could BELIEVE.
So if you look at the GIFT of discerning of spirits, what spirits was Paul alluding to? Sure we talk about DISCERNING THE VOICE OF THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT…. HEARING THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE…. but what “spirits” are out there that need to be discerned.
In the OLD TESTAMENT the term most seen is FAMILIAR spirits, but you will also find “a lying spirit” and “a spirit of jealousy”. The New Testament gives us UNCLEAN, EVIL, WICKED. It also speaks of “seducing spirits” and a “spirit of divination”. Now if you look there are numerous other “spirits” that are not HOLY….and that is the whole point.
Discerning is simply being able to JUDICIOUSLY DISCRIMINATE…to SEPERATE FROM…to WITHDRAW FROM….that which is not of GOD.
Sounds easy….but if all that you need to make something acceptable is to wrap it in religious jargon….you have the basis of major deception. Just because it “seems” spiritual does not mean it is of THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. And when people tell you what you want to hear…it is so easy to agree.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables
The problems we have before us are vast. Why listen to THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT if all GOD WANTS is brokenness and obedience. Is’t it so much better if the professional prophets make us feel good about ourselves! Just imagine the Prophet Nathan going to King David and telling him how wonderful he is. Give him a word of confirmation that all is well in the KINGDOM. Give him a WORD of EXHORTATION! Tell him to start building a temple for GOD….
Only it did not happen that way.
David had sinned….and needed to repent. Imagine no Psalm 51.
So what spirits have we listened to…. whose side do we draw to?
It is wonderful that everyone wants to draw nigh unto GOD…but how do you do it if you are unsure when HE SPEAKS?
selah
bob
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