The gift of discernment can be a wet blanket on a congregation when a supposed prophet (dreamer of dreams) speaks up, when a person gives to the body, and even when miracles happen.
Most Christians celebrate the gifts of the Holy Ghost. Healings, miracles, tongues, prophecy, and others are what I call “spotlight gifts.” What do I mean? Within the body of Christ, all of the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 put the individual(s) center stage when they (the gifts) are being used. Upon using any of these gifts, the Christian is seen positively, sans one, the discerning of spirits.
This gift can be a “downer,” a real killjoy within the body. Why? The person giving this gift judges what’s happening when the other gifts are being used.
“Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” ~1 Corinthians 14:9
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“But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” ~Acts 5:3
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“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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“I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” ~Revelation 2:2
The gift of discernment is a detector of various unclean spirits within a church and a separator of motives. This can be a wet blanket on a congregation when a supposed prophet (dreamer of dreams) speaks up, when a person gives to the body, even when miracles happen. The Christian given the gifts acts as a judge within the congregation. This keeps the body from falling off the path.
So, celebrate them all and thank God for all the Christians His Holy Ghost gives gifts to, even the killjoys.
