DISCERNMENT:

LEARNING TO SEPARATE

THE HOLY & THE PROFANE

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OUTLINE

PART ONE - WHAT IS DISCERNMENT?

I.  DISCERNMENT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A. What is Discernment?

1. B. We are to Discern Spiritual Food

   C. We are to Discern Prophesy

   D. We are to Discern Spirits

   1. the spirit of man

   2. the Spirit of God

   3. angelic spirits

   4. demonic spirits

        E. We are to Discern Fruits

        1. false apostles

        2. ravening wolves

        3. thorns & thistles

        4. grapes & figs

II.  DISCERNMENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

A. Who used the gifts to discern?

1. Kings Discerned

2. Elders Discerned

3. Prophets Discerned

4. Watchmen Discerned

5. Priests Discerned

III.  DISCERNMENT IN THE LAST DAYS

A. The Need for Discernment

B. Exposing the Enemy Plans

C. Pitfalls of Discernment

1. Judging

2. Condemning

3. The dilemma of discernment

4. A watchman’s downward spiral

D. Overcoming the Pitfalls

1. Article on overcoming word curses and judgments

2. Standing in the gap

3. Two kinds of "throne room ministry"

IV.  THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF DISCERNMENT

A. Become like Jesus

B. Kings & Priests

V.  DISCERNMENT LEADS TO A FORK IN THE ROAD

A. Summary of Above

B. The Decision

C. The Choice

PART TWO - HOW DO WE  DISCERN?

I.  ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL

A. Exposed to the Supernatural

B. Pursuing the Supernatural

C. Making Decisions About the Supernatural

II. ABOUT DISCERNING PEOPLE

A. Discerning the Gifted Vessel

B. Separating the Gray of the Vessel

C. Giant and Flesh List

D. Giants, Thoughts and the Enemy

III. ABOUT DISCERNING EVIL SPIRITS

A. Rebuking enemy thoughts

B. Discerning counterfeit spirits

C. Renouncing occult participation

D. Discerning enemy dreams and visions

IV. ABOUT DISCERNING A MESSAGE

A. Discerning misunderstanding

B. Discerning the message

1. Quickening

2. Revelation

3. The good and perfect gift

4. In Jesus’ Likeness

5. The nature of His Words

V. ABOUT KNOWING GOD

1. The list of the character and nature of God

2. List of discernment questions

PART THREE

I.  SUMMARY

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PART ONE - WHAT IS DISCERNMENT?

I.  DISCERNMENT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

A. WHAT IS DISCERNMENT?

Discernment in the Greek language means judicial estimation, discern, disputation. It comes from a word meaning to separate thoroughly, withdraw, oppose, discriminate, decide, hesitate, contend, make to differ, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver. (#1) So if you wrestle with wavering in what you discern, now you know why. These words describe the process the receiver of discernment goes through! When the discerner is confronted with something that appears good on the outside, but isn’t, it becomes a stumbling block to his spirit. His flesh sees good signs, but his spirit is disputing, opposing, hesitating, contending, differing, doubting, staggering, and wavering against the outward appearance. Discernment is an internal war as one grapples to line up what they perceive, with Who God is, and what is being offered.

In the Bible, we have numerous examples in the Hebrew & Greek language revealing that discernment is connected to words having to do with the judicial process. Further on, there will be a bible study to reveal this. The bottom line is that discernment is like a pair of judicial balance scales. A person carefully weighs evidence, both pro and con. They separate the evidence into two piles…. Good and evil, right and wrong, true and false, holy and profane, etc.

Note that discernment is the actual PROCESS of separating into two piles, it is NOT the decisions based upon what is separated. As compared to a judicial court case, the word discern would be equivalent to the process of hearing a case and separating the evidence. Discernment would be separating the facts, good and bad, then distributing them into 2 piles. In one pile would be the bad and on the other would be the good. This process is like what a jury goes through to deliberate evidence. The jury does not have the power to pass a sentence of punishment for the results of lawlessness. They merely separate the facts and decide whether someone is innocent or guilty.

B. WE ARE TO DISCERN SPIRITUAL FOOD

When we receive spiritual food, through any means, we are to chew the good and spit out the bones. This happens when we separate what is from the Lord, from the enemy and from flesh. The following are 3 different translations of the scripture about discerning spiritual food. Each are worth reading to get a better understanding on discernment.

SOLID FOOD

As a baby grows, eventually he or she comes off pure milk and needs solid food and meat to grow strong and healthy. During the breakdown of food in the stomach the particles separate. The good part is sent to the cells, the waste is sent away.

Discerning spiritual food is similar to the process of digesting various Words from the Lord, through an impure or a mixed source, including our own distorted perceptions. First we separate what we hear by pondering it in bite size pieces. After we swallow, the food unravels or separates mixture: nutrient vs. waste. The nutrient feeds our relationship with the Lord, and the waste is unused and discarded.

As an example of this lengthy discernment process, I went through a long blind season when I couldn’t see what the Lord was doing in my life. At first I questioned what was happening, and the Lord told me it was a season of "winging it on in." Having little idea of what that meant, I continued to plod through my days. The season stretched on and on and I began to doubt if I heard the Lord about the season and if I was in His will. I was at a loss and could not discern the answer. Prior to this time, I had received a little bird house for Christmas. The inscription said, "Wing on in." So when the Lord had said, "Wing on in" I thought of that birdhouse. I interpreted it to be something like, "Fly by the seat of your pants!" That didn’t sound too great to me. It was solid food, (strong meat) and I wasn’t sure I liked chewing it.

Later I began to complain about being so blind and without understanding, and finally His 3-fold answer came to me. One night I was watching Star Trek about Diana Troy who had lost the gift of her unique intuition. She said it was as though she had lost her sight and had become blind. (That grabbed my attention because I had been complaining how blind I was to the Lord.) They said her loss was an opportunity to develop her other assets and make them stronger. So my first answer was "OK, He has put me in a blind season to help me develop other capabilities."

That night as I was pondering this answer, I flipped through some magazines and read two stories. The first one was about a student who was painstakingly learning to write the alphabet. The letters seemed almost perfect to the student. He held his breath waiting for the instructor’s feedback. "No, no, you are trying too hard!" the instructor said in exasperation. "There is no feeling." He took the student down the hall into a darkened classroom. "Now work here in the dark" and closed the door. Stunned, the student sat there fumbling with the pens. But gradually he began to relax and let his feelings rather than his eyes guide the pen. He began to let his creative side take over and felt the freedom of expression. He was no longer struggling to perfect his movements. He let the process flow.

I thought about how this applied to me. The words wing on in, inner abilities and now creative side seemed to have something in common. It still shouted fly by the seat of your pants! But what for? I thought, like the student writer, maybe I had been too uptight about discerning His will in my life. Maybe He wanted me to learn to relax and trust that He was leading me on the inside, in my conscience.

The last story was about a young girl who landed a small airplane because her father had a heart attack. Not knowing specifically how, but being a passenger many times in childhood, she operated the plane by a little knowledge and memories. When she approached the runway she knew she was going too fast to make the landing in a difficult cross wind. She closed her eyes to all the dials and buttons and listened to the motor. At first she would slow down too much, then would readjust her speed. She finally heard the right pitch to the motor and subconsciously knew it was right and landed successfully.

Thinking through this second story, I again saw the connection with "wing on in, inner abilities and creative side" but literally added, "Fly by the seat of your pants!" However this time I realized the girl wasn’t using just her instinct to come up with guesswork. She was NOT making uneducated choices. She had been trained and educated in past experience, she just hadn’t realized it.

Finally the three stories came together and I realized He wanted some hidden training I’d had in my past to come to the surface and become stronger. That was enough for me! Realizing I was in the Lord’s will, I was just going to have to tough it out and hang in there. I needed to stop struggling with this season, knowing He was silently with me in this sightless place and I was to hang in there until it was over.

When I went through this process to unravel the three stories that night, (Diana Troy, the student writer, and the pilot) a crimson thread of blindness tied them together: lost insight, placed in a darkened room and flying with closed eyes. They matched my situation (were quickened) and I knew (revelation) the Lord was trying to answer my complaints. But the process of how I figured out WHAT He was saying was discernment. It was just like digesting the good parts of the stories that were pertinent to me, and discarding the rest. That process took effort on my part to think it through.

Digestion, using the helpful and discarding the waste, takes time. To run a long race you need the strength of muscle which is built by protein. Protein or meat is not quickly assimilated into the body. Meat takes longer to break apart and be assimilated, in order to release energy. In comparison to the quick burst of His quickening energy of something sweet, God gives us something to discern (meat to chew on) to give us strength to run the race.

When the Lord quickens solid foods, the energy received is not a quick burst as from milk, but a gradual process of increased strength. Therefore the quickening and revelation of solid food is not easily identified as milk. The quickening of spiritual mild is an instant, "OH that fits!" and "OH, that’s Him!" Solid food doesn’t give a quick OH! Rather, it’s an "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!" It’s the same Holy Spirit, and the same quickening and revelation, but one takes longer!

In the previous example of the three stories, there is a difference between quickened "milk" Words from the Lord and quickened solid food from Him. The night I received the answer to my questions was milk - they were concepts, like blindness and instinct, that were quickened right on the spot. I knew (revelation) He was talking to me. Now that’s the kind of Words we like to hear from Him all the time! Quick and easy.

However, the original Word from Him was, "Wing on in," and that was not quickened at the time, rather it caused me to question what it meant, and eventually whether it was actually Him speaking. "Wing on in," was solid food. I didn’t like it. It took a long time of chewing (thinking about it and questioning) before I was able to finally "swallow" that Word from Him.

Solid food is sometimes a barrier to Christians. They are used to receiving milk from the Lord and assimilating it quickly. The fact that solid food requires time to chew and time to digest, causes some to spit it out because it is not a familiar process.

"But solid food belongs to those who are of full age,
that is, those who by reason of use have their senses
exercised to discern both good and evil." (Heb 5:14 NKJV)

BY REASON OF USE

This Greek word use [1838] is only used one time in the Bible. In context, it means that our senses are consistently trained until they become a habit. A habit happens by doing something over and over again. It is interesting that a foundation word [5157] for the word meat in this scripture, means revolution or turning. It is like a cow chewing its cud over and over again. Food rolls around in the mouth and breaks down into parts.

In this case it is our senses that are turning over and over again, becoming practiced and trained in the process of turning. It is similar to "gears" turning round and round in someone’s brain while he is thinking!

SENSES

The word senses [145] implies using our cognitive abilities to understand. Sometimes when the original Greek or Hebrew words do not give us a full understanding of a meaning, we can look at other scriptures that use the same original word and see the context of how they were used. In this instance the only other place this Greek word is used is where Jesus had just told his disciples that He was going to be betrayed. "But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive [145] it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying." (Luke 9:45 NKJV)

EXERCISED

The word exercised [1128] comes from a word having to do with training. It is our perceptions that are to become transparent, laid bare, naked or have nothing hidden or cloaking our understanding. This comes through a training process of doing something repeatedly over and over again. It is like stripping our thought process bare until we finally come to the naked truth.

DISCERN

This word discern [1253] perfectly describes the process of discerning between good and evil. When one perceives something that opposes the Holy Spirit, he will naturally withdraw, oppose, hesitate, doubt, waver, stagger, even if he does not have the words to understand why he feels this way. It is like an inner wrestling contest to try and distinguish between the real truth and the false.

This wrestling happens while what is being wrestled with turns over and over in the mind, like the cow chewing his cud. The mind might weigh the pros and cons, it might compare with the scriptures, might compare with the nature of God or the testimony of Jesus, it might test it to see if it is quickened by the Holy Spirit.

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between good and evil spiritual food. By discerning the difference, we examine, prove or try it as though closely observing under a microscope, or taking it through a test of questions and answers or pros and cons.

C. WE ARE TO DISCERN PROPHESY

The scripture says, "Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil." (1 Thess 5:19-22 NLT) Notice that this Greek word test is also translated discern.

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between true and false prophesy.  When we discern prophesy, we discern the message.  How to discern a message is in part two.

D. WE ARE TO DISCERN SPIRITS

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… to another discerning of spirits… (1 Cor 12:7-8, 10) The more acquainted we are with the HOLY Spirit, the easier it will be to recognize the unholy ones.

1 Cor 12:7-11 NKJV

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits [4151], to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."

There are four types of spirits in the above Greek word: man’s spirit, God’s Spirit, angelic spirits and evil spirits. The gift of discerning of spirits is the ability to discriminate these four types of spirits. In discerning spirits, this is the same word "discerning" already discussed in the strong meat scripture. It is the same gift, the same process, only this is the ability to discern spirits.

1. The spirit of man

Samuel went through the process of discerning the spirit of man, in choosing David to be king. God told him not to look on the outward appearance when going through the selection process. He discerned the brothers who stood before him, refusing each as the choice to be king over Israel. God allowed Samuel to go through this process until David stood before him. The Lord then spoke and said, "This is he." (1 Samuel 16:6-13)

The Lord discerned Saul’s heart when He said to Samuel: "I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments." (1 Sam 15:11 NKJV)

Achish discerned David’s spirit to be like an angel: "And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle." (1 Sam 29:9 KJV)

When we discern the spirit of man, it is more like discerning their motives. Motives are the intent or reasons for ones choices and behaviors. We can discern evil motives like ambition, jealousy, compromise, lust, competition, anger, unforgiveness, rebellion, unteachableness, pride, etc. These evil motives are like seeds within man’s heart that eventually lead man into making sinful choices. (If we do not repent of these things, they are nurtured and come to sinful fruition within our lives.) When we have the gift of discernment, we will be able to easily tell when people say things, why they are saying them and from what "motive" it is coming from. Most of the time this will be quite obvious and be an instant knowledge.

2. The Spirit of God

Eli discerned God’s Spirit was talking to the boy Samuel, when Samuel could not:

"So now the LORD called a third time, and once more Samuel jumped up and ran to Eli. "Here I am," he said. "What do you need?" Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, `Yes, LORD, your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went back to bed. And the LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Yes, your servant is listening." (1 Sam 3:7-10 NLT)

The easiest way to discern God’s Spirit, outside of comparing it with the scriptures is to check whether it is quickened to your own spirit. "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63 KJV) God’s Spirit gives life. He can give only good gifts. (James 1:17)

3. Angelic spirits

Hebrews 13:1 says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels." (NKJV) The Lord’s angels are not always obvious in their appearance. Sometimes we need to discern that they are angels.

Every one of us who are Christians have seen angels in our dreams! They appear as people that we do not know personally. They have personalities, appearances, countenances, voices, and within our dreams they are our helpers and encouragers. "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14 NKJV) They may speak to us in our dreams and because they appear human, we do not know they are angels.

We can also see pictures, which are quick flash visions of angels. I have seen many, many pictures of angels. Sometimes they appear as flashes of light, sometimes lightning, sometimes in human attire, sometimes with gold or bronze skin with powerful muscles, sometimes dressed in battle armor, sometimes smiling faces.

We can also hear angels. I have heard conversations of angels where they are talking to one another and not to me. I have heard them sing. I have heard them talk to God. I have heard them talk to me. Many have felt the literal and physical touch of an angel.

Angels play an important role in our life, for they serve us as a gift from God. One of the reasons they do not make a habit of openly declaring themselves is because they are created to glorify Jesus and to serve, not to publish their own identity and find followers.

In this day and time there is much renewed interest in angels. Unfortunately, the new age movement has also incorporated this. So beware when you listen to angel stories. Be on guard for any enticing story that would encourage a long time relationship with a guardian angel or even a friendship. The Bible says the enemy can be camouflaged as an angel of light, and the new age movement encourages having spirit guides who can appear in the form of an angel. They say each person should get in touch with these beings and have a relationship with them.

The difference is subtle, for angels are active in our lives, and they do love and encourage us, and sometimes talk to us, as the Bible says. I have read many stories of people who were delivered by angels, and I believe in times of intense long term trauma, an angel can have a temporary relationship with that person. However, the Lord wants us to seek Him and have a relationship with Him. He doesn’t want our faith displaced towards angels being our source, HE wants to be our source.

I personally believe that angels are dispatched with assignment, at the moment we pray. "Bless the Lord, you mighty angels of his who carry out his orders, listening for each of his commands. Yes, bless the Lord, you armies of his angels who serve him constantly" (Ps 103:20-21 TLB) I also believe an intercessor’s faith can actually strengthen the angel’s ability to fight through enemy territory as well as dispatch immediate help to people in need. (Daniel 10: 12,13) However the angels do not want the glory for this, as they are here to serve the Heavenly Father and us who are heirs of salvation. Stories about angels can be very encouraging, just keep your priorities straight and love our Father more for sending them to help us. (Colossians 2:18)

I had a funny experience having to do with angels. The Lord was trying to teach me that angels are my helpers, and they are dispatched with assignment the moment I pray. They are actually waiting for us to understand our authority, so they can get busy and do what they do best. Often we have the resources available to help many people, but they are not dispatched via the angels because we do not pray.

Anyway, I had been thinking about angels, and wondering about my guardian angel. Because I hear so much from the Lord at night, I often get enemy opposition. So I have learned to take authority over such until I hear Him clearly. One night I was wondering what giant, husky, warring angel the Lord had posted beside me and feeling kind of cradled by the thought. Then bam, I heard the enemy, so I rebuked it in Jesus Name, then prayed the blood of Jesus over our door posts and then asked for a nice giant warring angel to stand guard.

I heard the enemy say, "I think they want us to leave!" As I heard that, I realized the enemy was talking about the angel standing guard as well as myself and I was encouraged. Then I saw a picture vision of the face of a very pretty girl angel. Her smile was so loving and precious and it was kind of a tongue in cheek smile. I saw her eyes literally twinkle, and then she winked at me! I was so astonished and then immediately I thought, "THIS is my husky, giant, warring angel?????" My faith went to about zero. Then I remembered the subtle ploy of trusting in angels, instead of the Lord, and also the authority He’s given me. It was very funny and I instinctively knew that the reason she winked was to say, "I guess we showed them!"

I learned something that day. Number one, I was a chauvinist! Number two, the Lord wanted my faith in Him and in the authority He’s given me, not my faith in the angel standing guard. Number three, my authority must be more than I thought, or else with so much opposition, I would certainly need a nice, burly angel to protect me - at least one with a sword! [Sorry Lord, I just had to put that in!] The whole thing was very funny to me and we all had a good laugh.

4. Demonic spirits

Paul opposed the evil spirit that was actually saying something good: "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." Paul discerned the spirit to be one of divination, and rebuked it. (Acts 16:16-18 NKJV)

Demons also appear in our dreams. They appear as wicked people opposing us and all that is good and righteous in our dreams. Often they will have weapons to try and wound us, or perhaps we will be fighting them. The scripture also says that the enemy can be disguised as an angel of light, therefore we must discern whether the angel serves the Lord or the enemy. (2 Corinthians 11:14)

"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 KJV)

As I was reading the following scripture one day I noticed something I had not seen before: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know [1492] his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know [1492] the voice of strangers." Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them." (John 10:1-6 NKJV)

I realized that in this scripture it does not say that the sheep will not hear the voice of a stranger, rather it says it will not follow the voice of a stranger. The word "to know", both in knowing the Lord and not the stranger means to see, perceive, to understand, to know. As sheep, we follow Jesus, becoming more like Him, and recognizing Him the more we know Him and follow Him. We resist following the stranger because he is not like Jesus and we have the eyes of our heart set upon Him.

I had a false visitation that shows how subtle the enemy can be. I heard a voice say that I needed to make myself available and receive this visitation of the Lord Jesus. Then I saw a light on the corner of our property, shining in the darkness. I had the impression that something baring light was approaching our property. Then I saw cloven tongues of fire.

The speaker had spoken the words, "Lord Jesus." Whoever was approaching had light, and the tongues of fire was Biblical. I had been visited by the Lord before, and in those times my soul and spirit leaped at His approaching because His Presence was so near. When the Lord approaches, we know His Presence, even if we can not recognize His voice.

In this instance, I had no feelings at all as I watched this light walk closer to the corner of our property. I could not see who was bearing the light because our hedge was covering the view. I could only see a dim light coming closer and growing brighter and larger as it approached. I prayed, "Lord it has been a long time since You have visited me. I would love for You to come in a visitation! However, if this is not You, I bind the forces of the evil one and command you to leave right now in Jesus Name!" Immediately I saw an evil face and heard yucky things and understood the enemy was trying to deceive me with this visitation!

As a background to this, Wayne & I have always prayed a hedge of protection around our property lines. We have consistently told the enemy he can not cross our borders. It was interesting to me that the voice was saying I needed to make myself available to receive the visitation, all the while approaching our property line. It was saying without admitting this, that it needed permission to come to me.

I was then taken up and wrestled with a baldheaded principality. He had a very powerful grip and we tumbled in circles and we wrestled. I bound and rebuked and called on the name of the Lord Jesus as we fought. Finally I came out of the vision and prayed and warred in my cognizant state.

When I fell back asleep and had a vivid vision, this time from the Lord:

It was starting to rain. The rain was not drops, but like falling mist that was glistening in the sun beams. I ran outside saying, "Oh this is the kind of rain that brings rainbows!" I searched for a rainbow and saw the tail end of the left hand side of a rainbow. Only instead of it being rainbow colors, it had three distinct color stripes that were red, white and blue. As I noticed the American colors, the view changed into a panoramic vision where I realized that the arch I had seen was just a small portion of the side of a huge, red, white & blue gigantic crossbow that literally filled the sky. It looked like the scroll thing } that is placed on a musical staff, only it was a giant bow. I heard the Lord say, "Do not fear. The captain of the Lord of hosts is with you."

One might ask why I had this wonderful vision back to back on the same night as the demonic visitation. The scripture says the following back to back: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:7-8 NKJV)

When Bobby Conner was given his Shepherd’s Rod visitation 2000, he was told by the Lord to expect a visitation on the night of the Day of the Atonement. He had set aside all for seeking the Lord and had been preparing himself for this. When the time came, he saw a warrior-being fly into his window and look around the room for Bobby. When he saw Bobby, he immediately flew to him and Bobby felt his head become dizzy so Bobby cursed the thing in Jesus’ Name and rebuked it. He watched it melt and shrivel onto the floor before his eyes. Then Bobby was excited and ready to get down to business! The point is that when the Lord sends us visitations, the enemy knows this and sends opposition along the way!

Paul opposed the evil spirit that was actually saying something good: "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." Paul discerned the spirit to be one of divination, and rebuked it. (Acts 16:16-18 NKJV)

Remember some of the Greek definitions for discerning have negative connotations: dispute, oppose, hesitate, contend, differ, doubt, be partial, stagger, waver. These words also happen to describe the process the receiver of discernment goes through. The enemy is a liar and deceiver. He tries to camouflage his works by attempting to look good. When the receiver of discernment is confronted with something that appears good on the outside, but isn’t, it becomes a stumbling block to his spirit. His flesh sees and hears that it is good, but his spirit is disputing, opposing, hesitating, contending, differing, doubting, staggering, and wavering against the outward appearance.

I had an occurrence where I heard a spirit say to me that there would be a break through in a meeting that I was attending that day. It was a good message, and even said something about the Lord. But my spirit hesitated even though it was a good message and then suddenly I knew that this was a religious spirit. I rebuked it in Jesus’ Name, and it gave me all kinds of clack, being very angry because the Lord had made it manifest. It was a lesson that not all things heard, even though they sound like the Lord’s voice, are truly His voice. Christians need discernment, especially when it comes to the supernatural.

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between good and evil spirits.

E. WE ARE TO DISCERN FRUITS

"Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart. You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don't pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit." (Matt 7:15-18 NLT)

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matt 7:15-16 KJV)

In looking up these words I thought it most interesting that the words ravening and fruits had identical foundation words. One is speaking of the evil wolf and the other is speaking about good fruit. These identical words are: to seize, catch, pluck, pull, take by force, to take for oneself, to choose, to lift up, to take up or away, to raise, keep in suspense, to sail away, away with, bear, carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take.

It is also interesting that Jesus connected false prophets, wolves, thorns and thistles together in context. Ravening wolves have sharp teeth in which to seize, catch, pluck, pull, take by force, to take for oneself, etc. Thorns and thistles are sharp and can catch prey.

These are a very good description of false prophets! A wolf may dress like a sheep, but when it bares its mouth, there is no disguise. Likewise, we shall know a false prophet by his mouth. Is he biting and devouring others? Does he slander, gossip, criticize, judge? Does he seize the sheep for his own ambitious purposes? Does he pluck them for his own use?

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between good and evil spiritual fruit.

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II. DISCERNMENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

A. WHO USED THE GIFTS TO DISCERN?

1. Kings Discerned

The two predominate duties of the king were to judge the people and lead them in warfare against their enemies. The Israelites demanded that they be given a king patterned after other nations: "Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge [8199] us, and go out before us, and fight our battles." (1 Sam 8:19-20 KJV)

Similar to our Supreme Court, issues not settled by the elders were taken to the king to judge. Listen to Solomon’s prayer as he begs for discernment:

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. (1 Kings 3:9-13 NKJV)

God said Solomon needed discernment for:

a) matters that needed justice,

b) people that needed sentences passed for their unlawful behaviors. Solomon asked for discernment between good and evil.

• The purpose of discernment in this context was to discern between good and evil behavior and possibly motives.

2. Judges Discerned

In the process of Moses judging [8199] and settling problems, he was given advice from his father-in-saw to set up elders who helped. They were appointed as leaders over groups of people to judge between right and wrong and resolve the two with justice. And later, just as Solomon prayed for discernment to judge between right and wrong, the elders duties and needs were the same.

Ex 18:13-25 NLT

"The next day, Moses sat as usual to hear the people's complaints against each other. They were lined up in front of him from morning till evening. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "Why are you trying to do all this alone? The people have been standing here all day to get your help." Moses replied, "Well, the people come to me to seek God's guidance. When an argument arises, I am the one who settles the case. I inform the people of God's decisions and teach them his laws and instructions." "This is not good!" his father-in-law exclaimed. "You're going to wear yourself out--and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing him their questions to be decided. You should tell them God's decisions, teach them God's laws and instructions, and show them how to conduct their lives. But find some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as judges over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men can serve the people, resolving all the ordinary cases. Anything that is too important or too complicated can be brought to you. But they can take care of the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God directs you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace." Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions."

And now scroll up to the above translations of these Old Testament words, understanding, discern, judge and judgment and compare them to the New Testament words for discern: "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern [1253] both good and evil." (Heb 5:14 NKJV) They are very similar. They are connected to the judicial process.

NEW TESTAMENT:

Discern

NT:1253

diakrisis (dee-ak'-ree-sis); from NT:1252; judicial estimation:

KJV - discern (-ing), disputation.

NT:1252

diakrino (dee-ak-ree'-no); from NT:1223 and NT:2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication, decide), or (reflexively) hesitate:

KJV - contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.

NT:2919

krino (kree'-no); properly, to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish:

KJV - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

• The purpose of discernment in this context was to discern between good and evil behavior and possibly motives.

3. Prophets Discerned

Daniel, the seer was given discernment to understand visions and dreams. With this gift he was able to separate the various symbols and nuances the unravel the mysteries of God.

Dan 1:3-4, 17

And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding [995] science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans… As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding [995] in all visions and dreams.

He was given end time revelation of the antichrist and because of his discernment he was able to discern between the good and evil of those days to come:

"His army will take over the Temple fortress, polluting the sanctuary, putting a stop to the daily sacrifices, and setting up the sacrilegious object that causes desecration. He will flatter those who have violated the covenant and win them over to his side. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. "Those who are wise will give instruction to many." (Dan 11:31-33 NLT)

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between good and evil spiritual food.

4. Watchmen discerned

The watchmen looked for good and bad news and then announced such with their voices or their trumpets. In the Hebrew language they had 3 different words that described the various watchmen.

a) Sentinels on the city walls and in watchtowers. Because of the height of where they stood, they were able to see long distances and their voices traveled a great distance too. They rotated various hours keeping the watch. It was their duty to peer in the distance looking for any possible danger, or even good news coming from without the city walls. There also built watch towers in the middle of vineyards. These were placed to protect the harvest from being stolen or rampaged.

(2 Sam 18:25; 2 Kings 9:18; Ps 127:1; Isa 62:6, Isa 21:6, Isa 5:2; Matt 21:33; Mark 12:1)

b) Watchmen that go about the city. These were perhaps like roving security guards whose duty it was to protect the innocent from unlawful behavior and answer the questions of wanderers.

(Song 3:3; 5:7)

c) Watchmen on a hill top. These were warriors who stood their ground to defend their turf, or to offensively take ground by secretly waiting to besiege territory.

(Jer 31:6, 4:16)

Like the various duties of the watchmen in the cities, walls and towers, the Lord used this analogy to appoint spiritual watchmen to alarm of incoming danger. These spiritual watchmen brought messages from God showing people their sins, threatening judgment, calling for repentance and announcing pardon. Although scripture does not tell us that they had the gift of discern, the very nature of their calling required discernment. Even as the watchmen on the walls looked for good and bad news and then announced such, so it was for the spiritual watchmen. The spiritual watchmen needed to discern between the good and bad news and announce accordingly.

The prophet Ezekiel, was commissioned from the Lord to be a spiritual watchman. The people of that day were acquainted with the duties of a watchmen and so the allegory communicated well.

Ezek 33:1-9 NLT

"Once again a message came to me from the LORD: "Son of man, give your people this message: When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action--well, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the warning but wouldn't listen, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their deaths. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman accountable. "Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible."

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to discern between good and evil news.

5. Priests Discerned

Priests

The priests were to approach God on behalf of man. They were like mediators standing in the breach of man’s sins against God. They did this through identification as one person, on behalf of all the people. The sins of many (the people) became the sins of one (the priest) and the sins of one (the priest) became the sins of many (the people). Trespasses & consequences were passed both ways. (Ex 28:12, 19, Lev 4:3) The priests’ function were to offer sacrifices for the atonement of these sins. (Heb 5:1; 8:3). They were also to teach the people the difference between the holy and the profane and to judge in matters of controversy between people.

Neh 8:7-9

And the Levites, caused [995] the people to understand [995] the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused [995] them to understand [995] the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught [995] the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God;  

Ezek 44:23-24 KJV

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern [3045] between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment [4941]; and they shall judge [8199] it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.

• The purpose of discernment in this context is to understand the laws about good and evil.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

III. DISCERNMENT IN THE LAST DAYS

I have attended many special meetings where special speakers have blown through the doors and out the other side again… and they have left their mark. Some of these marks have come through genuine role models that shine such love, compassion and humility that my heart has swooned and I am left feeling that Jesus Himself has held me in His arms. Unfortunately other marks have left great wrestlings indelibly printed upon my heart. And this has put me at the feet of Jesus agonizing and groaning with these wrestlings of discernment. Anyone with the gift of discernment understands EXACTLY what those wrestlings are because the scripture says, "Judge not, lest you be judged." It also says we are to discern between good and evil. (Matt 7:1, Heb 5:14) Anyone along the road of discernment eventually comes to the same stop sign and questions, "How do I discern and not judge?"

THE PARADOX

In attending these various meetings I perceived ALL of them were supernatural meetings. What I mean is that I experienced the Lord’s Presence, I saw gold teeth, gold dust, gold flakes, people falling under the power, people thrown under the power, people healed, people delivered, and people saved. I also saw supernatural & prophetic manifestations in the worshippers who were responding to His Presence. I love it when He shows up, when we experience His Presence and He displays awesome signs of His love! So by the end of some of these meetings, why was my heart genuinely aching with intercession?

This is what I discerned operating in a few speakers in some meetings:

1. Control, domination, and intimidation. These were a type of witchcraft which attempted to force or override people’s free will. These characteristics were consistently used against God’s flock in areas like:

a) giving of their substance.

b) being pushed into falling, etc.

c) condemning those who did not respond to words of knowledge, salvation, etc.

d) blaming those who did not receive healings or touches from the Lord.

e) stopping people’s worship prematurely for personal agendas and self promotion.

2. Arrogance, boasting, strutting. Pride is the opposite of gracious humility and the Lord’s servants are to SERVE and to lay down their lives. In certain ministers, I saw them strut their gifts like a circus parade in peacock’s attire. Their tones of voice, mannerisms and messages were arrogant and boastful. I was deeply grieved over this.

3. Anger. Anger is a short fuse in someone who does not get their own way. God’s love is patient and suffers long. Using anger to preach God’s Word does not represent a shepherd’s heart. A good shepherd does not whip and beat God’s sheep. I heard chastisement and abuse over those who were sick, in poverty or broken.

I was agonizing in great quandary: "Lord Your people are so hungry for You, they are so sick, they are so desperate for You, they’ll take anything offered them in Your Name." "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd." (Mark 6:33-34 NKJV) Father, bring in Your godly role models. Please raise up a holy standard, that the people would know the difference between the holy and the profane!" I felt this was a serious wake up call to the times we are now in.

There is a new level of supernatural ministries being released and within these ministries, there are some who are or will become the false ones. All will preach Jesus, all will have signs and wonders, all will cast out demons. But not all will know the Lord. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matt 7:21-23 NKJV) If ever there was a need for discernment, it is now.

THE HARVEST

Bob Jones prophesied that before the great harvest of souls, the Lord is going to harvest US. The good and evil seeds within our lives are coming to fruition. These things that have been hidden for so long are coming to the surface and bearing fruit. This is going to become a great time of deliverance, where the Lord is going to open our eyes to the demonic realm and the fact that the body of Christ needs massive deliverance.

In several intercessions I have seen Leviathan, the great dragon. In one particular vision I saw him wrestle in the sky with some white eagles. (White eagles represent the prophetic.) It was his intention to make them fall to the ground. Then I saw him dive into a river that a school of chosen leaders were swimming in, and he began going after those leaders. I believe he is wanting to claim the harvest of his evil seeds and entice these leaders to choose the wrong path based upon seeds he has planted in their individual pasts.

When the turn of the century passed, it became very obvious to me that the Lord had changed courses in His river. Up until then, He was giving His loved ones a refreshment and renewing by His Presence. Now He is beginning to go deeper and bring hidden things to the surface, so that they be purged and healed. The change in the river is a definite mark in holiness.

Those who continue on the party path, and continue to indulge in carnal compromise will find themselves being given over to spirits of deception. They may find exactly what their hearts really want, and they may end up in a supernatural life, but it will be fed by Leviathan. They will be given over to counterfeit spirits, familiar spirits, spirits of delusion and doctrines of demons. I knew all of this when I attended these meetings. That is why I agonized so deeply.

A. THE NEED FOR DISCERNMENT

Beloved of the Lord, all that glitters is not gold and we are fast approaching some very serious years of counterfeit infiltration of signs and wonders. Jesus said, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matt 24:24 NKJV) The enemy’s long range intent of these deceptions is to eventually lead many into taking the mark of the beast and losing their soul. We wonder how that can happen to a seemingly educated population, but if we understand the subtlety of the deception, we will see how serious it is. It is for that means that I have compiled what the Lord has taught me in my journey of learning to discern good from evil. It is my prayer that this can truly make a difference in your years to come.

It is true that the greatest detectors of counterfeit bills have gone to school. And in spite of what one might think, actually their schooling is in handling real money. They have spent so many hundreds of thousands of hours touching the real thing, they are able to detect counterfeit money merely by its "feel." Even before their brain knows, they can feel the difference.

In my journey, after my calling and anointing, the Lord took me to "Alphabet School." He spent several years teaching me the language of how He speaks, how to discern it is Him speaking and how to understand what He is saying. The result of those wonderful years of sitting at His feet are compiled in my book, "101+ Ways God Speaks (And How to Hear Him). It was in those years that I spent countless hours touching the "real gold", so to speak.

However, I discovered in my pursuit of the Lord that I also had an enemy that stood in my way. In the process of much warfare against opposition, I learned valuable things that I feel important to pass on about the counterfeit. However it is my hope and intention that this file will be edifying and in the end you will know how to discern better, because you will know Him better. To begin I want to share with you several visions that reveal the plans of the enemy. If you are not aware that these plans are even now taking place, the exposure of these may be startling to you.

B. EXPOSING THE PLAN OF THE ENEMY

1. VISION OF THE ENEMY’S BATTLE PLAN

Given to Hollie Moody

hlmoody61@aol.com

As I was praying on April 25th, 2000, I began to see in my mind a picture of the Lord. He was sitting on a rock and groups of people of all ages were gathered around Him. They all seemed to be laughing and talking together. I felt joy and peace and happiness as I viewed this scene. At times, the Lord would reach down and bring a child onto His lap. Or, He would reach out and a baby would be placed into His arms. He would then gaze down into the face of the baby and speak softly and tenderly to the baby. At other times, someone would draw close to His side, and He would place His arm around them, and draw them closer to Him.

An angel approached the Lord. The crowd before the Lord parted to allow the angel to draw near to the Lord. A silence fell over the laughing, joyous crowd as the angel stopped before the Lord and began to speak. From the way this angel was dressed, I sensed immediately that this was a warring angel. Being a warring angel and well aware of the coming battle plan of the enemy, he spoke with a strong sense of urgency and even perplexity in his voice. He was very concerned.

"There is work to be done," the angel said to the Lord. "Why do the people only sit here idly? These are dangerous times. The people should be doing battle in prayer and in the spirit. Instead, they sit here at Your feet, laughing. They are completely unaware of what is even now transpiring in the courts of hell." With great concern in his voice, the angel asked, "Why are You allowing this?"

[Before continuing the vision, as a side bar to that conversation, I had the impression the angel and the Lord had been in each other's presence numerous times and had many conversations with one another. What the angel said did not sound disrespectful or challenging at all. I could feel how he was feeling, and it was a genuine question in the midst of such perplexing opposition to come.]

The Lord gazed with love at the angel before Him. "Before I answer your questions," the Lord replied, "take this child of Mine and show them what is being planned by the enemy."

Both the angel and the Lord then turned their heads and stared at me. "This will be too much for her," the angel protested.

"Take her, and show her," the Lord repeated. (The angel bowed his head to the Lord, then turned towards me.)

I began to back nervously away as the angel approached me. "Where are you taking me?" I asked the angel.

"To the enemy's camp," the angel replied.

"Go with him," the Lord instructed me.

I felt very nervous and afraid, but allowed the angel to touch me. As soon as the angel touched me, we were in darkness. I felt fear engulf me.

"Fear not," the angel said to me, and instantly, the fear vanished.

The darkness seemed to dissipate, and I discovered that the angel and I were in what appeared to be a great court. A man was sitting on a large throne, and before him were gathered all types of creatures and men. (This "court" had the appearance of a cave. When I first viewed this scene, I felt stunned. I'm not sure why. It was like something "rebelled" in me at what I was seeing.)

"Who is that man on the throne?" I asked the angel. "And who are the creatures and men gathered before him?"

"That is the accuser of the brethren and his armies," the angel replied.

I then realized that I was in the presence of satan. (When the angel informed me that this man was satan, the fact that he was sitting on a throne amazed me. Later, when I prayed about this aspect of the vision, I felt that the Lord said that satan was trying to copy everything that was God's in heaven, for himself.)

Satan was speaking, and I heard him say, "This will be our strategy." He then got up from his throne and went to stand in front of a large map on the wall behind him. As I stared at the map, I became aware that it was a map of the entire world. (It is very hard to describe this "map." The map wasn't actually "pinned" or "hanging" on the wall, but it was in front of the wall. But, it was like I could see it from all angles. And also, I could see like "air waves," "wind currents," the tides of the seas, etc. I could also see the hemisphere around the world ~~ moons, stars, planets, etc. I really have no words or way to correctly put down the appearance of this "map.")

Satan began to divide the world into sections. Then, he called out some names. I saw the creatures and the men gathered before satan part, and very large and strong looking angelic beings approached satan. (I saw four of these mighty looking angelic beings.) I could sense the power of these beings, and sensed the evil and wickedness of that power. A hush had fallen over the crowd.

"Who are these beings?" I whispered to the angel who I was with.

The angel I was with seemed concerned. "They are satan's princes."

Satan began speaking again, and he was assigning sections of the world to each of these "princes."

"You will need your armies," satan said to them. "Choose whoever you will. All is at your disposal."

The large beings then began to pick and choose who would be in their particular army. (This was by no means "orderly." There was a great deal of arguing, bickering, etc.) When they were finished, they all turned back to satan and stared at him.

"Each prince will teach you our strategy to deceive and to destroy and to slay mankind," satan said. "Go with them."

The princes and their armies began to exit from the presence of satan. The angel and I began to follow one of the groups. They went into what appeared to be a school room. The prince went to the front of the room and began to instruct his army on how to deceive, destroy and slay the people in their particular section of the world that had been allocated to them. The angel and I then went to each "classroom." The same plans and strategies were being "taught" in each "classroom." (By the "same" plans, I don't mean each class was teaching the exact same thing. What I mean, is that each class was very thorough in what it was teaching, and on how to apply what was being taught.)

In some of the classrooms, they were studying political leaders. Their families, homes, lifestyles, etc., were being closely scrutinized. I felt very frightened and helpless, very overwhelmed, as I saw and heard how very thorough these "lessons," for lack of a better word, were. Nothing was left to chance. Every area of these political leaders' lives was being dissected and investigated and studied. Demons were being assigned on how to "attack" and influence and "control" each of these political leaders, their families, and even their friends and co-workers. Nothing was left to chance. Nothing was overlooked. The books they read, the radio stations they listened to, etc., everything, everything was being discussed. The enormity of all of this was absolutely mind boggling to me. This also occurred with the religious leaders.

It was the "religion" classes that frightened and shocked me the most. In these classes, religions of the nations were being studied and discussed. Even New Age and occult, wicca, tarot, etc., were being discussed. Buddhism, Hinduism, etc., were being discussed. The bibles and books and other writings for all of these religions were being read and studied. Each denomination of Christianity was being studied. The Bible being studied was the major source of information for these "lessons." This was truly horrifying and shocking to me that demons were reading and studying the Bible. And, it was all for the intent to twist what was written, and to seek ways to misinterpret, misrepresent, etc., it to Christians. The demons were discussing ways to "dilute" the Gospel. They were discussing ways to "incorporate" major beliefs from all the religions into one big acceptable "gospel for humankind."

Some of the demons in these religion classes were ordered to "infiltrate" churches, were being taken into actual churches, and were watching how the people prayed, worshipped, sang, etc. They were studying how messages were being delivered to the congregations in numerous churches. They were studying the individuals who were used in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. These individuals were followed around constantly by assigned demons, who watched and listened to everything these people said and did. The friends and family members of these individuals were also studied. The demons discussed ways to drive wedges, etc., between those people who were truly being used of God, and the people they went to church with, and even how to cause these peoples' own pastors and spiritual leaders to lose faith and confidence in these people who were used in the gifts of the Spirit. I felt so angry and frustrated and helpless as I saw and heard how this was to be accomplished, and how it had already been initiated in many, many congregations, and how it was largely succeeding.

Many of these "religious" demons, for lack of a better word, were being taught how to sing in churches, how to dance in the Spirit, how to pray and teach. I felt at times as if I were going to vomit as I witnessed many demons in these classrooms "practicing" how to worship the Lord, and how to be a Christian. Seeing a demon "dancing before the Lord" is so awful, and so sickening, that there are just no words to describe it adequately.

Some of these more "major" demons, could also work "signs, and wonders, and even miracles." Some of these demons, were also being taught how to be "Christ." This was being done, by actually studying the scriptures. Seeing some of these demons acting and speaking like Christ, shocked me speechless. Seeing them reading the Bible, was like an abomination to me.

In some of these classes, even UFO's and aliens were being discussed, and how to deceive people through these phenomenon. There were classrooms where food and dress and slang words — yes, slang words(!) were being studied. Crops were being studied and discussed. All of this was just so vast, it overwhelmed me.

Suddenly, the "classes" began to leave the rooms. The angel and I followed them. They congregated back in front of satan.

"Report," satan said. "How will we deceive, destroy and slay mankind?"

One of the princes came forward and began to outline their plans and strategies to satan.

"The people want signs and wonders and miracles from their religious leaders," the prince said. "We know that our enemy will be, and has begun already, to grant this unto his children. We will slip in with a counterfeit move, and deceive many. We have taught our armies how to mimic worship, praise, and looking and acting like a true believer. We will give unto our armies the ability to work signs, wonders and even miracles. But while all become focused upon these outward manifestations, others of us will begin behind the scenes to dilute the message of the gospel. We will accomplish this partly through speaking to the people about God's 'true' nature. We will allow the people to create God into what and who they want Him to be."

"Good," satan said. "Very good."

The prince began to speak once again. "When the people have created their own version of God, then, we will give them OUR god."

The crowd before satan began to cheer wildly.

"We must depart !" the angel urged me.

Suddenly, we were back before the Lord. He was still in the midst of His children; laughing with them, talking to them, touching them.

A silence fell over the group once again as the angel I was with once more approached the Lord. The angel reported to the Lord all we had heard and seen in hell.

The angel was very concerned and distressed, asking, "Why are You just sitting here with the people? Why haven’t they been sent to begin battle? How will they be able to discern this coming great deception if they aren't even aware that one is coming?"

The Lord became grave. His face as He looked at His children was alight with His great love for them. I noticed tears in His eyes. Then, He turned His head and looked at the angel speaking with Him.

"My children will know the false, by knowing the true," the Lord said. "The longer they spend in My Presence, the more they will know My voice when they hear it. A voice of a stranger, they will not follow."

"But the enemy has those who have been taught to speak just as You do," the angel protested. "They sound almost just like You."

"Almost," the Lord replied gently. "Almost they sound like Me. Only My sheep who have lingered long in My Presence will know the voice of their true Shepherd. And this is why I spend so much time with My children. I spend as much time with them as they allow Me to. I know very well what the enemy is planning. My plans are plans of love and fellowship."

The angel and the Lord both fell silent as they gazed at the crowd before the Lord. "Love them well!" the angel replied.

"Yes, a battle is coming," the Lord sighed, and I saw tears in His eyes. "Great wickedness and persecution upon My children; My true children who know My voice. A time of wickedness and persecution such as has never been seen or experienced. Yet in the midst of it all, I will move, I will bless, I will speak, I will love. I will win. There are those of My children who sense much of this. They are the ones who will never stop praying and interceding; not even in times of seeming peace."

"What about me, Lord?" I asked.

The angel and the Lord looked at me. "Pray," the Lord replied. "Tell the prayer warriors to strengthen themselves and their brothers and sisters in the times of peace. I will be pouring out of My Spirit upon all nations and peoples. It will spread to even the most unlikely of places: television, magazines, newspapers, radios, even the Internet. And it will be here that the battle will truly begin, and the deception begin."

The Lord stood up.

"It is time?" the angel asked Him.

"It is time," the Lord replied.

Then, I was no longer with the Lord or the angel, but praying once again.

John 10 is in my mind; especially verse 14: "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."

2. LYING SIGNS

FROM ANNIE’S VISIONS, BK 2, PG 64

Annie Schisler

[Her books are sold at www.thequickenedword.com]

"After a couple of hours I was able to press through the opposition the Lord had appointed for me. Through that most glorious cross of tangible light He brought me, and there in the awesome presence of that great Cloud of glory-fire He sent forth His love, covering and enveloping me. How unlike that love is from anything known of His love here upon the earth! Covering and filling my whole inner being with that love He directed me to look.

There upon the earth I saw the souls of the sons of light to whom had been given a work of power to do. This work was a miracle to them and was a true sign of His working - a gift of power that had come from Him.

As soon as the sons of light began to work rejoicing in this manifestation of Jesus in their midst, the sons of darkness accompanied by the shadows of the enemy forces of evil also began to work miracles and do wonderful things. The signs that they brought were even greater and more spectacular than those of the sons of light - Deriding the lesser signs and wonders that the others had worked, the evil ones mocked and scoffed with great delight. Not only did the false lying signs and wonders show greater power but also they were far more numerous. These false wonders deceived many, and some, who at first had looked to the true works of God, now turned away after these greater, yet false signs. When the Lord would do one work as a sign, then the enemy would work many even greater wonders.

He said to me, "I have given this power unto the enemy, yet he shall not deceive My own unto whom I shall give sufficient light so that they shall be able to discern and know which are the true works of My hand. I shall do this to refine and purify them. They will have to choose which wonders are right and which are of Me. Those who truly desire to follow Me shall correctly define things as they are and shall not be deceived or led astray. But those who are not truly following after Me and do not desire Me shall choose the way of the greater and more numerous wonders and false signs. Deceiving themselves, these shall follow after the lying workers and miracles because they seek not to follow Me and are deceived in themselves."

As I watched, I saw great numbers follow after the greater, yet false signs and miracles, being greatly deceived. (Yet His own were not deceived.) Following after the false wonders they did not return to those sons of light in whom He was present nor look any more at those apparently lesser miracles that He was working in their midst. Those who followed the lying signs became ensnared and at last were destroyed.

No longer were those who accepted the false wonders present among the sons of light who remained alone with Him."

3. THE DISGUISED ONES

ANNIE’S VISIONS, BK 2, PG 32

Annie Schisler

[Her books are sold at www.thequickenedword.com]

"Because I was in considerable pain and discomfort I found it difficult to rise above it to meet with Him. Nevertheless, He enabled me to push it all aside and draw near unto Him. Welcoming me from out of the glory of His Cloud, He showed me far below upon the earth a great road. In that road was Jesus, not in the manifestation of His great Cloud of fire, but much reduced in size, His glory being greatly hidden. Following Him in that road were a large number of people.

Suddenly I saw a dark, deformed monster of evil. As I watched, I saw this huge, horrible being put on a mask that completely covered its hideous features, making it appear nice and good. Then it took white clothing of a certain imitation shining which did not look like the light that shines in celestial regions, but appeared more like a much inferior manmade light of some kind. Gathering together many smaller but equally disguised evil beings, this evil monster and his wicked consorts mixed with the multitude of those who were following Jesus. Scattering out among them, they began to deceive and to persuade some to follow them out onto a side road and to leave the way in which they were walking.

With some they were successful. Others paid them no attention whatsoever, but went right on following the Lord. After a while - for this seemed to be a long process and not a short incident - in which a large number of His own had been deceived and drawn aside from the way, He turned and beckoned unto them, not allowing them to be completely drawn away. When He beckoned to them, I saw that a light went out from Him and illumined them. They immediately comprehended the truth about the disguised ones. Although the evil ones were not stripped of their masks or customs of false light, His own were given to see through all their disguise and deceit.

To a number of those who were not His own ones that light did not come, and they went right on following the evil ones into the ways of deceit and destruction. They remained blind and deceived, being greatly attracted to those evil ones who appeared to be good.

Jesus spoke to me, saying, "I will not let My own ones be deceived nor led astray." He opened their eyes in such a manner that they could see right through those disguises and know the hideous evil that was underneath the mask. As I watched I saw that He destroyed those deceiving ones and those who allowed themselves to be deceived by them."

4. THE FALSE LIGHT

ANNIE’S VISIONS, BK 4, PG 49

Annie Schisler

[Her books are sold at www.thequickenedword.com]

"After being caught up into the heavenly spheres, I saw a dazzling and powerful light full of strange forces being directed by some unseen will and flowing out to some who were among His own ones. God told me that this wasn’t His light and that He hadn’t sent it; it was a light sent forth to deceive those who were not of the elect.

Although this light was already operating and trying to deceive, it could in no way deceive His own ones, for it was utterly different from the light that comes from God. They rejected it because it was lifeless and lacked those high qualities of glory, purity, holiness, and radiant life of the light of God. Although this other light did not attract nor deceive His own ones, nevertheless, many of those who were among His own ones were deceived and did receive the false light."

5. THE EVIL MAN REIGNING

ANNIE’S VISIONS, BK 2, PG 76

Annie Schisler

[Her books are sold at www.thequickenedword.com]

After a difficult battle I was enabled to come through the door of the cross of light into the presence of that mighty Cloud of highest glory and fire. After bathing me in His love for a while and speaking away my fears and renewing my whole being in Him, He told me to look.

There upon the earth was a terrible throne upon which a great man of evil was reigning as if he were God. He was frightening in his power and prepotency. His kingdom grew until He had brought all the people of the earth under his dominion. Terrible in evil and great in power, he took upon himself all the kingdoms of the world, usurping the place of God.

I saw that not only was he taking unto himself all power over all the people of the earth, but also over the sons of light who were greatly hindered under his reign. They were so blockaded that they were unable to reach unto God. This amazed me greatly. So terrible was the power of this great one that the sons of light were apparently overcome. Many who had appeared to belong to Jesus left the ranks of the sons of light and were captivated by this great king of evil who took full power over them.

Then I heard the Lord speak to me from out of His great Cloud: "All those who have accepted the reign and kingship of this reigning one shall see his destruction." After this He reached forth and took that great one of evil in His control and wrung him out, squeezing him as one would wring a garment dry. When He had wrung from him all of his power and strength, He destroyed him without mercy.

Furthermore, I saw that all those who had belonged unto the kingdom of the evil one and had accepted his evil reign watched the destruction of this man of great evil. But even this great destruction did not cause them to repent, turn back to God, or come to their rightful King. Rather, I saw that they persisted continually in their same ways until at last they, too, were destroyed in the same way. The sons of light, now set free, were no longer persecuted or hindered.

6. SPYING ON THE ENEMY'S WAR ROOM

A Word to intercessors through Rance Ramsey, Port Lavaca, TX

Rance's email: ranceramsey@usa.net

April 07, 2000

Our intercessors began to receive direction from the Lord this week through dreams and visions that I feel is a directive for intercessors worldwide. One lady saw a black book that was opened to her and she understood that it was the enemy's play book. She had full access to the book and could go through it as she willed. Another lady had a dream in which she was instructed to plant listening devices into the enemy's camp.

We began to seek the Lord on what He was saying and what we were to do with this information. He instructed us to symbolically and prophetically go into the enemy's war room and plant listening, seeing and other spying devices. The Lord told us that the room was empty and led us inside. The atmosphere was very calm. We were able to do what He told us to do and get out again simply and without danger or complication.

We felt like the Lord was saying that just as Gen. Schwartzkopf of Desert Storm knew the strategies of the enemy, their placement, their weapons, their strongholds, etc., it is necessary that we know the same things about our enemy. As we were obedient to symbolically place the devices into the enemy's war room, we understood that the Lord would begin to show us the very plans and strategies of the enemy against His Bride, the church.

Intercessors will begin to strategically see by the Spirit with pinpoint accuracy the exact plans of the enemy against the move of God, the revelation of God, against youth and old alike, against the local church and against the church universal. The plans will be

revealed in a depth of detail that He has never released before. As the plans are revealed to the intercessors, the church is going to be enabled to launch an offensive against the enemy and take new ground and territory with speed and accuracy. New understanding of the structure, rank and formation of the kingdom of darkness will be laid out for us with names, maps, etc. Great advancements for the Kingdom of God are eminent.

I feel like the Lord is saying that intercessors should "plant listening devices" in the enemies camp and be ready when his "play book of schemes" are revealed. The Lord is going to give us keys to avert the enemy's attempts at personal, corporate, national, and worldwide destruction.

Prayerfully,

Rance Ramsey

Cornerstone Assembly

Port Lavaca, TX

C. PITFALLS OF DISCERNMENT

1. Judging

People with the gift of discernment have an inward sense, an instinctive knowing that is sometimes without words. It is a common quandary that when these feelings rise to the surface and become "opinions", so does guilt. This is because Jesus told us not to judge. Many with the gift of discernment become frustrated, confused, condemned, ashamed, and even self loathing simply because they are not able to understand how to use their gift nor understand what it is for!

Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." (Matt 7:1-2 NKJV)

Judging is clearly defined in the Bible as wrong behavior and Jesus said that whatever portion we judge others we will receive the same portion of judgment back. It is like a boomerang principal; a counter punch. If we punch a punching bag it comes back to us the same measure of force we sent it!

2. Condemning

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

(Luke 6:37-39 NKJV)

In this second scripture Jesus said that the same counter punch principal works for forgiving and giving. In other words, if we sow judgment, we will reap judgment, if we sow forgiveness, we will reap forgiveness. Notice that in these two scriptures, they are both in context to the same Greek word measure. The harvest of judgment and forgiveness in our own lives depends on how much we sow the same in others.

I witnessed an excellent example of condemning and judging.

Condemn: I heard a lady say that her Mother had cancer and the Lord told her it was because the mother had not learned to forgive. Whether this was accurate or not, she had pronounced her mother guilty of unforgiveness.

Judgment: Then she said that her sister had breast cancer and had been clean for 6 years. But the Lord told her that the cancer would come back if she did not learn to forgive. Then she said that the Lord told her that she too would get cancer if she did not forgive. These were statements of judgment or consequences for the unforgiveness.

3. The dilemma of discernment

The dilemma: The word judge in the Greek is the same root word for discern! To unravel this, let us consider that in the above scripture Jesus said not to judge and not to condemn. Even though they are similar, these are 2 different steps within the judicial process. They are two different Greek words. To condemn means to declare someone guilty of misconduct. To judge means to state the reward for such behavior.

If we were to add discernment in this judicial court case, to discern would be equivalent to hearing the case, all the while weighing the scales with evidence. Discernment would be separating the facts, both and good and the bad and distributing them into 2 piles. On one side of the scale would be the bad and on the other would be the good. In logical order, this discernment process would proceed the condemning, then judgment.

Notice again the following scripture and its word for discern. This word starts with #1253, saying that word is from #1252, and that #1252 is from #1223 and 2919. The history of this word displays the same process. It says to discern means to dispute or argue. And that leads to separating the evidence and separating the facts leads to the final judgment:

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern [1253] both good and evil.

So we see that the very process of discernment, which is what we are required to do in separating good from evil, easily leads to judgment! Help Lord! Can this be resolved? Yes, keep reading.

4. A watchman’s downward spiral

It is natural for a prophetic person to see what is wrong, because by the very nature of their calling, they are watchmen. In the Old Testament, the watchmen stood on the towers and scanned in the distance for good and bad news. They called out what they saw. If they saw something of concern coming, they gave warnings. These warnings were for the protection and welfare of all those involved, not for their destruction.

It is easy for a watchman to go downward into a descending spiral when they discern evil. They can become:

1. Critical
2. Faultfinding
3. Judgmental
4. Pessimistic
5. Skeptical
6. Angry
7. Bitter
8. Resentful
9. Depressed
10. Hopeless
11. Apathetic

There are various degrees of all of these. On the lower end of the scale is a critical nature. This is the personality of a faultfinding person. The person tends to have a pessimistic attitude about most anything, and even if you say how pretty the sky is, he will note the cloud in the distance. It is as though these kinds of people wear tinted glasses and everything they see is viewed through a negative lens. Because of this, they can become angry, bitter or resentful, or depressed, hopeless and apathetic.

I have seen these kinds of prophets take a downward spiral and instead of pleading the case to the Lord, they plead it to people. They complain and murmur, and when that doesn’t relieve them, they backbite and slander, eventually they assassinate the character of the Lord’s anointed or the Lord’s work and they end up passing judgment. It gets worse, they prophesy judgment as a deserving penalty for what they "discern" and it gets worse, for they will eventually pray the judgment come to pass.

Jesus rebuked his disciples for this same kind of spirit. In this scripture the disciples had come up with a sentence or judgment for their enemies: "And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village." (Luke 9:53-56 NKJV)

"As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?" (Ezek 33:10-11 NLT)

If one has either a critical nature, a pessimistic attitude, or even a critical sprit, and does not forgive they become judgmental. Judging is clearly defined in the Bible as wrong behavior and Jesus said that whatever portion we judge others we will receive the same portion of judgment back. It is like a boomerang principal; a counter punch. If we punch a punching bag it comes back!

Judging is making a decision about a person and what he deserves. The word judge (#2919) in the Greek means to distinguish, decide, try, condemn, punish. The word is translated as avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

When one judges a person, they make a decision about that person and their deserving punishment. When one discerns, they make a decision about the person’s behavior and intercedes so the person does not get what the behavior deserves. In other words, judging is making a decision about people, discerning is making a decision about behavior. Jane Doe is an evil criminal and needs to be in jail verses Jane Doe is making sinful decisions and needs the Lord’s deliverance. The response to a judgment is a sentence of punishment. The response to discernment is to plead for good.

It is natural for a prophetic person to see what is wrong, because by the very nature of their calling, they are watchmen. In the Old Testament, the watchmen stood on the towers and scanned in the distance for good and bad news. They called out what they saw. If they saw something of concern coming, they gave warnings. These warnings were for the protection and welfare of all those involved, not for their destruction.

When the Lord gives someone discernment, it comes with the responsibility to pray and cover what they discern. Love covers a multitude of sins. "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Cor 13:4-7 NLT)

God is a just God. He is perfectly holy, perfectly righteous and holds a perfect standard to measure us and our behavior by. We simply can not measure up to His standard. However, He is also perfect love. And in His love, He sent His beloved Son to stand in our place and die for us, so that we could come to Him. In all cases, love triumphs, love balances the scale of justice. The bottom line of deciding whether or not we are judging or discerning is to ask ourselves, "Is my response to this person or situation loving?"

D. OVERCOMING THE PITFALLS OF DICERNMENT

1. ARTICLE ON OVERCOMING JUDGMENT (From the Quickened Word newsletter)

LABELS, LABELS AND MORE LABELS

A revelatory teaching from Sandy Warner

SWauthor@aol.com

Website: www.thequickenedword.com

11/14/00

Hi Loved Ones,

I had an interesting prophetic thing happen a few days ago. He had already been talking to me about "opinions" before this happened. It happened on a day where there was a war going on in my mind about a particular person. I had been criticized and felt judged and so I forgave, I released, I prayed, and I still had this war going on inside my thoughts. It became really ridiculous and I knew that this was a spiritual thing of fighting spirits, certainly not the person. Even after I understood this, I went right back to the mind war. I thought, "Whatever I do, it is not good enough."

At that moment in history I was reaching for an envelope on a shelf and bumped into a plastic box the size of a very large drawer. The box turned upside down and hundreds and hundreds of labels fell out on the floor in a huge mass. I stood there staring at the contents of this box with my mouth hanging open. I saw little round garage sale stickers, filing labels, sticky notes, diskette labels, removable labels, Xstampers and ink, filing labels and plastic inserts to hold the labels. The tally continued, and with my mouth still hanging opened, I realized what I had just thought was an opinion that was exactly like a label. It was like a word curse upon myself in the form of a self applied label.

THREE STORIES

Years ago as a newly born, naïve, prophetic child the Lord sent me to a person of authority, who formed an opinion about me. He labeled me, eventually judged, and finally rejected me. From the beginning, I was instantly hurled into a spiritual battle of such magnitude, that I did not know what hit me. It was my training ground and my teeth cutting days. All prophetic people go through this training, and I learned a lot of lessons back then. One thing I learned was that since this person was very anointed, he carried a lot of authority in the spiritual realm and his opinions of me were actually loosing evil spirits upon me. I knew this was true, but could not find the scripture to support this revelation. Through the years I saw this happening to others when they were judged, and I kept asking the Lord to send me confirmation. During the past couple of weeks, He finally answered that prayer. Before I share with you the scriptural insights, I want to share 2 more stories.

A couple of years ago, I was listening to a father speak negatively about his daughter. He was upset about a decision she had made and he brought several things into the conversation about her past mistakes. Feeling awkward about correcting an elder, I listened and by the time I was finally able to disconnect myself from the conversation, I felt slimed. I had compassion for the gal whose father had spoken like this about her and I prayed for her. That very day, a few hours later, I ran into her and she told me that she had a particularly bad day of bombarding negative thoughts. During a lengthy car drive that morning, she suddenly started thinking about all her past mistakes. Her mind was a battle ground of trying to overcome condemnation, guilt, shame and also trying to defend herself to no one but her own miserable thoughts. She said it was such a war that she had to finally yell at the devil to stop bugging her and she started speaking the Word of God over her past. I was so amazed at her volunteer confession, I asked her what time this happened. It was the exact time that her father was speaking these things about her. Then I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that people’s opinions, conversations and judgments release evil tormenting spirits to others.

A few days ago I was listening to a sermon on a cassette tape. It was the story of a traveling speaker who discovered that sometimes after he spoke at various churches, he would have these terrible wars going on in his mind. He would wake up and start thinking, "Maybe I should have said, this, or that.. I didn’t quite cover that right, I meant to say this… etc, etc!" It was becoming quite an issue of unrest with him. He realized it was a spiritual battle and started praying over it.

After one battle, he called one of the churches where he had just ministered, and mentioned to the pastor that he had not heard from him, and wondered if everything was all right. The pastor told him that they had not received what he had shared. When he got off the phone, he realized his thoughts of condemnation were bombarding him via evil spirits sent to him from the congregations’ inability to receive what he had shared. He started declaring out loud to the spirit world, "God’s Word will not return void!" A couple of days later, he called the pastor back, and the pastor said everything had changed and they had received him. In another church he had no bombarding thoughts, and so he wondered why! He called, and the pastor and congregation were very pleased with what he had shared. This was a real revelation to him of why he was having such unrest and this bombardment of ‘thought wars’.

As I listened to this tape, I knew the Lord was speaking to my prayer of so long ago. Here a preacher had also discovered that people’s opinions can loose curses in the form of evil spirits upon us. At the same time, I was working on a deliverance file for ministry teams (eventually to be placed at my site) and I was doing a study on curses. The scriptures came alive to me and gratefully I finally found the scripture connections to back up this revelation. I hope that I can relay this to you in a way that you can see it too. It has really helped me and given me some good tools in overcoming what I call ‘word curses’ that are sent to us from opinions of others and even ourselves.

THE SCRIPTURAL REVELATION

Scripture One: "Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight." (Prov 26:2 NKJV)

King James says, "As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come." The word causeless in the Hebrew means devoid of cost, devoid of reason or devoid of advantage.

What this means is that a curse will not land upon us unless we give it a reason to stay. Most often, that reason is our own sin or our own unforgiveness. The scriptures tell us that all of have sinned and deserve all the curses for disobedience to the laws of God, but that Jesus became a curse for us and paid the cost so that we could be set free of those curses. (Deut 28:15, Matt 18:34, Rom 3:23, Gal 3:13-14)

Please note that in Matt 18:34 it is a PROMISE that if we do not forgive, we are delivered to our tormentors! "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the TORMENTORS, till he should PAY all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

Scripture two: "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…" (Matt 5:44-45 NKJV)

"Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…. Repay no one evil for evil… Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Rom 12:14,17,19 -21 NKJV)

This is a command to bless when we have been cursed and a promise that this "subdues, conquers, prevails and gains the victory" over evil. (Greek for the word overcome.) This very promise took place in Job’s life.

"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." (Job 42:10 KJV)

Scripture three: "When you are invited into someone's home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If a village doesn't welcome you or listen to you, shake off the dust of that place from your feet as you leave." (Matt 10:12-15 NLT)

King James says "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you." (Matt 10:13 KJV) The word return means to revert, come again, to convert. When we give something away, we receive it back again.

To me, this verse implies that when we give a blessing to someone unworthy, it returns to us and we get blessed. Therefore, when we bless our enemies and those who curse us, it comes back to us as a blessing. I can see that this is similar to the concept that a curse will not stay without reason for it to stay. In the same way, a blessing will not stay without reason for it to stay. It comes back to us and we receive the benefit.

In pondering this verse that Jesus said first bless, then shake the dust off your feet, I wondered how these connected together since they seemed opposed to one another and implied some kind of a judgment against the unworthy enemies. I knew that couldn’t be correct since we are commanded not to judge, but to forgive. (Matt 7:2, Luke 6:37) And that was the moment of revelation.

Scripture four: "So it [the demon] returns and finds that its former home is all swept and clean. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before." (Luke 11:25-26 NLT)

Back then they did not have carpeted floors. When the people literally swept their homes, they swept dirt and dust carried in on their feet. In this scripture Jesus was comparing a swept home with being clean of evil spirits. I suddenly understood that when He told the disciples to shake the dust off their feet from the towns that did not receive their testimony, that He was saying shake the demonic dust, dirt, grime, filth off their feet as they left. So in context, we bless the people who do not receive us, then shake off the evil spirits that are biting our heals on the way out the door!

THE COUNTER PUNCH

I believe this concept works the opposite as well. If we judge and do not forgive those who judge or label us, it looses evil spirits upon them. These evil spirits keep them from repentance and make them worse than they were before. Therefore we have every reason to forgive, pray for, and even bless those who judge us, for in doing so they may change their heart.

SUMMARY

Getting back to the box of dumped labels, God wants to dump our boxes out, and help us get rid of all the labels from our past that are still hindering us today. Labels are like being confined in a box and they restrict our freedom to come and go. In that box we fight tormentors in the form of our thoughts and unrest. Labels come upon us from other peoples opinions, their criticism, their conversations, and their judgments of us. They also come upon us when we label ourselves. These opinions become word curses and evil spirits are sent through these channels to harass us. These curses are also allowed to harass us when we sin and when we do not forgive.

In summary, how to be overcomers of evil labels:

1) We confess our sins so that He will cleanse us. (1 John 1:9)

2) We forgive so we will not be tormented. (Matt 18:34)

3) We pray for our accusers so that our captivity will be turned. (Job 42:10)

4) We bless those who curse us, so that we may receive the blessing and not the curse. (Matt 10:12-15)

5) We shake the demonic spirits off of ourselves so our walk is free and unhindered. (Matt 10:12-15)

May the Lord help us to overcome evil with good in Jesus Name.

Lovingly,

Sandy

2. STANDING IN THE GAP

There is no higher honor in life than to be called the friend of God. When we are God’s friend, we stay close to Him and care about what He cares about. He shares with us His secrets. Why was Moses such a friend of God? (Ex 33:11) Was it because he was talented, or good at what he did? No it was because he had God’s heart and was willing to nurture and carry a multitude of people out of bondage. He loved God so much and he loved the rebellious people so much that he was willing to stand between the two and plead their case. This touched the Lord’s heart like no other. Moses was willing to lay down his life for them. "But now, please forgive their sin--and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping." (Ex 32:32 NLT) Moses was a great intercessor.

When I consider Moses, the great intercessor and friend of God, I also ponder why did God let him know when the people were in serious trouble and ready to be annihilated? Why did God forewarn Moses, instead of just killing everyone right on the spot? He told Moses because He wanted someone to stand in the gap and give Him a reason not to destroy them!

The following scripture is the heart of our God: "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD." (Ezek 22:30-31 NKJV)

I once heard a prophetic intercessor say something that I have never forgotten. He said, "If a prophet sees what is wrong with the church and does not cover it in prayer, that prophet WILL become critical." This is the downfall of having discernment. It is also the key out of the downward spiral. The purpose of being told what is wrong is so that we will intercede. The Lord doesn’t impart to us all the problems so that we will carry it on our own shoulders, so that we will be over burdened and turn inwardly critical and bitter, so that we will assassinate His people. He shows us what is wrong so that we will learn the secrets of intercession.

An intercessor always stands for mercy and forgiveness. He looks beyond the faults and see the needs of the people. An intercessor pleads their case and asks the Almighty Judge to consider forgiveness and mercy, over destruction.

Jesus gave the answer to this dilemma in the same scripture. He said instead of judging and condemning, replace it with forgiveness and giving.

"Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

(Luke 6:37-39 NKJV)

In these two scriptures, they are both in context to the same Greek word "measure". The harvest of judgment and forgiveness in our own lives depends on how much we sow the same in others.

3. TWO SCENES IN THE THRONE ROOM

In these last days there are two opposing scenes going on in the throne room. On one side, Jesus is our high priest, always making intercession for us. On the other side, satan is bringing the sins of God’s people before the Righteous Judge and wanting permission to destroy them. He accuses day and night, and constantly brings the faults, sins, evil natures, wrong motives, choices and behaviors to Him. I am sure that God does not enjoy listening to satan rant and rave about our sins. And I am sure that it must hurt the Lord very much when He searches our behavior and motives for any shred of reason NOT to agree with satan.

However it must be much worse, when satan uses US, God’s loved ones, to accuse His beloved people, and then God hears it doubly from us as well as satan. How much pain we cause Him when we agree with satan!

In the great throne room/ court room scene, there are only two positions available. One is intercession the other is accusation. One agrees with Jesus the other agrees with satan.

Thankfully Jesus Christ is still making constant intercession for us.

"Who then will condemn us? Will Christ? No! For he is the one who died for us and came back to life again for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, pleading for us there in heaven." (Rom 8:34 TLB)

"But Jesus remains a priest forever; his priesthood will never end. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf." (Heb 7:24-25 NLT)

Likewise, Jesus wants to use US for intercession. He wants us to plead one another’s case, so that the accuser will be thrown down, out, and finally be overcome. The gift of discernment is to see the truth, and agree with Jesus. The gift of discernment is to know God’s heart and make a way through intercession so that which does not line up, will come into divine order.

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev 12:10-12 NKJV)

The throne room is like a giant court room, with two opposing attorneys. One is the plaintiff and the other is the defendant. They are battling out the evidence of our lives. All the while, the Righteous Judge places the evidence on a balance scale and weighs them. Without Jesus, our scales we are miserably lacking! "Tekel means `weighed'--you have been weighed on the balances and have failed the test." (Dan 5:27 NLT)

THE DILEMMA

Because discernment is a part of the judicial process that weighs and separates everything, the bottom line is just like the scripture that says, "You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting. (Dan 5:27 NKJV) The Living Bible says it this way: "Tekel means 'weighed'-you have been weighed in God's balances and have failed the test." (Dan 5:27 TLB) Why? Because "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom 3:23 NKJV)

The problem is that if what we are discerning came through man, it will be found wanting. The problem is that God uses fallen man. The problem is that satan uses fallen man. The problem is the problem. That’s why Jesus came.

SO WHAT DO WE DO?

So we have only ONE human role model… and what did Jesus do? Jesus was a priest and a king. As a priest, He stood in the gap between our sin and our need, asking forgiveness and mercy. He jumped on our side of the balance scale and even with satan weighing us down on the other side, the scales are tipped in our favor!

As the King, Jesus weighs every motive, thought and intent. These are like grains that are all filtered through a sieve of faith, hope and love and He comes up with perfect and righteous judgment. And remember, kings pardon.

So what do we do with what we discern? We stand in the gap, asking the Lord for mercy to cover the sins, the evil motives, the blind pursuits. We ask Him to forgive what we see. And we pardon as well, for He has given us the power to retain and remit sins. (John 20:23) Then we ask Him to bring what we see into alignment with His will… praying with faith, hope and love.

Love covers a multitude of sins. "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (1 Cor 13:4-7 NLT)

As priests and kings, we are to love by choosing to look beyond the faults of what we discern, and pardon through forgiveness. And then we pray:

EXAMPLE

"Lord I just saw the forces of witchcraft being used in this servant, in Your Name! Please forgive him Lord, please have mercy on this man. Lord may Your will be done on earth in this man’s life, as You have declared it in heaven. Please open His eyes so that he may see the road on which he is traveling so that his soul will not be in jeopardy! I forgive him of his unholy presentation of You Lord, and ask that You look beyond his faults and see his need. Purge him Lord from these evil seeds in Jesus Name.

Father, protect Your children in the process. May what is going on not become a stumbling block to their faith. May they understand You use fallen vessels. MAY THEY UNDERSTAND THAT A DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR POWER DOES NOT VERIFY, JUSTIFY, OR ENDORSE THE MESSENGER OR EVEN THE MESSAGE. Keep them so that they do not stumble with what they see.

Lord, right the wrongs and defend the purity and holiness of Your righteous standard! Your people perish without a vision, they perish without godly role models. Teach them the difference between the holy and the profane, oh Lord. We ask this in Jesus’ wonderful Name."

After we intercede and finally release these issues to the Lord, we make a commitment to be very discreet in discussing our reservations with others. Greater levels of discernment can become a stumbling block to those who do not see and this can stumble their faith and their ability to receive God’s good gifts. Remember all have fallen short of God’s glory. God uses anyone, anytime to minister to those He loves. He even uses donkeys.

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IV. THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF DISCERNMENT

A. TO BECOME LIKE JESUS

It is our destiny to become like Jesus. Jesus was the firstborn of many who would follow in His steps and Jesus is a King and a Priest. Therefore, we are to become kings and priests.

"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Rom 8:28-30 NKJV)

"For at the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of kings and Lord of lords." (1 Tim 6:14-15 NLT)

"That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." (Heb 4:14-16 NLT)

B. TO BECOME KINGS AND PRIESTS

"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." (Rev 1:6 KJV)

A king makes decisions and rules according to what he discerns through the careful weighing of evidence. If the king discerns correctly and comes up with the scales balanced toward judgment, the king also has the power to pardon! Likewise, a priest has the power of intercede for the penalty if that evidence is found wanting. God is wanting to merge the king and the priest together.

God is a just Judge. He is perfectly holy, perfectly righteous and holds a perfect standard to measure us and our behavior by. We simply can not measure up to His standard. However, He is also perfect love. And in His love, He sent His beloved Son to stand in our place and die for us, so that we could come to Him. In all cases, love triumphs, love balances the scale of justice. (Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13)

As kings and priests, the Lord gives us things to discern, to weigh and test in order that we may learn to rule and reign with Him. And when we rule and reign, we will do it like Jesus, Who is the perfect role model of a King and the Priest. As kings we pardon through forgiveness. As priests we love by praying and covering what we discern.

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V. DISCERNMENT LEADS TO A FORK IN THE ROAD

To tie this study together, let me summarize what has been revealed via all these scriptures:

• To discern is to separate and weigh evidence.
• To condemn is to make a decision of guilty, based upon what was discerned or weighed.
• To judge is to speak a penalty for the guilty verdict.
• In the New Testament, the root word to "discern" comes from the same two words to "judge and condemn".
• In the Old Testament, the kings, watchmen, priests, prophets, judges and elders discerned. This "discerning" came from the same word to "judge".
• In both New Testament and Old Testament, it is like a court battle to separate the good from the evil. The process is the SAME.
• We are told to become kings and priests but we are also told not to judge. The journey of discernment is a road. The road no matter which way you come to it, is the same road.
• The reason why so many fall into the trap of becoming critical in the process of learning discernment is that they fail to see the fork in the road. The end of the line is when all the evidence is in and it is time to make a decision. At that point, the road ends. If we continue, we have a choice to go to the right or to the left. The left fork is satan’s accusation, judgment and destruction. The right fork is Jesus’ love, forgiveness, and pardon. The choice is ours and we either agree with satan or Jesus in what we are given to discern.

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PART TWO - HOW DO WE DISCERN?

The following section of How to Discern are excerpts from the book, 101+ Ways God Speaks (And How to Hear Him), by Sandy Warner. Update note from Sandy: It is interesting that I wrote section one (I.) below in 1984. So much of it is coming to pass right now, including the gold and the earth shaking.  

I. ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL

A. EXPOSED TO THE SUPERNATURAL

"But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law." (Hebrews 5:14 AMP)

All that glitters, is not gold and Christians are not immune to fool’s gold. Satan counterfeits all the ways one hears the Lord. Sometimes one can swallow a fish hook or take a wooden nickel because of ignorance, not realizing that he is NOT naturally immune just because he is a Christian. We cannot go into the last days of His outpouring without accepting we have an enemy of our soul who does not want us to know God. We must resist and overcome this interference to know the Lord. The way has been provided, but it is not without obstacles.

We would like to bury our hearts in the Lord, and pretend the enemy lives on another planet. But it is interesting that the scriptures, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." are placed back to back. (James 4:7,8 NASB) As He pours forth His Holy Spirit upon mankind in a more intimate way, the enemy will be working overtime as well.

In these last days, the world will be exposed to the supernatural in a greater measure; the supernatural of God, and the supernatural of satan. Bible-believing Christians will need to go into this time with their eyes open. "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16 NKJV)

God’s supernatural outpouring:

"And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." (Joel 2:28,29 NASB)

False supernatural outpouring:

"For false Christ’s and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect." (Matthew 24:24 NASB) "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 7:22,23 NASB)

This is the ending of an era and the speed of God’s time frame is greatly increasing. "Behold, the days come, says the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper..." (Amos 9:13 KJ) Vast numbers of souls will be planted in salvation as He rains His Presence upon mankind. Those who are newly born will grow rapidly. Established Christians will have an even closer relationship with Him.

Never on the face of this earth will humanity be exposed to so much, in so little time. This will happen for two reasons: the pouring forth of His Presence, and His shaking of the earth. (Hebrews 12:25-29) Because everything that can be shaken will be shaken, Christians need a solid foundation of how God speaks and how to discern the supernatural. In the process, God’s already established ones, waiting and prepared, will be used as His vessels to touch a disturbed world. His newly planted seeds will change into His image at an accelerated pace. With great joy, the Lord will receive His harvest. (James 5:7)

B. PURSUING THE SUPERNATURAL

The supernatural will draw many, and they will run after it for the wrong reasons. "IT" is emphasized, because "it" is an experience. Experiencing or hearing about the supernatural, arouses curiosity and intrigue which has a strong drawing power of its own. Christians are not to be running after the "it" — the supernatural experience. Rather, the supernatural will follow what they have sought — the love for Jesus Christ as they boldly speak His Word: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover... and they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:17-18,20 KJ)

In spite of the warning not to run after the supernatural for the fascinating, intriguing experience, we as Christians are told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts. "But covet earnestly the best gifts: (1 Corinthians 12:31 KJ) That word covet earnestly in the Greek is translated to be zealous and jealous over. It comes from words meaning to burn with zeal, to be heated or to boil. Coveting the gifts seems like a contradiction to the warning of not running after the supernatural. The difference is the purpose and motive.

A gift is meant to give away, to share unselfishly with someone else. The gifts are not meant to exalt man as the vessel to display power and super strength. Rather the Lord wants us to be gifted so that we may serve and be a gift to draw others into a deeper committed relationship with Himself. The supernatural is not just for show. It does display His awesome power, but He intends to go somewhere with it. And that intent is to show that He is a personal God and wants to be involved in our lives.

For those gifted ones, the supernatural will be a part of their lives simply because His Spirit is going to rain! They will be pursuing HIM, not the "sparkle" of the supernatural. The Lord’s supernatural is like the glitter on the outside of His package: it shines! The outside package is only wrapping. We don’t pursue the wrapping, we pursue what’s inside. He is our gift. We want HIM.

C. MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL

Part of the process of discernment is learning to make accurate decisions about what you are exposed to without being impulsive, rash, judgmental or critical: but with careful prayer, thought, consideration, and TIME. It is good to make a decision. The Lord is bringing the earth into a time when it’s TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. (Joel 3:14) Much of the population today is choosing sides in response to moral and ethical issues. What we have already seen politically, spiritually, and physically is only one small drop of what is to come.

We are coming to the end of an age when both God and satan want a commitment one way or another. Some of God’s people have been riding the yellow line for a long time, afraid to voice an opinion, or make a stand about what they believe. They have taken the middle of the road approach to avoid confrontations and ruffle as few feathers as possible to get through life in one piece! The yellow line hasn’t been a problem because there hasn’t been much traffic. However, the traffic in both directions is now increasing and the guy in the middle is going to get crunched. The pace is accelerating. Because of the great shaking, the fence straddlers are going to be forced to make decisions about what they believe one way or another.

The Lord’s supernatural outpouring is going to break and/or shake up man’s religious boxes as to Who He is. There are many ways man boxes God. One way is by interpreting the Bible to say God intended the supernatural to die with the early Apostles. Man will be confronted with a choice of removing the box and allowing God to reveal Himself as He chooses. Or, he may not be included in the blessings of the pouring forth of the latter rain of God’s Spirit.

Have you ever been in a belly-gusher rain? One time we had a deep, very loud, and overwhelming downpour. The gutters overran and our cat Cuddle’s, kitty pillow and blanket were drenched. I think it scared Cuddles, as after I washed and dried her bed (without offending soap or softeners) she would not come back and rest. She was sleeping somewhere else in the neighborhood and coming back to eat. It really bothered me and I kept praying that she would return and find her place of comfort.

Finally I came up with an idea. Whenever my son got her towel out and placed it on his lap, she came running! So I told him to also get her clean blanket that was on top of her pillow, and sneak it in with the towel so she could get her smell on it. He did this and she loved her time with my son. Then he placed her on her pillow with her blanket. The next day she was contentedly sleeping there.

The point of the allegory is that sometimes the supernatural rain of the Lord upsets our security as we are frail human beings. We become unstable and need to return to our resting place. The Lord wants to build in you a secure foundation and He understands. He will do His best to bring you to that place of security, that safe place of faith in Him.

People can go through a sifting process when they are learning to discern the supernatural. They really desire God and earnestly want to make the correct choices. However the inability to make the decision causes the wavering to become intense. So many have already been sifted in their hearing and led astray because of lack of knowledge. To keep from being sifted, a firm foundation is needed in reading the Bible and understanding Who God is. The things that God speaks will always line up with Who He is, so if you earnestly desire God and come across something that shakes a box inside you, PRAY about it, and ask HIM. If you are insecure about what you’ve been exposed to, go to Him and He will establish you. He will help you find Him and make the decisions that are correct.

II. ABOUT DISCERNING PEOPLE

A. DISCERNING THE GIFTED VESSEL

In learning to discern a vessel we must be very careful not to esteem man, his natural gifts or his supernatural gifts out of proportion, and think of the person or experiences more highly than we ought. There is a common misconception that giftedness means God’s approval of a vessel. The Word says, "You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even from the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell there." (Psalms 68:18 NKJV) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. ( Romans 11:29 KJV) "Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:22 NKJV) The fact is, God honors His Word regardless of the vessel. Think of the many vessels that fell into sin in the Bible, yet God still performed His Word.

On the other hand, God’s vessels need to be examples not only in what they say, but how they act when they are saying it. This is being accountable in word and deed. Consider the choices and communication skills of a wise parent:

1. A wise parent realizes if he yells at his children frequently, they begin to ignore and "tune him out" unless he is yelling. Soon they will become insensitive, deaf and hard of hearing even to the yelling.

2. A loving parent also realizes that controlling of pressure and coercion of his perspectives upon the child will only cause a wayward child to resist.

3. A sensible parent knows the best time to say a correcting word is in a teachable moment. When the child is striving, arguing, or defensive he is not teachable.

4. The astute parent resists an argument, for he knows only a downhill spiral will occur.

5. A loving parent will provide an atmosphere of believing and uplifting the child, rather than tearing the child down with criticism.

Should a preacher, a teacher, a servant, a friend, be any different in sharing God’s message? "God’s people must not be quarrelsome; they must be gentle, patient teachers of those who are wrong. Be humble when you are trying to teach those who are mixed up concerning the truth. For if you talk meekly and courteously to them they are more likely, with God’s help, to turn away from their wrong ideas and believe what is true." (2 Timothy 2:24,25 TLB)

As a delegate, the Lord’s messengers represent His heart and message. Purity of heart and motive are of extreme importance. I am reminded of the time when Moses was rebuked and not able to enter the promised land. (He struck the rock twice, and spoke a sentence of angry condemnation: "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" (Numbers 20:10 NKJV) "Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe me to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them." Numbers 20:12 NKJV)

The above word believe (KJ) is an important concept describing the Father’s character. It means: to build up or support, to foster as a parent or a nurse, render faithful, bring up, establish, be faithful of long continuance, nursing father, etc. Gesenius says believe is {to support with an arm, to carry a child, one who carries or cares for a child, who guards and brings up.} Hallow (sanctify KJ) means to pronounce clean.

Moses’ action at the rock did not represent the Nursing Father, it represented Moses’ exasperation and anger. It may appear as a small sin but because of his position, he was highly accountable. He carried great weight and authority: "...And from everyone who has been given much shall much be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." (Luke 12:48 NASB) Moses was chosen by God and led His people all the way to the door of their new beginning. But he was not allowed to enter. When representing the Lord today, it is important to remember Moses’s example; how the message is delivered is just as important as the message.

God uses ANYTHING as a vessel for His message. (He even speaks through donkeys: Numbers 22:28) Unfortunately, vessels sometimes cause us to stumble in our ability to receive the message. We compare the vessel’s personality with the Lord’s, how the message is given, and then falter because of the weaknesses of the delivery of the message. God uses vessels to communicate even though marred by sin. It is good to discern the vessel because one needs to discriminate between the impurity of flesh and the quickening power of the Spirit, but it is not good to be critical of the vessel.

Divisions can occur among Christians when they are learning to discern. They happen when a threatened person says, "That person is hearing from satan, don’t listen to him, he is from the devil." People are quick to categorize rashly and point the finger when they are insecure about what they do not understand. Because supernatural happenings come from the Lord as well as from the enemy, many actually do not know which side is which.

In learning the discernment process, we need to understand that DISCERNING IS A PROCESS. Not everyone is on the same level of perception. May we receive this needed understanding and have greater patience with ourselves and fellow Christians in their hearing. We need to treat others as God treats us: with understanding, forgiveness and love. Step by step He imprints His image upon our lives, and that takes time. Meanwhile, He still needs vessels to impart His living Word. In learning to discern the vessel, the most important thing is to discern with love. He wants us to be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16) When we are patient with man, love becomes the harmless part, taking the sting out of the discernment of evil and of flesh.

Therefore in our hearing and knowing the Lord through His people, we look to HIM Who is the Author, the Provider, the Creator, the SOURCE of perfect gifts, and let go of the part that does not represent Him. It is not that we let go of or turn our backs on humanity. Rather, we simply separate the good gifts from the clutter, and gladly receive the good portion. So in getting to know and hear the Lord through His people, we receive His good and perfect gifts.

B. SEPARATING THE GRAY OF THE VESSEL

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:14 AMP)

The process of discernment separates the words, receiving life from the good and dumping the waste. Identifying the source is the process of separation. The source has one of three choices: purity and white which is God, black and dark which is satan, or a mixture of both black and white, called gray. Distinguishing between the three begins by pondering the qualities of God. If the message reflects these qualities, then He is the source. If the message is opposing God’s character, the source is the enemy. Most of the time if it is the enemy, it is black and easy to throw out, unless the person is naive about God’s character. The world is full of the mixture of white and black — GRAY, into which man has adapted. The gray area is where we stagger in discerning what we hear and that gray area is found in people.

The gray areas come through 1.) the flesh, or 2.) giants within the soul or personality. Giants are a term I use symbolically. It is derived from the giants in Joshua’s promised land. The people were warned about allowing the foreigners and giants to stay in the land. When they entered into a forbidden marriage, they joined cultures, ideas, perspectives and beliefs. Union with them would cause mutations, polluted worship and practices, and the corruption of God’s separated and chosen people. Thus the term giants is a symbol of a forbidden intermarriage with the mixture of our flesh and the impurity of sin.

When one intermarries with a giant, its fruit causes a mutated life pattern. These unions with sin, impure actions, thoughts, beliefs, motives or old wounds, are patterns or ruts of the personality that no matter how hard one tries, they just don’t measure up to Jesus’ image. They are continually repeated and acted out through the body, soul and spirit in spite of much effort to change. They are thorns and pricks left in the Christian’s life and torment his freedom.

"And as for you, you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed Me; what is this you have done? Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ And it came about when the angel of the LORD spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept." (Judges 2:2-4 NASB) The Christian feels remorse about their existence yet has not been able to overcome.

Not everyone has the same giant patterns. Each person has their own unique personality and one person’s hang-up may be another’s strongest place of overcoming. Some of these giant "hang-ups" that do not glorify Jesus are listed below. As you read them, you may find weaknesses that fit yourself and others. If you have a weakness in one of these areas, it does not mean you have intermarried with a giant, but the weakness shows a vulnerability. When one actually intermarries with something on this list, he or she becomes snared by it, and it becomes a part of the person’s makeup - namely personality, decision making process, actions, reactions and overall life pattern of how that person lives life. It is the pattern of repeating weaknesses that exposes an intermarriage with a giant.

This list not only contains giants but is also a list of the fruit of the flesh. The degree the flesh is nurtured in these areas determines whether one intermarries with such and thus causes a giant pattern and eventually a cankered wound. The choice of most words comes from King James. Scriptures are included as references to the general concept. Synonyms are listed to help identify the words.

C. GIANT AND FLESH LIST

Abuse Misuse, mistreat, maltreat. (2 Corinthians 11:25)

Accuse Charge, blame, incriminate. (Luke 23:10)

Adultery Infidelity, fornication. (Matt 15:19)

Ambition Overly enterprising, stepping on others, determined, goal oriented. (Acts 8:19)

Angry Violent passion, indignant, exasperated. (Colossians 3:8)

Anxious Exaggerated & distracted concern, apprehensive, uneasy, worried, dread and fear. (Philippians 4:6)

Apathetic Indifferent, dull of feeling, passive. (Revelations 3:16)

Argumentative Disputing, contending, hair splitting. (2 Timothy 2:24)

Betrayer Double cross, trick. (Matthew 26:25)

Bitter Resentful. (Acts 8:23)

Blasphemer Irreverent, reviling. (Matthew 15:19)

Boast Brag, proud, arrogant. (2 Timothy 3:2)

Co-dependent Leaning on someone other than God. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Compete Ambitious, aggressive, contest, oppose. (Mark 10:37)

Complain Grumble. (Jude 16)

Compromise Bargain with evil. (Genesis 19:8)

Compulsive Obsessive, driving passion. (Matthew 12:45)

Condemnation False guilt. (Romans 8:1)

Control Dominate, push, restrain. (Acts 21:12)

Covet Desiring something that belongs to someone else, envy. (Exodus 20:17)

Coward Fearful, lacking courage. (Revelations 21:8)

Critical Disapprove, faultfinding. (Galatians 5:15)

Curse To curse, doom, condemn evil upon. (Matthew 26:74)

Cursing Swearing, profanity, filthy communication. (Colossians 3:18)

Deceive Defraud, delude, dupe, mislead. (Mark 7:22)

Defensive Justifying, guarding, shielding. (Isaiah 45:9)

Depressed Despondent, downhearted, downcast, desolate. (Proverbs 15:13)

Desiring praise Desiring esteem, admiration. (John 12:43)

Despise Little regard for others, low opinion of, arrogant. (2 Timothy 3:3)

Discontent Disgruntled, unsatisfied. (Philippians 4:11)

Disobedient No submission or conformity. (2 Timothy 3:2)

Divination Witchcraft. (Leviticus 20:27)

Double-minded Vacillate between two opinions. (James 1:8)

Double-tongued Two stories. Saying a thing with the intent to deceive. (1 Timothy 3:8)

Doubter Skeptic, unbeliever, mistrust, suspicion. (Hebrews 11:6)

Downcast Low in spirit, depressed, joy withered away. (Joel 1:12 )

Drunkard Intoxication, insobriety. (Luke 21:34)

Emulation Envious and contentious rivalry, competition, challenge. Galatians 5:20)

Envy Jealousy, rivalry, competition. (Galatians 5:21)

Extortion Acquire deceitfully, defraud, blackmail. (Leviticus 19:13)

Evil thoughts Unkind, tear down the person. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

False witness False, deceitful testimony. (Matthew 15:19)

Fearful Timid, scared, lose courage. (Revelations 21:8)

Fierce Brutal, rough, savage, violent, wild. (2 Timothy 3:3)

Filthy speech Foul speaking, low and obscene speech, vulgar language. (Colossians 3:8)

Filthy Defiling, dishonorable, dirty, wicked, vile, pornography, smut. (James 1:21)

Foolish Senseless, folly, reckless. (Mark 7:22)

Fornication Sexual immorality. (Colossians 3:5)

Gossip Spreading rumor, scuttlebutt, hearsay. (1 Timothy 5:13)

Greed Covet, hoard, grasp, possessive. (Acts 5:2)

Grievous Weighty, load, burdensome. (1 John 5:3)

Guilt Blame, fault, error, shame. (1 John 2:1)

Hatred Strife, detest, abhor, loathe. (Proverbs 10:12)

Heresy Disunion, dissension. (Galatians 5:20)

High-minded Conceited, inflated. (2 Timothy 3:4)

Hopeless Despair, past hope. (John 11:32)

Homosexuality Vile affections against nature. (Romans 1:26)

Hypocrite Masquerades, faker. (Matthew 23:15)

Idolatry Infatuation, inordinately fond of. (1 Corinthians 10:14)

Impatient Restless, intolerant, resistant towards long suffering. (Numbers 20:10 - 11)

Impulsiveness No self control, unpremeditated, rash, impetuous, spontaneous. (Proverbs 29:20)

Inconsistent Erratic, discrepancy. (James 1:6)

Indifferent Unresponsive, detached, apathy, unconcern. (Revelation 3:16)

Jest Banter, wit, joke. (Ephesians 5:4)

Jealous Possessive, monopolize, envious. (Proverbs 6:34)

Judgmental Censure, giving sentence, convict. (Matthew 7:1)

Lazy Idle, slothful, indolent. (Matthew 25:24-27)

Liar Telling falsehoods, untruth. (Revelation 21:8)

Lewd Unbridled lust, shameless, indecent, sensual. (Galatians 5:19)

Lovers of pleasure Preferring pleasure to the things of God. (2 Timothy 3:4)

Lust Craving, an absorbing longing for, hunger, desire. (1 John 2:16)

Lust for knowledge Passion for knowledge for wrong motive. (2 Timothy 4:3)

Malice Desire to injure, animosity, spite. (Colossians 3:8)

Mock Scoff, ridicule, deride. (Jude 18)

Murder Kill with ones words as well as literally kill. (Matthew 15:19)

Murmuring One who discontentedly complains against God, grumble, mutter. (Jude 16)

Perverse Without natural affection. (Romans 1:24)

Phobias Irrational fear, avoidance, aversion. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Poverty Unproductive, insufficiency, shortage. (Proverbs 15:19) (Romans 12:11)

Possessive Controlling, grasping, selfish, cling. (2 Samuel Chapter 11)

Proud Arrogant, vain, self love. (Proverbs 16:18)

Procrastinate Delay needlessly, put off. (Proverbs 6:9-11)

Presumptuous Boldly arrogant, offensive, foolhardy. (Psalms 19:13)

Quarrelsome Contentious, ignites strife. (Galatians 5:20)

Regret Looking to past life or sins, not accepting the Lord’s plan and His forgiveness. (Luke 9:62)

Reckless Heady, heedless, careless, rash. (2 Timothy 3:4)

Rejection Feeling discarded. (Genesis 29:30-32)

Resentment Offense, umbrage, embittered, hostile. (Genesis 4:4-8)

Reveling Drunken carousing, rioting. (Galatians 5:21)

Revenge Taking things into ones’ own hands instead of waiting for God, retaliate. (Romans 12:19)

Revile Slander, rail. (1 Corinthians 5:11)

Sanctimonious Hypocritically devout. (Matthew 23:14)

Seduce Entice, decoy, lure. (1 Timothy 4:1)

Sedition Dissension, divisions, sects. (Galatians 5:20)

Self willed Arrogant, stubborn. (2 Peter 2:10)

Sensuality Sensory pleasures. (Jude 18)

Self pity Self sympathy. (Jonah 4:8)

Skeptic Doubter, unbeliever, cynic. (John 20:25)

Slander Defame, dishonor. (Proverbs 10:18)

Sodomy Sexual perversion. (Genesis 19:4-5)

Strife Bitter conflict, selfish or self promoting which causes quarrels, division and dissension. (Galatians 5:20)

Striving Disputing, contending, arguing. (Romans 9:20)

Talebearer Telling secrets, spreading gossip or rumor. (Proverbs 11:13 )

Theft Steal, rob. (Matthew 15:19)

Traitor A betrayer, treacherous. (2 Timothy 3:4)

Truce breaker Irreconcilable, impossible to appease. (2 Timothy 3:3)

Unbelief No faith. (Matthew 17:17)

Uncleanliness Impurity of thought, motive or deed. (Colossians 3:5)

Unforgiveness Refusing to pardon. (Matthew 6:14)

Unholy Sacrilegious, blasphemous, irreverent, ungodly, profane. (Leviticus 10:10)

Unjust Wrongful, dishonest, unfair. (Proverbs 22:16)

Unmerciful Without leniency, unsparing. (Matthew 18:33)

Unstable Unbalanced, uncertain, fluctuating, fickle, changeable. (Ephesians 4:14)

Unthankful Without gratefulness. (2 Timothy 3:2)

Violent Cruel, fierce, vehement. (Psalms 7:16)

Wavering Vacillating, doubting, hesitating, fluctuating, instability. (James 1:6)

Wickedness Depravity, malice, iniquity. (Mark 7:22)

Witchcraft The use of drugs - see Strong’s #5331, medications, magic, sorcery, witchcraft. (Galatians 5:20)

Wantonness Self indulgence, self gratification. (James 5:5)

Wrath Fury. (Colossians 3:8)

Giants influence how we hear the Lord. Their influence is like a wound in a tree. The rings of the tree become warped and twisted as it wraps around the wounded area. In time, the circled areas may eventually even out, but when in close proximity to that wound, the rings are twisted, warped, perverted and bent out of shape. This analogy is the same with people who have giant wounds. When God’s Word comes close to their wound, there is a crooked emotional reaction that is blown out of proportion. What is heard is twisted, misunderstood, taken out of context, or interpreted completely backwards.

Learning to identify giants is helpful in the discernment process. Sometimes one will struggle with a rhema "Word or message" and be unable to discern whether it is from the Lord, because of his own giants. What may be happening is the message is from Him, but the receiver’s inner self wrestles because he is intermarried with a giant pattern and is not free of its warped perspective. For instance if one is suffering under a giant of condemnation, it is very difficult to receive God’s praise for a job well done. If the giant is rejection the person finds it very difficult to receive God’s love. If one was wounded by abuse in the past he may perceive the Lord as an angry God.

It is also possible to hear a message given through another who has a giant of decay and thus you will doubt and stagger over what is shared. If you become aware of the potential for giants and understand them, you will quickly be able to recognize the impurity of messages and motives spoken through another. I heard a preacher who was a dynamic speaker. He exalted Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit evident in his meeting. Yet he had a mutated giant of control from a wound in his past, and the Holy Spirit within me became deeply grieved at something he said, as well as the attitude behind it. I struggled with it and took it to the Lord. Without my asking, three people came to me, mentioning how this man "ran" his church. It became very obvious he was bound by the giant of control and this did not glorify Jesus’ image. I was then able to separate God’s pure message from the controlling statement. As a result, the man’s ministry, his giftedness and his impurities no longer were a stumbling block to me. I was able to hear the Lord through him in spite of his wounded flesh.

Giants and their wounds disfigure the purity of God and canker perspectives. They will always distort the character of God. Giants affect our thought life, our understanding of God’s message, and our ability to receive His Words in that area. Examples of how they influence us are coming up in following sections.

D. GIANTS, THOUGHTS AND THE ENEMY

Scientists tell us we need to think about something a number of times, before it becomes "grooved" in our brains via the axons, dendrites and synaptic junctions, thus forming new brain patterns. The process of thinking about something repeatedly, plants seeds and nurtures them to grow in our "heart." This process happens good unto good, and evil unto evil.

Christian warfare begins in the thought life. Jesus said, " But I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28 NASB) The lust in the heart begins as a thought and is nurtured instead of resisted. Through a process of nurturing thoughts, the seed of lust is allowed to grow until it becomes a weed. Thus a mere sight or thought triggers the weed response.

People who are vulnerable to the giants of self pity, resentment, anger, lust, unforgiveness, etc., are easy prey to suggestive thoughts the enemy puts in their mind. Just the mere suggestion of a random thought causes a giant pattern to be stroked. Then old patterns pursue the direction of the wandering mind. The enemy quickly binds the thoughts and emotions, and the person becomes a victim captivated within that particular thought and its emotion, resulting in unrest.

Take for example someone who has intermarried with unforgiveness. The union took place because somewhere in the past this person was offended many times. In the process, the person never forgave the offenders. Throughout the years, issues built up that would not have been so difficult to deal with in the normal set of events. But because of this unforgiving pattern, a giant of unforgiveness was finally set in place in the heart. So now the enemy comes along and "inspires" a random thought about a person. Immediately the mind wrestles with all kinds of issues, perhaps critical feelings or feelings of disapproval of what the person is doing, or any other number of feelings. These issues may not be emotional issues in themselves, but because of the giant of unforgiveness, now they become blown out of proportion. Thus the enemy has succeeded in bringing the person’s thoughts into captivity and there is a loss of peace.

Thoughts are also susceptible to wounds that crave to be healed. When wounded, one is inclined to grasp at things to survive. And receiving thoughts that stroke one’s pain is an instinctive part of that survival of flesh. In the example of unforgiveness, nursing old grudges or offenses are a perverted way of self comfort.

There are two ways man is vulnerable to enemy thoughts: through our thoughts and to our thoughts. Through our thoughts happens subjectively with the involvement of the personality and giants. The way the enemy battles us through our thoughts is to "inspire" them. Thoughts that stroke giant patterns have "drawing" power and inspire the thought life to center around issues that exalt the giant to be number one in perspective. We are a part of the involvement by "nurturing" these thoughts. We hold onto them for false comfort. But in reality, giant thoughts will always find a way to distort the purity and character of God, feeding unrest and anxiety.

Giant patterns also make us vulnerable in hearing the enemy. We can become entrapped into hearing the wrong source when we do not recognize our own giants. We need to know our weaknesses — the enemy does, and he is adept at using them against us. Examples would be hearing something that sounds Biblically correct by way of principles etc., and yet it feeds pride, or lust, or ambition, or greed or desiring man’s approval, or self pity, or fear, etc. Since he cannot create a good and perfect gift, he will try to make one as close as possible. One way of doing that is to stroke the giants in our personalities, causing the wounds in our life to "feel" good or identify with what we heard. It’s the idea of misery loving comfort.

III. ABOUT DISCERNING EVIL SPIRITS

A. REBUKING ENEMY THOUGHTS

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4,5 NASB)

For many years I swallowed the lie that the enemy could not hear my thoughts. Because of this, I prayed silently. It was only after the Lord started teaching me about spiritual warfare and using His authority against obstacles, that I realized most of the warfare is seeded in our thoughts. I discovered this when I would take a quiet time to pray and listen to the Lord, then suddenly I would get an interruption by hearing a spirit speak. Sometimes it would be in response to what I was thinking. Then when I would rebuke it in Jesus’ Name, (still within my thoughts) it would give a rebellious reply as it was leaving. Boy was I surprised. Actually I was shocked at first, but then it gave me more strength to fight the battle, because I KNEW I was making a difference. The bottom line to this example is that the realm of God is spirit, and so is satan’s. They don’t need our open mouths to hear us.

When the enemy speaks directly to your thoughts, you are hearing a thought that does not originate from yourself as mentioned above, and is the counterfeit of the Lord’s voice. The problem is that because it is a thought, it has no voice inflection and "sounds" the same as the Lord’s voice. If you have some doubts that what you are hearing may not be the Lord, be alert to Him bringing warnings to you. He may use another Christian. You may be directly admonished, or perhaps the person’s body language will hint what was said or done was offensive. In a group situation, the leader might ignore your input as if you hadn’t said it. Test yourself. Is what I’m hearing out of joint with the body of Christ? Does it bring strife? Does it point the finger, bringing guilt and condemnation, or does it build up and edify?

If you hear the enemy occasionally, do not be anxious, or feel guilty. It wasn’t your idea to hear him or listen to what he said. Your place is simply to recognize him and resist his attempt to snare. He must flee in Jesus Name. (James 4:7) There are two reasons the enemy is allowed to touch us: intentional sin and the Lord’s purpose. In these last days the Lord has even more of a purpose for us to overcome the enemy. We will be called to recognize the darkness and leave it behind. There will come a day when darkness will be under our feet and we will rule and reign with Him. (Romans 16:20; Revelation 2:26,27; 3:21; Hebrews 2:7,8; 2 Corinthians 10:6)

If you recognize the enemy either through or to your thoughts as a pattern, start resisting in Jesus’ Name over and over again. Do not be concerned that you will grieve the Holy Spirit of God by mistaking Him for the enemy. Obviously, the Lord knows and understands your plight, especially in learning to discern. He wants you stable and established in hearing HIM. God will work with you to get His will accomplished in hearing Him.

Every time you come up against the foreign thought, rebuke it in Jesus’ Name. If you belong to Jesus, you WILL OVERCOME. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. (Isaiah 54:17) Do not fret or fear this, simply take an active part in renouncing the thought in Jesus’ Name. Set your face like flint and rebuke as often as you need to until you are no longer harassed. You have the authority of Jesus’ Name, and the devil hates and fears His Name. You can stand in the Lord and resist all that would come against you.

B. DISCERNING COUNTERFEIT SPIRITS

Counterfeit spirits have the power to counterfeit any manner of hearing the Lord. They can speak to and through one’s thoughts. They can answer fleeces, give visions and pictures, etc.

The following is a list of the works of occult spirits that open the door to counterfeit spirits. This list is compiled from many full time deliverance ministries who have cast out thousands of demons resulting from the use or practice of the below. People who have toyed with anything regarding occult activity do not realize it is not a game. The forces behind those seemingly harmless pursuits are deadly. If children or adults could see the real issues behind the scenes they would never choose that road for a simple amusing diversion. That road leads to death and hell. (Incidentally, the word channeling in the new age movement, is a camouflaged way of describing the function of mediums, and that is a wide open field for familiar spirits. This has entered the school systems.)

Anyone can be badgered by the counterfeit if the Lord lifts the hedge. That is why Christians must be trained to use great discernment. Doors open to these spirits in several ways:

1. They have access to badger people who have toyed with occult activity in relationship to mediums, horoscopes, Ouija boards, palm reading, 8-balls, channeling, new age etc.

2. A bad weed in one’s heart of lusting for supernatural knowledge leaves one vulnerable. Lust for knowledge in a Christian most often is found in one who finds ways to demand answers from God.

3. The lust of itching ears with an absorbing desire for supernatural experiences also will open the door.

4. People who look for signs are vulnerable. They are ones who lay fleeces before the Lord on a continuing basis. Fleeces, if used at all, should be used with extreme caution as unto the fear and respect for the Lord.

Because even in a purified vessel one can hear the enemy, this is a very important warning: If you have ever been involved in ANY FORM OF THE OCCULT, RENOUNCE IT. If in your past you played with Ouija boards, 8-balls, read horoscopes, had cards or palms read, attended seances, been involved in the new age movement or any such thing; you have become a candidate for a familiar spirit’s yoke. (Isaiah 8:19, 29:4) This will make your hearing impure, warped, twisted, and polluted. Verbally renounce these past associations in Jesus Name, and turn your back on them and rebuke. ("I bind satan and renounce all association with ___________in the Name of Jesus, I resist them and break any spiritual yokes of enslavement assigned against my spiritual hearing, in Jesus Name.")

If you have had association with witches or anything stronger you need to seek deliverance through an appointed gift via the 5-fold ministry.  This is a strong warning. If you do not renounce these things, you will find yourself yoked into hearing a familiar spirit and following its road. You will lose your hedge and be severely cut back so as not to lose your soul. (Isaiah 5:4,5)

The best safeguard to keep from receiving a supernatural experience from evil forces is to seek Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is our door. (John 10:1, Revelation 3:20) We do not want to stumble in desiring the EXPERIENCE of the supernatural, we want to desire HIM. "But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD." (Jeremiah 9:24 NKJV)

C. DISCERNING ENEMY DREAMS AND VISIONS

The characteristics of dreams from the enemy are usually full of twisted accusations and darts that wound. Sometimes a dream will have knives, darts, sharp cutting instruments that inflict and cause pain. The purpose is to dump fear, remorse, guilt, torment, and barriers to one’s relationship with the Lord. The dream can be resisted and stopped by thinking "In Jesus’ Name" during the dream.

Also many times enemy visions and dreams will have a numbing, immobilizing or even paralyzing influence over man’s will. This can happen with an inability to speak or move the body, or lack of freedom in exercising the will. Another characteristic of an enemy dream is the inability to wake up, as the sleep is so deep, that when the person does wake up in the middle of it, it is such a lethargic state that it is very difficult to stay awake. Frequently there is the tendency to fall right back to sleep into the same enemy onslaught. I have learned to truly fight myself awake and then stay awake to do adequate warfare and gain the peace of the Lord before I go back to sleep. If you suffer this, always remember that thinking or speaking the Name of Jesus will break the enemy restraint. His Name is a very powerful weapon.

The Lord continually mentions in the Bible, we shall find Him when we search for Him with all our heart. He is to be our first love. He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. Seeking Him is not a mellow, "What will be, will be," attitude. It is a pursuit, and it goes upstream against the current. Christians are not immune to enemy experiences.

Enemy conflict is a current sent against us for two reasons. Both are because THE LORD ALLOWS IT. First, intentional sin lifts the hedge. The Word says, "herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward man...give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully....Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin." (Acts 24:16 KJ, I Tim. 5:14B KJ, Ro 14:23B KJ) When I disobey the training of my conscience I give cause for the enemy to speak reproach, the hedge is lifted and I get "dumped on." Most often when I get dumped on by a nightmare or bad dream He reminds me of those three verses. [The more mature we become in the Lord, the more sensitive our conscience becomes to very slight details in a day. An example would be attitudes that grieve the Holy Spirit like being critical of others in our thoughts.] I can always tell an enemy dream because it is almost always a personal accusation to that particular day. The problem with enemy dreams is there is always a measure of truth in them. So after I take heed to of the partial truth, I must then overcome guilt and condemnation and remember that I am covered by the blood of Jesus. I must also remember it is His righteousness that keeps me, not my own. The Lord does not want us buried in guilt that puts another layer between ourselves and His love.

The second reason the Lord allows enemy conflict is that the Lord wants us to become an overcomer. Satan puts many things in our path to try to get us off course, discouraged and tired, waylaid and delayed, all the while hoping we will give up. The Lord allows this to help us to grow, overcome darkness, and find HIM. We cannot find Him without resistance. The two go hand in hand.

IV. ABOUT DISCERNING A MESSAGE

A. DISCERNING MISUNDERSTANDINGS

Years ago, my son drew an elephant in a bathing suit, and gave it to me. In my female mindset, I interpreted it to be me... bulging. Later I tuned into a car radio sermon and heard: "If you see an elephant, don’t interpret it to be a snake!" The preacher said, "In other words, if it makes normal sense, then it’s good sense, so don’t make NONSENSE." Giggling, I listened to the sermon which was about not twisting God’s Word (a good gift) into something weird.

When we begin to realize we are hearing from the Lord, understanding is so important. There are three main causes of misunderstanding. The first is the enemy. The second are giants in a personality. And last, it could be the Lord’s purpose for us having a temporary misunderstanding.

The enemy causes havoc in influencing our interpretation of the Lord’s Word. Paul said, "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? (Acts 13:10 KJ) The truth is turned around so that truth is twisted to say the opposite. An example might be one who receives a picture from the Lord of a bulb in the ground. He perceives he is the bulb which is what the Lord intended, but the enemy twists the truth around so the person thinks the Lord is not pleased with him because he is in the dark not knowing what is going on and not being fruitful in that state.

The most frequent cause of misunderstanding in a Christian’s life are the giants within the personality causing warped and twisted understandings. As mentioned before, giants create silent decay, generating wounds and vulnerabilities that stimulate one to hear through those wounds. This is why discernment of giants in what we are hearing is so important. Remember, giants are crooked patterns within personalities that do not reflect Jesus’ image.

They ruin interpretations of His message causing misunderstandings. An example of how the wound of a giant can influence God’s message: perhaps one receives a Word of encouragement. For many years he succumbed to patterns of self pity because of difficult circumstances and did not experience any outside comfort or relief. The unhealed giant wounds of self pity from the past are momentarily touched through the word of encouragement. Now the old pattern of attempting to comfort himself through self pity is triggered. Rather than receiving encouragement and being lifted up, the person uncovers an unhealed wound, beginning cycles of self pity. The exhortation is twisted, becoming a reason to become self-centered instead of God-centered. The person feels worse than he did before.

Or perhaps one has been bound by the giant of ambition, another may have a giant of desiring man’s approval. Both are stroked by comments from man, and they might think the Lord is giving His approval to be involved in certain programs, which in truth God does not sanction.

The third reason for misunderstanding is it may be the Lord’s purpose! Eli misunderstood Hannah praying in the temple. He thought she was drunken, and because he misunderstood, he came over to rebuke her. She said it was not so and explained her plight. The truth was manifested to him and his heart was moved to give forth a prophesy and blessing. God also allowed a misunderstanding about Jesus dying and rising again. "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for HAD THEY KNOWN IT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD of glory." (1 Corinthians 2:7,8 KJ)

I went through a time when I wavered back and forth between truth and misunderstanding. The Lord desired this, for I had a lesson to learn and needed a proper foundation in my communication with Him.

As a review of the concept I have shared throughout the book (101+ Ways God Speaks and How to Hear Him), when the Lord began to speak to me by way of dreams, visions and pictures at night, He began to teach me a new language. It was built one night at a time, word upon word, until an extensive vocabulary was constructed. "I will bless the Lord Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons." (Psalms 16:7 AMP, 17:3) Each night I heard from Him, all the while growing in vocabulary. Then the milk changed into chewable food. It was food that wasn’t just swallowed and assimilated. It had to be chewed and pondered during the day.

Sometimes it would take several days, even weeks for me to chew and swallow. And sometimes, I didn’t like it and spit it out! One time, for several weeks, the Lord kept reiterating one subject. I would stumble upon the exact interpretation, and immediately spit it out, saying, "No way! It can’t be!" He fed it to me over and over again. Each time I approached that door of understanding my flesh would recoil and I would retreat.

During this time I was having a very difficult time feeding my three year old his meat. I had cooked a soft and tender roast, and throughout the daily leftovers the "appearance" of that pot roast would change! He’d spit it out every time. Finally, the last day of the roast I ground it up, pulverized it in the blender and mixed it with miracle whip as a sandwich spread. This was a day of victory. He ate it!

That very day a friend phoned and asked me if I had considered "such n’ such?" You guessed it, the subject was the "meat" He had served me over and over. Maybe I wasn’t so far off after all... Just maybe, just perhaps it could be so. Before I went to sleep I said, "Is it really so Lord?" That night He gave me a picture of that roast on my son’s plate and said, "I changed the form so you would swallow it!"

Coming to the chewable stage of His manna I had yet to learn this important lesson. I went through a whole season, hearing very clearly, knowing He was speaking; but everything I heard could be interpreted two ways in drastic contrast. I had no way of knowing which of the two He was speaking. They were always in opposition. I was on a spiritual swing-set, going back and forth, wavering, and vacillating between two opinions. What an exhausting season! I ended upside down like a turtle with my feet anywhere but on solid ground. I had no stability, no hope of ever understanding God, no confidence; I was a zero.

I needed that season of weakness to know my limitations and my need for His help in understanding Him. He had so carefully built our language and vocabulary. He would speak, and I could hear. But interpretation is just like revelation — it can not happen without HIM. I learned that particular season how important Holy Spirit is in understanding what the Lord speaks.

B. DISCERNING THE MESSAGE

Much of discernment is a matter of logical deduction but not without Biblical knowledge and the Holy Spirit’s help. The enemy has a subtle strategy of adding his lies to something that is recognized as truth. He knows we are too smart to listen to something that is drastically opposed to our understanding of the Lord. Because of that, we need to be equipped with a good foundation of the entire Bible, both the Old and the New Testament. We need to know it in context as well as understanding the types, shadows and symbolism. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." (1 Corinthians 10:11 KJ) "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." (John 5:46 KJ) "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4 KJ) Obviously we can not know all this at once, it is a lifetime pursuit, but as our Biblical knowledge grows, so will our discernment. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us discernment in everything that comes our way. In every instance, do not rely on your own power, just pray and ask the Lord for help! He understands your plight and your concerns.

To begin the discerning process, there are times when the message seems true to our understanding of the Lord, yet our spirit will be repulsed. That is a wonderful help when it happens, but even that needs discernment to separate our flesh from our spirit. Our flesh can be threatened by hearing the Lord confront with truth. Sometimes we will hear something subtly correct and have no feeling in our spirit at all. That is when the discernment of a message and understanding our own giants is so important. If it is the Lord and we remain repulsed, He will continue to bring the same message to us in other ways until we receive it!

He loves us very much and understands our struggles. The Lord brings us through the journey of discernment, and understands our struggles to separate and receive only Him. He knows our heart in wanting to fight the battle of overcoming darkness.

Here are some basic things to remember when practicing the discernment of a message:

1. Quickening

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63 KJ)

All the Lord’s Words, no matter what form we hear them, must be quickened by His Holy Spirit. The Bible says, only what is quickened by His Spirit will give life. Quickened is an obscure Biblical word, but without its power, our relationship with Him is limited to a dead language. The literal Greek meaning of the word quicken is to "make alive, or give vitality." It’s like the cartoon of the man ignoring the slow down sign. All words are just words until they are quickened and we finally realize they apply to us.

I remember hearing a story about a woman who brought her shy, unbelieving husband to church. He quietly listened to the entire sermon. Many things he heard related to his personal life (were quickened). Later, when confronting his wife, he said how embarrassed he was that she had told the pastor all about his personal problems. She was astonished because she hadn’t said anything.

Quickening happens when you hear a story, etc. and all of a sudden it connects with your personal life. His quickening power says, "Listen to this, I’m talking to you!"

His quickened Words are like a puzzle piece that perfectly fits the shape of your life — You could have a need, or be in a set of circumstances, or whatever, and when the Lord quickens something it becomes applicable, it has a niche — a place to fit. Quickened Words from the Lord are always relevant.

Sometimes a puzzle piece will appear to have the right shape and size but when you apply it, it is not a perfect fit. Quickening is not what appears to fit. Quickening is a realization that it does fit. When it fits, your heart knows it.

God sends His puzzle pieces to us a piece at a time, and they find a place that fits perfectly with all the other Words He has been sharing. It takes time to work a puzzle, some pieces come to us upside down and backwards. Yet if it is HIS message, it will prosper no matter what the enemy or a giant has tried to do with it. His Word will turn and find the place that fits in perfect connection with other quickened Words that have found their niche (been confirmed and made secure). This takes time. His desire is for us to be planted in a sure place. "And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house." (Isaiah 22:23 KJ)

When one is searching, the enemy may bring puzzle pieces that appear to be the right color, shape, or size. But only God’s piece will fit perfectly. The enemy’s attempt to snare will cause a distortion of the picture. We are not immune to taking something the enemy has planted and trying to make it fit.

It is just like forcing a puzzle piece that has been cut the same shape but not quite the same size. When placing the two together, there will either be a gap between the pieces, or the fit will be such a squeeze a "bump" will occur. This may delay the puzzle and disrupt its unity, but the more pieces of God’s Word that come together, the more the enemy’s puzzle piece will look alien. This takes time.

There are other times when God’s Words can be like a dormant seed. What He has said may remain buried, hidden in the ground, for many years. When the time is right, He takes that Word and quickens it with life. Many years ago the Lord told me about a man who lived south of me but the Lord never shared his name. For a long time, I wondered who it was, then finally I just forgot about it. It wasn’t until long after I’d met this person, that I remembered what the Lord had told me, and sure enough, that person fulfilled exactly what the Lord had said. The knowledge was dormant and for all purposes dead, until the Holy Spirit brought it to memory and quickened it with life.

Identifying His quickening power is a vital concept in hearing Him speak. This is especially true when we wonder if what we heard is the Lord. Do you wonder if God is trying to say something to you? Check His quickening power. The words make an empty thud without it.

2.  Revelation

The two disciples were walking on the road to Emmaus, thoroughly preoccupied with recent events. They did not recognize Him when He walked with them and discussed the scriptures. Moved and touched (quickened) by what He said, they asked Him to stay with them.

"[Stay] with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent." And He went in to stay with them. Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him [revelation]; and He vanished from their sight. (Luke 24:29-31 NKJV)

As the Lord speaks, He suddenly "reveals" that He is the One speaking.

Revelation is the sudden awareness of the Lord’s Presence or Word. It is the realization, "OH! That was God speaking to me!" The Lord sometimes hides the fact He is saying something to you, then suddenly it "dawns" on you, it is HIM. Revelation in the Greek Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Dictionary means to disclose, reveal, make manifest, appear, to lighten [as in illumination or to bring to light].

"OH it’s Him!" cannot happen with logical facts. His Words become obvious only by His Presence. We cannot teach His Presence, but we can identify it. Learning to recognize His Presence through revelation is important in building a common language with Him.

Quickening and revelation are foundations within a new Christian’s relationship with the Lord, but though these concepts are primary, they also continue throughout our entire Christian experience. They are vital to our relationship with Him, because His Word will ALWAYS be quickened to us, and He will not stop revealing Himself until we know Him as He is, face to face.

Remember to always apply the quickening test to anything heard. His Words to us will be a quickened message to our hearts, and they will always bring us life. (John 6:63) If it isn’t quickened then let it go. Life is too short to waste ourselves on words that speak nothing and go nowhere. The concept of quickening is the most basic test of all that is heard, and it is also the simplest. It is easy to forget this while trying to wade knee-deep through the discernment process.

3. The good and perfect gift

Only God gives good and perfect gifts, which are a reflection of Himself. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." (James 1:17 NKJV) The enemy cannot give a good and perfect gift. But he tries to disguise his so called gift to look like one. Ask yourself some questions about what you’ve heard; how did it make you feel? Did you receive peace, joy, or comfort? Or did it create a division in your relationship with the Lord, for instance feelings of guilt, confusion, fear, remorse, anxiousness, etc.?

A good verse to test what is heard is: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8 NKJV) Ask yourself, if the thought you heard lined up with the qualities of that verse.

4.  In Jesus’ Likeness

It is the Lord’s desire to bring us into Jesus’ full image and stature of maturity. "Unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13 KJ) What He speaks will build us towards that direction. Did what you hear build you up into Jesus’ image - did it sound like something Jesus Christ would have said? Satan cannot exalt Jesus as Lord and Savior. The enemy’s purpose will be to display power and control, especially glorifying man and self-image, which is the exact opposite of exalting Jesus Christ.

5. The nature of His Words

A message from the Lord will always reflect His character. The upcoming list About Knowing God gives Biblical foundations as to Who God is and defines His attributes. Its summary is applied here as a checklist:

• Does the thought reflect the qualities of love?

• Check for a mixed message; note its purity, and life giving qualities.

• Make sure it doesn’t condemn, does glorify Jesus, has the motive for building wholeness, provides peace and refuge.

• Watch that it reflects His Fatherhood, disciplines in love, guides into His truth, feeds and sustains, provides, covers and protects.

• Check that it strengthens, nurtures, is righteous and just, reflects that He is all powerful, all present, and all knowing.

In summary, His Words to us always speak, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32 NKJV) And for the most part, understanding discernment is that simple. The thought can be easily discerned simply by lining it up with the qualities of God and the Bible. It can be a process of choice through logical checks and balances of His character, balanced with His quickening power. If the message lines up with Jesus Christ and His Word, is quickened by His Spirit to give life, then the message can be swallowed.

No matter what, use discernment in what you see, hear and understand, concerning any message, not only yours, but from others as well. If you have heard a message and it does not reflect the goodness of God, then the message is impure. If you hear a word through an appointed gift of God, and it does not reflect His qualities, the message is impure. Do not esteem the reputation of man and ministry over the discernment of the message. If you hear anything from various ways, even if they are true, but do not reflect Him and His character, then discern the message and the source.

V. ABOUT KNOWING GOD

A. THE LIST OF THE CHARACTER AND NATURE OF GOD

Words that come from the Lord, no matter in what fashion, will always line up with Who He is. It is especially helpful to be grounded in the characteristics of God in order to know whether it is Him speaking to us.

The following is a list of the qualities and attributes of God and how they relate to the nature of His Words:

1. God is Love. God’s Word to us is founded upon the characteristics of love.

"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited - arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly. Love {God’s love in us} does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it - pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything {without weakening}. Love never fails - never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end..." (I Corinthians 13:4-8 AMP)

2. God is Life. When God speaks, it gives us strength, nourishment and fruitfulness; it gives us life.

"...I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 KJ) "...The Words that I speak to you, are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63 NKJV)

3. God is our Refuge. He is our hiding place, shielding us from the fiery darts. Words from Him will carefully protect when uncovering a thorn.

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1,2 NKJV)

4. God is Peace. There is no pushiness or driving anxiety in peace. Peace stills the storm. His Word to us will quiet our hearts when all is raging around us.

"..they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them into their desired haven." (Psalm 107:28-30 KJ)

5. God is Whole. "I AM that I AM" is complete. When He speaks wholeness into our lives, we become well, whole, supplied and complete in Him.

"I AM that I AM" (Exodus 3:14 KJ) "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17 KJ) [Perfect = complete 739 Strong’s]

6. God is Discipline. He disciplines us because He loves us and wants us to be partakers of His Holiness.

"For the Lord corrects and disciplines every one whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes...Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded {to them} and respected {them for training us}. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits, and so {truly} live? For {our earthly fathers} disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them, but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness." (Hebrews 12:6-10 AMP)

7. God is our Provider. What He speaks into our lives, will provide everything we need.

"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering..." (Genesis 22:8 KJ)

8. God is the Bread of Life. His Words will nourish us throughout our journey. They will strengthen, sustain and satisfy us.

"I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness... I am the living bread which came down from heaven..." (John 6:48 KJ)

9. God is our Strength. His Words give strength to stand and strength to rest.

"The Lord is my strength and song..." (Exodus 15:2A KJ)

10. God is our Banner. Words from Him are a sign that points the way to truth.

"You have given a banner to those that fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth." (Psalm 60:4 NKJV)

11. God is our Counselor. Words from the Holy Spirit will advise and guide us on the Lord’s pathway. [(Isaiah 9:6) Counselor; to advise, deliberate, resolve, consult, determine, guide. 3289 Hebrew Strong’s]

"...when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13 KJ)

12. God is Just. His Words execute justice to the wicked and freedom to the wronged.

"...for all his ways are judgment: for a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He." (Deuteronomy 32:4B,C KJ)

13. God is Truth. When He speaks, He does not lay heavy burdens upon our shoulders, rather He sets us free with truth.

"...the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father..." (John 15:26 KJ) "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:32,36 KJ)

14. God is a Deliverer. When He speaks Words into our lives, they deliver us from the death of the evil one and sin. He speaks without condemnation.

"For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned..." (John 3:17,18 NKJV)

15. God is our Shepherd. The Lord’s Words will be in one accord with a shepherd’s care for his sheep.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NKJV)

16. God is our Everlasting Father. He gives good gifts to His children. His Words will be good gifts reflecting His Fatherhood. (Isaiah 9:6 KJ)

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11 KJ)

17. God glorifies Jesus. The Father glorifies His Name through glorifying His Son, Jesus. When He speaks Words into our lives, they point the way to and through Jesus, His Son.

"The Spirit of truth...He shall glorify me..." (John 16:13,14 KJ) "Father glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. (John 12:28 KJ) I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6 KJ)

18. God is our Righteousness. The Lord speaks His righteousness to cover our sins for we have no righteousness of our own.

"...and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness." (Jeremiah 23:6B KJ)

19. God is Holy. When He speaks, His Words are pure, clear, without spot and blemish. There is no mixture in His Words.

"...Every word of God is pure." (Proverbs 30:5 KJ) {Pure in the Hebrew means refined. 6884 Strong’s}

20. God is Merciful. The Lord’s Words are compassionate.

"And the Lord passed before him there, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.." (Exodus 34:6 NKJV)

21. God is Forgiving. He speaks forgiveness for our sins.

"Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." (Exodus 34:7 NKJV)

22. God is Comforting. He speaks ease and consolation to our pain.

"As whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you." (Isaiah 66:13 NKJV)

23. God is Gracious. The Lord shows us favor and pity.

"I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious..." (Exodus 33:19 NKJV)

24. God is Wonderful. His Words to us are extraordinary, filled with wonder and marvel.

"And His name shall be called Wonderful..." (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV)

25. God is Omniscient. God’s Words reveal His secrets, for He knows all things.

"Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite." (Psalm 147:5 KJ)

26. God is Omnipresent. His Words are present everywhere in life.

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold You are there." (Psalm 139:7,8 NKJV)

27. God is Omnipotent. God’s Words are all powerful.

"There is none more powerful than He.....and thou reignest over all; and thine hand is power and might..." (1 Chronicles 29:12A,B)

B. LIST OF DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS

When you hear something, no matter what form it is in, test it. Here some questions to ask yourself. More understanding on these is available in the book, "101+ Ways God Speaks (And How to Hear Him)"

KNOW THE BIBLE

DOES IT AGREE WITH THE BIBLE?

DOES IT:

1 Validate Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords?

2 Recognize Jesus Christ is the door?

3 Recognize Biblical sin?

4 Certify the attributes of God?

5 Synchronize with the Biblical message?

6 Build Jesus’ image?

KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT

DOES IT VERIFY HIS PURPOSE?

DOES IT:

7 Quicken with relevance?

8 Fit the puzzle together?

9 Identify the Holy Spirit is grieved?

10 Reveal a misunderstanding of God’s purpose?

11 Manifest His Presence?

12 Refresh your soul, body and spirit?

13 Bring you closer to Him?

14 Identify the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?

15 Make darkness manifest?

16 Give a good and perfect gift?

17 Nurture purity?

18 Encourage walking in holiness?

IDENTIFY THE FLESH

ARE YOU SEPARATING THE DIFFERENCE?

DO YOU:

19 Know God’s Word is more faithful than the vessel?

20 Distinguish the personality of the vessel?

21 Make decisions with love and patience about the vessel?

22 Take your own thoughts captive?

23 Understand nurturing thoughts?

24 Feel wary of fleeces?

25 Recognize when your flesh is repulsed?

IDENTIFY GIANTS

DO YOU RECOGNIZE GIANTS?

DO YOU:

26 Identify your own giants?

27 Understand your own weakness towards opening the door to giants?

28 Recognize giant decay in yourself and others?

29 Recognize giant patterns in others?

30 Understand giants pervert truth?

31 Distinguish what strokes a giant wound?

32 Separate strong meat spoken from a giant’s influence?

SEPARATE THE ENEMY

DO YOU RECOGNIZE ENEMY TACTICS?

DOES IT:

33 Hate Jesus Christ?

34 Hate light?

35 Identify occult practices?

36 Bind, hinder, numb and chain the ability and personal will?

37 Lie and deceive?

38 Cover over truth

39 Hide from exposure?

40 Portray a grievous message or heavy feeling?

41 Divide people?

42 Scatter people from God’s source?

43 Oppose God’s character?

44 Display power with control, manipulation, pushiness, force over your personal will, coercion?

45 Warp and pervert the message?

46 Accuse and condemn?

47 Distort the attributes of God?

KNOW THE TIMES

DOES IT FIT WITH THE TIMES?

DO YOU:

48 Define it as the outpouring of the supernatural?

49 Recognize the counter culture, counterfeit and activities of the occult?

50 Perceive the lust for supernatural knowledge & itching ears?

51 Understand the process of overcoming in this time in history?

UNDERSTAND GOD’S CYCLES

DO YOU ALLOW TIME?

DO YOU:

52 Accept discernment is a process, not necessarily an experience?

53 Understand wavering faith?

54 Recognize sifted faith?

55 Pray through sifting?

56 Acknowledge God speaks in circles?

57 Recognize the application of His Word is larger tomorrow than it is today?

58 Wait for 2 or 3 witnesses for confirmation?

59 Wait for understanding?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

PART THREE

I. SUMMARY

What has been taught by this study:

• Discernment in the Old Testament and the New Testament is the process of separating into 2 piles.

• We are to discern spiritual food, prophesy, spirits (man, God, angels, demons) and man’s fruits.

• As a result of what we discern, there are 2 kinds of throne room ministry. The choice is ours. We either agree with satan or Jesus.

• The tendency in discerning is to judge or criticize. Since we are commanded not to judge, we overcome this by being like Jesus Who was a Priest and King. He stood in the gap and He pardoned.

• In these last days, we will be forced to make decisions about the supernatural.

• In discerning people we will learn the difference between their gifts, their flesh and their demonic influence. We will learn to separate the clutter from the good gifts God has placed within each person.

• In discerning spirits, we will learn how to discern enemy thoughts, counterfeit spirits, occult doors and enemy dreams and visions. We learn to rebuke and renounce to close demonic doors.

• In discerning the message, we will understand the importance of knowing the power of quickening, revelation, the good and perfect gift, Jesus’ likeness, and the nature of His Words.

• In everything that we discern, we will look for the characteristics and nature of God.