Discerning Of Spirits

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:8-10

Although there is a gift of discerning spirits (demon or angel), I believe everyone can learn to discern them for the benefit of casting them out! First of all, I want you to understand that Satan isn't a demon; he is an angelic host, a principality (Prince over a territory), and those who followed him in the rebellion are also angels. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Demons, on the other hand, are the army of God, disembodied spirits, controlled and sent against those who are disobedient! Take King Saul, for instance, who rebelled against God's command to destroy the Amalekites, and the Holy Spirit was taken from him, and a demon was sent against him! The apostle Paul had a spirit (demon) of pride sent by God to keep him humble.

Joel 2:4-11 describes the army of God; demon hordes sent against a rebellious people in the "Day of the Lord!" The confusion arises when demons and angels are mentioned, a who's who that we must discern in order to deal with them. One thing is true: they are both spirits.

The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble.
The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars diminish their brightness.
The Lord gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great.
For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? Joel 2:10-11

THE ANGELIC HOST

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:10-12

These are the angels Satan led in a rebellion against the Most High. They are able to enter humans as Satan did when he entered Judas. It is important to discern these beings because they can be dangerous to individuals and must be dealt with by the Church.

PRINCIPALITIES-RULERS-World Lords, I John 5:19 We know we are of God and the whole world lies under the sway (power) of the wicked one. Taskmasters-Exodus 1:11 Therefore, they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens.

POWERS-Greek-Exousia- angelic beings, another word for principality. Authority over an area or the territory of a prince. (fallen angel)

RULERS OR WORLD FORCES-Kosmokrater-Ruler of the world, Stronghold, II Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS-In high places, Ephesians 2:1-2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.

TESTING THE SPIRITS

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this, you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. I John 4:1-3

DISCERNING THE MANIFESTATIONS

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this, we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. I John 4:6

As the scripture states, there are many false prophets, and when confronted by one, a demon may be speaking out of them. When I was being trained in deliverance years ago, one day I was attempting to cast a demon out of a lady who was speaking in a man's voice.

Feeling a little overconfident, I commanded the demon to bow his knee before the Lord Jesus Christ. Three times the demon cried out, "No!" Then the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, "He's bowed three times, what else do you want him to do?" That is when I was convinced that we have power and authority over our enemies, and that is when I quit speaking to demons except to say, "Come out!"

When dealing with someone in deliverance, to discern the spirit you are dealing with, look for the manifestation, such as anger, hate, bitterness, or some other sin they are exhibiting, and then command it out in the name, power, blood, and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. I John 4:7-8

THE FATHER OF LIES

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. John 8:44

The devil does not have a single word of truth in him! You can't believe him or his angels or the demons! This is why the Holy Spirit has to guide you through deliverance or in your quest to discern their attack against you.

There are multitudes of deliverance how-to books, manuals, and the ABCs of spiritual warfare. I have one myself, but remember if you are born again and Spirit-filled, you have all authority over the powers of darkness, and you don't have to name them, just cast them out in Jesus' name!

The key to deliverance is honesty in the one you are ministering to and their confession of the sin in their heart! If they are possessed, then the Holy Spirit will lead you! POSSESSION- In humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. II Timothy 2:25-26

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE THE GIFT

As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. I John 2:27

If you have the gift of discerning spirits, you are anointed to use it as a valuable gift to the body of Christ and to those in need of deliverance. If you don't have the gift, you are still able to access the Holy Spirit, who will teach you.

Another gift, the baptism in the Holy Spirit, will empower you to minister in the anointing, which is essential for you to be able to walk in the supernatural power of God. You are called to walk in your gifting to edify the body of Christ and minister to those who are in need.

Imagine the church today, surrounded by the powers of darkness, trying to keep momentum in a sin-sick world. Most are paralysed in fear to use their gifts and callings, leaving the body of Christ to lie in state in their mausoleum of death. We are called to go, not stay and sit, so obey God and move out in the power and the glory of God!

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed." Luke 4:18

Your servant in Christ, Timothy Laughlin
Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ