"Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Discerning of Spirits"

SPEAKER_02 0:11

Hi, welcome to Fit 101, Vocalizing Every Noted Topic with a Christian twist. I'm June Bryant, your host, and we welcome you to our podcast. Our vision is to win souls to Christ and to help those who know him by giving them a fresh new perspective on Christian living and reading God's Word. Our mission is to biblically educate people while growing in their Christian walk by answering questions that they are uncomfortable to ask in a church-like setting. You can find us wherever you get your podcast. Please like and subscribe. You can also visit us on YouTube, Instagram, or on our website vent-101.com, where you can leave any questions or comments that you may have. Thank you. They had some technical difficulties last week, so we uh had to skip a week, but uh I enjoyed my day. I think that we were supposed to have that particular day off, but uh I'm gonna go around the room and we're gonna get started on this topic because it's gonna be heavy. And like I said, uh I made an announcement on uh uh a couple of minutes ago. Please, you all that are following along with us, that are joining us, get your Bibles out and turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and we'll be reading 12 through 14 in a hot second. But uh, I'm gonna uh let the co-hosts and our special guests introduce themselves.

SPEAKER_07 2:14

Good morning, everyone. I'm Pat, and I'm just glad to be here. Uh I pray that your ears are open and your hearts are open to what we have to say on this morning.

SPEAKER_00 2:24

Good morning and good day to everybody out there. This is Antoine. Hope everybody's had a good week so far and having a great day.

SPEAKER_08 2:31

Morning, this is Pastor Joel. Glad to be back with you all. And I'm looking for God to share something that will help us be who we're supposed to be, when we're supposed to be it, and where we're supposed to be it.

SPEAKER_02 2:41

Amen. Welcome again. Welcome. Thank you so much for joining us. Yes. Now I'm gonna get uh get started. Spiritual gifts are given out by the Holy Spirit as he chooses. Uh, there are many gifts, uh, but the ones we've been focused on, focusing on are found in 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14. Uh, gifts are meant to glorify God, build up the uh and edify the church, and give necessary tools to each believer in order to carry out each calling that we have. Uh each gift fits together like a puzzle piece to complement each other and show unity as well as diversity in the body of Christ. They are to be lived out with love, humility, faith, and for always helping the gospel of Jesus Christ to go forward. Now, the first podcast on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we discussed it on August 16th, 2025. And you can go back and listen to it if you want to. We covered wisdom and knowledge. On January 10th, Pastor Joel joined us and we covered faith as well as healing. And the following week, on January 18th, we covered miracles and prophecy. Now, I'm asking you, please go back at your leisure and listen to these. They're so very, they're knowledgeable. Now, I want to make a statement. Uh, we're gonna talk about opinions versus the Bible. And I made the statement uh that nobody can possess all nine gifts. And who am I to say that? I said it on two different podcasts. And who am I to say who can't do what? I should have said, I haven't seen anybody that can that possessed all nine. So please forgive me for that because I don't want to uh make statements that come across as fact when I don't have the facts on that. So please forgive me on that. I've said certain, like I said another time, I tell all my business. No, I don't tell all my business on here because I don't want to give away other people, you know, because somebody else might be involved in my business. So I wanted to get that out the way, but I want to get uh started. I'm going to start for those of you that are with us. Get your Bibles out and you can read along with us. We're going to read uh 1 Corinthians chapter 12 through 14, and we're reading out of the new uh New Living Translation, the NLT. I like the NLT because it it kind of breaks it down uh for the new believers, more so for me, uh to me. Uh that's my opinion because the message Bible goes even breaks it down even more. So, starting out, verse uh chapter 12. Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the spirit gives us, I don't want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that there is no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus. And no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but is this but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. Thank you, Jesus. A spirit given is a spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person, the spirit gives the ability to give wise advice. To another, the same spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else, the one spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the spirit of God or from another spirit. Still, another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only spirit who distributes all of these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. The human body has many parts, but uh the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some of us are Gentile, some of our slaves, and some are free. But we all have been baptized into one body by one spirit. And we all share the same spirit. That's true. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. Uh if the foot says I'm not part of the body because I am not a hand, that doesn't make it any less part of the body. And if the ear says I am not part of the body because I am not an eye, would that make it any less uh part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or how if your whole body were an ear, how could you smell anything?

SPEAKER_06 8:48

That's right.

SPEAKER_02 8:49

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it only had one part. Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, I don't need you. The head can't say to the feet, I don't need you. In fact, some parts of the body that seem the weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. That's the truth. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together that uh such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care uh for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it. And if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. Thank you, Lord. All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is part a part of it. Here are some of the church uh parts of uh God has appointed for the church. First are the apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages? Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not. So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts, but now let me show you a way of life that is best of all. Thank you, Jesus. Love is the greatest.

SPEAKER_07 11:23

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gone or a clinging uh symbol. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains but didn't love others, I would be nothing. If I give everything I have to the poor and have sacrificed my body, I could boast about it. But if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude, it does not demand its own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about unjustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever. Yes, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Now our knowledge is uh partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture. But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror. But then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever. Faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love. Thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_00 13:57

Tongues and prophecy. Let love be your highest goal. Well, you should always you should also desire the special abilities the spirit gives, especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God. Since people won't be able to understand you, you will be speaking by the power of the spirit. But it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally. But one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. I wish I could, I wish you you could all speak in tongues, but even more, I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened. Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation of some special knowledge of prophecy or teaching, that would be helpful. Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the burglar bugler doesn't sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

SPEAKER_05 15:34

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:35

It's the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don't understand, how will they know what you're saying? You might as well be talking into empty space. There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don't understand the language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it. And the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true to you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Holy the Spirit gives you, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. Also, for the ability to interpret what has been said. For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying. Well then what should I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don't understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don't understand what you are saying?

SPEAKER_06 17:02

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 17:03

You'll be giving thanks very well, but it won't strengthen the people who hear you.

unknown 17:08

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 17:09

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you, but in a church meeting, I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than 10,000 words in an unknown language.

SPEAKER_07 17:20

Thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_00 17:22

Dear brothers and sisters, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind. It is written in the scriptures. I will speak to my own people through strange languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord. So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is the benefit of believers, not unbelievers. Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your church meeting and if everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy. But if all of you are prophesying and unbelievers or other or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin and judged by what you say. As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring God is true here among you.

SPEAKER_07 18:39

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 18:40

A call to orderly worship.

SPEAKER_01 18:43

Thank you, Jesus.

SPEAKER_08 18:44

Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given. One will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you. No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time. And someone must interpret what they say. But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately. Let two or three people prophesy. Let the others evaluate what is said. But if someone is prophesying and another person receives revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. As in all the meetings of God's holy people. Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for women to speak in church meetings. Or do you think God's word originated with you, Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given? If you claim to be a prophet or think that you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord Himself. But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy. Don't forbid speaking in tongues, but be sure that everything is done properly and in order.

SPEAKER_02 21:03

Amen.

SPEAKER_08 21:05

That was a lot.

SPEAKER_02 21:06

That was a lot, but uh I praise God for this particular podcast. And uh I started, we pray before we get started every time. And my prayer is that those of you that will listen to this or are listening now will understand we are coming strictly from the Bible because there are some things that may offend some. So we're not trying to come across as offensive. We are here to rightly divide the word of God. Uh so if you disagree, you just disagree. But we're gonna get started on uh we we talked about discerning of spirits, but we we would love For Pastor Joel to talk about uh discerning of spirits because uh we've talked about it and we're gonna elaborate too, uh, but uh we want to get his opinion that is Bible-based, because can I say that you're in the process of writing?

SPEAKER_08 22:22

Yes, we we have a whole series of the gifts and how they operate. And for me, you know, I would have to say as a disclaimer if I can't find it in scripture, I can't use it. Yes. If I can't find it in scripture, I can't share it. If I can't find it in scripture, I can't receive it. And there are a lot of things that are going on today, a lot of people are saying a lot of different things, and it's all about building greater numbers. So we tend to follow trends, we tend to stay away from controversial topics, but what I found is that we have a commission, an assignment from God. Yes, just like Noah preached 125 years, same exact message. Come and Noah, the rain's coming. Do you realize how many different topics what was hot, what wasn't in that time span? But he stayed focused on his assignment. Noah preach that the rain is coming.

SPEAKER_01 23:36

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 23:37

And he stayed focused. He stayed true. The only way for us to grow from new believers to mature believers is to stay true and focused on what scripture says. I have an obligation as a leader to share truth and stay away from opinion. Now, I used to love the debate. I used to love philosophical arguments. But what I found when I was born again, when God changed my life, he let me see that all of us are different. We all have different gifts, we all have different abilities. And sometimes in trying to look into God's word, we forget that it's to us first.

SPEAKER_01 24:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 24:22

Sometimes as leaders, sometimes as wanting to help others, we look at the Bible and we read, how can I help so-and-so, or how can I use this in this situation to influence someone or do this or do that. But we are encouraged to do self-examination. Yes. And if ever think about this every person that does self-examination is in a position to face the reality of who they are, yes, and where they are. Paul was talking about all these gifts, you know, and he asked a very important question, and I think gets past us a lot is do we all have the same gift? Do we all speak in tongues? Do we all? And the answer is no.

SPEAKER_05 25:11

No.

SPEAKER_08 25:13

And when we learn to embrace the gifts that we've been given and understand that God gives us grace for the gift. See, if I'm trying to preach and I'm not given the gift to articulate that or to prophesy, I'm mimicking others. I'm gonna crash and burn.

SPEAKER_07 25:33

Ain't that the truth? Crash and burn.

SPEAKER_08 25:35

Not only should I crash and burn, but now I'm going to affect somebody else. Yes. Because people are looking like, well, wait a minute, you're telling me this, that, and the other, you're preaching this, but he couldn't keep you. See. So here is where we have to be very much in line with the word. Our opinions don't matter. What scripture says matters. I understand very clearly, this gym, what you're saying. When you when you ask for our opinion, you're asking for anyone that may think that there's a disconnect. It isn't. Because I understand my sister's asking, what is my position of faith when it comes to scripture on this topic?

SPEAKER_02 26:18

Yes, sir.

SPEAKER_08 26:18

So let me clarify that so that there's no misunderstanding of anyone that's listening. I know exactly what my sister's saying. And she has created a platform for us to help, especially new believers.

SPEAKER_06 26:29

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 26:30

New believers, I encourage you to take the time and go through each gift. I am, God has given me to develop a system of study where each gift is being taken and examined for what it is, what it isn't, who is for, who it isn't for, how it should operate, where it should operate. These are questions I grappled with when I was coming in. Because when I came into the faith, I mean, folk were just they were calling everything the spirit. Everything was the spirit. Everything emotional was spirit. So as a new believer, I came and I'm thinking everybody in this church is saved. If you did something, if you were manifest, if you were running, screaming, man, God, I want that, I want that. And then sometimes the Holy Spirit would be like on this, I'm like, mmm.

SPEAKER_02 27:22

That's the greatest misconception. Everybody is saved. That's good.

SPEAKER_08 27:27

And I began to see, Sister June, people outside of the sanctuary. And the thing that God taught me was, Joel, regards to what you see, regards to what you hear, watch fruit. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 27:42

That's good.

SPEAKER_08 27:43

Look for patterns of behavior. Patterns of behavior reveal if God is present or not. And when you're talking about discerning of spirits, you know, we call it the gift of discernment, but let's let's call it what scripture calls it.

SPEAKER_01 27:58

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 27:58

The scripture calls it the discerning of spirits. Not the gift of discernment. It's the discerning of spirit. And a couple of things that I want us to be able to understand about discerning of spirits is that, you know, one person's observation should be made. The Bible never calls the manifestation the gift of discernment. Instead, scripture calls it discerning of spirits. This distinction is extremely important because much confusion has developed by changing the biblical terminology. Now, many Christians today speak of having discerning. Sometimes they are referring to wisdom, experience, biblical knowledge, careful judgment, intuition, common sense, suspicion, and caution. Now, while all of these may be valuable, none of them automatically constitute the supernatural manifestation described by Paul. The gift is specifically, get this, concerned with discerning spirits. So it's a lot of here in the study, but let me kind of bring it in. So what the discerning of spirits is, first of all, it is not our personal observation and making a decision based on our presuppositions. Number one. I was getting ready to get in there. So when we when we go in the spirit is a person walks into a room. No, no, that's a good question because if you ask it, someone else. Employers do the same thing. Oh, yeah. When they reach your application, when they look at your resume, if it gets past AI and you actually get an interview, because I was in that situation. I was in management for years. And once I looked at what was on paper, I just simply brought you in to confirm what I saw. And then within the first few seconds, I was able to determine whether you were actually the actual qualified person. So when we get into presuppositions, we automatically have our opinions of people, not just people, but topics. And if we're not careful, we'll go into reading the Bible same way. What we do, we go in, and I want to prove that the Bible says this instead of going in and seeing what the scripture actually says, then we are able to decide. So that young man that came in, he may come in, he may be a college graduate. He just chooses to do that purposely to throw people. I've known people that purposely don't fit who they actually are and they do it for a reason. And what happens when you start talking to that young man that's that's sagging and and and and into a he looks sluggish, but when you start talking to him, he speaks and he blows you away.

SPEAKER_05 31:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 31:26

His ability to reason through and make sense of particular topics, it'll have you in awe. But that's part of who he is, because he knows that he's gonna throw you off because his end game is, I need to teach you a lesson. Yes. Amen. That's good. So when we start talking about discerning of spirits, we, if we're not careful as new believers, since this is the focus, do not automatically assume when we go into a place or we go into a gathering of believers that everything we see is from God. That's one of the big mistakes we we fall into. But at the same time, we should not judge.

SPEAKER_07 32:08

Right.

SPEAKER_08 32:10

And when I say judge, yes, the scripture says we should hear all things, judge all things. The saints are gonna judge the world. When I say judge, I'm not, I'm saying don't make a predetermination based on your lifestyle, on what you've been exposed to, your opinions, what your friends, what your family thinks, because there are people that say, hey, man, I'm I'm Baptist born, Baptist bred, I'm gonna be Baptist when I'm dead. And everything lines up with what that denomination teaches. Yes. And then you have this denomination that says, you know what, if you don't, if you don't do this, you're not a true Pentecostal. If you don't get baptized in water, you're not saved. But then that same person can't explain how the thief on the cross was saved and never went into water. But I'm not gonna go into that. I'm not gonna go into that. So when we start talking about discerning spirits, we have to focus on that. The Holy Spirit gives some people the ability to look behind motivation. That's what discerning spirits gets down to. Who, what is motivating this conversation or this behavior? And when the Holy Spirit comes up on a person, it's not like you walk around in a trance discerning everything. When we're talking, you know, you're not, I'm not evaluating you to see if you're a liar or not. If I let you talk long enough, you're gonna reveal that you're a liar. Yeah. So I don't need to, I don't need to be sitting there waiting on some great revelation for that, but you'll be surprised how many people think they're deep. And every person that they talk to, every person they talk to, they're trying, they're they're in some spiritual trance, like, hmm, I'm gonna see if this is the Lord or not. If you listen, and the Bible, first of all, says hear all things. So you can't hear all things and discern properly if you already determine, mm-hmm, I think this person is so-and-so. So and that's where we get into issues with discerning of spirits. Now, I'm I'm gonna put this back because I don't want to dominate this conversation.

SPEAKER_01 34:17

No.

SPEAKER_08 34:18

But how many of us honestly have been in situations where we've we've walked into churches and it was, you know, a mean-looking somebody sitting there. And they were supposed to be, you know, the church, whatever, the church seer, that's they knew everything. They were the they were the church gatekeepers of holiness. You know, if they didn't, if they didn't give you deny on your shout, that wasn't God. If they didn't give you deny when you got through preaching, that wasn't God. And people look up to them. Yeah, and they and they believe. Have you ever been in services where people were sitting there, and then before people respond, they look over to see what what their action is or responds in. And if they say it, hey, if they hallelujah, then the church goes up, hallelujah. But if that person sits there like, I ain't getting with that, then others sit there, I'm not getting with that. That's controlling spirit, but that that's a different thing. Yeah, but there are always people that are going to try to justify criticizing others, going into let me hit on a couple things here.

SPEAKER_02 35:35

I got a question and a statement.

SPEAKER_08 35:37

Sure.

SPEAKER_02 35:39

When you have the gift of discernment, sometimes there's something that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you that you don't want to see.

SPEAKER_08 35:50

Very true.

SPEAKER_02 35:52

I just wanted to point that out because you you like for real. So how do you how do you handle that for those of us that have that gift, and he can show you what's gonna happen before it happens through the gift of discernment, right? And there are different types of discernment too. Am I correct? Am I putting it there? Am I wording it right?

SPEAKER_08 36:23

There is a discernment of spirits, yes, but the Bible does encourage every believer for clarity. Yes, the Bible encourages every believer to exercise your knowledge to discernment.

SPEAKER_06 36:37

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 36:38

And the way, the difference between those two, one is learned, one is given.

SPEAKER_02 36:43

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 36:44

The spirit that I'm looking for. See, the discernment of spirit is given. Given. Given by God. It can hit you at any time. I'm like, Lord, mercy. But to discern between truth and error is something that is learned over a period of time by being exposed to the gifts, uh, whether it's teaching, knowledge, prayer. You know, people neglect prayer. They don't, you know, people don't hardly want to pray today. As a corporate body, I remember we used to pray. I'm not gonna linger on the past, but we had a designated prayer night. We came together as a church. It was no teaching, no preaching, no gifts, folk running. It was prayer. We got before God and we stayed there two hours and we learned to pray. We learned to crucify the flesh, we learned what it was. And in that, we learn to be sensitive. And one thing I'm constantly stressing to people ask God to help you to be sensitive to his spirit. And when it comes to discernment, the way we learn how to be sensitive to his spirit is that the spirit only speaks what's written.

unknown 37:55

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 37:56

So when you study the scripture, you are exercising, and this is where, and I'm gonna caution new believers, it's okay to be wrong.

SPEAKER_01 38:05

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 38:05

Let me put that out there. It's okay to be wrong. You can think something is God and you find out it's not God, it's not the end of the world.

SPEAKER_02 38:13

Yeah, yeah. And sometimes it's us.

SPEAKER_08 38:16

Absolutely. But we're learning. God tried to teach me that. I said, Lord, I want to know your voice from that enemy. So you know what God did? He reminded me of what scripture says lead us not into temptation. So God allowed me to be faced with dilemmas where I had to quit, is this is this God or not? And sometimes I figured out that wasn't God because it didn't lead me to peace, joy, and righteousness.

SPEAKER_02 38:44

What you said.

SPEAKER_08 38:45

I didn't have comfort, I wasn't comfortable in the Holy Ghost. And then the end result was I found out, wow, okay, so that's not God. And I learned to discern his voice from the enemy. We do the same thing in discernment. We study scripture, we are exposed to the gifts, we have people that share knowledge and insight. And when these things are operating, we're learning to discern, okay, that's God. That's not God, that's God, that's not God. And we learn to quickly discern. So when people are up speaking and they're coming in with all this, wherever they're getting it from, you know, um, then you quickly discern that is not God. No, that's a sensationalist. That's that person is working up towards an offering.

SPEAKER_02 39:32

It's true, yeah.

SPEAKER_08 39:33

That's what that person's working toward. And I'm done. I'm done. So, but when you get into discernment of spirit, now you can be sitting there, same person can be speaking, and then the Holy Spirit says, Watch. They're getting ready to. And the Holy Spirit is never, never wrong. Ever wrong. That's right. Now, here's what where the dilemma comes in sometimes. What do I do with what was just revealed? Boom. Do I get up and walk out service? Do I say something to leadership? Do I so you're faced with these things, but I but trust me, you will have an unction from the Holy Spirit which way you need to go. Because, see, if you get up, like uh people do all kinds of stuff today. People call you out. Some people get up, they get mad, they make a spectacle, and they walk out. What the Holy Spirit revealed was true, but now you look like the person with the problem.

SPEAKER_05 40:34

Right.

SPEAKER_08 40:35

So we have to be careful how we respond when these things are revealed to us. And you can simply go after service and say, uh, you know, Pastor, as I was sitting there, you know, I really believe XYZ. Now, sometimes the pastor, if he's honest or she's honest, they will say, you know what? Yeah, you're right. Because in our initial conversation, this person seemed like, but once they got in that mic, they turned to a totally different person. And now you have another person saying, Well, Pastor, shouldn't the Holy Spirit have told you that before they got in the mic? Now you got a whole nother conversation. So discernment of spirits should never be confused with um being able to discern based on information. Discernment of spirits always operates as the Holy Spirit gives in a moment.

SPEAKER_02 41:32

Amen.

SPEAKER_08 41:33

And that's how I'm.

SPEAKER_02 41:35

I'm sorry. I'm I have to go to questions. Go ahead, yeah. Is there are there some that will abuse their gift of discernment?

SPEAKER_08 41:46

Okay. Well I have a case study. I I have I have I ain't even read nothing. I have we have case studies. And the answer to that directly is yes. Okay. So you can have, if you're if you're not careful, a person can get lifted up in pride.

SPEAKER_01 42:08

Boom.

SPEAKER_08 42:09

So what they do, they are operating in a gift. And say if you have a have a, you know, people are praying and someone shares something, say, you know what? Oh, I just really, I just really feel like I need to share this with you. God has given you, and boom, boom, boom, and they share it. Next thing you know, that person, ooh, you're right on target with that. That was God given, it was revealed, or a familiar spirit. That's where you have to discern.

SPEAKER_05 42:35

Right.

SPEAKER_08 42:36

So the problem comes in and abuse comes in when we create situations where, you know what, let me give you my number. Because I got another word for you. And that person continues to have a word and have a word and have a word. Next thing you know, they have you coming to them. See, that's when you are able to discern. That's not God. That's not God. Because see, the point of the gifts is to edify and benefit the body. If any gift we use, I don't care who it is, pastor, bishop, I don't care who it is. Any gift that is used to manipulate or draw to you, and you become king or queen in the sanctuary, that's problematic. Now you're out of order because now you're starting to abuse. Anytime you use these gifts to bring people to you or to control people, or you're the first one they think of instead of God. Yes. That's a problem.

SPEAKER_07 43:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_08 43:39

Because our job is leadership and as our responsibility and being used, not using these gifts, but being used by the Holy Spirit with these gifts, is to edify the body, not divide, isolate, and make people our personal whatevers. So that's one dead giveaway. Way. Show me a church where leadership is exalted above scripture. You can't question them. You seem like you are questioning God. That's totally ludicrous. The scripture encourages every believer to hear all things but hold fast to what's true. Any leader that's unapproachable, any person with a gift that's unapproachable that you cannot question, that's a bad spirit.

SPEAKER_01 44:32

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 44:33

Because the Bible said we're easily to be entreated.

SPEAKER_02 44:36

That's right. Whoo, you hit the nail on the head. There are so many leaders. Yes. I've I've met a couple of them where if you question and you're just asking a question. Is I'm I'm like, why are you getting offended? Why why are you got a chip on your shoulder? You can't answer it or you're puffed up because I'm questioning you what you're doing. You see what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_00 45:12

And I'm gonna leave that alone. Can I ask a question? This is just something that helped the new believers too. So when if as you are growing in your gift and you and you actually learning, and those times that may occur where you don't, because I know for me personally, in the beginning, it was hard for me to depict or determine the differences.

unknown 45:32

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 45:32

And what do you suggest for people that may be going through that as they're growing in a gift? What do you suggest for them to do to help them stay aligned?

SPEAKER_08 45:41

Okay, so to make sure I understand the question, you're asking for a new believer that's in a new congregation. How do they know who to listen to, who to trust, what's God, what isn't God? Is that what you're asking me?

SPEAKER_00 45:55

Well, within, I'm saying within the gift. Within their gift. Within their gift. Okay, so how would they know if it's demonic or if it's God driven? Coming from the Holy Spirit. How would they be how what can you suggest for them if they eat?

SPEAKER_08 46:10

It's going to come through through exercise. See, let's just take prophesying or teaching. When a new believer comes in, their focus, a leadership should emphasize learning versus allowing demonstration. The Bible says those that are novice, those that are coming in, they're unskillful in the words. So A, you don't know, you can't look at what gift you have and see how scripture applies it. You don't know how to analyze it. You don't know how to weigh it out because you're just coming into the faith. So the way a new believer should be able to learn and develop, it all goes back to leadership. Leadership should have classes set up where a new believer understands what they got into, why they're in, what they can expect, before they even start focusing on gifts. So I would say let's shift away from gift expressions right now because scripture clearly tells us study to show yourself approved. So the first thing a new believer, before they start getting caught up in gifts, I know it is, I know it's the flashing lights and the ooh, and it's the end all be all, but the leadership should take that new believer and say, hey, let's make sure you understand the foundations first. Because love is the reason all of these operate.

SPEAKER_07 47:50

That's right.

SPEAKER_08 47:51

So to make sure that your foundation is solid, let's focus on the basics. Once you understand and you understand that a tree is known by the fruit it bears, then when they are aware of their behaviors, everything they do points back to Christ or it reveals their true motivations. Once they understand those things, it's easier when the gifts are operating that now they understand motive is important. So now that I know motive is important and the end result is edification. Now, when I'm starting to use this gift, I notice, Pastor, that you know, when when I hear a tongue in church, it's like I hear what they're saying in English. Okay, now the pastor should encourage them. You may have the gift of interpretating, of interpretation of tongue. So tell me what it said. And sometimes this is where it gets scary. You say, Okay, share what you heard. And the way their gift is developed, sometimes God will let them hear. And then he'll let somebody else with the same gift that's more mature, the gift of interpretation, they will get up and interpret what was said, and then that new believer that's listening, they'll say, Wow, I heard the same thing. After that happens a couple of times, what's happening is the Holy Spirit is saying, See, that's me. See, that's me. So now when they talk to their to leadership and say, Pastor, I heard it twice. And they got up and said exactly what I heard. Now, what the leadership should do is encourage that person. So the next time you hear in English or whatever language it is, then I want you to share it with the church.

SPEAKER_01 49:47

Amen.

SPEAKER_08 49:48

And leadership, instead of having this person that usually gets up and operates, now I'm gonna have this new believer that has the same gift interpret what was just spoken. And then the one that normally that's more mature hears the same thing, now they can kind of help coach them. See, because you don't know who has what gift until it manifests.

SPEAKER_02 50:13

Right.

SPEAKER_08 50:14

So honoration.

SPEAKER_02 50:17

Yeah. To recap, because we gotta we gotta end this so we can have more time for the other. Absolutely, absolutely. But to recap, what you're saying is correct me if I'm wrong, and I'm gonna let you pray us out and answer the question and pray us out. But uh what when you have the gift of discernment, if you're not sure, continue to stay in prayer and read your scriptures, and the Holy Spirit will reveal to you if that's the particular gift that you possess. Yes. Is that is that what you were saying?

SPEAKER_00 50:53

And don't yeah, and don't be afraid. Okay, just so let's so because I well be real quick, because I I know when I was going through that, it was a I at first I didn't have a clear understanding, so I didn't know. And then it was things that was happening. I thought it was God blessing me, but it wasn't. But then I started praying for revelation on these many different things, right? And God revealed it to me. Yeah, so I was just I was just coming from that perspective, that's how I learned. But everybody has their own unique way that God is going to help them in that.

SPEAKER_02 51:23

So for new believers, here hear this pray for discernment. If you, if you, God has given you the gift of discernment, you will know, you'll question it at first because you're new, you're a new believer. So uh you can get it wrong, like Pastor Joel said, you can get it wrong, but as you stay in the word and stay in prayer, God will increase that discernment where you will be like, I got the gift of discernment.

SPEAKER_00 51:58

And it won't be no questioning.

SPEAKER_02 51:59

Pat, did you have to want to have say anything and then we'll let Pastor Joel.

SPEAKER_07 52:04

I just believe that it has to be developed, you know, the gift, whatever gift you possess. You know, I agree with um uh Pastor Joel about, you know, the teaching part. Yes. Uh, and it's very important for the foundation because we can just run rapid, you know, with with gifts, and and we can misuse them, or we can let people use us in the giftings. But uh when we're talking about uh discerning of spirits, that's just what it is. It comes directly from the Holy Spirit. That's right. What God have already seen and was and he reveals, like you said, that word, he reveals to us right then and there. That's the operation of discerning of spirits, whether it be uh human, your human nature part, whether it be demonic or whether it be of God. And that's going back to somebody walking into a room. Because we we kind of perceive, you know, oh I'm leaving because they might have a block on them, you know, or something. And so we prejudge a person.

SPEAKER_08 53:05

Yes.

SPEAKER_07 53:06

But when we allow the operation of this uh uh you know, discerning of spirits to take place, will be hold still long enough. God gonna show it to that's that's what I I just you know feel that it's the manifestation of everything around us, you know. Yes, actions, words, that's right, you know, whatever. So yeah, it's alpha, though.

SPEAKER_02 53:29

Yeah, this is good, even though we were supposed to have a quick talk about it. No, but you can't, I know, I know, and the Holy Spirit is in this place. I yeah, I I feel the Holy Spirit because there's somebody that needed to have a refresher.

SPEAKER_06 53:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 53:49

We focus on the new believers, but there are some seasoned believers that don't know stuff too, you know. So I we're our focus is on winning souls, but those souls that have already been won that follow us, yes, yes, we get the knowledge too. Amen. So if you don't mind giving us your recap and then close us out.

SPEAKER_08 54:12

Yeah, so so just to summarize again, we really my desire is that you know we would hear what God is saying and we would learn to discern. And if you have if you have to remember something, we the gift of discerning of spirits is God given.

SPEAKER_01 54:33

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 54:34

And it happens instantly on the spot. You can't give it, it happens, but you can learn to discern truth from error, and that is the primary difference. That is developed, as Sister Pat was saying, but discerning of spirits is given by the Holy Spirit on the moment for whatever's not.

SPEAKER_01 54:56

Yep, that's it.

SPEAKER_08 54:56

So thank you.

SPEAKER_01 54:58

Can you pray us out?

unknown 54:59

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_08 55:00

So, Father, we thank you right now. Thank you, Father.

SPEAKER_01 55:03

Thank you, Lord.

SPEAKER_08 55:03

For those that are listening, and your whole reason for doing what you're doing is redemption.

SPEAKER_01 55:09

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 55:10

That's just the bottom line. You want us to have that relationship with you that's solid. You're not the author of confusion, and you're trying to cut through the clatter, the smoke, and the mirrors, and help your people understand.

SPEAKER_01 55:25

Yes, Lord.

SPEAKER_08 55:26

You said wisdom is a principal thing, but with all of our getting, get understanding. And we pray, Father, that the things that are shared, that you will give us an ear to hear, a heart to receive, and a mind to do.

SPEAKER_01 55:40

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 55:41

Help those that are that are listening, that they will learn to yield to the Holy Spirit. Those that have the discerning of gifts, that they will listen and they will just be bold in what they say.

SPEAKER_01 55:54

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 55:55

And what they do.

SPEAKER_02 55:56

Yes, Lord.

SPEAKER_08 55:57

And then, Father, that you would confirm what you're saying.

SPEAKER_02 56:00

Yes.

SPEAKER_08 56:01

And those that need to develop their spiritual discernment in the word, that they can discern truth from error, bless them that they're able to do it. Apply the discipline, whatever time they need to take, whatever they need to cut off, whatever they need to stop to make time to get into your word so your word can get into them and that they can be all that you've called them to be.