The gift of discernment of spirits is the spiritual gift that has continually given me the most difficulties and challenges.
In the early days of our ministry, my husband Malcolm and I often traveled. We stayed in many places in Asia and throughout New Zealand.
It seemed that no matter where we were, my intrepid husband could sail through any situation. But it was a different story for me!
- If we were staying in a place in Asia where strange spirits were worshipped, I encountered them in my dreams.
- And those times we were ministering in a region where there were strongholds, I felt them acutely.
We were often led to wage spiritual warfare or intercede through my sensitivity to the spiritual realm.
It took me many years to realize that my encounters with the spiritual realm were a sign.
I had a gift of discerning of spirits!
Now, because of my journey, I like to share what I have learned with others.
What is the Gift of Discernment?
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Cor 12:7-11)
Discernment of spirits is a gift of the Holy Spirit. And some Christian believers are stronger in this ability than others.
- This gift is a Spirit-given ability to distinguish whether the source of what is presented is of Divine, human, or demonic origins.
It may be in an atmosphere, encounter, event, or prophetic message.
8 Signs You May Have the Gift of Discernment
The following are some signs that you may have the spiritual gift of discernment. These are from my personal study, observation, and experience.
You may not identify with all of them, but if you do have the gift, you will recognize some of these in your life:
1. Desire for the Gift of Discernment
As with other spiritual gifts, desire is often the first sign of a gift of discernment of spirits (1 Cor 14:1).
- You may have a longing to see people set free from demonic bondage.
- Or, you may want to be more effective in prayer and spiritual warfare
- You may have a desire for holiness
- Perhaps you are simply curious about the spiritual realm.
2. Love for God’s Presence
One of the benefits and signs of having a gift of discernment of spirits is a heightened awareness of God’s Presence and anointing. A true discerner will have a passion for the un-grieved Presence of the Holy Spirit.
This is because—and I will continually reiterate this—the highest use of the gift of discernment is not to see what the enemy is doing.
It is to discern what the Spirit of God is doing.
3. Sensitivity to the Spiritual Atmosphere
You may be more sensitive to spiritual atmospheres than most other people. In the early stages of developing the gift, you may be affected adversely by the presence of any demonic activity.
Especially when it is in the environment around you.
The reality is that we live in a natural world and a spiritual world concurrently. In the Bible, when Jacob came across a group of angels, he named that place Mahanaim, meaning “double camp.” (Gen 32:1-2)
As Jacob realized, we also live in a double camp where there is a constant spiritual activity. Those with a gift of discernment have spiritual senses that are attuned to this.
4. Feeling Different from Other People
Most people, even in church life, experience life through their natural senses. However, someone with a gift of discernment of spirits can see and sense things that others do not see.
This ability can result in us feeling different, lonely, or misunderstood at times, especially when starting out. So, it is vital that someone with a developing gift of discernment finds a safe place to journey with others who are similarly gifted and accountable in the life of their church.
5. Unusual Signs of Discernment
It is not uncommon for someone who is gifted in discernment to experience unusual events or manifestations.
People who are incubating a spiritual gift of discernment begin to see or feel things that others are not aware of. This may include unusual visions, dreams, and sensations that alert them to what is happening in the spiritual realm.
6. Childhood or Pre-Salvation Signs of the Discernment Gift
It is not uncommon to experience things relating to your gift even before becoming a Christian. Our creator God prepares us for our calling and gifts from conception.
Even when a talent or gift is misused, God can redeem it. He can anoint that ability for His use so that you can serve Him and minister to others.
As a child, I “saw” things in the night, and as a teenager was sensitive to the spiritual realm. Sometimes, I encountered demonic spirits in my room or dreams. Later, as a fully committed Christian, God redeemed this spiritual sensitivity as a gift of discernment.
I know Christians who have a gift of discernment who were drawn to New Age counterfeit gifts before becoming a Christian.
7. Ability to Know What Lies Behind a Person’s Words or Actions
Someone with a gift of discernment has the ability to see behind what a person is saying and presenting. You may know whether they are telling the truth or not. You may also notice if someone is manifesting a demonic spirit and be able to identify what that spirit is.
When a prophetic message is brought, someone with a gift of discernment may tell whether or not it is anointed by the Spirit. They may discern if it is from the speaker’s own heart.
This is not always the case, and as with other revelatory gifts such as prophecy, you will sometimes be mistaken. Or, you may have incomplete discernment (1 Thess 5:19-21, 1 Cor 13:9-10)
8. Confirmation of the Discernment Gift by Others and Leaders
You may have the gift confirmed through a prophecy given to you. For example, my gift of discernment was identified through prophecy twice. Perhaps, this was because I was reluctant to accept it!
However, the bottom line of the presence of any gift is that it is identified and acknowledged by leaders in the church and that it is useful for its purpose.
And that is, to help build up the church and bring people closer to Jesus.
When you submit what you are seeing or sensing, your leaders confirm your accuracy, and your gift begins to be recognized for its effectiveness.
Whenever a gift is used to criticize or tear down a church, person, or leader, you know it is being misused. Or, you may realize it is simply a person’s hurt or frustration masquerading as discernment.
These kinds of abuses are common and have brought disrepute to the gift of discernment. So, I will take some time over the next couple of posts to share how the gift of discernment can bring value to church life.
Unlocking the Gift of Discernment eBook
Available for purchase from the Enliven Ministries e-store.
Have you identified some signs that you have the gift of discernment?
The gift of discernment of spirits is a powerful weapon in times of spiritual warfare. It can be of great assistance when ministering freedom to individuals. And yet, many who recognize they have signs of the gift have difficulty with it. They do not know what to do with what they are feeling or sensing.
“Unlocking The Gift Of Discernment” incorporates wisdom from Enliven Blog. Plus, it has additional valuable material on how to be protected as a discerner in times of spiritual warfare.
To view “Unlocking The Gift Of Discernment” in our e-store, click here
Related Posts:
- 3 Powerful Levels of the Gift of Discernment (with Signs of Each) Find out the one most important thing you need to know so that you can use your gift of discernment effectively.
- Discerners: God is Healing Your Perspective
- 8 Ways To Grow Your Gift Of Discernment
© Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries—Prophetic ministry for a revival generation.
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
I just found out that I have a gift of discernment. I already knew I was a Seer of God and I wondered what Gifts God had given me. Well I am 20 years old and I have loved God since I can remember but it wasn’t until the age 20 that I gave God the other 50% of my heart. Well of course the evil spirits knew about the anointing on my life and they have been attacking me with the spirit of fear, they wanted me to fear them becaue they feared God’s power in me. I could feel them surrounding me at times, and I would get attacks in my sleep for a week and i would just laugh, but one night they brought the big dogs on me and The Holy Spirit saved me when I said one name…JESUS!!!. Glad to say that after about a month I have learned How to fight back with the Word of God. God was preparing e for this and you know what, I read the scriptures but did not full understand what I was suppose to do with that information, until now. This spiritual warfare had been something else, and sometimes I think I’m just not in the mood for these attacks. It has been tough. I did not like the fear, and anything else the enemy was doing to attack me. It just let me know that I am a threat to them and but God’s word is sharper than a 2 edge sword! After the battle was won, I could sense peace, my faith has grown and i am stronger through Christ who strengthens me. And I am down for God and I will fear not for He is with me and He has given us authority over the power of the enemy in Jesus Name!!!
Hi there Asia, thank you so much for leaving a note. Wow- it does sound as though you have a battle.
It is good that you are learning to stand and overcome, I believe that it is part of our inheritance as believers that we should live in faith and victory and not experience a constant battle in this area. May you be richly blessed as you grow in God, in faith, and in your gifts.
Thamk you very much! I have cried my eyes out 2-3 times already and
I love it when God touches me just to let me know he is there and he cares. I have experienced the Holy laughter, also known as the Joy of the LORD and it’s amazing. I am knowing my authority and i can walk through my home fearless because i know God did not give me the spirit of fear but, but power, love and a sound mind!!!
My goodnes this was such an eye opener for me. Since a child I experience a lot of rejection and feeling alone. I can relate to seeing as a child. I could see into the Spirit realm and hear. The experiences have very and into teen and adulthood, I was able to sense the spirit behind a person some not desirable. In my present place of worship I also get those feelings inside during prior to Sunday service, or prior to an event. Whats suppose to be a happy occation turned into me wantling to walk out and leave. I experienced also during service once three scents while worshiping as I felt a wind blown in my face. followed by three smells that being frankensence, fresh baked bread, and then a sweet cinnomin (sp?) roll, ending with me opening my eyes looking around to find where they were coming from, then I saw a light white bringht shoot up straight up out the scantuary. Is this part of discernment? It’s kind of lonely when I feel odd and different. I don’t know really what we are to do with these experiences. Wanted to know what your thoughts about these things, and seeing also in the street (demonic persons) that I know appeared or walked under the influence. Can someone see our gifting in the world? Just wonder because of such experience I had, I saw a woman about 8 feet to 9 feet pale and walking through traffic towards me, I had an errie feeling, then I “felt two hands cover my ears” as I was with my toddler, and a sense to quickly turn around, so I did and I turned about a minute after and she or it was gone. Mind you all traffic sound ceased as I saw this, then when I turned around , I was able to hear again, the trains, and traffic, Is this also discernment, it can be scary sometimes but not happening on a frequent basis. Thank you.
God bless, Elizabeth. Very bless someones sharing this because Lord knows, I have been seeking answers.
Hi there Elizabeth, I understand it can be a real trial when you experience things that others do not, especially when they are disturbing. Have a read through the discussions in the comments above, I believe you will find some helpful insights. I believe that being involved in a church community on a committed basis is essential. Have you ever received prayer ministry and gone through a process to check that you are free from any influences other than the Holy Spirit that could be affecting your discernment?
Hi there,
I tend to see what lies behind peoples words and actions and find it difficult to know when to address it and when to just leave it. I am also learning to recognise when it is God revealing something to me or when its just me jumping to conclusions. He has confirmed some things for me to show me that this is something he’s given me. But I have never seen anything in the spiritual realm although I have had a strong desire to see people being set free! Work in progress i guess. :)
Point 3 at the top stood out to me, regarding the hightened sensitivity to the atmosphere around you and I wanted to share an encounter here to possibly get some insight.
my husband and I had a strange encounter once.
It was after a worship service, most people had already left the meeting room when I noticed my husband hunched over with his eyes closed. He ended up on his knees because he could no longer stand. He just seemed to be overwhelmed by the glory of God and he ended up in laughter and weeping.
It started to build up as he started to roll on the floor, almost like he was wrestling with something. He made a reference to an angel sitting on his back which seemed to amuse him. He seemed to try and stand and fight it, he was also quoting scriptures and continually said “seek me”. Altogether, for a bystander (me) it all looked quite odd. At one stage I got freaked out and called in one of our trusted friends, who didn’t quite know what to do either. Neither of us knew what to make of the situation.
I had seen people who were demon possessed/manifesting roll around on the floor. But not someone who is quoting scripture. We started praying for him praying for him to be “released”, but at the same time somehow questioning whether we were doing the right thing.
At one point he was also marching around declaring victory like a soldier in a very loud voice that I have never heard him use before.
All this went on for about 2-3 hours. I began feeling quiet anxious during the whole thing and even afterwards. But at the same time I wanted to stay.
The whole thing ended with us starting to worship, he ended up getting up with a look on his face like “what happened”.
I felt like i was in a state of shock after this experience, I did not sleep the whole night (we were at a camp) and just kept thinking about what happened. The guys were in another cabin so we could not even discuss it. That feeling of anxiety still had not left me, infact it lingered on for a few days. It got to the point where I would feel afraid to get into the presence of God with my husband out of fear that the same thing that happened before would happen again.
I started praying and asking God to help me with this and he reminded me about people in the bible who were in “shock” after encountering God’s glory in an unusual way Eg: Ezikiel, daniel etc. And I figured that my physical body could not make sense of what had happened. But i wondered why no one else had a reaction like I did..
The anxiety has left but I’m just wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences.
Hi Mel,
I had an encounter with God one night. God told my Mom to pray with me, she really didn’t feel like it cause we were tired. But an evangelist was at this church and we were so skeptical that we didn’t get in line to have er lay hands on us and we missed out big time!!!! So we asked God to forgive us ad my mom began to speak in tongues and I remember thinking. ” great she gets to speak in tongues and I get to listen”, well I began to just listen and I started to laugh a lil. Even as a small child, when err certain people would pray with me I would feel this power in my belly and it would cone out as a laugh but I just ignored it. Well I got to laughing, laughing so hard I almost fell off the couch! This lasted for hours, my Mom even began to speak in a different tongue than her usual! It was amazing experiencing the joy of the LORD. And every now and then I experience and most of the time I don’t fight it. Instead of speaking in tongues I choose to laugh. Cause I love it. I guess not everyone has it, but ou don’t hear many people talking about it. Some people even think it’s demonic, what since does that make? Praise God then get a demon? I don’t think so. But I have also heard of people feeling like they have been struck with lightening during an encounter with God! Angels are here to minister to us so an Angel probably was sitting on your Husband’s back. Angelic visitation comes with the gift of discernig of spirits! How cool is that!?!?!!
Hi Mel,
I can certainly empathise with your sense of shock during and after your husband’s spiritual encounter.
I wrote about an encounter that left me stunned in this post: http://enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2010/03/02/when-god-shows-up-how-will-you-respond/
There have been many times when I have needed to be reminded of the scripture in Luke 11:11-13 about God giving good gifts to His children when we are asking Him for His Spirit, to trust Him to protect us and give us Himself.
Your anxiety was natural. Sometimes the package is not what we expect… and we need to be discerning, if it is of the Spirit, to trust God, and look for the fruit.
Blessing to you Helen!
I felt compelled to take some notes down on paper for myself, when I read your aspects of the eight signs of the Spiritual Gift of Discernment and I have experienced and can relate to six of them. I have a question and an experience that I’d love your feed-back on. First the question: Does the gift of discernment include hearing in the spirit, as well as seeing, sensing and knowing?? I have been able to “see in the Spirit” for about 12 months now (I see angels regularly at church and in my home, or a white glow around people filled with the Holy Spirit) but I was the only one who heard the most pure, perfect angelic singing voice after the funeral service of my grandmother years ago, when I was only 18. I asked people afterwards, “who was that beautiful voice I heard singing that hymn?” and no-one else had heard it.
Secondly: At my sister-in-law’s funeral this year (she died at 53 of cancer and was a non-believer in God), I had another seeing in the Spirit, but this time, instead of it being an awesome and up-lifting experience as it usually is for me, I saw a black wing swoop around in the corner of the chapel of the funeral home during the service. This was unusual for me and I still am not completely sure what this meant. Do you have any insights??
With many thanks, Elizabeth