Discernment: 3 Powerful Levels of the Gift of Discernment

There are three basic levels of discernment, and understanding these will help you grow in your spiritual gift and empower you to lead a supernatural life.

In my journey of growing in this gift, I became stuck in sensitivity to the spiritual realm, often accompanied by a sense of alarm. What a joy it is now, not only to experience a breakthrough myself, but also to help others discover that more is available!

Here are three levels of discernment, along with some signs to help you identify each one:

3 Levels of Discernment

1. Natural Perception: The Ability to Judge Well

The dictionary defines discernment as ‘the ability to judge well’. So, at the most basic level of discernment:

1. We can see the external of what is happening
2. We also have wisdom and perception about what’s taking place behind the scenes

The writer to the Hebrews says it is a mark of Christian maturity to grow in discernment.
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb 5:14, NIV)
And this is something we can all aspire to.

2. Having a Discernment Ability

The second level of discernment is a heightened ability to discern. I frequently hear from people who are experiencing this and who are having a difficult time knowing what to do about what they are sensing.

Signs of this level of discernment include:

1. Being tuned into people’s motives
2. Having a strong sense of what is real or fake
3. Perceiving the spiritual realm
4. Being sensitive to atmospheres (both spiritual and natural)
5. The ability to discern the demonic realm and spiritual realities

This heightened spiritual sensitivity can either lead to or be evidence of the spiritual gift of discernment.

The Bible tells us there is a spiritual gift of discernment of spirits, which is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:10).

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul says, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit…” This brings us to the third level of discernment.

3. Seeing from God’s Viewpoint: As the Father Sees

Anyone can see what is happening in the natural realm. Some people may have the ability to see in the spiritual realm (and this is not always sourced in the Holy Spirit).

If you are a Christian and desire to develop a spiritual gift of discernment, a third level is vital to you.

• And that is, to see as your Father is seeing.

This third level of discernment is only available to those who are walking in relationship with God.

Your discernment becomes prophetic, inspired, and directed by God.

When your ability to discern is submitted to the Holy Spirit and based on the Father’s love, it will truly be a gift.

• The fruit of your insight will not be fear, suspicion, confusion, or accusation.

Some signs of this level of discernment operating include:

1. Your insight is life-giving
2. It brings freedom and transformation
3. It builds the church (1 Cor 12)
4. And, it draws people to Jesus

Jesus saw with the Father’s Eyes

We can be like Jesus, who looked beyond what could be seen with physical eyes, to what the Father was doing. He then spoke and acted accordingly.

‘Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”’ (John 5:19)

In Luke 8, Jesus took the disciples on a visit to a place called the Gerasenes, where a demon-possessed man was living among the tombs.

• On the level of natural perception, people could see that the demoniac was crazy, out of his mind, and dangerous (level 1)
• Someone with discernment could see that his life was being controlled by demons (level 2)

However, Jesus went not only with discernment. He went with the eyes, heart, and mind of the Father. He saw a man afflicted with demons—but He also saw beyond that, to a worshiper, a disciple, and an evangelist.

And what He saw, Father’s intention is what took place. He set that man free and sent him on his way with the good news about what God had done.

This is the third level of discernment.

The Power of Seeing What the Father Sees

When our eyes are focused on what our Father is doing, our gift of discernment can grow to a powerful level. We can then act and speak accordingly, as Jesus did.

This is a Kingdom perspective!

• Jesus was able to look at a tax collector sitting in his booth—a man seen by others as a cheat, a ‘shark’, and a tool of Rome—and see a disciple. He called Matthew into his destiny. (Matt 9:9)

• Jesus was able to enter a workplace where there was weariness and frustration and see that His Father was bringing a miracle supply. He spoke a word of command, and as the fishermen responded to that word, a school of fish was thrust into the nets. (Luke 5:1-11)

• Jesus walked into a home where there was sickness and saw His Father bringing healing. He spoke the word, and Peter’s mother-in-law rose from her sickbed. (Matt 8:14-15)

Prayer

“Father, I want to know you more. Help me to be like Jesus; to see as You see, in every situation. Today, share Your desires and intentions with me.

Holy Spirit, empower me to discern and to speak words of life that bring healing, freedom, and transformation. Help me to become so tuned to what is on Your heart, that when people encounter me, they encounter Jesus.”

A Personal Note on the Three Levels of Discernment

These three levels are not a formula or fixed doctrine.
They are simply a teaching framework.

What good news!
Ultimately, we are all invited to live in the Kingdom of God continually.
And to be led moment by moment by the Holy Spirit.

• I want to pass on lessons that have helped me discover the power and potential of this gift.
• That’s why I’ve developed this simple teaching. It describes my own journey.

The three levels highlight that there is always more God wants to show us.

Let’s respond to God’s invitation to discover more; to grow confident in hearing His voice and following His lead.

Online Course: Finding Joy in the Gift of Discernment.

I’m currently working on an online course related to this topic.
If you’re interested in following the journey, check out the expression of interest page here.

Helen Calder
2025

Unlocking the Gift of Discernment eBook—3rd Edition

The gift of discernment of spirits is a powerful weapon in times of spiritual warfare and can be of great assistance when ministering freedom to individuals. And yet many who have the gift of discernment have difficulty knowing what to do with what they are feeling or sensing.

‘Unlocking The Gift Of Discernment’ incorporates wisdom from Enliven Blog as well as 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

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Related Posts:
6 Keys to Unlocking the Gift of Discernment
8 Signs You May Have the Spiritual Gift of Discernment

© 2016-2018 Helen Calder – Enliven Ministries

Prophetic Ministry for a Revival Generation

Helen Calder

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.