Do you relate to the ministry of discernment, or the ability to see in the spiritual realm?
For many who have the gift of discernment, it can be a lonely journey at times. Discerners may perceive demonic entities, battle with dark forces, and know firsthand what it is like to ‘wrestle with principalities and powers…’ (Eph 6:12)
In the meantime, many people around them have no idea of the difficulties discerners are having as they process these encounters.
I remember a time when I cried to God in prayer and said, ‘If this is a ‘gift’, I don’t want it!’ In His loving wisdom (and sense of humor) God sent a prophet, twice during those difficult years to affirm publicly, ‘Helen, you have a gift of discernment!’
As I did, you may go through times when you don’t know what to do about what you are experiencing. If so, here is some great news:
The very ability that enables you to perceive what is dark, and painful—your God-given gift of discernment—is the same one that gives you access to see and encounter the glory of God, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and His manifest Presence.
As I often say, ‘the highest use of the gift of discernment is to perceive the Holy Spirit and what He is doing.’
It is time to claim the full inheritance of your spiritual gift of discernment.
Discernment and the Kingdom
The Apostle Paul saw demonic powers operating in people and experienced great persecution, demonically fuelled and inspired.
Not only was Paul able to overcome in the midst of the battle, and set people free from demonic oppression in Jesus’ Name, but he also had open visions and encountered angels and the Heavenly realms.
Discernment enhances your ability to perceive the Kingdom of God!
In Your Discernment, be a Glory Watcher
God called the Prophet Ezekiel to see and address the sin of rebellion in God’s people. In the darkness and pain of viewing the idolatry and spiritual adultery of God’s people and foreseeing the outcome of Israel’s sin, Ezekiel saw and felt things that brought him grief. He experienced personal pain and the loss of his wife.
And yet that very calling that caused Ezekiel to encounter conflict and see things painful to bear, was the same calling that was a gateway to see the glory of God.
In the first chapter of Ezekiel, we read of his vision of the throne of God. And then in chapter ten he sees the cloud of God’s glory leave the temple. Later in a vision he sees God’s glory return to the new temple. He steps into the great River of Life and experiences the harvest and healing that flows from the seat of God’s Presence.
Ezekiel was a watcher of the glory of God. And you can be, too.
Prophet of the Holy Spirit
Ezekiel is known in history as ‘the prophet of the Holy Spirit’ because of his frequent encounters with, and references to, the Spirit of God.
Hear God saying, ‘it’s time to lift your eyes! Get ready to see and encounter My glory as you never have before.’
You will perceive His throne and see what He is doing. You will discover God’s glory in unexpected places—even in the dark places.
And you will see, with wonder, that no place is so dark that God’s glory cannot visit it. No bondage is too great that the power of the Spirit in Jesus’ Name cannot break it. Nor is any situation without hope.
You do not need to be afraid of darkness, or evil,
In the worst of circumstances, your eyes will be opened and you will see what the Spirit is doing.
Ezekiel’s intimacy with the Spirit was remarkable. Is God also calling you to be known as an intercessor, watchman, or prophet ‘of the Holy Spirit?’ Say ‘yes’ to Him today. And always remember:
The same gift that reveals the darkness, sees the Light that casts shadows away.
Notes:
1. This post is an excerpt from my book, “Unlocking the Gift of Discernment, which you can find here on the Enliven Blog eStore
2. See also my related post: Shift the Spiritual Atmosphere Using 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.
Please Helen I desire this gift and that of healing. I need guidance from ministers of God like you.Hope to hear from you soon.
Hello Ayo, let me know if you have any specific questions here in the comments. I can usually point to some article or resource to help you.
you are really Ezekiel of our time, keep soary God is by your side.
Thank you so much for this information. You helped me to understand what discernment is at a deeper level. God has been giving me information and I have been asking Him what I am to do with this information and knowledge. I have not gotten an answer to that question, but now I understand that I have the gift of knowledge, wisdom, understanding and discernment along with other gifts.
Sounds good to me, Denise!
Hi Helen,
I am always learning a great deal from your posts,thank you.I believe I have the gift of disernment and it is a lot of times not fun things that I discern.Sometime back I also prayed that God would stop showing me things because it would even pain me physically for example there was a time I had series of dreams where I would be praying warfare prayers on people and I suffered greatly physically.I have never had anyone explain to me what is happening,can you help me with whether it is a good or bad thing and if its a gift for sure what gift is it and how do I develop.
Today I dreamt I was driving in my white truck and I stopped to sweep the road.I realised after I had stopped tha if I had driven an inch I would have got a puncture from a piece of broken glass.Is there any meaning to this dream,please help
Hi Fungayi, this article may help answer your question https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2016/06/28/is-what-i-am-experiencing-a-spiritual-gift/
(Sorry I don’t give dream interpretations online)
yes Helen how beautiful is God’s spirit? too beautiful amen, God has blessed me with this gift I have been spending time with God and spreading the message, yes we also go through that period, of this feels so lonely but bible reading fasting and calling out to God is the best we can do and in Jesus name GOD completes the rest amen
Hi Shinua, amen!
Helen, i am really thankful to God for your obedience to Him and for the fact that you are His vessel. Your posts do come on time too, many are the times that i feel something in my spirit or dream and when i read your post it simply confirms it. I do feel i have the gift of discernment and prophetic but i am really finding it hard to have them matured, i dont know why. God bless you
I’m glad to hear that Marcia – yes the maturing does take time, but cooperate with the Spirit, it’s not how long it takes, it’s how teachable we are. :-)