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.
Hello Helen… Am a 20 year old female, and I am saved it’s been about 4 months now but it feels like its been 10 years.. The connection I have with the holy spirit is on another level..on the other side I am confused because I can not seen to get the thoughts of being a prophet out of my mind sometimes I even lose focus when my Pastor speaks the word of God….I just wish to wake up,go and speak the word of God,help people,heal them….. Is there any possibility that it might be a calling??…I have read your book and it helped me a lot with some questions I had… Thank you
Hi Zimkhitha, this post may be helpful :-) https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2016/02/02/7-ways-to-prepare-for-your-prophetic-calling/
Thank you very much may God continue using you mightily and I have not yet identified my call how do I recognise my call?
Hi Yona, take a look at this article for some encouragement https://www.enlivenpublishing.com/blog/2015/02/24/your-calling-fulfilling-gods-dream/
Hi Helen
It’s so encouraging to be reminded that revelation of glory comes also along with the painful revelations. As God’s stepping me up to be a worship leader I have encountered some of my biggest struggles and painful revelations, especially about my own sin, especially pride and times I have not listened to and obeyed his voice. Also painful understanding of the idolatry of the ‘self’ children are led toward from a young age, including my own children, especially through children’s shows.
As a family we have been through so many challenges and defeats especially it seems, and I’ve had long seasons with little visible progress. God showed me recently the enemy has a targeted number of his people for special allocation of persecution, and myself and my three children are among these, and that is why we seem to find progress and victory more difficult. He also showed me that one of the enemy’s strategies is the apathy and lack of awareness of God’s people to his targeted attacks. I’m not sure exactly why, if it is people with potential for certain influence in the spiritual realm.
Bless you. God keeps using your posts to uplift me.
Hi Naomi, I’m glad you’ve found the posts uplifting. I’m sorry to hear of the challenges. Keep putting yourself in the way of God’s Word and His Spirit, I feel it’s hunger for God that’s going to pull you through some of the things you’ve mentioned.
Hi Helen,
I am Christian with a very long occult background. I cannot explain on this post because it’s a long story. It has been a hard battle for me and a long times to wait God to deliver me. I still haven’t be delivered from many spirits passed down from my ancestors. I just want you to pray for me, so the deliverance will come. I have been praying and waiting but it seems God hasn’t answered the pray. I have been served in deliverance process several times but haven’t been fully delivered yet.
Hi Ario, praying right now that you will experience a greater manifestation of the freedom that is yours. Praying is good – also take time to build yourself in the knowledge of Scripture and in faith-building teaching.
This is one question, is there only one discerner in the church. All can have dicernment but are all called to be discerners?
Hi Stephanie, yes we are all to have discernment (and have varying degrees, just as all have varying degrees of wisdom for example) but some have a special gift which benefits the church body.
Growing in discernment is a part of growing in maturity (Hebrews 5:14)
I have a similar tetimony to you .Just not the church experience.I need prayer that things woud go well fot me at church.