Is your discernment broken? The Key to your Spiritual Gifts

I had a personal revelation a while ago that rocked me to my core. I've been a believer, walking with the Lord for many years, and I thought I had a handle on Scripture well enough to know when it was being perverted or mishandled, and well enough to use it to instruct, encourage etc. But I was made painfully aware that my discernment was broken. I had been using a faulty filter, measuring with a crooked stick, viewing through scratched lenses.

It took months of Biblical study - therapy, really - to begin to sort myself back out. I had been under the influence of a religious spirit, and my understanding of scripture was more Pharisaical than I care to admit even now.

How did this happen? I now understand it was a combination of problems. First, I had been raised in a religious world, and had been trained in religious ways. But the blame can't be placed elsewhere. I was living a lukewarm life, talking the good talk, but not walking it. I was pointing out specks all over the place and blinded by planks in my own eyes.

In the preface to Paul's first introduction of spiritual gifts, he gives the keys to the proper wielding of them. I had failed to follow the instructions, and was clumsily trying to use my gifts, like discernment, without the proper footing.

Romans 12:1&2 - "Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."

Family, we must heed this instruction in order to make best use of our spiritual gifts. If we don't, we risk causing damage to ourselves and others because of our sin and lack of focus. God has given believers very powerful tools. There are rules to using them. They will not function properly if we don't follow these rules.

We must keep ourselves pure, and we must be separate from the world, and constantly renewing our minds with the Word of God. SO THAT we may DISCERN...the thing we all seek to know and put into action in our lives...the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 - "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war in an fleshly way, since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ."

We are in a spiritual battle, we aren't immune to the enemy just because we are saved! No - if we are making Kingdom impact, we are TARGETS for the enemy...and we must know how to resist him. Keeping control of our thoughts is KEY. Notice in the 2 Corinthians passage that the weapons God gives us are powerful as I said earlier. We must be careful to keep our minds pure so we can use those weapons appropriately and effectively.

Renewing our mind is a constant process that requires discipline. If we are to do battle in our minds against anything that goes against the knowledge of God, it's going to take effort! We must strive to set ourselves apart. We need to pass everything through the filter of Scripture, so that we give ourselves every advantage for success.


Philippians 4:8 - "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things."

It should go without saying, but it doesn't, that the bulk of our media options don't fit this filter. What you watch on tv, movies, the kinds of video games you play and books you read - I challenge you to use the Philippians 4:8 filter for all of these things. Not only for you, but for your children especially. It won't be easy, but God is faithful, and while we are striving to be obedient, He gives us the strength to overcome our fleshly wills. It's discipline - is it enjoyable? Of course not. Is it beneficial? 100%.

Like any parent understands, it's best if we learn self-discipline on our own rather than require outside assistance. God will discipline those He loves - but isn't it better to learn the lesson before then and spare ourselves?

If you want to be effective and to have full use and understanding of your Spiritual Gifts - first get your house in order - your temple, your heart & mind. When you are functioning in obedience, practicing spiritual discipline, studying and immersing yourself in Scripture and not just listening to sermons passively...then God will begin to open your eyes to the real power and authority you have through Christ Jesus, and you will begin to have Kingdom impact like you can't imagine.

If you practice this kind of discipline and are effective in the Kingdom, then it will be much harder for the enemy to deceive you with a religious spirit, or any other scheme for that matter. Your discernment will be functioning properly and you will recognize danger signs and God will tell you whether to confront it or run. You will be prepared to help others be set free as well.