Discerning Good and Evil

► OBJECTIVES At the end of this lesson the student will be able to:

- List three purposes of Discernment

- List two aspects of Discerning and explain both

- Using scriptural references, list our spiritual senses

► STUDY GUIDE LESSON

When we study the Word of God, we must keep in mind that the Lord wrote the bible in a language that He intended for us to understand. Therefore, He uses words that are common to us. Granted, some of them take on a new meaning but that new meaning is clearly defined in the script. For example, consider the word “leaven”. In the gospels, Jesus uses it to mean yeast in one instance and pride in another. However, in the instance where it is used as pride the defining intent is rendered in the scripture. Hence, we must be able to carefully discern the intent of the Father when we study. A good working definition of “discern” from all that I have ascertained from the scriptures is:

Discern: To regard or perceive. To look at closely with the intent of identifying good and evil, truth or lie, Spirit or flesh, motive or intent.

1 Corinthians 12:6-11

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. There are many operations of the Holy Ghost, but in all of them, it is God who is working to manifest His presence on the earth.

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. God’s intent is that by the gifts of the Spirit, (discerning of spirits included), we would profit in the ministry of reconciliation.

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

All the gifts are manifestations of the working of the Holy Ghost. However, they are divided into members of the Body according to the will of God. He is the one who determines the gift that will work through us. In the discourse we just read, Paul sites the discerning of spirits as a manifestation of the gift of the Holy Ghost. In our endeavor to discover the workings of this gift, we must seek to apply the definition of our language. We know that to discern is to perceive, regard or judge with the intent and ability to identify that which is perceived or judged. Thus the script declares members of the Body to be able to perceive or regard the presence of spirits. What kind of spirits? Is the gift used to discern the presence of evil spirits and if so, why or for what purpose? Or could it be that the gift is also used to discern the presence of a righteous spirit?

To discern is to make a distinction. For more clarity on this gift let us go back to the schoolmaster. In doing so, we will attempt to extract the eternal spiritual principles that have found their way to the New Covenant.

When Joab perceived (discerned) that David’s heart longed for Absolom, he solicited the help of a wise woman from Tekoah to speak to the king, saying …The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee (2 Samuel 14:17).

The woman of Tekoah acknowledged the fact that one must be in touch with the Lord God in order to discern good and evil. Regardless of the situation, the truth ascertained through discernment is a revelation from God and will bring comfort in that it removes the torment of doubt, uncertainty and fear. When truth is revealed, it is done with the intent that the recipient will act upon it. The revelation or manifested spiritual discernment is evident that the Lord is prepared to deal with the present truth. In other words, if He reveals the presence of good or evil, it is His intent to deal with it according to the measure of the gift given to the one receiving the revelation. You are the one on the scene. You are the one God allowed to discern the situation. You are the one He wants to use to further His purpose in it.

1. The manifestation of spiritual discernment is an indication that God is ready to assist you in the ministry of reconciliation.

2. We are also able to expand our definition of discerning to include; a revelation of the truth regarding situations, actions or relationships.

3. If we delve into the story sited above, we would discover that David’s discerning was able to interpret the spiritual intent of the law of God concerning the disposition of Absalom.

Though the law demanded blood for blood, it was the intent of God for man to learn mercy and forgiveness of sin. David understood that if all received a just reward for the deeds of the flesh there would soon be no mankind. Solomon prayed on this wise; Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? The Lord responded as follows, Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee (1 Kings 3:9-12).

In order for Solomon to walk in the great discerning he did, He had to maintain a heart of understanding. According to the scripture he was given this heart of wisdom and understanding by God. The purpose of the ability to discern was for the leading and judging of the people according to the laws of God. The Lord instructed the priesthood on this wise; And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: (Ezekiel 44:23-24).

In Malachi, he prophesy’s: Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Malachi 3:18).

The ability to discern also allows us to discern whether we are in the faith. It is the mechanism by which we judge the things we do in the name of the Lord. Discerning allows us to see that line of demarcation in the actions and dispositions of man. Discerning also allows us to peer into the boundaries of the faith and identify that which is without.

A good example God allowed me to see is leaders in the reformation who do not receive the fresh manna and discipleship that comes from above will become stuck in a vacuum and simply begin to go through the motions of church as usual. Because they are stuck in some spiritual vacuum, they are unable to discern that God has destroyed the old mindset that defined a pastor, an apostle, an evangelist, a teacher or the prophet. Because they did not turn the page when the Lord began to reveal His heart and mind concerning global evangelism, they got stuck back at murmuring innuendos and personal trivial issues that reflect character failure. They will be blind to the fact that failure to move with God has caused the power of their calling to become a title and that God has moved on with those whom they thought they were leading. If one is really in touch with reality, this is not a hard thing to see or believe, since it is “deja vu.” After all, He retrieved those of the reformation from the blindness of tradition.

When we come to the New Testament the apostle makes discerning as common to the matured son as breathing air. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14)

Isaiah 11:2-3

2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

Is this exercising of the senses the same as the gift discerning of spirits, Paul mentions in 1 Corinthian 12:10? Which states, to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Well, the apostle answers that question in an earlier chapter in his writings to this church.

1 Corinthians 2:13-16

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

To get to the bottom line, the truth is, the scripture teaches two aspects of discerning. One is the gift of “discerning of spirits.” This gift is just as the name implies. It is the ability of the measure of the Holy Ghost given to individuals in the Body of Christ to identify the presence of evil spirits who inhabit mankind and even in some cases animals. However, there is also the discerning of spiritual things, people, dispositions and mindsets. This is the comparing of spiritual things with spiritual. This discerning is strictly by walking in the mind of Christ. We will go into more details of these two aspects of discerning in the chapters to follow.

► LESSON ASSIGNMENT

Below you will find questions that pertain to each of the lesson objectives. You are asked to thoroughly answer each of them in your own words. Once you have done so, compare your answers to those in the section of the lesson entitled “Objectives and Suggested Questions for Class Discussion”.

1. Explain exactly what the spirit of discernment is.

2. Why is it so important to see the Word of God in its simplest form?

3. When we examine the definition of discern, why is it so important that we are able to operate in this gift?

4. Explain “discerning whether we are in the Faith”.

5. What is the detriment of not discerning God, even if you are a leader?

► OBJECTIVES AND SUGGESTED QUESTIONS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION

These questions are simply suggestions of ways to stimulate student teacher interaction and also ensure that the objectives of this lesson are understood. Encourage responses from the students. Be careful to listen for

1) errors in perspective,

2) understanding, and

3) motive and intent as it relates to their study of this course. This will prove extremely helpful as the Holy Ghost begins to destroy any erroneous mindsets in later lessons.

After completing this lesson the student should be able to answer the following:

1. Explain exactly what is the gift of the discerning of spirits. The gift of discerning of spirits is the ability to regard or perceive. To look at closely with the intent of identifying good and evil, truth or lie, Spirit or flesh, motive or intent.

2. Why is it so important to see the Word of God in its simplest form? God intended for us to know and understand His heart and His mind when we read the Word. We should not approach the Word like it is always going to be a mystery to us. The Scripture interprets itself!

3. When we examine the definition of discern, why is it so important that we are able to operate in this gift? When we discern, the truth that is revealed expresses the intent of the Father and not only brings peace and comfort, but also allows the son of God to walk in the will of God for that situation, giving instructions to those who do not know His purpose.

4. Explain “discerning whether we are in the Faith”. It is the mechanism by which we judge the things we do in the name of the Lord. It allows us to see the boundaries of the Word and be able to identify whether we are operating in those boundaries or not.

5. What is the detriment of not discerning God, even if you are a leader? When we do not discern God’s heart and mind, we walk in blindness and are void of the leading of the Spirit. As a result, we would become ineffective in the lives of those around us and our growth will be hindered.

LESSON ONE – DISCERNING GOOD AND EVIL SELF-EVALUATION

The Self-Evaluation is designed to serve as a tool for you to examine how you are applying that which is taught in the lesson to your own individual life. Please answer honestly and thoroughly.

1. Explain how the gift of discerning has worked in your own life to deal with both good and evil.

2. When the Father has revealed evil in your to you, what was your first response to what you saw?

3. How did you deal with what you saw?