Discerning Spiritual Dispositions

► OBJECTIVES

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

- Explain why self-examination is a safe way of determining one’s spiritual location

- Define what it means to be a reprobate

- Discuss the importance of maintaining a righteous posture in order to discern effectively.

► STUDY GUIDE LESSON

The members of the five-fold ministry are charged with perfecting the saints for the work of the ministry. It is impossible to do so without the ability to discern. Now this discerning of spiritual dispositions is what Paul refers to as comparing spiritual with spiritual through the use of our spiritual senses. (1 Corinthians 2:13)

There are many who are very zealous in their quest to work the ministry. They desire to lead, counsel and instruct others in the Word and way of the Lord. However, oftentimes these ministers are not equipped to do so because they have forsaken the first use of their sense of discerning; they failed to discern their own spiritual disposition. In order to discern the disposition of others, one must be able to discern their own disposition. If ministers fail to do so, they will become blind to the fact that they themselves are not in a right place with God, but will continue to have church as usual, being deceived by their dutifulness. There is a reason the scripture admonishes us to examine ourselves. Character is not only revealed through one’s actions, but through thoughts and feelings as well. Your soul is an expression of the workings of your mind. Careful examination is a fail-safe way of determining your spiritual location. II

Corinthians 13:5

5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

It is necessary for you to consider that Jesus is in you, unless you are now reprobates, (those who have become castaways). Take note that when one is cast away, the presence of Christ leaves and never returns. He is given over to his own mind and way. The Greek word for reprobate means to be rejected, castaway, unapproved and worthless. To be a reprobate is to be cast out of the Kingdom of God and returned to the kingdom of darkness.

2 Corinthians 13:9

9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. We have humbled or made ourselves weak in the flesh that you may be strong in the Spirit. Our desire is for you to walk in the perfection of Christ Jesus. Therefore, brethren examine yourselves to see if you are indeed not a castaway from the Faith. There is another place in which this concept is mentioned.

Romans 8:1

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

When we examine ourselves, we must look deep inside and discover if there is any condemnation within. If there are areas of condemnation then it is manifest that we are not walking after the Spirit but after the flesh. Many are deceived by the fact that they do not always walk after the flesh. They disregard the fact that a little leaven, leavens the whole lump. Neither do they regard the fact that if there is any condemnation then Christ is not manifest. Most importantly, they do not consider that only those who overcome sin will make it in. Upon examination, confront your heart and mind. Is there any condemnation for the way you think and feel about people or situations? Set the standard in place. It is impossible for you to walk in the Spirit and not have the emotions of Christ.

Compare spiritual with spiritual. Are you experiencing the emotions of Christ concerning a person, an incident or situation? Be honest, examine yourself for motive and purpose in all that you do and say. Do not lie to yourself when you measure these things in light of Christ and the scales begin to tilt against you. If you are not honest in these self-exams, then you will never become the righteousness of God manifested in the earth. It is important to note that the deception here is that because people around us may not be as learned, or articulate as we are, it is easy to not even consider that the God in them allows them to see our true motives and discern our true disposition. When these factors are overlooked, one can quickly think a gift of gab or a spirit of religion can camouflage their true spiritual disposition.

1. DISCERNING THE DISPOSITION OF THE MIND We are instructed to let the same mind that was in Christ be in us as well. Therefore, any other mind stands in opposition to the will of God for His people.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God is Spirit. When it comes forth, it demands a response; either submission or rejection. Both these actions are manifested in character. Regardless as to how one tries to hide the truth, the Word of God being the Spirit of Truth is able to flush it out and identify it as friend or foe. This means, those who seek to work the ministry of reconciliation must know the Word; otherwise, they have nothing with which to discern the thoughts and motives of a man’s heart. People are quick to say, “You don’t know my heart.” But I beg to differ in that a skillful co-worker of the Lord can discern the contents of an individual’s heart through conversation and deeds. The key here is purity. The Word of God is holy, righteous and pure. But furthermore it is Spirit. Conversation is not without spiritual exhalation. Regardless as to how skillful an individual has become at deception and verbal manipulation, when confronted by those who have exercised their spiritual senses, they are dealing with Christ. Nothing is hidden from the Holy Ghost. When the exhalation of the spirit is not pure, the Word of God, which is the Spirit of God will discern that which is defiled. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart (Psalm 26:2)

We are laborers together with God. We have the ability to try the reins of a man’s heart. This ability is given to us not for destruction, but for identifying all things that oppose the will of God in our life and in the lives of others. Satan uses evil spirits as false prophets in the church.

I John 4:1-6

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (discern) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Let’s do a little Bible study. The word “confesses” is the Greek word, homologeo which means to acknowledge or assent to. The term as it is used in the above has as its origin from the root word logos. This word has many synonyms, but one of its meanings is; “none of these things move me.” In the house of God there are those who are the children of God and others who are the sons of Satan. However, the believer who walks after the flesh will display the same spiritual attributes as a non-believer, though oftentimes they are camouflaged by religion and religious jargon. When you discern the disposition of those who confess Christ and the thing pertaining to holiness, thoughts, deeds, and the intent of the heart must be void of any influence of the those things outside the boundaries of the faith. None of those things should move the individual who is walking in the mind of Christ. There are no grey areas here. Your assessment must be as it truly is. Remember; deal with people where they are and not where you would like them to be, or even where they ought to be.

2. DISCERNING RELATIONSHIPS In my opinion, this is the greatest test of leadership; the ability to righteously discern relationships, both, their own as well as others. When leaders or lay- members for that matter, encounter those who oppose them or their endeavors, slander, or out-right offend, it is imperative that they remain in the Spirit to deal with such issues. In matters in which you are personally involved, be careful to monitor your own thoughts and emotions.

This is especially true if an offender launches a verbal attack or seeks to slander you. In some cases those of the house will employ their old attributes of verbal manipulation and religiosity to put your light out in an attempt to make theirs shine. These are all spiritual dispositions that God will reveal to you so that you will not be in the blind as you attempt to implement the ministry of reconciliation. If you maintain a righteous posture you will be able to discern the disposition, thoughts and intents of the offender’s heart.

A. Stand in righteousness and assess the situation spiritually, do not react in the flesh.

B. Assess the facts. What are they? Are you dealing with an individual who has the spiritual comprehension of their deeds?

C. Are you dealing with an enemy? This is where many leaders lose their ability to bring a righteous solution to a negative situation. They will put the person who has a problem with them in the place of an enemy. The "ought" may simply be constructive criticism. I have heard ministers say, "how dare he criticize me, I'm the leader here!" So the individual with the constructive criticism becomes public enemy number one.

D. If the offender has made himself your enemy, remember he has become God’s enemy first. He is in trouble and needs your help. Don’t compound his burden by failing to walk in love with the heart of reconciliation. If you cannot do this, then you have fallen onto the wrong side of the following passage. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (James 4:14)

E. Never use pride or over-authoritativeness to silence an offender. These are attributes of the devil and they are meant to hurt, cripple and destroy. But you will fail here if you fear the power of an offender. That is, if you fear the offender’s criticism of you, whether right or wrong, your response will affect others in your sphere of influence.

F. To respond to an offensive situation with pride or vengeful authority will simply create people who

#1. Are too frightened to tell you how they really feel, and

#2. Who will follow your example and not make themselves vulnerable to the truth.

G. Pride and iniquity destroy all possible opportunity for the ministry of reconciliation. Once again, it is important that you walk in the Spirit at all times, but especially when discerning is needed.

The Holy Ghost is the discerner. You are lost without Him. If you walk after the flesh, then you will certainly miss the possibility that a criticism does not have to come from an enemy but a friend as well. It could be that he/she has difficulty with an operation in your life that is abrasive to them. By assessing the facts, you will have a foundation in which to begin. Nevertheless, it does not matter if the person is friend or foe, love never fails.

► 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. Why does Paul admonish us to examine ourselves as to whether or not we are in the Faith? 2. Explain what it means to walk in a life free of condemnation.

2. Why is it that we cannot deceive those who are spiritual with our conversation?

3. What is the intent of God for revealing negative motives to those who are spiritual?

4. What does it mean to be a reprobate?

► 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. Why does Paul admonish us to examine ourselves as to whether or not we are in the Faith? Because character is not only revealed through ones actions but also through thoughts and feelings. It is easy to examine character in everyone around us but lose sight of examining self. If we learn to judge self by the Word it will allow us to always stay inside the boundaries of the faith.

Proverbs 23:7

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

2. Explain what it means to walk in a life free of condemnation. When we walk in the Spirit we have the emotions of the Spirit which are also the emotions of Christ. Furthermore, we know that Christ’s sentiment was always to do the will of the Father because He loved Him. Condemnation comes when we do not have that same sentiment. The Holy Spirit within us will always compare our mind to that of Christ’s. In order to have no condemnation our actions, thoughts and our feelings must line up with His.

3. Why is it that we cannot deceive those who are spiritual with our conversation? Conversation is not without spiritual exhalation.

Matthew 15:18

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Remember, nothing is hidden from the Holy Ghost. Those who are spiritual will allow the Holy Ghost to judge every word spoken and the spirit in which it is spoken, whether it is pure or defiled. God will allow a person’s conversation to be judged not for their destruction but to reveal everything that opposes the will of God in their life and in the lives of others.

4. What is the intent of God for revealing negative motives to those who are spiritual? God’s purpose is to always reconcile man back unto Himself, not to destroy. Ministers must always walk in the Spirit of Humility when bringing deliverance to those who are held captive by these negative mindsets. Remember, it is the Holy Ghost who is the discerner, not the minister. His focus is always to express God’s love toward man.

5. What does it mean to be a reprobate? The Greek word for reprobate means to be rejected, castaway, unapproved and worthless. To be a reprobate is to be cast out of the Kingdom of God and returned to the kingdom of darkness.

LESSON THREE – DISCERNING SPIRITUAL DISPOSITIONS 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. Why is self examination so vital in the Christian walk?

2. When you have examined yourself and found your disposition was not pleasing to God, how did you deal with it?

3. Why is it important that when God reveals to us things about ourselves that He is not pleased with, that not try to justify or defend our actions?