Using discernment in spiritual warfare.

Have you heard of the saying “all that glitters is not gold”? Apparently, it comes from the William Shakespeare play, The Merchant of Venice.

There is another saying, from the Bible: “even satan appears as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

What do these two sayings have in common? An element of deception. We can see something that may look amazing, but unless we take a closer look, even “testing” it, we will not know if it’s the genuine article or not. Just as gold can go through a number of tests to see if it’s genuine or not, we, as Christians, are told to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1).

This testing is in reference to false prophets that had been trying to deceive the early church and, in the case of 2 Corinthians, false apostles. People can appear to say all the right things and have amazing stories but actually be proclaiming a different gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:4). That is scary as it goes to show that one of the greatest schemes of the enemy is spiritual warfare within the Church. Just as there are a number of ways to test the genuineness of gold, the Bible shows there are ways we can test the spirits.

1. Does a person confess that Jesus Christ is from God?

   1 John 4:2-3
   By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

2. Does a person curse Jesus?

   1 Corinthians 12:3
   Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

3. Do we have amongst us those who are gifted in distinguishing between spirits that can help us discern what is of God and what is not?

   1 Corinthians 12:4-11
   Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

The first two points are pretty evident if we dig a little deeper into a person’s life (unless they are really good at lying). But there are some circumstances that can leave us utterly confused as to whether someone (or something) is genuine or not. This is when we need to lean on each other and the gifts that God has given. We are part of a body that has various gifts and when it comes to testing the spirits, especially in confusing situations, I would say it is vital to utilise this part of the body of Christ. Do you know anyone within your community that has this gift that you can turn to? Discerning together is very helpful as those who are true believers all have the Holy Spirit and therefore may give different insights and information that can confirm if something is from God or not. At different times in my life I’ve had the privilege of working together with others in this way to discern spiritual warfare, and it’s amazing how the Holy Spirit brings confirmation through each other’s gifts. I’m happy to share more in person if you want to know a practical example of this.

If you are in a situation right now that requires discernment and you don’t know where to turn, please reach out so that we may serve you in this way. I leave you with these verses:

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)

Lyndal Walker
International Prayer Director

Here are some things to guide you on this day of prayer and fasting:

1. Read 2 Corinthians 11:1-5. Have you ever seen something or someone that looked good and turned out not to be? How did that make you feel? What could you have done to “test” it more?
2. Read 1 John 1:4. Besides people confessing that Jesus has come from God, what are some other ways this chapter says we can know if someone is a genuine believer?
3. Read 1 Corinthians 12. What gifts do you recognise in yourself? What gifts do others recognise in you? How can you grow in your gifts?
4. Pray that the Church will grow in discernment and that anything false will be exposed.
5. Pray that God will give you discernment in your ministry and courage to deal with anything that doesn’t seem right.
6. Pray that young people in your nation and city will know the truth and be protected from deception.