7) Discerning of spirits – 1 Corinthians 12:10
As we are living in the last days there has been widespread deception as mentioned in scripture (Matt 24:23,24; 2 Thessalonians 2: 1 to 11 -more specifically verses 3 and 11). It is important as God’s children that we are discerning during these times more than ever. The focus, however, is not on what is wrong, but to desire(look for) the pure and holy. We must be proactive about that because of the times we are in.
There is a general level of discernment that God grants to every believer to know error from truth. In 1 John 2:20 and 27 we see that we have an unction from the Holy one to know the truth and it teaches us all things.
Secondly, knowledge (revelatory) of the word of God is very important as today quite a few things are occurring that are contrary to the word of God and if we don’t know the word we cannot discern properly.
Also, as believers we have the witness of the Spirit to guide us into all truth.
Apart from all of this is the gift of discernment.
God is all knowing. He discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart of every man. Everything is laid bare before Him and He sees through every creation in the natural and spiritual realms. That grace imparted to an individual is the discerning of spirits.
When this gift is in operation, we can specifically discern angelic presence; the presence of the Spirit; that of Jesus…One can see in the spirit realms and also discern which type of anointing is present, while those without the gift would only sense the presence of God generally.
Not only that, but we can also discern deceiving spirits which are rampant today. Also, know what types of demons are in operation in a place and city.
In the few examples we have in scripture we see Jesus (Luke 9:55) and Paul (Acts 16:16 to 18) exercising discernment and correcting and also using their authority.
On a final but general note, one must be set apart unto Christ from the world to be able to discern the world and the spirit of the world. One cannot discern what is in the world if the world is inside them.
8) Divers’ kinds of tongues- ( 1 Corinthians 12:10)
The God who created man and all languages for communication on this earth and in the heavens chooses to endow His people with His (this) grace as a sign of His glory made known to men and also so that they can use it as a means to communicate directly with their Heavenly Father and with angels.
If the tower of Babel was a place where confusion reigned when people stopped understanding each other; Pentecost was a place where unity reigned as all men present (from different nations) understood what was said. It was a powerful manifestation of the Spirit that was birthed there to unite all men and mankind as one in Christ.
In the title itself we see that there are different kinds of tongues. Knowing them from scripture will clear a lot of confusion.
1 ) Tongues of men (Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 13:1)- When this tongue is in operation one can speak an earthly language, they were unaware of from before. This tongue is usually given as a sign for non-believers (1 Corinthians 14:22). When there are no non-believers, there is not a necessity for this tongue to be in operation.
2) Tongues of Angels ( 1 Corinthians 13:1) – These are tongues that come with authority from above and start functioning according to the levels of anointing and the purposes of God that need to be fulfilled in a certain place. With these tongues, one can interact with angels.
3) Unknown Tongues or talking to the Father in His language- Usually called as one’s prayer language ( 1 Corinthians 14:2). This is a tongue not understood by others. This is the tongue we see commonly in the church today.
4) Tongues that are for interpretation – These tongues have a specific message with them and they need to be interpreted ( 1 Corinthians 14:13).
5) Groaning and Moanings that cannot be formulated into words- This is when the Spirit takes control of one’s spirit and travail and birth pains are experienced as His intercession comes out as great groanings and moanings (Romans 8:26,27 ).
As we grow in the gift of tongues , we learn that there are specific tongues for warfare; tongues that unlock doors into the realms of the Spirit and so forth.
The more we pray in the Spirit, the more our inner man is edified (Jude 20) and so we should make it a point to pray in the Spirit as much as possible.
9 ) Gift of Interpretation of tongues -1 Corinthians 12:10
The gift of interpretation of tongues always functions along with the gift of tongues ( 1 Corinthians 14:13). It is in operation when the Spirit has a specific message to the church or an individual in a certain language not known to the people present.
The reason as to why God operates that way is; one He is God and He can choose to communicate whatever way He wants. Secondly, it’s in His wisdom that He chooses such ways. Thirdly, it is in His nature to use it for His glory as a sign and a wonder.
Hidden in God and in Christ are all the treasures of knowledge and understanding, many of which are mysteries to all of creation. He chooses to reveal His mysteries in the appropriate times and seasons, generally to the body of believers as a whole and to individuals more specifically. So, His operations as such are mysterious to the natural man.
The gift of interpretation of tongues is given to a man to understand the locked mysteries of God about a person or individual or group of people in the spiritual realms. The mysteries are spoken in tongues and the interpretation gift unlocks the mystery from the spiritual realms, making it understandable to us in the natural realm.
In concluding the thoughts on the gifts of the Spirit, we need to understand that they are God’s supernatural essences given to man to accomplish His purposes on this earth and many of which we would operate in full or greater measure on the other side of eternity (Hebrews 6: 4,5 – tasted the powers of the ages to come).
Let us have a heart to pursue the knowledge of Christ, desiring intimacy with the Spirit.
For as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor has entered into the heart of man.
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
Enter into and walk in all that God has for you on this side of eternity through His Spirit dear saint of God and don’t wait to avail all that God has freely given to you!
