One of the main purposes of this gift is to bring God’s people into the freedom of being a child of God. It is not for being suspicious of people we do not like or to judge others in the flesh. This gift discerns spirits, not faults. The revelations received should not be used for gossip or shared judgmentally.
“… Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up,” (1 Cor. 8:1b).
The revelations from the Holy Spirit should be shared with sensitivity and respect for the person. If they are not open to discussing ‘demonic’ issues, it can create fear or skepticism. Remember, they have the right to accept or reject the personal revelation. Do not force it upon them. Have the humility to accept their reaction. Deliverance can often occur without informing them directly.
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
When sharing a revelation, choose your words carefully. Phrases like “something negative,” “some block,” or “some hindrance” for ‘demonic hindrances’ are often more palatable. Being blunt or precisely naming the spirit in every situation is not always necessary. Using harsh words in deliverance may alienate people. Be prudent in your language when discussing ‘demonic’ matters.
Telling people bluntly, “You have a demon!” or, “You have a spirit of sickness in you!” can have lasting negative impacts. They may constantly dwell on it and seek validation from others. Avoid making such statements if you cannot help them achieve freedom or if they may not handle the truth properly. Be considerate of their receptiveness to knowing or accepting the root cause.
God-Centered, Not Devil-Conscious
As we develop the gift of discerning spirits, we should remain God-centered, not devil-conscious. Often, when we become aware of the demonic realm, we tend to amplify the devil’s influence. Remember, the devil is a created being, not equal to Jesus. All his powers are under the feet of Jesus.
“… Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him,” (1 Peter 3:22).
Sometimes we question, “Why is God not defeating the devil?” or “Why is the Holy Spirit not confronting the Evil One?” The truth is, Satan is no match for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God, and Satan is just a created being. They are not equals.
“And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him,” (Revelation 12:7-9).
In the heavenly war, God did not personally fight the dragon. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the angels, led by Michael, fought and defeated him. This shows that the devil is no match for God. It also explains why God allows us to repeatedly defeat Satan. The Bible tells us that Satan will be bound by ‘an’ angel.
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him,” (Revelation 20:1-3).
Using the Gift
How do we use this gift? Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Each case is different, so it is crucial to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Ask the Holy Spirit questions and expect Him to lead you. Revelations need interpretation and wisdom to apply; follow the promptings of the Spirit within.
This gift, combined with the Word of Knowledge, the Word of Wisdom, and the Gift of Faith, is very powerful.
