LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
Have you ever heard someone use the phrase "the light at the end of the tunnel" to describe their long-awaited time of hardship finally nearing its end? Many of us are looking for that light right now and can’t find it. From pandemics to protests, senseless murders to economic madness, the world is really struggling. I don’t only mean that people are stressed, I’m saying that people are experiencing physical and mental breakdowns
. Unable to discern the presence of Jesus amid these trying times, many Believers fix their eyes on the perceived weapons that have been formed against them, and they see no solution in sight. Might I suggest to you that there is no light at the end of this proverbial tunnel that is our current circumstances? Why do I say that? Because the Light of the World—Jesus Christ is in the midst of this dismal darkness with us, and I propose that He’s guiding us out of these current doom and gloom days with personal and societal breakthroughs.
In other words, Jesus is not waiting in the wings while we figure things out. No, in fact, He runs to problems as He holds the remedy we seek. Yet, the question remains, are you too focused on the hell around you
to see heaven’s solution that is right in front of you?
SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE
If you've followed my ministry for very long, you know well that I often teach about the spiritual realm— a reality that people foolishly ignore. I'll add that the spirit realm affects everyone, whether it's acknowledged or not. Paul educates Believers in Ephesians 6:10-12 as to why it's important to be spiritually intelligent, see here: " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
" Did you catch that? Paul's understanding of the spiritual realm was that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but of spiritual forces. What does this mean for you as a Believer today? The same thing it meant for the Believers in Paul's time— our struggle is spiritual, yet we were destined to win!
Many of you are in great distress
right now, and I'm certain that you don't have to be! I say this with confidence because God’s goal for you is to embody the authority that Christ has given all Believers so that we would undermine and defeat the power of the enemy.
He desires us to be spiritually intelligent and peace driven.
EYES TO SEE & EARS TO HEAR
One way God has empowered us to thrive in the presence of our spiritual enemies
is through a specific spiritual gift that is available to every Believer should they ask for it. What I’m talking about is the gift of discernment of spirits, or as some translations say, the gift of distinguishing between spirits (1 Cor. 12:8-10).
First off, the Discernment of spirits is not ghost hunting or communicating with the dead, nor is it altogether creepy or even that mystical for that matter. In fact, in my opinion, this gift is one of the most undervalued yet beneficial gifts that serve the Body of Christ, and if applied correctly would eliminate a great deal of spiritual warfare. It's a supernatural gift that empowers one to discern between any and all spirits individually.
When one functions in this gift healthily and as God purposed, Believers arise as the solution-driven peacemakers that they are, and begin the work of recovering, reconciling, and restoring those the enemy has attempted to kill, steal, and destroy.
Discerning of spirits gives us the ability to distinguish the unseen beings that we are in “cohabitation” with—a vital function in developing spiritual intelligence. Not only that, but it also empowers Believers to distinguish between what's real and what's false. To clarify, it’s not just merely discernment or wisdom for that matter, nor is it distinguishing only evil spirits. This gift is brilliant in that it exposes what influence and intentions the spirit realm is having, whether on a person, in the atmosphere, over a city, or in a nation.
Maturely operating in this gift enables you to be keenly in tune and aware of the spiritual weapons formed against people, but it also gives you eyes to see the Light of Christ amid disorienting days of chaos.
You understand what this means, don’t you? The gift of discernment of spirits not only gives us access behind enemy lines and exposes their plots and schemes but it also uncovers Holy Spirit solutions that disarm the devil and remedy today’s complex challenges. Think of this gift as a giant spotlight. It exposes everything unseen, adversaries and the emissaries that are sent to help us, and paired with the authority God’s given you, empowers God’s people to be incredibly in tune, intelligent, and influential.
4 WAYS TO DEVELOP DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
It’s paramount that Believers step into this gift right now.
With everything going on in the world, in our nations, and even in our homes, we need to understand where our fight truly lies, and if you haven’t gathered by now, it’s not with one another. With that being said, I want to give you 4 ways that you can begin to develop the gift of discernment of spirits in your life right now:
1. Ask for it
. A gift is just that— a gift. It’s available to every believer. As James said in the Bible, “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2-3). So simply ask. Understand that the Lord desires us to be
spiritually intelligent
. He wants us to steward the things that He gives us, so once you’ve asked for this gift or any spiritual gift for that matter—use it!
2. Start with yourself
. Begin to discern the spirits influencing your thought life. For example, you could start with your attitude over something like finances. Notice what happens when you and your spouse begin to talk about money? Does it get heated fast or do you notice the conversation is solution-driven? Begin to discern the spirit behind what may be influencing YOUR emotions and thought life first. If you stick with it, you will begin to notice an incredible improvement in your overall sense of wellbeing as you’ll begin to also discern the spirit of peace that will be present.
3. Learn what the gift is and what it is not.
I’d recommend surrounding yourself with Believers who are healthily functioning in this gift. This is a fail-safe way to learn what the gift is and what it isn’t. For instance, I talk about this in my book Spirit Wars
, but suspicion is the wicked step-sister of discernment. Meaning, when fear hijacks discernment there’s not only a spirit behind every corner, but you’ll find you are highly suspicious of everyone’s motives. What I’m describing is not the gift of discernment of spirits. It is straight-up fear, and it’s not from God.
4. Read your Bible
. The Bible is full of stories that may not directly point out the operation of discernment of spirits, but as you begin to notice it in your own life and mature in the gift, you will begin to see time and time again how the disciples naturally supernaturally flowed in this gift. You can read about one example found in Acts 16:15-18. Paul discerned a spirit of divination on a slave-girl. Go check out what happened!
Share in the comments what you learn this week as you develop your gift of discernment, begin to see Jesus in the midst of the storm, and regain the peace that’s been given to you!
