STRATEGY
In the first two blogs on this topic, I talked about how the Holy Spirit imparts gifts that help us do the things that He wants done. Here is the scripture with a list of gifts that are available.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV)
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
WE ARE ON THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
The first blog described how the Holy Spirit through the gift of discerning of spirits, helps us to understand the origin of a matter. In the second installment I touched on how through this gift He can show us not only origin, but the nature of the situation within the origin.
Let’s look a moment today at “strategy” through discerning of spirits. When the Holy Spirit supernaturally gives you understanding of what is driving an action, He can help you discern/perceive the right response. That is strategy.
FOR INSTANCE
If the gift of discerning of spirits helps you to identify that some activity is caused by a demon (origin) then He by discerning of spirits lets you know it is an infirmed spirit (nature) He can also by discerning of spirits let you perceive the right path or response to deal with it…or not. (strategy). There are other gifts of the spirit that operate in strategy as well like word of wisdom and word of knowledge, but I believe discerning of spirits works in strategy as well.
AS A NEW BELIEVER
One day I was in a Walmart in a very small town not too far from my home. As I pushed my buggy through an aisle (back in the day of small Walmart’s) a woman came down the aisle from the other end. She rammed my buggy and cussed me. I apologized thinking that maybe I was taking up too much room in the narrow aisle. She went to the end of the aisle and turned around, came back and rammed me and cussed me again. At that moment, discerning of spirits operated and I realized this was not just a woman being obnoxious. This was a demon. I felt by the same gift that I wasn’t to take that demon to task, but it was the beginning of learning to hear the Lord speak through discerning of spirits.
JESUS MOVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
At least a third of Jesus’ ministry was casting out demons. The Holy Spirit helped Jesus “do” the ministry. He didn’t do it alone. He did it the same way we do it…with the power of the Holy Spirit. He used discerning of spirits to recognize demons as well as the other origins.
I LOVE THIS STORY!
Jesus crossed the lake in the midst of a great storm. When He got to the other side, He was met by a man who was demon possessed and totally insane. This man ran in the tombs and terrorized those that would pass by. He cut himself and cried out. Not even chains would hold him due to supernatural strength. He was a man who lived like an animal. He was hopeless and helpless. Here is the account.
Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV)
1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.
Jesus moved in discerning of spirits. It may appear obvious that it was a demon, but if it had been some other type of illness, there would not have been the outcome of dealing with the devil. The demon spoke through the man. It even worshipped Jesus! Jesus cast out the demon/demons out of the man and let them go into the swine. I believe the gift of the Holy Spirit, discerning of spirits helped Him with strategy. He let them go into the pigs. Of course, it drove the pigs mad and they drowned themselves. First case of deviled ham…I know…bad joke!
WHILE WE ARE FINISHING UP THE TOPIC
In the story above, the demon used the voice of the man to speak. Can they speak without a man’s voice? Yes. I have heard them speak as I have confronted them. I believe that discerning of spirits helped me hear when I needed to hear in the spirit realm. Not that I want to do that all the time, but it has been a great help when I need strategy to help a person or pray for a region.
THE GREAT COUNTERFEIT
For every genuine gift of the Holy Spirit, Satan has a counterfeit. Discerning of spirits (the counterfeit version) is what I believe causes demons to cry out in people. The demon in the man or woman recognizes the Holy Spirit in a person and cries in terror. This happened everywhere Jesus went including synagogue (church of His day). Does that happen today? Yes, it does! I could tell story after story. It has happened in private, in public, in church, in school, in stores, on the street, at the fair…you name it!
IN CONCLUSION
Can we do this? Yes! We are as Jesus in the world. He came to set the captive free and we are to do it as well. We will have great help from the Holy Spirit to identify the origin, nature and strategy for helping people. Don’t be afraid. Ask! He will hear you. Then jump in with both feet. It is possible!
lisa
Discerning of Spirits Part 1
Discerning of Spirits Part 2
© Copyright Lisa Swayze 2019