Reference: DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
American
1Co 12:10, a miraculous gift of the Holy Ghost to certain of the early church, empowering them to judge of the real character of those who professed to love Christ, and to be inspired to teach in his name, 1Jo 4:1; 2Jo 1:7. Compare Ac 5:1-10; 13:6-12.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Be strong and very courageous, that you may be careful to do according to all the Law, which Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. They kept back part of the money. His wife was also knowledgeable of the transaction. They brought part of the funds to the apostles. read more. Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the money from the land sale? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why did you conceive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things. The young men arose, covered him up, and carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price? And she said: Yes, we did. Then Peter said: How is it that you have agreed together to put Jehovah's Spirit to the test? Look, those who buried your husband are at the door to carry you out. Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband.
They traveled the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they found Barjesus. He was a sorcerer, a false prophet and a Jew. He was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man, who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. read more. But Elymas the sorcerer opposed them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes on him, And said: You child of the devil, full of all subtlety and mischief, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of Jehovah? Look Jehovah's hand is on you. You will be blind and not see the sun for a season. Immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness. He went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. When he saw what was done the deputy believed. He was astonished at the teaching of God.
To another the workings of miracles and to another prophesy. To another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This is because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Fausets
1Co 12:10. Discerning between the operation of God's Spirit and that of the evil spirit, or unaided human spirit claiming to utter the dictates of God's Spirit. Ac 5:1-11; 8:28; 1Co 14:23,37: "if any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord." It is this which assures us of the inspiration of the New Testament The books were accepted as inspired, by churches having men possessing" the discerning of spirits" (1Jo 4:1; 1Ti 4:1).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. They kept back part of the money. His wife was also knowledgeable of the transaction. They brought part of the funds to the apostles. read more. Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the money from the land sale? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? Why did you conceive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God. Hearing these words Ananias fell down and died. Great fear came over all those who heard these things. The young men arose, covered him up, and carried him out, and buried him. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Peter said to her: Tell me whether you sold the land for such a price? And she said: Yes, we did. Then Peter said: How is it that you have agreed together to put Jehovah's Spirit to the test? Look, those who buried your husband are at the door to carry you out. Then she fell down at his feet and died. The young men came in, and found her dead. They carried her out to be buried by her husband. Great fear came upon the entire congregation who heard these things.
He was returning and sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet.
To another the workings of miracles and to another prophesy. To another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit. Test the spirits to see whether they are from God. This is because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Morish
This was one of the gifts in the early church, needful for 'testing the spirits,' because even then many false prophets had gone forth into the world. 1Co 12:10; 1Jo 4:1-3. This gift was especially necessary at the time when the word of God was not fully written.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
All the people finished crossing the Jordan River. Then Jehovah spoke to Joshua: Take twelve men out of the people. Take a man out of every tribe. read more. Command them by saying: Take twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm. Carry them over with you and leave them in the lodging place where you stay tonight.
To another the workings of miracles and to another prophesy. To another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.