The Gift of Tongues - Spiritual Gifts 6

 

A deep dive into the spiritual gift of tongues.

~~ Watch the Video ~~

Outline:

• Introduction
• Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
• Review: Your Spiritual Gifts 1-5
• Speaking In Tongues
• Interpretation of Tongues
• The Gift of Writing
• The Gift of Administration
• Don’t depend on miracles
• Conclusion: The Joy of the Holy Spirit

Scriptures:

• 1 Peter 4:10-11
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-12
• 1 Corinthians 14:2
• 1 Corinthians 14:27-28
• Acts 2:1-12

Introduction

1 Peter 4:10-11

10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We have all been given some gifts, talents and abilities.

Are you using your gifts to glorify God?

Could you be serving more?

Use your gift – Dela Toro.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUEr0eNj12U/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

The fruit is not for you

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPba8YCjgdT/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Today we are talking about supernatural gifts, but we all have some gifts that we should be using for the kingdom

Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

The two greatest days in your life are:

1. the day you were born
2. the day you figure out why you were born

– – Mark twain

The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason

If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God

Your calling is the purpose that God created you for

• It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
• It is how you serve his purposes in the world

A Christian’s Callings

Christians have

1. General callings
2. A Unique calling

General Christian Callings

All Christians are called to:

1. To Love God
2. Love your neighbor
3. Make disciples
4. Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification

Unique Calling

Additionally, you were given unique

• Natural ability
• Acquired skills
• Spiritual Gifts
• Personality
• Desires and preferences
• Life experiences

All of this makes uniquely qualified to serve others, and to glorify God

Your gifts and talents are owned by God… Not you

Success is Measured by Faithfulness, Not Impact

In this series we will discover:

• What a purpose is and why it matters
• What are your unique attributes
• What life experiences have prepared you for your calling
• What is your unique purpose
• How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose

Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose

Review: Your Spiritual Gifts

Gifts, Ministries, Effects

1 Corinthians 12:4-7^

Gifts

The raw spiritual "tool" or talent (e.g., the gift of teaching, prophecy, or healing).

This is the internal enablement from the Holy Spirit

Examples 

• Prophecy
• discernment of spirits
• Speaking in tongues

Ministries / Functions

The specific office, role or sphere of service where you use your gift.

Example:

• Pastor
• Choir director
• School teacher

Gift vs Ministry

You might have the gift of teaching, but that gift can be expressed in many different ways.

Example: Gift of teaching

• Pastor
• Jail ministry
• Classroom

You can have the gift of prophecy, but not serve in the office of a prophet

• You might be in the parking lot Ministries

Effects

The supernatural impact or outcome of the gift being used.

Example

• You can “feel the anointing” when someone is singing

Manifestations vs. Permanent Gifts

Manifestations

The Holy Spirit can give any gift to any believer at a specific moment to meet a specific need.

Referred to as:

• "manifestation of the Spirit"
• “Spirit coming upon you”
• “ Being filled with the Holy Spirit”

Permanent Gifts

What people call "having the gift" is a consistent history of God choosing to work through someone.

3 Lists of Gifts

In this series, we are going to discuss three different classifications of gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

1. Motivational gifts. Romans 12:6-8
2. Manifestation gifts 1 Corinthians 12:7-12
3. Ministries/function/offices Ephesians 4:11-12

Manifestation Gifts

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7-12

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpreting tongues

Not all Christians “have these” gifts

• the Spirit distributes them "as He wills" (v. 11)
• The spirit can manifest any of these gifts on any Christians at any given time

The Gift of Wisdom    

AKA the “word of wisdom” or “utterance of wisdom.”  

It is the ability to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs

• A solution to a problem

The Word of Knowledge

The unique ability to receive knowledge which could only be revealed supernaturally

• Information

Faith

The gift of faith is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances.

Having a supernatural peace or assurance about some situation

1. Supernatural certainty
2. Unshakable faith during persecution or suffering

Healing

The ability to initiate supernatural intervention of God that cures a physical ailment, disease, or injury without the aid of natural medical means.

Working of Miracles

This describes when the Holy Spirit chooses to "over-ride" the laws of nature, working in or through an available person.

Examples:

• Raising the dead
• Turning water to wine

The Gift of Prophecy

The ability to deliver a message from God to a group or individual

• Sometimes this is foretelling the future

Prophecy is also taken the timeless word of God and teaching it in a timely way

The gift is separate from the office

• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 3 (Tbe Gift of Prophecy)
• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 4 (False Prophets)

The Discerning of Spirits

The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of "discernment of spirits" or "distinguishing between spirits."  The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation.

A person with this gift can identify the source of a behavior, teaching, or spiritual manifestation.

There are generally four "spirits" they distinguish between:  

• The Holy Spirit: Recognizing when God is truly moving or speaking.  
• The Human Spirit: Sensing when something is just human emotion, ego, or "performance" rather than divine.  
• Demonic Spirits: Identifying the presence of evil, deception, or oppression.  
• The Spirit of Error: Spotting false doctrines or "half-truths" that sound biblical but aren't .  

1. 
   

Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 5 (The Gift of Discernment)

Speaking In Tongues

To “speak in tongues” means to supernaturally speak in a language that you have never learned

Three Effects/Types of Tongues

The Personal Prayer Language

1 Corinthians 14:2

For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

• No one understands
• In his spirit he speaks mysteries

Private prayer language

The Ministry/Prophetic Gift:

1 Corinthians 14:27-28

27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God.

This is a message meant for a congregation that requires an interpreter.

The fact that Paul tells people not to speak in tongues at certain time implies that they have the ability to do it at will

This is God speaking to Christians

The Universal Tongue (Xenoglossia)

Acts 2:1-12 

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. 5 Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the crowd came together and they were bewildered, because each one of them was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 They were amazed and astonished, saying, “Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 “And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? 9 “Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty deeds of God.” 12 And they all continued in amazement and great perplexity, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”

• A tongue landed on each of them
• We each hear them in our own language
• More languages than disciples

This is the miraculous ability to speak in a manner that everyone who hears it understands it in their own dialect

1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Perhaps the tongue of angels is the universal tongue. The word “Angel” means “messenger”. The assignment of angels is to communicate with humans of all nations. So it would make sense that instead of switching languages for each nation that they have one supernatural language that all humans can understand.

References

Previous Lessons:

• Your Skills and Talents
• Your Spiritual Gifts
• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 2
• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 3 (Tbe Gift of Prophecy)
• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 4 (False Prophets)
• Your Spiritual Gifts - Part 5 (The Gift of Discernment)
• 
  

spiritual gifts, #4: Discovering your spiritual gifts: sign gifts

Mark Driscoll ministries

Extra

Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:21-22^

21 In the Law it is written: “BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. 22 So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.

Mark 16:15-18

15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned. 17These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Acts 8:14-24

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."

• What was wrong with Simon wanting to attain the ability to infuse the Holy Spirit into someone

• Because it was for his own benefit

• When did people receive the Holy Spirit at the time?

• either immediately when they were baptised or when someone prayed for them

Some people receive their gifts when they accept Christ.  Some receive when they get prayed over.

The Gift of Discernment - Spiritual Gifts 5

 

What is the gift of discerment?

~~ Watch the Video ~~

Outline:

• Introduction
• Finding Your Purpose in Life Series
• Review: Your Spiritual Gifts
• The Discerning of Spirits
• Natural Discernment
• The Gift of Spiritual Discernment
• Testing your discernment

Scriptures:

• Acts 16:16 - 18
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-12
• 1 Corinthians 2:14

Introduction

Acts 16:16 - 18*

16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

The woman had an evil spirit that was allowing her to see the future. This is not the gift of prophecy.

• Prophecy is not just telling the future
• Prophecy speaking on behalf of God

Even though the girl was praising Paul, he was able to discern that the spirit behind her was a demon.  

The gift of discernment can look like: everything in the natural seems to point to a specific conclusion, but the Holy Spirit tells you otherwise.

Critical Spirit / Skepticism

Having a critical spirit is not the gift of discernment

What if Paul was just skeptical about all

• Slaves
• Women
• Fortunetellers

People often mistake a "critical spirit" (looking for faults in others) for the "gift of discernment."

Example: TV preacher wearing 3 thousand dollar suit asking people to tithe 100 dollars because God said that he should have an $80k Watch to help minister to the lost

• True biblical discernment is not rooted in being suspicious or judgmental.

Having correct discernment about something religious or spiritual does not make it the gift of discernment or even spiritual discernment

Today are we are going to take a deep dive into the gift of discernment

But before we do, we are going to understand what discernment is in the first place and how it works on a biological level

• We will look at how your thinking works

Most of today’s lesson will be discussing what is not spiritual discernment

Finding Your Purpose in Life Series

The two greatest days in your life are:

1. the day you were born
2. the day you figure out why you were born

– – Mark twain

Purpose is the fundamental reason that something exists

The Bible tells us that everything was created by God, the Designer, for a reason

If you want to find your purpose… You have to start with God

Your calling is the purpose that God created you for

• It's the end goal of your assignment on earth
• It is how you serve his purposes in the world

A Christian’s Callings

Christians have

1. General callings
2. A Unique calling

General Christian Callings

All Christians are called to:

1. To Love God
2. Love your neighbor
3. Make disciples
4. Be conformed to the image of Christ – sanctification

Unique Calling

Additionally, you were given unique

• Natural ability
• Acquired skills
• Spiritual Gifts
• Personality
• Desires and preferences
• Life experiences

All of this makes uniquely qualified to serve others, and to glorify God

Your gifts and talents are owned by God… Not you

Success is Measured by Faithfulness, Not Impact

In this series we will discover:

• What a purpose is and why it matters
• What are your unique attributes
• What life experiences have prepared you for your calling
• What is your unique purpose
• How to overcome the barriers preventing you from pursuing your purpose

Throughout this next year, I will walk alongside you and help guide you to finding your purpose

Review: Your Spiritual Gifts

Gifts, Ministries, Effects

1 Corinthians 12:4-7^

Gifts

The raw spiritual "tool" or talent (e.g., the gift of teaching, prophecy, or healing).

This is the internal enablement from the Holy Spirit

Examples 

• Prophecy
• discernment of spirits
• Speaking in tongues

Ministries / Functions

The specific office,role or sphere of service where you use your gift.

Example:

• Pastor
• Choir director
• School teacher

Gift vs Ministry

You might have the gift of teaching, but that gift can be expressed in many different ways.

Example: Gift of teaching

• Pastor
• Jail ministry
• Classroom

You can have the gift of prophecy, but not serve in the office of a prophet

• You might be in the parking lot Ministries

Effects

The supernatural impact or outcome of the gift being used.

Example

• You can “feel the anointing” when someone is singing

Manifestations vs. Permanent Gifts

Manifestations

The Holy Spirit can give any gift to any believer at a specific moment to meet a specific need.

Referred to as:

• "manifestation of the Spirit"
• “Spirit coming upon you”
• “ Being filled with the Holy Spirit”

Permanent Gifts

What people call "having the gift" is a consistent history of God choosing to work through someone.

3 Lists of Gifts

In this series, we are going to discuss three different classifications of gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Bible

1. Motivational gifts. Romans 12:6-8^
2. Manifestation gifts 1 Corinthians 12:7-12^ 
3. Ministries/function/offices Ephesians 4:11-12

Manifestation Gifts

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7-12

7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.

1. Word of Wisdom
2. Word of Knowledge
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miracles
6. Prophecy
7. Discerning of Spirits
8. Tongues
9. Interpreting tongues

Not all Christians “have these” gifts

• the Spirit distributes them "as He wills" (v. 11)
• The spirit can manifest any of these gifts on any Christians at any given time

The Gift of Wisdom    

AKA the “word of wisdom” or “utterance of wisdom.”  

It is the ability to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs

• A solution to a problem

The Word of Knowledge

The unique ability to receive knowledge which could only be revealed supernaturally

• Information

Faith

The gift of faith is the unique ability to trust God against all circumstances.

Having a supernatural peace or assurance about some situation

1. Supernatural certainty
2. Unshakable faith during persecution or suffering

Healing

The ability to initiate supernatural intervention of God that cures a physical ailment, disease, or injury without the aid of natural medical means.

Working of Miracles

This describes when the Holy Spirit chooses to "over-ride" the laws of nature, working in or through an available person.

Examples:

• Raising the dead
• Turning water to wine

The Gift of Prophecy

The ability to deliver a message from God to a group or individual

• Sometimes this is foretelling the future

The gift is separate from the office

The Discerning of Spirits

The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of "discernment of spirits" or "distinguishing between spirits."  The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation.

A person with this gift can identify the source of a behavior, teaching, or spiritual manifestation.

There are generally four "spirits" they distinguish between:  

1. The Holy Spirit: Recognizing when God is truly moving or speaking.  
2. The Human Spirit: Sensing when something is just human emotion, ego, or "performance" rather than divine.  
3. Demonic Spirits: Identifying the presence of evil, deception, or oppression.  
4. The Spirit of Error: Spotting false doctrines or "half-truths" that sound biblical but aren't .  

Natural Discernment

How we think

Discernment is the keen ability to judge well, perceive hidden truths, and distinguish between similar options (e.g., truth vs. falsehood, good vs. bad).

How we discern as Christians

• Experience
• Using biblical wisdom
• Being observant
• Being a good judge of character
• Common sense
• Wise council

All of these are “natural discernment“

Example: preacher who says Noah was really a woman

• You don’t need to gift of discernment to realize this is false
• You don’t need the supernatural to realize this is wrong

There is a difference between using natural discernment to judge spiritual matters vs using the gift of discernment

Body, Soul, Spirit

We are made up of body, soul, and spirit

• Your soul is your mind, will, and emotions.

Natural discernment is discerning things with your body and soul.

• Mind
• Emotions
• Body

How natural discernment works…

Finding Patterns

We have the ability to take fragmented data and see the "whole".

The brain stores information about

• social interactions
• emotions
• situational scenarios

When a new situation occurs, the brain "scans" its library and flags suspicious things.

It’s the "gut feeling" that something is off because a known pattern of honesty has been violated.

We notice when someone’s expressions don't match their words.

People with a strong ability to notice patterns may "see"

• where a situation is headed long before others do.
• The way the energy in the room shifts when that person enters.

Discernment is often just the brain realizing that the "Surface Data" and the "Deep Data" don't match.

Processing Speed

This is how  fast you can analyze the data and recognize patterns

Hi IQ

People are considered to have a high-IQ if they have

• Exceptional pattern finding ability
• Fast processing speed

What Data We Process

Micro-Expressions and Body Language

Micro expressions

• Not smiling with their eyes
• Micro smirk (yeah right)
• Nose wrinkle
• The micro-tension in the jaw.

Voice

• The slight lack of "resonance" in the tone.

Shifts in body language

• Arms cross
• Feet open towards/away from you
• Pupils dilate
• Preening (fixing hair, playing with jewelry)

Emotion

Our Emotions

While your conscious mind can only handle a few variables at once, your subconscious is absorbing millions of data points.

Your emotion is a "summary" of the data.

Other People’s Emotions

When we perceive the emotions of others, we aren't just "observing" them;

• our brains are simulating them.  
• empathy

Mirror neurons fire both when you experience an emotion and when you observe someone else experiencing it.

Your Body

Our experiences are stored in our nervous system.

Our shoulders may get tense when we’re in a situation that our nervous system believes to be threatening (like public speaking) even if we don’t “feel” nervous consciously

Your body may get tense when a certain person comes near you

Our body stores traumatic experiences in our nervous system

Memories are stored in your body

Example: gut feeling

you can have a gut feeling that someone is dangerous if they exhibit characteristics and behaviors of someone similar who was dangerous

Vibes

Psychologically, a "vibe" is often your subconscious processing data faster than your conscious mind.

The Source:

• Past experiences,
• trauma,
• personal preferences,
• physical states (hunger, tiredness, anger).

True discernment involves noticing this emotional signal and then using the Processor to verify why the signal was triggered.

Mental Filter

Most people’s brains have a "filter" that blocks out 99% of environmental data so they can focus on simple tasks.  

Example:

• Socks on your feet
• Feet on the floor
• But in the chair
• Hum of the refrigerator

Example: red car

Your brain filters based on

• Prejudices
• Your goals
• Threats
• Novelty
• Value (goals)
• Emotional state

Wide vs Narrow Filter

Different people’s mental filters allow different amounts of data through.

People with wide filters allow more data to come into their brain than those with narrow filters.  This causes them to receive more "irrelevant" data.

Narrow Filter

The brain recognizes "familiar" stimuli (the feeling of clothes on skin, background chatter, the smell of a room) and stops sending those signals to the conscious mind.

 The Result:

They can work in a loud coffee shop and literally not "hear" the music after five minutes.

Excellent at

• focusing,
• finishing tasks,
• following rules.

They see the "main point" but miss the "nuance."

They are less likely to be distracted by "what if" scenarios.

Wide Filter

You notice the flickering light, the hum of the AC, and the texture of the carpet.

See the "main point" plus ten other possibilities.

They are constantly "re-evaluating" what they know because their brain keeps letting in new data.

Highly creative people have wide filters.  

• They are getting more information than the average person.

Spiritual Awareness

People with wide filters often possess an uncanny ability to "read" people or sense atmospheric shifts that others miss.

Spirituality is often linked to having a wide filter.

This is why some cultures traditionally viewed those with these traits as

• Seers
• Shamans
• Empaths
• sensitive

Drugs

Drugs can force the brain's "filter" to stay open.

When this happens, the brain is flooded with raw data that it would normally ignore,

This can lead to

• heightened creativity,
• intense spiritual experiences,
•  or—if the "Processor" is overwhelmed—psychosis.

The "Hardware" Problem: 

Drugs can open the Filter, but they often impair the Processor (IQ/Logic) and the Pattern Recognizer.

Example: See God in everything

look I have 77 on my receipt… That must be a message from God

The Discernment Check:

Is this a "word from above," or is my brain just calculating the most likely outcome of these data points?

The Gift of Spiritual Discernment

1 Corinthians 2:14

But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The gift of discernment is not based on:

• Recognizing patterns
• Experience
• Biblical wisdom
• Observation
• Common sense
• Reading emotional energy
• Skepticism

As mature Christians, we should be using many of these, but these are all part of our natural discernment, and not gifts of the Holy Spirit.  

Spiritual discernment often "skips" the need for physical data.

You might enter a room with zero prior patterns and immediately feel a spiritual "weight" or "clarity" that has no logical basis.

Your Spirit

Your brain can discern situations using data from

• Mind
• Body
• Emotions

Your spirit receives the “spiritual data”.

 your spirit is the part of you that "hears" or "senses" the presence of God or other spiritual data. 

The gift of discernment of spirits involves an elevated ability to receive and process data from the spirit realm.

Example:

• You can feel the heaviness in the room
• You can sense that something is off about a biblical teaching

The Role:

Your spirit receives raw "spiritual data" (discernment, peace, conviction, or "weights") before your mind can even put words to it.

For a person with the gift of discernment,  this antenna is often "unshielded"—meaning you pick up on the spiritual energy of a room just as clearly as you notice the physical temperature.

Testing your discernment

Everyone thinks they can read people well

Most people think they are a good judge of character

Accuracy Test

Do you often misjudge people?

Do people “change” in relationships?

Are you surprised when people act out of the character that they portray?

Biblical consistency test

Does this match with God’s word or is it in line with God’s character

The "Mirror" Effect (The Ego Test)

Projection: 

The pattern you see in others often matches a pattern you are currently struggling with.

 (e.g., If you are feeling insecure, your "discernment" tells you everyone else is being judgmental).

The Gift: 

The insight is often surprising.

 It tells you something about a person or situation that you had no reason to suspect and that doesn't necessarily relate to your own current mood or judgment.

The "Fruit" of the Insight (The Outcome Test)

Projection leads to isolation.

It makes you withdraw, judge, or feel superior/inferior.

 It closes doors.

The Gift leads to clarity.

Even if the discernment is a "warning" to stay away, it leaves you with a sense of "knowing" rather than "stewing." It opens up a path for appropriate action.

How to "Calibrate" Your Processor

If you feel a "hit" of discernment but aren't sure if it's real, try these three steps to settle your "Filter":

1. Close your eyes or move to a quiet space.

1. Does the "insight" stay, or does it vanish when the external "noise" stops?

2. Check your Emotions: hungry, angry, lonely, tired (HALT)
3. The "Wait and See" Method:

1. True spiritual discernment is rarely a "one-time" flash. If it's a real gift, the pattern will persist and become clearer over time, whereas projection tends to fade as your mood shifts.

It’s obvious to you, but not to Everyone

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP89cscEF/