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  THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT
  by G.W. North
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Summary: The gift of Discernment is a special ability conferred upon the
Church to recognize the presence of foreign spirits, particularly evil
spirits, and is a key component in the Church's ability to apply Wisdom,
Knowledge, and Discernment in a way that is of Love.

Topics: "Discernment", "Spiritual Gifts"
Scripture References: Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 2:15, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 13:2, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 1:9-10, Hebrews 5:14, James 1:5, 1 John 4:1

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DESCRIPTION
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G.W. North emphasizes the significance of the gift of Discernment in the
Church, distinguishing it from the grace of spiritual discernment that
all believers possess. He explains that while Knowledge provides insight
into various subjects, Discernment specifically enables the recognition
of spirits, particularly evil ones, thus enhancing the Church's
spiritual capabilities. North highlights that these gifts, when combined
with Wisdom and Knowledge, empower the Church to be the most
understanding community on earth. He warns that without the application
of these gifts through love and understanding, they risk becoming mere
tools of pride rather than instruments of blessing.

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CONTENT
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To this supreme trio of God's mental attributes which are first openly
revealed in scripture and then shown in full development in the person
of Jesus Christ, the Lord has added to the Church the gift of
Discernment. This power is a similar kind of gift to Knowledge. In
function it is somewhat like it and is sometimes confused with it. This
is quite an easy mistake to make, for in a sense it is knowledge gained
as a result of 'sight', which is why it is called Discernment. This gift
is specially conferred upon the Church for the purpose of discerning
spirits, and must be distinguished from the grace of spiritual
discernment which to some degree is commonly the property of every
member of Christ's Body.

Paul speaks of this grace in 2:15, telling us that it is part of the
spiritual life which all the children of God inherit, and is bestowed so
that we all may discern all things. Here let us again note that none but
the spiritual retain the ability. The obvious distinction between the
different functions of the grace and the gift is nicely brought out by a
comparison of 'things' with 'spirits'. Recognising this, and
acknowledging God's great wisdom in bestowing the grace, we can also see
His reason for bestowing this further ability upon the Church as a
special gift added to the grace.

The main functional difference between this gift and the Word of
Knowledge lies in this: the latter is the means granted by the Lord to
some members of His Body so that they may pronounce with His knowledge
upon any subject, object, need or state; the specific function of
Discernment is to recognise the presence of any spirits foreign to the
spirit of the Body, and more particularly of evil spirits. According to
scripture its function is limited to this definite end and does not
cover the whole field of knowledge of subjects about which the Church
may need to have definite, divine information.

Added to the trio mentioned above, this gift of Discernment helps to
form with them an invincible quartet of advanced powers, and when these
four are held and used together in spiritual life as God intends, their
combined force makes the Church a body of unrivalled ability in the
world of men.

Contemplating the three which are called gifts, namely Wisdom, Knowledge
and Discernment, it becomes obvious why the Church should be the most
understanding company on the earth. These wonderful abilities lie
chiefly in the mental realm, which is to say that, although they are
spiritual gifts, they operate from the mind of the head and in a
particular way are associated with the glories of that mind.

However, beyond these, the Body has also been endowed with gifts which
in thought are associated with the body rather than the head. In order
to be demonstrated as attributes of Love, all this Wisdom, Knowledge and
Discernment must be applied in wealth of Understanding to human need,
else they will do nothing but puff up. There would be no wisdom in
having knowledge and discernment without ability to meet the ignorance
and need they expose, else these gifts would not be of Love. Instead
they would only be highly developed means of self-applied agony,
instruments of curse and torture instead of powers to impart blessing to
those who possess them.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/gw-north/the-gift-of-discernment/
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