The Charism of Discernment of Spirits is a special gift of the Holy Spirit that allows a person to recognize and distinguish the presence of God and the working of the Holy Spirit from the influence of other spirits, such as evil spirits or the spirits of this world. This gift is closely related to the gift of wisdom and the gift of knowledge.
Characteristics of the Charism
Those who possess this charism are able to discern the true nature of spiritual experiences, messages, and teachings. They can recognize the motives and intentions of others, and they can identify false teachings or erroneous beliefs. The charism of discernment of spirits helps individuals to make sound decisions and to avoid spiritual deception and confusion.
How the Charism is Exercised
This charism can be used in a variety of ways, including:
Discerning the spirits behind personal experiences: The charism of discernment of spirits can help a person understand the origin and nature of their own spiritual experiences, such as visions, dreams, and inner promptings.
Discerning the spirits behind teachings and messages: The charism of discernment of spirits can help a person distinguish between true and false teachings, and to identify errors in spiritual messages.
Discerning the spirits behind individuals: The charism of discernment of spirits can help a person recognize the motives and intentions of others, and to identify those who may be influenced by negative spirits.
Discerning the spirits behind situations: The charism of discernment of spirits can help a person understand the spiritual dynamics at work in a given situation, and to make wise decisions accordingly.
Overall, the charism of discernment of spirits is a powerful tool that can help individuals to grow in their spiritual lives, to make sound decisions, and to avoid spiritual deception and confusion. It is a gift that can be used to build up the Church and to advance the Kingdom of God.
Pitfalls in the Exercise of the Charism
While the gift of discernment of spirits can be a valuable tool, there are also potential pitfalls to be aware of. Here are a few to consider:
Pride: The gift of discernment can lead to spiritual pride if a person begins to see themselves as superior to others or overly critical of others.
Over-reliance on feelings or intuition: Discernment of spirits should be grounded in Scripture and the teachings of the Church, not just personal feelings or intuition.
Fear or anxiety: Discernment can sometimes lead to fear or anxiety if a person becomes overly focused on identifying potential negative influences.
Isolation: If a person becomes overly focused on discernment, they may withdraw from community and relationships, which can lead to spiritual isolation.
Overall, the exercise of the Charism of Discernment of Spirits requires humility, openness to the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to grounding discernment in Scripture and the teachings of the Church. With proper guidance and discernment, this gift can be a valuable tool for spiritual growth and discernment.
How the Charism of Discernment of Spirits differs from the Charisms of Wisdom and Knowledge
While the Charisms of Discernment of Spirits, Wisdom, and Knowledge are all gifts of the Holy Spirit, they differ in their focus and application. Here are some ways in which they differ:
Discernment of Spirits: The Charism of Discernment of Spirits is the ability to recognize and distinguish between the working of the Holy Spirit and other spirits, including evil spirits. It involves the ability to perceive the true nature of a situation or person and to discern God’s will in difficult situations.
Wisdom: The Charism of Wisdom involves the ability to see things from a divine perspective and to apply divine truths to everyday life. It involves a deep understanding of God’s will and purposes, and the ability to make decisions in line with these purposes.
Knowledge: The Charism of Knowledge involves the ability to understand the mysteries of faith and to grasp the meaning of Scripture. It involves a deep understanding of God’s revelation and the ability to apply this understanding to everyday life.
While all three Charisms involve a degree of discernment and understanding, the Charism of Discernment of Spirits is more focused on discerning the presence of the Holy Spirit and other spirits, while the Charisms of Wisdom and Knowledge are more focused on understanding God’s will and purposes.
Additionally, the Charism of Discernment of Spirits may be more practical and situational in its application, as it involves discerning the true nature of a situation or person, while the Charisms of Wisdom and Knowledge may be more focused on theological or intellectual pursuits.
Overall, while there may be some overlap between these Charisms, each one is unique and serves a specific purpose in the life of a Christian.
Scriptural References
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.”
1 John 4:1-3 – “Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God, and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God.”
Hebrews 5:14 – “But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.”
Acts 17:11 – “These Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether these things were so.”
Philippians 1:9-10 – “And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”
These passages illustrate the importance of discernment in the life of a Christian, and highlight the ability of the Holy Spirit to give believers the gift of discernment of spirits.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post