The Thing With Discerners
I can usually spot them. It's my job as I contribute my portion of the work to the Body of Christ. They are sometimes outcasts. Sometimes they are quiet and introverted. Other times they are more outspoken and abrasive. Either way, they are misunderstood. Usually, if they don't want to be removed from their local church group, they conform, grudgingly and brood quietly. Many aren't aware of why.
Often they get accused of being unteachable or unsubmissive to authority and being headstrong. The problem is, many times even they don't recognize why or what they have. Usually these people's hearts get crushed early on in the institutional church system.
I am speaking, of course, of those with the spiritual gift of discernment. This specific gift doesn't get a lot of limelight and exploitation like the more powerful gifts. It is usually a threat to most pastors and it is more difficult to manipulate and control.
This is one of the biggest population of people in churches that get their share of spiritual and religious abuse. Either they conform to the all-knowing constraints of their pastors, or they get swept under the carpet, or booted out. Their warnings about error taking hold in the church often go ignored and usually such people aren't given a position of leadership or to even speak in the average church setting.
I like to call the gift of discernment the twin gift of prophecy. People who are prophets or who work closely with prophets possess this gift as well. It complements and tempers the prophetic gift nicely.
The discerner is the watchman in the late hours of the night. They constantly scan the horizon for possible danger. They watch closely and carefully with a highly critical mind, for anything that might damage or lead the church away from the truth of the things of God.
If I were to liken the discerner to a part of the body of Christ it would be the immune system. They are the body's defense system against viral lies that would infiltrate His people.
Unfortunately, due to religious pride, financial corruption and desire for power and control, religious abuse, or even the more passive aggressive church communities have rejected this crucial part of the body, rendering it vulnerable to the lies of the enemy.
Usually discerners don't get along well with the pastor who doesn't understand the gift and insists on running the show. They also don't get along well with the "be nice and don't judge" mentality of the average church attender. Often, discerners get accused of being judgmental, overly critical, or even arrogant.
I would offer comfort here though, there is an entire book of the Bible dedicated to the discerner. It is most often overlooked and poorly understood. It is one of my favorites, the book of 1 John. I take deep comfort in this book and other passages in the Bible which reaffirm this gift in me.
To the pastor or the observant church member, I say this. Look for the ones who usually are considered and labeled rebels. They don't fit in, they don't play nice with the status quo. They sometimes have a chip on their shoulder, they usually complain about the way things are and can tend to be overly critical. Look for the loner who is in the group, but never at complete harmony with it. Also look for the one who drives you crazy with their being "unteachable" and "unsubmissive." Chances are, they have the gift of discernment, even if it is undeveloped and not brought under the control of the Holy Spirit and His Love.
To the Discerner: If this blog describes you, make sure you are submerged in love for people. Use your gift based on love. My gift of discernment became the most effective when I learned that God is love, and I asked God for the gift of seeing the world, especially the Church through His eyes.
As with all spiritual gifts, it needs to spring out of God's flame of love for others deep inside of you. Fall deeply in love with people before operating in this gift. When you love people, you will never go wrong. And things can go awry when love is withheld and selfish motives are the root.
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I had tears in my eyes after reading this. I am a discerner---while I'm usually not the outcast, most of the time I don't fit in, nor connect well with my pastors. I don't go to them with warnings (haven't really received any), but I have shared experiences with different (and popular) heresies/movement invading the church and their outcome. After that I'm usually avoided or publicly rebuked in a power posturing way where I can't prove it--but it was for me, and anyone else who presented these truths. Reading your article is like a balm---someone understands. I know God always does...but sometimes it's nice to know a flesh and blood person understands. Thank you.
Glad to hear that. Find me on Facebook under "Ransom Backus" I do regular podcasts as well.
OMG Ransom....you have your usual way with words here- this is such a clear picture. Get this- as I walked across the room to the computer right before finding this article, I had the thought that: discernment is a difficult gift to carry....Two pitfalls that I think of- The trap of accusing YOURSELF of being judgmental, overly critical, or even arrogant. Also because of the connection problems that you mentioned, it's easy to fall into a people pleasing mode when your love tank is empty..... Absolutely correct on the need to pursue love- first and foremost.
A frequent reminder to self- yes we may recognize the origin as carnal or evil, but we will never know all the history, hurts, etc that motivates. I think more often than not this gift is to trigger loving intercession- period. I don't think that a warning will be received unless a heart is ready. I also know that, in my humanness, I am subject to being wrong- dead wrong.....just my 2 cents as I wrestle thru these issues.
So, when you have the gift of discernment how do you handle the suffering that often seems to come with it - when you "know" things that break your heart and fill you with concern and wonder what, if anything, to do with that knowledge, other then pray? Lately I am troubled by feeling that I don't have the love to go with discernment. I love hearing many of you talk about being in love with people but I'm not sure that's a gift I have even tho I am so convicted of God's love for me. Well, I guess I have love for hurting people and the "under dogs" - it is people who do the hurting that I struggle with. Do you all ever feel conflicted about these things?
I've attended churches where they had a designated person they claimed had the gift of discernment. On closer inspection, the whole church was in error & the supposed "gatekeeper" was not really protecting the church from error so much as they were protecting the church from having their error exposed from outside sources. I've been told I have this gift & you have to be very careful. If the whole church is in error & the "discerner" is just as deluded as the rest of the congregation then that is not true discernment. Sometimes it helps for a church to have someone on the outside to be accountable to. I hope this makes sense.
Another thing to consider, that what you may think is error may simply be a situation where someone's beliefs just may not match up with those of your particular denomination and some denominations have some screwy beliefs. I was a member of a charismatic church which had some pretty far-out beliefs. There were always a designated few who would approach the pastor "warning" of some outsider who was "introducing error into the church" when it was simply an outsider who correctly discerned that it was the church that was in error & in the case of this particular church, had some cult-like tendencies. It can get pretty tricky & a true discerner has to be objective & have their head on straight.
Really appreciate your thoughts stacey & have been thinking/praying about this alot. One of the things that came to me was that discernment starts "at home" as in the importance of being aware of any "logs" I may have in my eye. One of the most hurtful/damaging things religious people do is speak into others lives authoritatively but are not willing to address their own issues or be held accountable. As far as possible I want God to give ME any needed revelations for growth, correction and relational love, and a deep honesty with myself about my own faults, frailties and motivations. Insight or knowledge that comes from discernment may often only be an FYI in order to have wisdom at a future date if a situation comes into my circle of influence so I will perhaps know what to say/not say, do/not do. At 54, in retrospect I know I often spoke out unwisely and tho it's hard sometimes to hold my tongue I find God leading me to do a lot more listening and a lot less talking.
I agree with all who have responded.I had this gift before being born again,but afterwards this gift was bigger than what I wanted because I was seeing and hearing more than ever.I didn't like feeling as though I was judging someone.Time and time again I was coming up with the same conclusion's that could not be ignored.Mainly with how our churches are today and what they teach goes against scripture.Listening to sermon's at time's I wanted to shout that's not correct doctrine,but what do I know,I have only been born again for 8 year's I was still considered a babe.I would sit and bite my lip,by the time sermon's were over my blood pressure would be off the chart's.I would come home and rightly divide the word of Truth.I would catch myself doing this every Sunday after church.After a year long study on my own I've learned there is alot wrong with our church system today and how they are run.I agree that my gift is hard to carry and at times my suffering is great.I'm learning management
I needed this badly. Being punished for questioning my Pastor's "doctrine" (which I found to be used out of context). Suspended from serving; labeled angry and unteachable. But I love God! How can this be?! He's taught me SO much, I'm just not who I used to be; this situation made me feel like I was back at square one with my Salvation.. Thank you for this.
I'm seventeen and a discerner. I know how lonesome this gift can make one.
Mmmm. Very discerning article (of course!). It's taken me over 30 years as a believer and follower of the Christ to settle with this truth vs church life, the gift always pushing me out of my comfort zone and challenging my people-pleasing personality. Finally starting to feel accepted by leadership as our local church comes closer to Holy Spirit-led meetings. Another thing that has helped is realising that every believer can operate in all of the gifts of the Spirit as He deems necessary, even though we tend to move more in some than in others. Having our personal foundation sure and walking healed are essential for avoiding the pitfalls of hurt, criticism and bitterness. And living in love. Thanks David.
A few years ago discussing church issues involv- ing poor relationship at church with a retired pastor, he stated that I had the gift of discern- ment and to glorify God with it. His last state- ment was "I think you're just going to stop going to church." Anyway, what a blessing to stumble upon this site. Thanks.
I want to thank God for placing this word in you it really helped me in understanding this gift that he has placed within me May God bless you and keep using you
Oh! That's what's 'wrong' with me! I thought I must have evil deep down, because there have been occasions that I have become so disgusted with someone's lies or phoniness that I couldn't tolerate it- and the worst part is, I'm usually the only one who seems to see it! Usually people find out the truth on their own later. Every time I have tried to ignore a 'gut' feeling I end up sorry.
Like you're "out of the box" perspectives, David. But I have a problem reconciling a part of what you say here with what Scripture teaches in 1John 2.18-29. John begins this section (v.18) by taking a stand against the teaching (common in his day) that "Antichrist is coming": "Even now are there many antichrists". Nowhere is an "End Times Antichrist" taught. And he refers to these teachers as "them that seduce you". But John points his "little children" to the source of their protection against "seducers": "You don't need for any man to teach you, but as the Anointing (a) teaches you of all things, and (b) is truth, and (c) is no lie, and (d) even as He has taught you, you shall dwell in Him." John's goal here is to remind that his beloved congregation does NOT need some human "teachers" to save" them from seducing teachers/doctrines as each Believer is to rely on the indwelling Spirit to guard & guide against false teachers. Discernment comes from the Spirit within, not men without.
This article seems to be long on prognosis and short on treatment... The pastors and the church are threatened by discerners so they shut them out or down... How do you suggest boards, pastors and churches use discerners without simply turning over all decision making authority to them...as often happens in my experience?
Thank you for this blog entry. My husband, an "ex-pastor" is employed in a well-known mega church, but I rarely attend services anymore. I watch services online to avoid facing those who are unsound. My gift of discernment (of spirits and heart condition) is often pushed to silence by my peace-keeper husband, in order to maintain his employment peacefully. I don't discern any false teachings or any undesireable nature in the pastoral staff, but rather with the many who are employed & directing within the church. I do feel isolated. I find myself being in an uncomfortable place & running like Jonah. So here I am, a quiet, misfit rebel, asking God for a bold voice & love for people, like Brandon Heath sings in 'Give Me Your Eyes'. Thank you again. I better understand why I am here at this place.
I am very comforted by this discussion. I joined our church two years ago and emerged myself in it. I liked to call myself a baby Christian but as time has gone on I have felt an overwhelming sensation that certain things are not right spiritually in the church and I have seen good spiritual leads leave to be replaced with people that just rub me the wrong way (full of arrogance and pride). I found this blog because I was searching for answers to why my pastor seems to be lacking discernment when it comes to selection of new leadership and in reading this blog I realized that many pastors dont seem to have this gift. So how do you keep it from pushing you out of the church when you see (discern) these issues? Especially if your pastor is not willing to change or acknowledge it. I feel like it is allowing evil to take a foothold in our church. Should I find another place to worship?
For some reason, I've been having sleep paralysis( or that's what scientists call it, I feel an evil presence, I try to read the Bible and etc... but its still there. I don't know what to do.
HA!! I KNEW IT. Well, I suspected it anyway :) I didn't know why I always came up as the 'red headed step-child' of EVERY SINGLE CHURCH I went to (even those where I kept my mouth shut). I just accepted it. I have learned to accept God's moving in my life knowing the 'why' or words I'm looking for will come later. I just stopped fighting it. Refusing to be the step-child any longer, I stopped going to ICs. Thanks for the words - and you are dead on.
Hi my name is Thulani im having the gift of discerning i usualy understand what ather people r thinking, i sense the present of , sense things in the spiritual realm nd sense evil spirits. Im a sensetive person truly speaking when im with the group of people i dont speak much bcs i feel alone nd im also a tactfuly person i love people i dont want people to b hurt. The problem is that i dont have a mantor bcs most of the time im alone but i am a good motiveter nd gud in cunselling people. The GOD we serve is powerful. So the ather thing i usualy see a blue nd purple colour so i dont understand them. Im so happy that im a child of GOD nd im so grateful that our LORD died for us. Thanks 4 this page GOD bless
This description describes me exactly. Even down to the charge I received from the Lord to be "set apart" as an outcast. I'm wondering if you have any resources on how to use these twin gifts (discernment and prophecy) in a corporate setting. Or perhaps how to further develop/understand these giftings? Thanks.
I have been an outcast all of my life. People came against and attacked me for no apparent reason. I have been a discerner for as long as I can remember!