What is the gift of discernment?

The concept of discernment is common throughout the Bible.  There are several passages throughout the Word of God warning believers against false teachers along with instructions for them to test the spirits and motives of these individuals, who claim to be speaking on behalf of God.  In the New Testament, we find the gift of discernment included among the gifts of the Holy Spirit with the words – “For to one is given by the Spirit…discerning of spirits….” (I Corinthians 12:8-10 KJV) 

The Prophet Isaiah prophesied against seeking spiritual guidance from mediums and spiritists.

“When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God?  Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?  To the law and to the testimony!  If they do not speak according to this word, they have not light of dawn.” (Isaiah 8:19-20 NIV)  

The Prophet Jeremiah also prophesied against following false prophets.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says:  Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes.  They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord…’I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name.  They say, I had a dream!  I had a dream!....’” (Jeremiah 23:16, 25 NIV)

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ himself even warned about false teachers with the following words.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15 NIV)

In addition, the Apostle Paul cautioned the Corinthians against deceptive people posing as believers teaching a different gospel of Christianity.

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one your received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough…For such men are false apostle, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.  Their end will be what their actions deserve. (II Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15 NIV) 

Overall, discernment – or disputation – plays an important role in the church.  The Apostle John warns believers to test the authenticity of professed religious people and leaders with the words – “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (I John 4:1 NIV)  In summary, the Holy Spirit uniquely entrusts certain believers with the gift of discernment and enables them to distinguish the authenticity of the words and motives of professed believers and churches, and whether or not they are derived from God or a counterfeit source.  Ultimately, individuals entrusted with the spiritual gift of discernment keep spiritual leaders and organizations accountable to the tenets of faith found in the Word of God.