can you discern spirits?
“The Spirit we have received is not the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit, helping us to recognize the gifts He has given us.” —1 Corinthians 2:12
“The Spirit scrutinizes all matters, even the deep things of God. Who, for example, knows a man’s innermost self but the man’s own spirit within him?” (1 Cor 2:10-11) “In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit” (Lk 4:33). From these Scriptures, we see that there are three kinds of spirits: God, human spirits, and angelic spirits (either good angels or demons).
These three sources of spirits are the origin of everything that happens. Therefore, to understand life we need to discern the spirits behind things. This is more complicated than discerning which one of the three spirits is at work because more than one spirit can be the cause of some things. At different times, both the Holy Spirit and demons work through human spirits.
To understand reality, we need a special gift from God — the gift of discernment of spirits (see 1 Cor 12:10). While God hasn’t given this gift to everyone, everyone benefits from those who do have it. Therefore, we must use and develop this gift if we have it, so we can serve others. Without the gift of discernment of spirits, we will be confused and susceptible to being deceived, divided, and defeated by evil spirits. With the discernment of spirits, we will know God and even “the deep things of God” (1 Cor 2:10). We will know the truth about life. We will be free, peaceful, joyful, and victorious.
Ask the Lord for the gift of discernment of spirits or, if you already have it, ask for the gift to be developed. Ask the Lord to help you recognize this gift in others. Form Christian community in which this gift can be readily shared. Then follow the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:25), make holy the human spirit, and drive out the evil spirits.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide me to all truth (Jn 16:13).
Promise: “We have the mind of Christ.” —1 Cor 2:16
Praise: Carol thought that giving up her job to stay at home with her children was bad news indeed. Now she rejoices to be able to home-school her children and raise them up in the faith.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from August 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 31, 2022"
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