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What is Discernment

Using NIV throughout this text

A Spiritual Gift and Definition:

1 Corinthians 12:10 primarily a part of the verse which states "to another distinguishing between spirits."

1 John 4:1-3 saying that it is needed to test the spirits to know where they come from.

1 Corinthians 13:8 - Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

Merriam Webster: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure

Evaluating (Distinguishing) among Spiritual Gifts (Spirits):

1 Corinthians 10:23 - "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive."

Leads to: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Ephesians 4:15-16 - ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - ¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

"Is Discernment the only thing that matters?

Adding to the Gift: (anything evil from god?)

1 Corinthians 12:3 - Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 4:3-4 - ³The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." ⁴Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' ^[¹^]"