The gift of discernment of spirits is the Holy Spirit-empowered ability to determine the spiritual source of something—whether it is an atmosphere, something spoken or something presenting through a person or wider group.
Those of us who are gifted in discernment tend to be very sensitive to what is occurring in the spiritual realm, often being alerted ahead of time to what is taking place.
There will be times when we are confronted with something that is demonic in origin, or spiritual warfare is taking place.
When this happens, it helps to remember not only who we are, but also where we are. We need to be able to step back and recognise our spiritual position. It is only from our position in Christ that we are protected, and can confidently respond in a way that honours Him.
‘And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.’ (Col 2:15)
Your 2-Fold Position of Discernment
1. You are in Christ.
‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Cor 5:17)
‘For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.’ (Eph 3:3)
What a wonderful truth—the power of the cross. The enemy cannot touch you because you are hidden in Christ! See it, believe it, and confess it.
There will be contention for that truth and so you need to guard your heart.
‘The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.’ (Prov 18:10)
When you have a revelation of Who your God is, and your righteousness in Christ, you can be secure in Him—no matter what is taking place around you, and no matter what you are discerning or perceiving. When the enemy looks at you, he sees Christ.
When fear or discouragement arises from something we are discerning, this is a sign that we need to recognise our spiritual address—our location. The Bible is our GPS and Scripture says we are hidden in Jesus. We are seated in Heavenly Places.
2. You are Seated in Heavenly Places
‘Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.’ (Col 3:1-4)
‘And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.’ (Eph 2:6)
When we understand that our spiritual position is in heavenly places, then our focus is on what is happening in the Throne Room. We want to hear what the Father is saying and see what He is up to. The highest use of the gift of discernment is to perceive what the Holy Spirit is doing.
There will be times we need to be reminded of this. We need to be intentional about our focus, because the enemy will try and distract us.
‘Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.’ (Gal 3:13-14)
You are blessed in Christ! You are ‘the head and not the tail’, ‘above and not beneath.’ (Deut 28:13) Your location and address is that you are seated in heavenly places.
This is your Kingdom perspective.
When you wage spiritual warfare, you are not beneath the enemy, trying to fight your way up. You may be wrestling and contending (Eph 6:12) but your position is one of strength and authority. You reside at the Throne and the enemy must bow to the name of Jesus.
Stay Hidden in Christ
We are located in Christ. This is our permanent address! This is something we can celebrate and be confident in. However, when we value this, we will not take it for granted. It is vital that we stay under cover.
Jesus said in John 14:30, ‘the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.’ He was referring to His sinlessness.
The Apostle Paul said, ‘In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.’ (Eph 4:26-27)
‘Not giving the devil a foothold’ does not mean that we will always be perfect; it means that we are trusting in the only Perfect One. It means walking in repentance and in the light—not fighting battles with sin in secret, but being open and accountable. (Eph 5:8-13)
We need to deal with issues quickly, and not ‘give the devil a foothold’ because our inheritance is righteousness.
You can be conscious of your righteousness in Christ every moment of every day. Through the cross, you are cleansed, justified (‘just-as-if-I-have-never-sinned’) and made holy. (Rom 3:24 Heb 10:10),
You can walk every day knowing that your location is that you are at home in Jesus. You are hidden in Christ and seated in heavenly places. And when you perceive through discernment that something is amiss, you can have complete security from your spiritual position. Enlivenblog
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