Everyone has the ability to discern according to God's word, but when someone has the spiritual GIFT of discernment, yet they worry constantly after making decisions, or discerning a particular person, place, or thing, what does that mean?
Also, despite their worry and anxiety, the outcome is always as they discerned it would be, as directed by God, yet the anxiety returns the next time around(but not as strong).
Is this person being spiritually tested by God, so that their faith is made stronger? Is the person being disobedient to their calling, by not immediately trusting God's guidance? How can a person be sure they have the Gift of Discernment? Is this normal? I'm especially interested in hearing from others who have the gift.
2006-12-22 04:34:26 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Worry is a practical application of unbelief.
Do not be concerned with what gifts you have or don't have. Be focused on the Giver of the gifts, and things will be revealed.
2006-12-22 04:37:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was given a blessing that said I had the gift of discernment...that was when I was 15, and the truth is, it's taken lots of practice to develop. When I was 15, it wasn't very strong, and I suspect, it could be a lot stronger than it is now (10 years later).
Sometimes it just comes quickly and easily. Like when someone says something, I'll just instantly feel in my heart with great force if it's true or not.
Sometimes I get all stressed and indecisive too, and there's lots of reasons. Sometimes it's because it's over something that doesn't really spiritually matter one way or another (like what to get my Mom for her Birthday).
Often it's because I haven't fully committed myself to act on the answer one way or another. I once found it very difficult to be really willing to marry or break up with a guy, and so I never got an answer. When I finally got myself to a point where I was 100% willing to do one or the other, the answer came quickly and easily.
I think that's mostly the cause of the stress, it just often takes some time and effort to get ourselves 100% ready to receive the discerning answer. But it does certainly develop faith as we work through that process.
Thanks
2006-12-22 12:51:23 · answer #2 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it is helpful to look at the life lived by Martin Luther (the father of the reformation) for an answer to this. He was constantly tormented by the devil and he said that anywhere where God puts up a church, Satan will build a chapel right next to it; thus Satan is forever God's ape (imitator).
I do have the gift of discernment, though I never knew it until beginning studies at a seminary steeped in charismatic theology. In college I used to walk into a room of 30 people and be able to spot the 2-3 witches, the 2-3 Christians, and the 1-2 psychology majors. I would later have this validated in conversations with these people. At the time I just thought that I had good perception.
I struggle with seeing the good and evil within ministries ad people often working side by side. Maybe this is what you are struggling with as well; seeing people and ministries as the mixed bag that they often are.
I know theologically that very strong faith will eliminate fear; however still having fear, worry, and despair is evident in the lives lived by most of the prophets (i.e. Jeremiah). So in my weakness, I know that I am far from alone. I just must remind myself that as a Christian we are always the target for the devil; however none of his attacks will reach us unless they are allowed to pass through the hands of God first. God allows this sometimes for a greater purpose, often one will not know for years.
Anyhow, I think that this gifting can at times seem to make one very lonely, discerners, like prophets are solitary individuals. There seems to be few if any others to talk to. You can't exactly talk with the average church go'er about all the evil you see in their respected church leaders, or the good you see with the sinner in the street.
I hope this helps.
Your brother in Christ,
Chris
2006-12-27 07:39:41 · answer #3 · answered by chris w 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Excessive worry could be from not allowing the Holy Spirit to have full control. Worry could be a sign that the person is not fully trusting in God. Discernment of God should be solid. What's to worry about if your confident in what's going on?
2006-12-22 12:42:31 · answer #4 · answered by JohnnyB 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Worrying is a sign of a soul that is not settel into there trust of the Lord 100 percent. The Gift of discernment is not at you have described. This is the gift of foreknowedge which is from the holy spirit.
2006-12-22 12:45:38 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Discernment is one of the 9 spiritual gifts, The bible tells us to try the spirits, that in one way is discernment, But the true word for discernment is that God will use that gift, & for instance let's say you are in a prayer line & that spirit of discernment is upon that preacher, He will be able to tell you who you are & where you live, & your address, & phone number & what you had to eat for that day. If you want to study more on this go to www.williambranham.com or www.fachurch.org
2006-12-22 12:44:41 · answer #6 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Usually when you have the gift of discernment you tend not to worry I am not sure what is going on with your friend, maybe the should pray without ceasing and that will take the worry away. God is not negative any negative are of something else.
2006-12-22 12:37:50 · answer #7 · answered by stringhead3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think we cannot assume that anxiety and worry are weaknesses of the spirit. These traits may come from physical imbalances or from learned responses early in life. They do not necessarily mean that discernment if being hindered. The proper application of the spiritual gift (whatever it is) in spite of our human-ness is, after all, the greatest victory we are afforded in this life.
2006-12-22 12:43:15 · answer #8 · answered by Puzzler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember that the flesh wars with the spirit. And when the Bible says, "war" in this context, it isn't talking about a nice little conflict. It's talking about all out war between the flesh and the spirit. Your flesh is reacting to that war. As you stated, despite the worry and anxiety, the outcome is just as was discerned. In my opinion, your flesh is simply reacting, because once again, the spirit won out. Peace.
2006-12-22 12:44:38 · answer #9 · answered by superfluity 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat
or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look
at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in
barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of
the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not
even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today,
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you,
O you of little faith? So do not worry saying, 'What shall we eat?'
or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run
after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough
trouble of its own.
---Matthew 6:25-34
Seek your own holy texts for comfort.
2006-12-22 12:37:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋