Prayer For Intercessors To Have Spiritual Discernment

What Is Spiritual Discernment? A Bible Study

What does it mean to have spiritual discernment? How can we gain in our understanding and spiritually discern truth from error?

King Solomon’s Gift of Discernment

First Kings 3:8-12: “And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude.

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none you has been before you and none you shall arise after you.”

When Solomon became king he didn’t ask for wealth or power but for wisdom and with the wisdom God gave him he had great discernment.

The principle here is that God is the one who gives biblical discernment and we can have discernment through the working of the Holy Spirit for the Spirit of God gives us wisdom that is from God and we can also have discernment from reading the Word of God as we will read about later.

Solomon and Christians today must strive daily to discern between what is evil and what is good because today what is evil is now thought to be good and what used to be good is now thought of as evil.

The worldly wisdom in contrary to godly wisdom so when a person is born again they have access to the Holy Spirit’s power of discernment and the Spirit frequently speaks to us in our hearts to say this is right and this is wrong but we must be sensitive to the Spirit’s prompting and conviction of sin but if we are living in a state of sin and particularly unconfessed sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit and the Spirit cannot speak to our conscience’s quite so easily.

The Bible Gives Discernment

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

To be able to discern between right and wrong, especially when there are grey areas about which we are not sure, daily intake of the Word of God helps us to identify what is the will of God and what is contrary to that will.

Regular Bible study and reading, as well as continual Sunday school and Sunday morning feedings from pastors and teachers will go a long way in helping us to discern right and wrong and put us in a position to make the right choice when we are not certain.

The Bible is able to help us in “discerning the thoughts and intentions of [our own] heart” so read the Bible often and pay careful attention to what God is speaking to you about a particular subject.

If you fail to read the Bible then you are leaving out godly wisdom and the human, carnal mind cannot possible discern what the things of God are all about because “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14).

Spiritual Discernment is from God

Hosea 14:9 “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”

The way this is written we see the end result in the beginning but the cause for it at the end so we can say it this way, “the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them [but] whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them.” What Hosea, and ultimately God, is saying is that the person who is wise and discerning knows that that the ways of the Lord are right and since we know that the Lord’s ways are right, then we ought to “walk in them.” If your walk is a godly, upright way in life then you will have true wisdom and “understand these [or many] things” and the discerner should “know them” (the ways of the Lord). We can know them but if we don’t “walk in them” we will be the “transgressors [and] stumble in them.” I could put it this way, information without application cannot lead to transformation.

Constant Practice Brings Discernment

Hebrews 5:13-14 “for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

The principle of milk and the believer is that there has been no spiritual growth and a baby Christian, they are still feeding on the milk or the basic, elementary things about God but for the mature they have partaken of the solid food or the meat of the word and this takes some chewing.

When we chewing on the solid food of the Word we are taking our time and studying more diligently and learning the more deep, spiritual truths and this more mature Christian has been “trained by constant practice” or continual, daily Bible reading and practicing what they have learned and by taking the information and applying it to their life and this process is leading them to transformation and this is how they can “have their powers of discernment.”

Conclusion

The wisest thing you can do is to bend the knee, repent of your sins, and confess them to God, apologizing for your offenses before a holy God and then trusting in the only one Who can save you…Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).

If you are not a Christian, then you cannot have true spiritual wisdom and will be susceptible to and fall for any spiritual deception because you don’t have the Spirit of God which gives a believer true discernment and with that, the ability to distinguish between the grey areas as to whether it is good or evil, sin or not.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas.

Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon

Источник: //www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/05/28/what-is-spiritual-discernment-a-bible-study/

6 Prayers For Wisdom and Discernment

Prayer For Intercessors To Have Spiritual Discernment

How is your life lately? Are you going through serious trials and tribulations? Are you in a time of peace and genuine happiness? Are you confused because you are at a fork in the road? Whatever your situation may be, seeking God’s wisdom for your life is essential. Here are 6 prayers you can pray to God for wisdom and discernment for your life.

Darkness/Chaos

“Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” (Psalm 139:12)

Lord Above,

I am so lost. I don’t even know where to begin praying. I feel so lost in the darkness that surrounds me. My wife has left me for another man. My children are acting out because of our family breakdown. I don’t want to go to work. The bills are piling up. I want to move away and start over.

I can’t handle this pressure and stress on my own, Lord! Please show me Your will in my life. Give me the knowledge and wisdom to conduct myself as a Christian. Bad circumstances aren’t a gateway for me to act accordance of Your will. I just wish this was a bad dream and that I could wake up.

I cannot think straight. So many emotions are plaguing me, Father. Cast these burdens off of me! Lord, I humbly pray that You would honor my request for wisdom in this because I cannot do anything on my own. It is by Your power alone that I am moving through this chaos.

I love You, Father! Amen

Clarity

“Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:3-5)

Omniscient Father,

Lord, You have full knowledge of everything in Your grasp. There is nothing that surprises You. Father, I need clarity right now. I am at a fork in the road and I don’t know which way to turn.

There are at least 3 different decisions that I could make and they all seem wise decisions. I can’t rely on human intuition here, Lord. Father, I ask You now for a clear and concise answer on what I need to do.

I want Your will to be done in this, Father. Give me clarity, Lord. I love You! Amen

Who Is The Culprit?

Please read the entire section of 1 Kings 3:16-28 for the whole story on two prostitutes who were fighting over custody of a baby. “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other…Give the living child to the first woman, and by no means put him to death; she is his mother.”

My Lord,

I am in a sticky situation right now. I have two people whom I love dearly telling me two different stories and one of them has to be wrong. I pray for Your help in this, Father. Give me the knowledge and the words to speak to both of them so we can fix this.

Lord, I pray that you would prepare all of our hearts as we sit down and discuss this matter. Lord, when the truth is revealed I pray that the one at fault will repent of their sin and hold tight to You. I pray that you would soften the heart of the one who is right, so that forgiveness can be made for the transgressor.

Lord, may You be glorified in this ultimately. I love You! Amen

My family and I are so close right now … This is a wonderful time!

Seasons Of Joy

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Blessed Father,

I thank You for this wonderful time of life! My family and I are so close right now.

My spouse and I have never been closer emotionally, physically, intimately or spiritually ever! This is a wonderful time! Father, as wonderful as this is, I pray for Your wisdom in this time of celebration.

Father, I don’t want to say anything that would mess this up. Please be with me and give me the words to speak in every situation. May we continue to praise Your name always, Lord! I love You! Amen

A Partner In Marriage

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

O Lord,

You know my heart. I yearn to have a partner to walk this life with. Lord, my human side is saying “take the first person that comes!” I know this is not wise. I don’t want to settle for anyone that You don’t want me to be with. Father, give me wisdom in picking a mate. You know the future down the road for me, Lord.

Please give me the ability to turn off my longing for affection to be wise in this decision. Father, the last thing I need to do is to be unequally yoked with another.

Marriage is a BIG deal and I want to marry someone that I can connect with spiritually and keep falling in love with every day! Thank You for all You have provided me with, Lord. I love You! Amen

Pastors

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)

Dear God,

Today I am speaking Your Word to Your church. Lord, let it be that the only words I speak come from You. The congregation doesn’t need to hear me; they need to hear You. Lord, I have spent time this week studying the passages You have put on my heart to preach. Lord, as I step behind the pulpit, I give my all to You.

You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise! Father, I pray that You give me the words to speak as I deliver the message You have put on my heart. Father, I also pray for my church family. Give them ears of discernment. May they listen intently and be wise in their thoughts as they hear Your word spoken. Father, I give this to You.

I love You! It’s in Your Name that I pray. Amen

Ministries to Serve in Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Prayer For Intercessors To Have Spiritual Discernment

Click on the ministry areas below the spiritual gift to look at primary ways to serve God through the exercise of that gift and a variety of possible tasks within those areas. Also find recommended books, sites, and articles to help equip you for ministry.

Some links keep you within the MinTools.com site and some take you to another site, some with which we are an affiliate. While seeking to choose sites and books that are doctrinally sound, the Ministry Tools Resource Center makes no claim to total endorsement of any listing.

While mercy and giving are the most obvious gifts to use in a benevolence type of ministry, certain ministries within it might also use the gifts of exhortation, hospitality or service. You might serve God in a caring ministry in these ways:

cards/flowers for special occasions, counselors, emergency child-care, emergency shelter, food & clothing distribution, financial assistance, greeters, provide meals, sick/shut-in, special needs, support-group, telephone contacting, transportation to services/doctors/store, visitation

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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

The gift of administration is most helpful for coordinating one of the following ministries.

People with the leadership gift could help take these ministries to the next level but unless accompanied by the gift of administration or a personality bent toward administrative efficiency, they might struggle with doing what it takes to maintain or sustain these ministries. Teaching, wisdom, and/or knowledge also have a place in this area of ministry.

age-level coordinator, camp director, children's director, children's church coordinator, children's club coordinator, director of Christian education, special education coordinator, Sunday School superintendent, VBS director, youth director

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CLERICAL:

Helps and service are the most commonly used spiritual gifts in these ministry tasks:

bulletin, church directory, computer, copying, record-keeping (financial, attendance), letter writing, telephoning, typing

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COMMUNICATIONS:

People with the gifts of helps and/or service might find themselves involved in these ways:

audiovisual aids, drama, film/video making, graphic arts, illustrating, letter writing, music, newsletter, photography, publicity, radio-TV directing, sound system, telephoning

Ministry Manuals:

Nuts & Bolts Ministry Manual

Computer & Electronics:

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COUNSELING:

While exhortation tends to be the most prominently used gift to counsel, the gifts of wisdom and healing might also be used. (People might need emotional healing, not just physical.)

care-group, crises, discipleship, family, financial, group, individual, pastoral, peer, telephone intervention

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DISCERNMENT:

Obviously the spiritual gift of discernment would be the main gift used in this kind of ministry.

assessment, consultation, doctrinal purity, evaluation, prayer-seeking, research

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HOSPITALITY:

In addition to those with the hospitality gift, people with the gift of service could find themselves doing related tasks.

entertaining, greeters, host a brunch, coffee or tea, lodging, meals, open house, parties of various purposes, reception desk, singles' gatherings, visitation, youth get-togethers

Other Equipping & Ideas Resources:

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OUTREACH:

People gifted as evangelists and missionaries would be involved in outreach, but so might someone with the gift of apostle or prophecy.

baptisms, church planting, door-to-door, evangelistic events, group witness, inner-city, invitation counselor, missionary, one-on-one witness, park ministry, street evangelism, support missionaries (visit, letters, contacts), tract distribution, visitation, visitor follow-up(letters, phone calls, visits), web evangelism

Ministry Manuals:

Supplies:

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PRAYER:

The primary gifts used in prayer ministry would be discernment, faith, healing, and miracles. While some might list intercessory prayer as a spiritual gift, the Bible does not include it in its gifts lists.

intercessor, lead in prayer, prayer base, spiritual warfare, telephone

Other Equipping & Ideas Resources:

Prayer Ministry Resources

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SERVICE-ORIENTED MINISTRIES:

People with the gifts of helps and service are the most ly to be involved in these kinds of ministry tasks:

building maintenance, cleaning, clean-up, cooking, deacon/-ness, decorating, landscaping, library, repair work, sewing, social planning, transportation, usher

Other Equipping & Ideas Resources:

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SHEPHERDING:

While pastor is the prime gifting for this ministry area, exhortation can also find expression through these types of ministries:

care-group, director of any target group (i.e. men/women, singles, youth, etc.), discipleship, elder, home fellowship leader, mentoring, overseer of staff, pastor

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SPEAKING:

Gifting primarily used in speaking include exhortation, prophecy, and teaching.

announcements, invitations, lead in prayer, reading Scripture, sermon, sermonettes/short exhortations, teaching

Ministry Manuals:

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STAFFING:

Administration is needed for effective staffing but discernment, exhortation and wisdom would also benefit the accomplishment of some of these tasks:

gift assessment, interviewing, needs assessment, placement, recruitment, training

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STAFF-SUPPORT MINISTRIES:

People with the spiritual gift of helps often find themselves in a staff-support role. A variety of other gifts might also be used in this type of ministry, depending on the task, including administration, discernment, exhortation, knowledge, pastor, service, and wisdom.

assistant, child-care, clerical, consultant, counselor, deacon/-ness, encourager, implementer, office worker, organizing and maintenance of resources and supplies, prayer, researcher

Other Equipping & Ideas Resources:

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TEACHING:

People who enjoy teaching often think they must have the gift of teaching but they might be gifted with exhortation. Knowledge and wisdom could also be useful in this kind of ministry.

Bible study group, discipleship (esp. small group), helper, new-converts or new-members class teacher, training

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VISIONARY MINISTRIES:

Someone with the gift of leadership, faith or apostle are most ly to pursue this type of ministry. These tasks could also benefit from discernment.

church planter, consultant, elder, leaders in all other ministries, overseer, pastor, research, special projects, steering committee for new ministry initiatives, strategic planning

Ministry Manuals: