I Corinthians 12 – Discerning of Spirits – Not Gift of Discernment

INTRODUCTION:

THRESHHOLD GENERATION: Iniquity is coming to the full—judgment comes

We must become spiritually minded. Reality is more than it appears on the surface!
· II Corinthians 4:18
· Ii Corinthians 4:16 – Paul says that recognizing the difference between the visible and invisible is the key to not losing heart.
· Ii Corinthians 4:3-4 – Paul’s evangelistic efforts are not what he hoped because there was a veil over peoples’ eyes; but , blindness on the church as well.

Romans 1 – Key chapter to discern visible/invisible
· No sin worse than using visible to glorify Satan – Exodus 20:3 & 4
· One has to do with invisible; the other has to do with visible
· Man always messes up visible when he doesn’t understand the invisible.


FELLOWSHIP WITH DEMONS
- I Corinthians 10:20 – context – meat offered to idols
- Verse 19 – Idol or anything offered anything
- Problem is not the visible but the invisible

CORINTHIANS SECURED MEAT THREE WAYS
· Market – Paul said, “buy and eat it” verse 25
· Friend’s House – Eat unless friends make it an issue that it was offered to idols verse 27, 28
· Idol Temple – Do not eat it. He knows demons are there.


ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
1. Will this open to demonic influence?
2. Does this give the appearance of evil?
3. Does this glorify God?

8 DANGEROUS MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND THE SPIRIT REALM:

1 Timothy 4:1 – The last days will be characterized by a departure from faith. Included in this apostasy will be those deceived by seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.
- 1 Cor. 10:20 – warns about religion without Christ and calls it a “sacrifice to demons…”
- 2 Cor. 11:13-15 – warns of counterfeit ministries

To many Christians have ignored the enemy and allowed him free reign in their lives. They do this because of dangerous misconceptions:

1. Demons, active in the time of Christ, aren’t active today or they are only active in Pagan cultures.
A. Nothing in the Bible restricts demonic operation to a certain time or culture. In Contrast, the Bible speaks of a continual warfare until the time that Satan is banished eternally to the Lake of Fire and the eternal perfect state is implemented.
B. 2 Cor. 2:11 – One of Satan’s devices is the denial of his existence.

2. Demons cannot harass or afflict believers.
A. In the New Testament demonization is never used for a believer. No Christian can be totally possessed by demons, but Christians can be oppressed, harassed, and dominated by the enemy’s activity.
B. Acts 5:3 – Ananias’ heart was filled with Satan
C. 1 Cor. 5:4-5 – Unrepentant believers can be turned over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh.
D. Matt. 6:13 – We are instructed to pray “deliver us from evil…”
E. John 8:31-34 – Notice he’s talking to the “jews” that believed on him (Believers).
i. It is possible for believers to be in bondage
· Vs. 32 starts with “and” connecting it to verse 31 – “disciples”
ii. Bondage – any impulsive or compulsive behavior that restricts you from living in and enjoying the freedom that Jesus died to give you.
F. Jeremiah 7:8-11 – You are bound but you come to church and say, “I’m delivered…”
i. Just because you believe doesn’t mean that you’re free!
G. I’m living in adultery, but I’m filled with the Spirit. Yes, you are filled with spirits. What you yield to your filled with!

3. Only occult involvement leads to demonic difficulties.
A. Occultic involvement is not the only avenue to oppression
i. Oppression can come through temptation, depression, deception, strongholds, etc…

4. Demonic operation incites only extreme behavior, such as violence and gross sin.
A. It is true that demonization can lead to extreme behavior as seen in Mark 5 – Man in the tombs.
B. Mark 1:23-24 – A man in the synagogue cried out in his oppression. No wild behavior here…
C. Luke 13:10-16 – Daughter of Abraham bound by “spirit of infirmity”
i. Jesus said, “you are loosed…” – this is apoluo, which means “to free fully, set at liberty.”
ii. She was churchgoing but still bound for 18 years.

5. Christians are in personal danger when dealing with demons.
A. Demons are under the authority of believer and can only affect us if we give them place.
B. We can be clothed with God’s armor.
6. It is dangerous to touch or be around others who are demonically afflicted.
A. A person right with God has nothing to fear from the enemy!

7. For deliverance we can just plead the blood or rebuke evil spirits in the name of Jesus.
A. Rev. 12:11 – tells us these are weapons to the believer
B. These weapons are not good luck charms!
C. The blood does not plead to Satan, it pleads to the father!

8. Instruction in spiritual warfare is unnecessary.
A. Then why would Jesus in Luke 10 send his disciples out and teach them how to deal with evils spirits?