Leading of the SpiritDr. Kenneth Jones

Practical Living Ministry

Book: The Three Battlegrounds(Cedar Rapids, IA: Arrow Publications) 2006

The Gift of Discernment: Francis FrangipaneMuch of what god reveals must pass through the filter of our

degree of purity of heart. If we are to move in true discernment, our view of life must be purged of human

thoughts and reactions. We must perceive life through the eyes of Christ

We will never possess true discernment until we crucify our instincts to judge

In order to discern, you cannot react. To perceive, you must make yourself blind to what seems apparent

You must always remain forgiving and move in compassion discerning between the oppressing spirit and the person oppressed

Discern, Not JudgeMatthew 7:1-5: Do not judge so

that you will not be judged.2 "For in the way you judge, you

will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be

measured to you.3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in

your own eye?4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the

log is in your own eye?5 "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck

out of your brother's eye.

The Gift of Discernment: Francis FrangipaneSpiritual Discernment is the grace to understand the nature of

that which is veiled.

However, the first veil that must be removed is the veil over our own hearts – the goal is to see clearly

What is this veil?Past hurts/experiencesPre- Judgment of that person and people like thatUnbalanced teachings/doctrinePrideThe same fault or sin

The judgmental, carnal mind always see the image of itself in others and without realizing, assumes that is perceiving others spiritually

How Do You Remove Something Out of Someone’s Eye?

Very Carefully – In order to get close, you must win their trust – consistently demonstrating an attitude that does not judge or instinctively condemn

Do people trust you to get close to them? Do you have relationship with them?

More than likely, the person is aware of the debris because it is causing irritation

The eye already has debris in it so it doesn’t need your finger in it (judgment)

Some Christians don’t have the right to minister to others due to “Pre-Packaged” judgment

How Do You Remove Something Out of Someone’s Eye?

Wash it Out – With the Water of the WordJohn 15:3 - Now ye are clean through the word

which I have spoken unto you. Stay with doctrine and less on your personal

experiences and feelings

Blow into It – the Holy Spirit represents the “Breath of God.” Don’t leave the Spirit out of your ministry to others

The Spirit of God will not only help to get the “Red” out, but also provide soothing relief

Eliminating False Discernment: Francis Frangipane

The Holy Spirit does not speak to us until he has our undivided attention. We need to slow down, tune out

the static, and give Him our heart in focused attention. To walk in true discernment, we must be quiet before

God. We must learn how to listen.

“The same letters in the word, “listen,” is in the word, “silent”

Does God has your attention?

Exodus 14:13: “Stand still… cease all unnecessary movement

Eliminating False Discernment: Francis FrangipaneJamming Station – thoughts and reactions that

inhibit the power of discernmentWe must die to personal judgments, ideas of

retaliation, and self motivation

John 5:30 - I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord--but only as I am

taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is

right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is

pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

Eliminating False Discernment: Francis FrangipaneFalse Discernment stems from mistrust,

suspicion, and fearIt may be packaged in a type of love, but does not

originate out of love; it comes out of criticism. False discernment sees the outside of the person or

situation and pretends it knows the inside.Godly discernment comes from godly motives, rooted

in God’s love. God’s love is unconditionalJesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but

judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24)If you can’t pray for someone, don’ t presume you

have true discernment regarding themIf you already “pre-judged” the person and

situation, what do you expect God to do?

Peace Must Rule Your Heart: Francis FrangipaneLove precedes Peace and Peace Precedes Perception

Without love and peace in your heart, your judgment will be overly harsh

False discernment is always slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to anger

True discernment emerges out of a tranquil and pure heart, one that receives the wisdom and grace in the voice of Christ (Matthew 5:8; Mark 7:21; Matt 12;34) Guard Your Heart (Proverbs 4:23)..out of it proceeds the issues of

lifeBottom Line: We should always minister to others from

an attitude of peace, motivated by loveAnything else besides the peace and wisdom of God

would be manipulation and witchcraft

Spiritual Man1 Cor 2:13: Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the

Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual

This does not mean every believer has equal spiritual wisdom Sharing spiritual things with spiritual people But which the Holy Ghost teacheth - That is, in the words which the Holy

Spirit imparts to us

1 Cor 2:15: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

He who has the mind of Christ discerns and judges of all things spiritual

Too many Christians still think like natural men, refusing to spiritually discern things. When our only concern is for “what works” or the “bottom line,” we are not spiritually discerning, and we are thinking like the natural man, even though we might be saved

Final Points It's more about the Presence of the Spirit than

the PowerPower comes with the Presence

The Holy Spirit indwells and abides, not controlsWe are guided by an indwelling presence, not a

dominating Spirit

External Leading of the human spirit is through the Word of God