Discernment is a beautiful gift. It allows you to see subtle things happening in the background. It’s a place where God allows you to see Him at work even in the most quiet way; yet, it also allows you to see subtleties of the enemy that are working behind the scenes. It’s the ability to see truth from error and even good from evil. Some seem to have a greater measure of this gift and certainly I can testify that Satan can turn the gift around to use it on you. However, we all need discernment because Satan comes as an angel of light and many times pulls a good, dark veil over us and the work God has for us and the Kingdom.

First Thessalonians 5:21-22 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” The apostle John issues a similar warning when he says, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

“Examine everything carefully..” There are all kinds of warning signs that seem to come as the enemy steps into a situation. Sometimes we miss them. Some times we do see it yet never offer a counter defense. Therefore, eventually he takes our ground and many times frankly we..the Saints of our precious redeeming Savior..just hand the land over.

Many signs are so subtle they will not be seen for some time. Therefore we must always watch and pray. The wisest of followers can find themselves in the midst of a great work of the enemy and left paralyzed not knowing what to do. Chaos and confusion, in my experience, usually gives me pause that the enemy is most likely at work. Lack of peace and sometimes even physical “pressing” sends me the Father’s message something is very wrong. Words that tear down and do not build up indicate Satan’s work and silence itself, when we are given the ability to dispel darkness at work, screams a faint shrill from the demonic hosts. The church at large has sold out to this lie of the enemy and we have become silent in many areas. This has caused our  plight in the Kingdom great harm and wounded many. If Esther had remained silent her people would have perished. It is the same today friends. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent. Yet many times we choose wrongly.  The Holy Spirit is truly our teacher and the Lord is full of light. Anything left in darkness will be a huge playground for Satan and his hoard.

Until we learn to wield the authority afforded us through the blood of Christ, we will likely faint under such a raging war. We will be fooled over and over finding ourselves entangled in nets we never saw hidden. Passivity in any battle will cost us greatly. I am sure any battlefield warrior would testify to this truth. But it is also true in the daily wars with Satan. Should he come in and steal or destroy…we must mend. We must rebuild. We must redeem. If we take a careless approach or really no approach at all…..much will be lost. Praying is good; yet, when lives are in the balance, souls are held captive, and hearts are needing repair and love…we must couple our prayers with our feet. God uses people to deliver people many times.

Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:17

When there is a stir in you alarming you…always heed it. We have entered a war. A war that has been won; yet, still must be fought. Ask the Lord for greater discernment in your battles. He is faithful to give it in greater measure.

 

The war…

Feel the warmth of Satan’s breath?
When chaos broods such loveless-ness
When turmoil peeks at every turn
When words tear down from human tongues.

Even the righteous do his bidding
With veiled pulled low never admitting
Give caution at the flashing lights
He’s in the subtleties of time.

It’s surely told he comes to kill
All that is precious and all that’s real.
For he will stop at nothing less
Than full destruction of your rest.

Blanket thy mind with hidden Word
That guards thee from his lurking perch.
For he knows where the sting hurts most
And this is where he aims his boast.

Gird up thy armor and keep it on
For war has come! Sound the alarm!
In quiet he prepares your doom
Crouched low outside thy praying room.

Hoping that you’ll soon forget
The power from within instead.
Discernment will be your ally close
For counterfeit can look good to most.

And by your sway he knows your heart
And where you long to have a part.
For he has quietly sat and watched
Taking notes at each tick tock.

If it should glisten pray thee well
For traps and nets shine jeweled webs
With one foot in he’ll pull the noose
And you will have to wrestle loose.

Remember to keep thine ears inclined
As Father whispers warning signs
And even if it looks just fine
Obey Thy voice… truth shows in time.

–Shelly Wilson