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Discerning of Spirits

From: Concise Bible Dictionary: D

By: George A. Morrish

This was one of the gifts in the early church, needful for “testing the spirits,” because even then many false prophets had gone forth into the world (1 Cor. 12:10¹⁰To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (1 Corinthians 12:10); 1 John 4:1-3¹Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ²Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: ³And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:1‑3)). This gift was especially necessary at the time when the word of God was not fully written.

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Concise Bible Dictionary: D

• Discerning of Spirits

• Disciple (μαθητής)

• Dispensation (οἰκονομία)

• Disposition of Angels (διαταγἀς ἀγγέλων)

• Dove (Yonah, περιστερά)