Many factors can hinder our ability to operate clearly in discerning spirits. We must guard what we allow our eyes to see and our ears to hear. There are things that can violate us spiritually. We also need to watch over our hearts and motivations so that our discernment is not distorted. The following categories are just a sample of the most common things that can distort discernment.

Horror Movies

Movies can greatly stir the imagination. As those who want to operate at the highest level of accuracy in discerning spirits, we need to be mindful of the “food” we feed our imagination. There are hundreds of wonderful movies that can be a great way to relax after a long day, but there are also very bad movies.

Movies intended to frighten, scare, and keep you constantly on edge can greatly influence your discernment. Regarding which movies this applies to, I believe it is a personal matter rather than a legalistic rule imposed by others. For instance, I first realized the power of horror movies when I saw “Signs” with Mel Gibson. For most people, it wasn’t a horror movie.

However, I had recently received a powerful communication that had heightened my discernment, and as a result, I had frightening encounters with the demonic after watching this film. When a movie is watched for pleasure, our spirit is open and can receive contamination that we did not intend to receive.

However, I have no problem watching movies like “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” because, as a minister, I want to be aware of what influences American understanding of deliverance. When I watch such a film, I watch it as research and with a guarded heart. My criteria are personal, and I recommend you prayerfully consider which movies you should avoid. Scary movies will hinder your discernment.

Emotional Wounds from the Past

As humans living in a fallen world, we tend to carry a lot of emotional “baggage.” We can pick up baggage from family, friends, colleagues, and church leaders. This baggage can make our discernment inaccurate.

Let’s ensure that our heart is aligned with Jesus’ heart towards those around us. If something prevents you from loving someone the way Jesus does, you may need to repent or forgive.

Consider the emotional reaction of James and John when they wanted to call down fire on the Samaritan village (see Luke 9:54-56). Jesus told them very specifically that they did not know what spirit they were operating in. This can happen very easily: one moment your discernment is sharp, and then suddenly a personal wound causes the discernment to be far from accurate.

In practice, this happens when you are in a room full of people, and there is one person from whom you have received a personal wound. The presence of this one person can interfere with your ability to operate with the heart of the Lord. The best remedy is to deal with your wounds, offenses, and hurts by granting forgiveness. You will know when you have truly forgiven someone if, when you look at them, you have compassion for them in your heart. The healthier you are emotionally, the healthier your ability to discern will be.

Bad Doctrine

The presence of bad teaching can significantly limit your ability to operate in discerning spirits. If you have been taught that you have no authority over the demonic, you might be too afraid to use discernment.

Perhaps you were taught that this is not your gift and that it is not available to you. Maybe you were trained in the occult or New Age before becoming a believer. These can all be obstacles to fully and correctly operating in discerning spirits.

The best idea is to find excellent Bible-based teaching to clarify and enhance your understanding. Always remember to stay humble enough in your beliefs so that the Holy Spirit can gently correct or guide you to greater truth. Someone once said, “Bad doctrine is like bad breath; you are usually the last to know you have it, and no one wants to tell you.”

Internal Stress

Stress from work, family, lack of sleep, health issues, finances, deferred hopes, and a host of other problems can interfere with our discernment. We need to have an up-to-date and sustaining relationship with Jesus to properly handle stress. We must operate from a heart of peace. Without this, we will be inaccurate in our gift of discernment.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Fear of Man

“The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

The only thing we are allowed to fear as Christians is God Himself. If we fear man or man’s opinion, it will hinder our ability to discern accurately.

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land” Job 1:9-10.

The principle is this: “What you fear will cover you.” If you fear the devil, he will cover you. If you fear the Lord, He will put His hedge of protection around you. This same principle can also cover your ability to discern correctly. Fear only the Lord and let Him cover you. Trust in Him fully; cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you (see 1 Peter 5:7).

WRONG MOTIVES

Your motivations can taint your gift. Jesus rebuked Peter for the motives of his heart. But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter.

“Get behind me, Satan!” He said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mark 8:33).

Jesus also rebuked James and John for not having a right heart.

“And He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them” (Luke 9:52-55).

Apparently, Peter learned his lesson from Jesus about having good motives. Later, Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer in Acts 8, because he had wrong motives in his heart. After Peter learned his lesson from Jesus about the motivations of the heart, he was then equipped to correct others…

This text is an extract from the book “THE SCHOOL OF SEER” written by Dr. Jonathan Welton.

We invite you to read the following article “In Spirit and in Truth.”