Fresh Anointing for Spiritual Discernment

So what is discernment? More specifically, what is spiritual discernment?

Discernment is the ability to judge well. In the spiritual context, this is a gift cultivated by the Holy Spirit, studying the scriptures, and through a close relationship with God. 

We get or have spiritual discernment as we grow in faith. We are better equipped to know right from wrong, truth from lies or deception, and good from evil.

But we need that fresh anointing.  We need that unction from the Holy Spirit, that divine enablement that teaches us all things and aligns our understanding with God’s Word.

1 John 2:20, 27 NLT says “But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.”

Fresh anointing for spiritual discernment ensures that we are not led astray by false teachings or worldly influences.

Through this anointing, believers gain spiritual insight that surpasses human knowledge. It's like you're studying the Bible or speaking to someone or trying to solve a problem and all of a sudden you get an epiphany, a revelation, a timely word, a solution, and you know that didn't come from you.

That’s what happens when you have spiritual discernment. As we abide in God, we get better judgement, become more sensitive to His voice and more resistant to error.

So we need that fresh anointing every day, considering we are living in a world full of distractions and deception. How else would we remain steadfast and immovable in our faith in God? How else would  as instructed to do in 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 10:23 and Romans 12:2.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:58)

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” (Hebrews 10:23)

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) 

The more we immerse ourselves in God’s truth, the more clearly we perceive His perfect and acceptable will, and the more we are able to purposefully follow His will. 

We need that fresh anointing for spiritual discernment to be able to do that. We cannot do it on our own. We will fail. We must allow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to act as our guide in making choices that honour God.

John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”

Family, we need fresh anointing for spiritual discernment so that we will develop the ability to test the spirits and doctrines that blow our way.  

1 John 4:1-3 “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.”

The Holy Spirit provides the insight necessary to evaluate teachings and guard us from the smooth talkers who try to easily influence us.

A fresh anointing renews our spiritual strength, enabling us to stand firm against doctrines of demons and deceptive ideologies.

So we need to regularly invoke the Holy Spirit for fresh anointing, for spiritual discernment to expose what is false and uphold what is true.

Again, we underscore the importance of studying and meditating on the Word of God so that we can know more about our Maker and our King, and become more discerning.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

We need to pray and pray some more, not as a ritual or a show, but earnestly seek the Lord as we wake up in the morning and go through the day to when we lay our heads to rest at night. And do it all over again, every day.

Prayer is a pathway to spiritual discernment. Through prayer, believers invite the Holy Spirit to reveal God’s truth and protect us from deception. Prayer also strengthens our connection with God, making us more sensitive to His guidance.

James 1:5 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

As we grow in faith, we mature spiritually, and our discernment is enhanced,

And as we exercise our spiritual senses through consistent obedience to God, we become better equipped to navigate spiritual and worldly challenges.

Hebrews 5:14 “Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”

So we are encouraged to seek fresh anointing regularly for spiritual discernment.

Stay connected to God through prayer, worship, and the Word to maintain clarity and spiritual sensitivity. Evaluate all teachings, influences, and decisions against the truth of scripture, and rely on the Holy Spirit for confirmation.

May we seek the Lord today and every day, Family, for spiritual discernment to speak right, act right and represent our Father in Heaven with awe and reverence and the honour He deserves.

aub - 22Jan25

www.zjoyvi.com