.jpg)
Text: Acts 16:16-19,1 Cor. 12:10, Heb. 5:14
Discernment in the Ministry of Apostle Paul: a great lesson for Ministers
The topic will be done with the following sub-headings:
Background
What is discernment
The Lord calls and adorns His ministers
The Apostles enroute prayer
The Spirit of Discernment
Acts 16:16-19 (KJV)
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
Background
Chapter sixteen of the book Acts of the Apostles starts out with the introduction of Timothy and some things were noted from there viz: The location Derbe an Lystra (unfortunately somewhere in modern day Turkey), Parents of Timothy, their tribe(Jewess and a Greek), the fact that He had a good report amongst brethren, the sacrifice he had to make for his ministry to be without disrepute or reproach ( going through the Jewish rites of circumcision) and the fact that he became a disciple of Apostle Paul. What sacrifice have we made and are we making for our ministry, ministry is not a bed of roses, please keep on keeping on, do not be tired man/woman of God, God sees, will glorify Himself at the end of it all, and would reward appropriately and ultimately, what report do people have about us? it may affect our ministry and ministrations, lets learn from Timothy. Who is our discipler?
Acts 16:1-3 (King James Version)
16 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
We also see God in action: establishing the faith of the converts and increasing them, may this be our experience even as we walk with and work for our Master in Jesus mighty name. Amen
What is discernment
Discernment of spirits is a spiritual practice that involves noticing and interpreting the movements of the soul, and identifying their source and direction. Ai overview extracted 07092024.
According to spiritualgifttest.com, “The spiritual gift of discernment is also known as the gift of “discernment of spirits or “distinguishing between spirits.” The Greek word for the gift of discernment is Diakrisis. The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge, or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment.
Discernment especially as it relates to ministry (which is our area of interest) is the ability to recognise the influences of God, the world/flesh , and that of Satan even in actions and inactions. Knowing clearly who/what powers action, deeds and even at times silence and thoughts. What has been powering our actions/inactions off and on the pulpit? What about those who labour alongside us or the people cheering us like the case in study?
The Lord calls and adorns His ministers 1 Cor. 9:7,Acts 1:4
1 Corinthians 9:7 (King James Version)
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Acts 1:4(King James Version)
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
Acts 1:4 clearly explains the instruction that Jesus clearly gave the disciples whom he had chosen earlier now on the need to be endued before setting out even on the task they have been trained and called for, hope we didn’t just jump out without training or without empowerment ? it is a time bomb to do either of the two or both.
1 Cor.9:7 in perspective means: ( 1 )those who serve in God’s army have a need to be maintained by the church and the force headquaters in heaven ( 2 )in line with Pauline, even with this rights those who are strong can jettison this as God blesses, directs and provides for them, ( 3 ) Gods adorns His minister and the spirit of discernment is an important gift God adorns His ministers with, have we prayed and tarried and graced for our portions already?
The Apostles en-route prayer
The apostles were on the way to pray when the devil presented the possessed slave who was camouflaging as a spirit-filled person, her actions were:
l A distraction to the prayer-bound Apostles (watch out for people and things always on the way to spiritual assignments/fortification)
l Worthless/demonic praise singing and hyping like it is done even in some churches today
l A cover- up of sinister motive/source
l Wanting a seal/endorsement of the apostles and their followers, their acceptance of her claims in a way lends same credence that the apostles have on this demonaic lets watch out.
The spirit of Discernment
This is an important endowment of God that is very important for all children of God and more importantly the ministers for the following reasons amongst several others:
l So that we wont praise who should be rebuked,placed on watch list or simply sent for deliverance in the order of Apostle Paul.
l We would not be misled in Gods name 1 kings 13 the story of the young prophet
l we would avert creation of problems for ourselves, co labourer and other ministers after us by putting people with familiar spirit and unrepentant church attendee who are often- time problem/mischief generators in positions.
l It would make us worthy and accurate watchmen and intercessors for God’s flock.
l It is a defence for us, family ,profession and ministry.
Conclusively: Discernment is the gift of the Holy Spirit and depends and is powered by the latter for its effective work, this once again underscores the dire need for those who will represent God well to carry and continually be filled by and with the spirit of God THE HOLY SPIRIT.
When we genuinely pray and wait for Him, God will give us, this grace can also be extended to us when we involve in the studios and spirited study of the word, the inspiration behind the writing and backing the word can jump on us, then by association and impartation. It is better to wait and be better equipped facilitating and easy ride than rush and fail, or struggle through or worse still die without fulfilling the task, may we receive wisdom to wait for this important gift of God.
Shalom.
