To say that the discerning of spirits has to do only with devils is misleading. This gift has to do
with the entire class of spirits, including good spirits, bad spirits, and human spirits. It is
supernatural insight into the realm of spirits. The discerning of evil spirits is included, of course,
but too many times folks have thought that seeing demons and devils is all this gift
encompasses and they have been misled.
Maintain Balance In Dealing With Demons
The way that some people teach about demons and casting out demons troubles me because
it is not actually in line with the Word of God, and it binds people instead of delivering them.
For example, many things that people say are the devil, aren't the devil at all; they are works of
the . The works of the flesh are listed for us in Galatians 5:19-21.
GALATIANS 5:19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
unclean ness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envy ings, murders, drunkenness, re vellings, and such like....
Envy is mentioned in this passage of Scripture as a work of the flesh. Yet when someone has
a problem with envy, many times someone wants to cast the devil out of him! Hatred is also
mentioned as one of the works of the flesh, but we wouldn't necessarily cast a demon of hatred
out of a person. No, we have the flesh to deal with. And we are told in the Word how to deal
with it. We are to crucify or mortify the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5).
We need to be careful about these things. We need to be scriptural and believe the truth of
God's Word and practice it! We need to be careful to follow what the Word says if we are to
receive lasting results. It is just like any other Bible doctrine. If you overemphasize any one
Bible doctrine to the exclusion of others, you can go to the extreme and get out of balance. I
always pray, "God, help me to stay balanced in my ministry."
For example, we know that water baptism is a scriptural doctrine. Yet there are people who
have even distorted the doctrine of water baptism and have gotten out of balance. They tell
people that if they are not baptized in water, they are not saved. Some will even tell people that
water baptism is what saves them! Then there are others who will tell people that unless they
are water baptized according to a certain formula or ritual, they are not saved.
I even heard one man on the radio say, "I don't care how many of you have been baptized in
the Name of Jesus only, you are not saved unless I did it. I am the only one authorized to do it,
and none of you will go to heaven unless I baptize you in water in the Name of Jesus."
That's ridiculous! But, you see, this man had gotten off into extremes. He wasn't following the
Word and he got into error.
I believe in water baptism, but even if you take water baptism or any Bible doctrine for that
matter to the extreme, you can certainly do more harm to people than good. I also believe in
the reality of evil spirits, and I believe we need to know something about them and how to deal
with them. But if you take it to the extreme, you can do more harm than good; you can begin to
believe that everyone has a devil in them.