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Francis Frangipane: Here's How to Use Your Gift of Discernment


by Francis Frangipane
Jul 1, 2013

Steve ShultzFrom the desk of Steve Shultz:

God gave us, through Christ and through the Holy Spirit, the Gift of Discernment. We are learning to operate in that gift, throughout the Body.

But how can we learn more or how can we learn better – to discern?

In one story below, when the Pharisees were trying to test and trap Jesus, that's when Jesus shows us how to Discern. Before their eyes, He drew on the ground at the same time that He DREW on HIS FATHER.

I'll let you read the story and listen to the Lord as you do!

***

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Francis FrangipaneGreat Gain

We must relearn how to think. We must learn how to pause before we speak – give ourselves a moment to enter the secret place of God's presence – and then listen to what Jesus has to say. For Christ Himself is the source of our discernment. In listening, we create the opportunity to hear the Lord's voice; postured before Him we can receive answers, wisdom, and insights that we otherwise would not discern.

Indeed, using the gift of discernment, we can counter the advance of the enemy and reverse the gains he might have otherwise obtained. Consider the Gospel story of the woman caught in the act of adultery (see John 8:1-11). As experts in the Mosaic Law, the Pharisees knew well that the woman had sinned. Wishing to publicly discredit Jesus, they brought her to Him hoping, perhaps, to prove Him a heretic:

What does Jesus say?"Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" (John 8:4-5).

This is the big question: What does Jesus say? Everything we will learn about discernment is found in knowing the answer to this question. There will be pressure to answer. It's likely that turmoil may surround us. Yet we must stay sheltered in the calm of God. The woman is obviously guilty; witnesses have condemned her, as does the Law of Moses. Stones are waiting in the hands of her accusers. But if we will actually possess true discernment we must stop, listen, and actually hear: What does Jesus say? (Courtesy: The Passion of the Christ)

Christ recognizes her sin. However, His thoughts were higher than that of the Pharisees. He saw this situation as a means to bring redemption to the woman, repentance to the Pharisees, and glory to His heavenly Father. Stooping down, He wrote on the ground. Then, as the Pharisees persisted with their accusations, He stood and said, "He who is without sin...let him be the first to throw a stone..." (John 8:7).

Jesus drew upon the FatherThe hardened hearts of the Pharisees were so deeply pierced that, "one by one, beginning with the older ones," they departed (verse 9). Scripture does not tell us what Jesus wrote (some say He wrote one of the Ten Commandments or perhaps some other Scripture). What He wrote is unknown. However, in the Lord's response He made it clear: In His Kingdom, the merciful and the pure in heart decide when, and if, stones will be thrown. (Courtesy: The Passion of the Christ)

The issue I seek to underscore is not that Jesus drew on the ground but that, in the heightened turmoil of the moment, Jesus drew upon the Father. He remained calm. He waited, listening in His heart to hear the voice of His Father.

This is the pattern for true discernment: We disown the limits of our opinions and reactions, and we learn to wait and listen to the Lord.

As the Voice Comes To Me

Jesus expands this discipline of focused waiting. Consider His comment in John 5:

"I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord – but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision]..." (John 5:30 AMP).

Jesus said, "As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision." This small statement unveils such a large truth!

He enters us as a living voiceWhen we accept Christ into our hearts, He does not enter simply as a doctrine. No, He enters us as a living voice. His Spirit brings conviction and direction; He speaks through dreams, visions, revelation, and understanding of the Scriptures. He illuminates our hearts, speaking to us of repentance and the renewal of our soul. He lifts us, reminding us of the faithful promises of God.

Yet this voice – the sacred voice of God – refuses to compete with the clamor of our fleshly minds. This is God, King and Creator of the universe. He requires the honor of our full attention! He will not yell as though we were disobedient children and He a frantic mother. He will not chase us. He waits.

Yes, there are times when He may resist us, gently pushing against our prideful efforts. He will wait until we stop our harmful activity. Our problem is not that God won't come to us; it's that our anxious souls fail to give Him time to speak.

Remember, His thoughts are "higher than" our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). He would speak to us, but our opinions monopolize the conversation. Our ideas and preprogrammed reactions rush out of our mouths and into the world of men. We hurry by the narrow path that leads to His presence. He is left out of the conversation; He wants in.

Jesus taught, "Take care what you listen to" (Mark 4:24). Do we truly know how to listen? Discernment is the art of listening to Him who does not speak audibly and perceiving Him who is otherwise invisible. And the one great question that leads to all we need to know is this: What does Jesus say?

Adapted from a chapter in Francis Frangipane's newest eBook titled Spiritual Discernment and the Mind of Christ.

Francis Frangipane
Ministries of Francis Frangipane

Email: francis1@frangipane.org
Website: frangipane.org

Francis Frangipane is the founder of River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and has traveled throughout the world ministering to thousands of pastors and intercessors from many backgrounds. Francis' heartfelt prayer is to see established in every city Christlike pastors and intercessors, united before God, revealing the love of Christ to their communities. Since 1985, he has written fourteen books, plus a number of study booklets. Over the past decades, Francis has served on a number of other ministry boards. However, in recent years he has gradually resigned from these various boards. As of June 2009, he has also retired from his position as senior pastor of River of Life Ministries. In this more simplified life, Frangipane is devoting himself to prayer and the ministry of God's Word.

ElijahList Prophetic Resources
Call Me Crazy, But I'm Hearing God NEW!
The Days of His Presence
(Revised and Expanded)

by Francis Frangipane
$12.99
Book
Order Now!

 

book NEW!
A Story of God and All of Us:
A Novel Based on the Epic TV Miniseries "The Bible"

by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett
Book or Audio Book
$24.99
Order the CD
$29.99
Order the Download


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