The Gift Of Discernment

Wow, today is a writing day! Two hours after I wrote my last post I sat down to read a book and was wowed in particular by # 3 (out of 6) in this particular section:

Guidlines For Operating in the Gift of Discernment

#3. Examine the fruit. One of the best ways to test the spirits is to look at the results, keeping in mind that fruit takes time to develop. That is why we should be careful not to enter into quick judgement concerning whether or not something is of God, but take a little bit of time to watch. At the same time, however, we need to be sensitive to the "smell" of rotten fruit, so we can nip it in the bud. Does the activity draw people to Christ or pull them away from Him? Does it encourage them in righteousness or lead them into unrighteousness? Jesus said:

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits." (Matt. 7:16-20)

Pages 97-98, The Seer, By Jim W. Goll