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100 Bible Verses about Discerning Of Spirits

1 John 4:1 ESV / 247 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1-21 ESV / 179 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 131 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 John 4:1-6 ESV / 107 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

Romans 12:2 ESV / 95 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 91 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Hebrews 5:14 ESV / 90 helpful votes

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV / 87 helpful votes

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 82 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 70 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Kings 3:9 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

1 Corinthians 12:1-31 ESV / 65 helpful votes

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ...

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 65 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Mark 16:17-18 ESV / 62 helpful votes

And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 58 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV / 56 helpful votes

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 52 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV / 48 helpful votes

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 47 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 47 helpful votes

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Philippians 1:9-10 ESV / 44 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

1 Corinthians 12:7 ESV / 44 helpful votes

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

1 Timothy 4:1 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

Psalm 119:125 ESV / 41 helpful votes

I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

1 John 1:1 ESV / 38 helpful votes

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—

James 1:5 ESV / 38 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Acts 17:11 ESV / 38 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 36 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Hosea 14:9 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

1 Corinthians 14:29 ESV / 35 helpful votes

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

Romans 12:6 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Corinthians 2:11 ESV / 33 helpful votes

For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 ESV / 33 helpful votes

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. ...

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 ESV / 32 helpful votes

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV / 30 helpful votes

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Acts 16:17 ESV / 30 helpful votes

She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”

Matthew 24:11 ESV / 28 helpful votes

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Proverbs 28:11 ESV / 28 helpful votes

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

Proverbs 15:14 ESV / 28 helpful votes

The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 27 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Galatians 3:5 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 26 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 4:18 ESV / 26 helpful votes

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

John 17:17 ESV / 26 helpful votes

Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 25 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Acts 10:38 ESV / 25 helpful votes

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

Acts 2:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

John 15:26 ESV / 25 helpful votes

“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

Matthew 24:4-5 ESV / 25 helpful votes

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.

Proverbs 1:5 ESV / 25 helpful votes

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Revelation 1:17 ESV / 24 helpful votes

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Philippians 1:9-11 ESV / 24 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Matthew 24:23-26 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.

Proverbs 18:15 ESV / 24 helpful votes

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

2 Samuel 14:17 ESV / 24 helpful votes

And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!”

James 1:17 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

John 7:24 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 23 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Proverbs 15:21 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 23 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Job 4:12-21 ESV / 23 helpful votes

“Now a word was brought to me stealthily; my ear received the whisper of it. Amid thoughts from visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, dread came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; there was silence, then I heard a voice: ...

James 3:17 ESV / 22 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 22 helpful votes

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Revelation 12:10 ESV / 21 helpful votes

And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Romans 12:6-8 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 8:16 ESV / 21 helpful votes

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Proverbs 19:25 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 21 helpful votes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

2 Peter 1:3 ESV / 20 helpful votes

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; ...

Genesis 3:5 ESV / 20 helpful votes

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV / 19 helpful votes

The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.

1 Corinthians 14:23 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV / 18 helpful votes

But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

John 14:26 ESV / 18 helpful votes

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Job 4:1-21 ESV / 18 helpful votes

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “If one ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? Yet who can keep from speaking? Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees. But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed. ...

1 Kings 3:11 ESV / 18 helpful votes

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,

Revelation 2:2 ESV / 17 helpful votes

“‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,

1 Corinthians 14:13 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Romans 15:13 ESV / 17 helpful votes

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Proverbs 26:24-26 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

James 4:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:6 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

Acts 16:1-40 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. ...

Luke 1:30 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.

Luke 1:13 ESV / 16 helpful votes

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

Matthew 10:29 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Daniel 10:12 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

Psalm 119:66 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

Psalm 116:15 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Job 42:7-9 ESV / 16 helpful votes

After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the Lord had told them, and the Lord accepted Job's prayer.

1 John 3:19-20 ESV / 15 helpful votes

By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Hebrews 11:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 2:4 ESV / 13 helpful votes

While God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

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