Gift of Discernment

Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, (and) not solid food.

Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child.

But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.

- Hebrews 5:12-14

This supernatural gift is also known as the Gift of Discernment of Spirits.

With this gift, the Holy Spirit helps you know what you are dealing with -- from God, the enemy, your own humanity, or a combination.

The Holy Spirit blesses you with this gift of revelation to build, protect, and guide the Holy Church. This gift is used in activities like (but not limited to)

• listening or watching a secular video or music

• listening to a Gospel homily or Scriptural teaching

• reading Catholic or secular materials (including online materials and social media)

• receiving a prophetic message -- be it false or a Divine Inspiration

• when ministering to brethren in the community as well as those victims of vices or the occult

• and more

Our limited self is incapable of knowing, understanding, and controlling all what we receive and perceive. We can easily be deceived. It is therefore essential to be always prayerful. It is in spending much time with our Lord -- talking and listening to Him -- that we can know what is from Him

Pray without ceasing.

-- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

And from Ignatian spirituality, always be discerning.

Praying and discerning are truly powerful weapons against the evil one; and powerful gifts that bring us closer and help us stay in the heart of our Lord.

The evil one is always there to use and deceive you to bring you and others away from God. It often starts from pride and putting doubt in God's truth. You must always be aware of this. Be ready for spiritual battle with the armor of God.

Take time to learn the rules on discernment of spirits from St Ignatius of Loyola.

It is good to be guided that the Holy Spirit inspires what is being discerned. His work causes you / the Church to be closer to God -- His love, mercy, and compassion. The fruit of the Holy Spirit manifests:

In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

- Galatians 5:22-23

On the other hand...

The works of the spirit of evil are accompanied by pride, independence, sadness, discouragement, jealousy, confusion, hatred, deception, disdain of others, and selfish preferences. It is very difficult to distinguish these areas especially in the absence of spiritual direction and taking into account temperament, culture, and natural qualities. The areas or themes which are to be discerned are those which belong to the path of vocation (as lived out in ordinary every day circumstances), contemplation, perfection, fraternal life and mission. There are, however, personal and community situations which require special discernment; these would include a change in the state of life, new insights or impulses, structural changes, some weaknesses, and extraordinary phenomena.

- source: http://www.arlingtonrenewal.org/discernment-of-spirits.html

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception,

to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

-- Philippians 1:9-11

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

-- Romans 12:1-2

References and Readings:

• Arlington Renewal

• The Real Presence

Some Saints who have this gift