Session 8 | Prophetic Training | Walk on Water Ministry

Session 8

Discerning of Spirits

The gift of discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10) is a vital companion to the gift of prophecy. It enables believers to perceive what is happening in the spiritual realm — to sense the source and nature of spiritual activity in a gathering or situation. It is much more than telling good from evil. It is about seeing what God is doing, and aligning with it.

What is it?

Discerning of spirits is the ability to perceive whether a prompting, an atmosphere, or a message is from God, from human imagination, or from a deceptive spirit.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…” — 1 John 4:1 (ESV)

In Acts 16:16–18, Paul discerned a spirit of divination in a girl following him and Silas — demonstrating the gift’s role in exposing what is not from God.

What is it for?

Facilitating God’s presence in worship or prayer — recognising what He is doing and where He is going, so we can move with Him.
Protecting the church from deception — identifying false influences (1 John 4:1).
Guiding intercession and prophetic ministry — revealing God’s intentions, rather than guessing.
Heightening sensitivity to angelic activity — as in 2 Kings 6:15–17, where Elisha’s servant saw angelic armies once Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened.

How it Serves the Prophetic

In a meeting, a discerner might sense a heaviness in the room. Rather than announcing it publicly, they might quietly tell the worship leader, “I sense God wants to release joy tonight.” The leader shifts to songs of joy. The atmosphere lifts. Testimony follows. That is the gift in action — quietly, faithfully, in submission.

Cultivating the Gift

Spend time in prayer and worship to attune your spirit to God’s voice. “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Journal impressions during personal prayer. Patterns develop over time.
Test everything against Scripture (1 John 4:1–3). Anything that contradicts God’s Word is not from Him.
Submit insights to leadership privately, especially in church gatherings, so they can guide the service.
Avoid fear-based reactions. If you sense something negative, pray for God’s truth and love to prevail.

Cautions

Not every negative feeling indicates a demonic presence. Human emotions, tiredness or our own circumstances can cloud perception. The gift should always point to Christ and His work (Revelation 19:10). Avoid fixating on spiritual phenomena or sensationalism.

Five-Day Reading Plan

This plan follows Session 8 — perceiving what God is doing in the spiritual realm and aligning with it. Each day pairs scriptures cited in the teaching with passages that deepen the same theme.

From the session referenced in the teaching · Suggested added to deepen the theme

Day 1 A Gift of the Spirit

Discernment, a vital companion to prophecy.

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 — the discerning of spirits among the Spirit’s gifts From the session
Hebrews 5:11–14 — senses trained to distinguish good and evil Suggested
1 Kings 3:7–12 — Solomon asks for a discerning heart Suggested

Day 2 Test the Spirits

Not every prompting or atmosphere is from God.

1 John 4:1–6 — “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” From the session
Acts 16:16–18 — Paul discerns a spirit of divination From the session
Matthew 16:21–23 — discerning the source behind well-meant words Suggested

Day 3 Eyes to See

Sensitivity to the unseen realm and angelic activity.

2 Kings 6:8–17 — Elisha’s servant sees the armies of heaven From the session
Daniel 10:1–14 — unseen spiritual conflict behind a delay Suggested
Colossians 1:9–14 — praying for spiritual wisdom and understanding Suggested

Day 4 Stillness and Sensitivity

Attuning the spirit to God’s voice.

Psalm 46:8–11 — “Be still, and know that I am God” From the session
1 Kings 19:11–13 — the low whisper after the noise Suggested
John 10:1–5, 14–16 — learning the Shepherd’s voice Suggested

Day 5 Pointing to Christ

The gift always honours Jesus, never sensation.

Revelation 19:10 — the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy From the session
1 Corinthians 14:24–33 — discernment serving order and peace Suggested
Philippians 1:9–11 — love abounding in knowledge and discernment Suggested

A Daily Rhythm

Read the passage unhurried. Then sit quietly, let the noise of the world settle, and journal anything that comes — a word, a picture, an impression — and date it. Over weeks and months, patterns emerge that you would never see otherwise. Test everything you receive against Scripture.

Each scripture link opens in a new tab — so you can read the passage and return here without losing your place in the session.