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THE
GIFT OF DISCERNMENT
As Practiced in 99% of Charismatic churches
A Letter From a Reader of the Journal
The following is very typical, NOT exceptional. This kind of farce if
being promoted in thoBlipnds of Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, AND,
there are a bunch of Baptists doing this.
One pastor
in a northern state has a covey of discerners in his church, They go around
looking deep into peoples' eyes with dead serious and suspicious faces. Carrying
on a conversation with them is frightening since they claim to be able to see
into everyone they meet and tell if they have sexual sin or it they have devils
in them. Any sane saint would much rather be interrogated by the BATF then
one of these most holy discerners. The pastor exalts them as very special,
and he has an alleged deliverance ministry in which they sit with him and discern
all sorts of sins in people which the victims never knew they had. This
ends up being a Fundamentalist version of what worldly shrinks call "regression."
Women discerners are used to dig filth out of men, and male discerners dig
filth out of women victims. The pastor claims it is so spiritual that this
sick twist does not matter. The discerners are so spiritual that they could
not possibly be affected in mind and libido by the sexual dainties they are digging
up. The pastor and church are Fundamental Baptists. So, the thing
is NOT the exclusive stupidity of the Charismatics.
From: M_______________
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1998 13:23:04
EST
To: steve@balaams-ass.com
Subject: "Gifties"
Yep, Steve, you are right again! I was in "one of those churches" for a while
and we had our own "giftie." She boasted the gift of discernment, saw demons behind
every door. Often said to others, "that just does not bear witness with my spirit,"
like she was the authority. Approached people after church and asked, "is everything
okay between you and the Lord?" (Since I was living as close to the Lord as possible
I replied, "as far as I know.") Accused a piano coversm, friendly man in the church of
having a "familiar spirit," obviously not knowing the meaning of the term. Often
pointed out those in the body in whom she discerned homosexual traits. Got people
down with her gift of suspicion and ministry of exhortation.
In retrospect
I have nothing but compassion for this poor woman. She had much pain. One daughter
was a chronic liar, the other had a sexual obsession at age five, and as every
kid in seventh grade knew (although the pastors didn't) her teenage son was headed
for a life of sodomy. He eventually died of aids.
Where was the discernment?
Do gifts always come with ribbons and fancy wrappings? I contend that discernment
is given to those who choose not to be deceived.
M___________________
