The Open Heaven 14 November 2025 devotional for today is DISCERNING OF SPIRITS II.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 14 NOVEMBER 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: DISCERNING OF SPIRITS II
MEMORISE:
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
READ: Acts 16:16-18:
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 14 NOVEMBER 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
The gift of the discerning of spirits helps Christians to identify the kind of spirits operating in the lives of people they come in contact with. For example, a believer who has the gift of the discerning of spirits will be able to tell when he or she comes across a person who is not a child of God but is pretending to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
With the gift of the discerning of spirits, believers are equipped to identify those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing around them. God intends that this gift play a vital role in the lives of believers, and it becomes heightened with greater intimacy with Him; unfortunately, many believers do not seem to appreciate its importance. You must note, however, that the gift of the discerning of spirits is not the spirit of discernment, as many people erroneously call it.
In today’s Bible reading, Paul and Silas were on a very important assignment to tell the people of Philippi about Jesus when a demon-possessed girl met them. Everything she said about them was accurate; however, if Paul did not have the gift of the discerning of spirits, he might have put her in front of their evangelistic campaign or even made her the head of the evangelism team based on the things she said. However, Paul saw beyond her words and was able to identify that they were sponsored by an evil spirit, which he eventually cast out of her.
As I mentioned earlier, the gift of the discerning of spirits is vital for all Christians; however, it is even more critical for ministers of God to operate in it. This is because agents of the devil can sometimes sneak into the gathering of believers by pretending to be children of God (2 Corinthians 11:14).
In such cases, ministers of the gospel must seek them out because they are not among the congregation of saints to have fun; they are there to slow down the work of God and extinguish the fire of God that is burning in the midst of the congregation.
Beloved, you must not be caught off guard by demonic operations around you. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and do not have the gift of the discerning of spirits yet, ask God for it today so you can recognise and deal with the forces of darkness appropriately. Tomorrow, I will talk about how to deal with witches and wizards, especially within a church setting.
KEY POINT
The gift of the discerning of spirits is vital for all Christians.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Acts 8-9
HYMN 33: GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 14 NOVEMBER 2025 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: 1 John 4:1 (KJV)
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
This is a direct command to every believer, not a suggestion for a select few. It places the responsibility on us to actively test and discern the source of spiritual manifestations, prophecies, and influences, due to the pervasive reality of deceptive spirits in the world.
BIBLE READING: Acts 16:16-18
This passage is a perfect case study of the gift of discerning of spirits in action:
- v. 16-17: A demon-possessed girl follows Paul and Silas, accurately proclaiming, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” Her words were 100% true.
- v. 18: Paul, grieved in his spirit (a key indicator of the gift operating), discerned the evil spirit behind the true words and commanded it to come out in the name of Jesus.
Beyond the Words: Discerning the Source of the Message
Pastor E.A. Adeboye continues his crucial teaching on spiritual discernment, moving from its importance in personal relationships to its critical role in public ministry and the corporate church. He emphasizes that this gift is not for causing suspicion but for protecting the purity and power of God’s work from demonic infiltration.
1. The Critical Function of the Gift
Identifying “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing”:
The primary function highlighted is the ability to see beyond the external appearance of a “sheep” (a professing Christian) to perceive the internal nature of a “wolf” (an agent of the enemy). This protects the flock from those who would cause division, spread false doctrine, or extinguish spiritual fire.
Differentiating from Natural Insight:
Daddy Adeboye makes a vital theological clarification: this is the “gift of the discerning of spirits,”not a general “spirit of discernment.” It is a specific manifestation of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10) that supernaturally reveals the kind of spirit at work—whether human, divine, or demonic.
2. The Biblical Case Study: The Philippian Slave Girl
The Danger of Accurate but Demonic Testimonies:
The story of the slave girl demonstrates that truth can be a demonic tool. Her proclamation about Paul and Silas was factually correct. Without discernment, a minister might have embraced her as a powerful evangelist. The enemy’s strategy was to associate his voice with God’s work, thereby gaining credibility and potentially controlling the narrative.
The Minister’s Response: Grieved, Not Flattered:
Paul was not flattered by the constant advertisement; he was “grieved.” This inner agitation or unrest in his human spirit was the signal from the Holy Spirit that something was wrong. The gift provided the “why” behind the discomfort, revealing the demonic source, which allowed him to take authoritative action.
3. The Heightened Need for Ministers
Guardians of the Gate:
Because agents of Satan actively seek to infiltrate churches (2 Corinthians 11:14-15), ministers have a heightened responsibility to operate in this gift. They are the spiritual gatekeepers who must “seek out” these influences, not to witch-hunt, but to protect the congregation and preserve the genuine move of God.
Protecting the Fire of God:
The motive for discernment is clearly stated: these agents are not present “to have fun.” Their mission is to “slow down the work of God and extinguish the fire.” The gift of discerning of spirits is therefore a firefighting tool, essential for maintaining a climate where the Holy Spirit can move freely.
How to Value and Develop this Gift
1. Recognize Its Vital Importance:
The first step is to heed Daddy Adeboye’s call to stop underestimating this gift. See it as essential spiritual armor for navigating the last days, which are characterized by great deception (Matthew 24:24).
2. Pray Specifically for the Gift:
If you have surrendered your life to Christ, you are a candidate to receive spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11). Be specific in your request: “Holy Spirit, I ask You for the gift of discerning of spirits to protect myself, my family, and Your church.”
3. Cultivate Sensitivity to Grieving the Spirit:
Learn to pay attention to feelings of unease, spiritual heaviness, or “red flags” when you encounter certain people, teachings, or situations. Do not dismiss them. Pray into them, asking the Holy Spirit to clarify if it is His discernment at work.
Warning: The Consequence of Being “Caught Off Guard”
Operating without this gift leaves a believer vulnerable to “demonic operations.” This can result in welcoming deceptive teachings, empowering destructive individuals within the church, and ultimately, seeing the fire of revival quenched by a enemy that was welcomed in with open arms.
Conclusion: Your Essential Tool for Spiritual Warfare
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You for the gifts of the Spirit. I ask You today for a special measure of the gift of discerning of spirits. Make me sensitive to the spiritual forces at work around me. Help me to see beyond the words and appearances, so I can partner with You to protect Your work and Your people from every form of deception, in Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
- Study the Masters: Read the Gospels and Acts, paying close attention to how Jesus and the apostles discerned and addressed demonic spirits (e.g., Jesus with Peter in Matthew 16:23).
- Seek Godly Confirmation: If you sense a discernment about someone, do not act rashly. Seek confirmation through prayer, the Word, and the counsel of mature, spiritual leaders.
- Prepare for Tomorrow: Begin to pray now for revelation as Daddy Adeboye prepares to teach on the sensitive topic of dealing with witches and wizards in the church.
Remember: In the spiritual regime of the Holy Spirit, ignorance is not bliss; it is vulnerability. The gift of discerning of spirits is your God-given x-ray vision to see the enemy’s schemes before they cause irreparable damage.
“For we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11). This gift ensures you live in the reality of this truth.
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