Description:  The ability to determine the source of a particular presence or teaching, to understand whether something or someone is being influence by Good, Evil, or human sources. 

Meaning: to differentiate

Key Traits:  perceptive, insightful, sensitive, intuitive, truthful, humble

Characteristics:    This is a person who can…

·        Distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure

·        Help discover possible spiritual sources of a problem

·        Determine whether a word or message is actually divinely inspired

·        Feel a profound sense of the spiritual realm, sensing things good and bad that others may not

·        Identify spiritual inconsistencies

                                                                  …and enjoys doing it.

Cautions/liabilities:

·        May struggle in understanding how to express intuitive perceptions

·        May become an overzealous “heresy-hunter” or become overly critical.

·        May confuse personal feelings with spiritual insights

·        Should find confirmation from others before acting on insights.

·        May feel frustrated that others do not feel, understand, or share perceptions.

Scripture: 1 Cor. 12:10; Acts 5:1-4; Matt. 16:21-23

Examples:  Paul, James