The Holy Spirit gives discernment.
Distinguishing between spirits is a less-obvious gift. Perhaps it is also a less-common one. From what I read in Scripture, such distinguishing is given to one person at a time. It is added to the leadership gift they already practice, during a specific situation when other people in a church or congregation are actively using a third, different gift.
Luke includes such an incident in Acts, when he records Peter’s confrontation of Ananias and Sapphira. At that time, the church in Jerusalem was actively and appropriately using the gift of Giving. However, Ananias and Sapphira tried to “play the system,” by short-changing the fund, while seeking approval from the other believers.
The Holy Spirit allowed Peter to distinguish this, as well as the source of their motivation. He used Peter’s natural outspokenness to call Ananias and his wife out on their behavior. What followed shocked both the Jerusalem church, and all who heard about the events.
I believe distinguishing between spirits is a less-obvious gift and a less-common one because it is so difficult to use appropriately. Distinguishing between spirits is never about garnering acclaim for any one person. Its purpose is about discipline, to correct attitudes and practices so that the Church does not dishonor God.
If Peter merely recognized their scheme, but didn’t publicly discipline the couple, he would not have been exercising proper apostolic leadership. Distinguishing between spirits is a less-obvious gift, but not one limited to lie-detection. It is also effective against discord, and obstruction. As passages in other Epistles make clear.
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Ruth DeMaat
Heidi Kortman