1 Samuel 16:6-7 Says “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” It is important to understand that the word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits can work together. God begins to tell Samuel that He looks at the heart of man, the motives. Samuel would forever be changed from this encounter. Hebrews 4:12-13 says “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” I used to believe that this was talking about the Bible, but the Lord showed that it’s speaking himself. He is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. He discerns the hearts and reins motives. Notice 2 Kings 5:25-26 says “But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?” The word of knowledge and the discerning of spirits is at work here. In John 1: 47-49 says “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” Two gifts are at work in this passage: The gift of the Word of Knowledge, and the Discerning of spirits. When Jesus said to Nathanael “… an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” He discerned that his heart was pure. The Discerning of spirits can discern thoughts, motives and intentions (Mal. 3: 18) The Word of Knowledge in this passage saw him under the fig tree.”
-Anthony D. Booker
The GATHERING Place 