A spiritual gift? A gift of discernment? Or am I insane?

[Soldat_fur_Christ]

I'm wondering if I have been given a gift of discernment?
And to make sure we're on the same page, I'm not Charismatic nor pentecostal, I've been raised in a Independent fundamental Baptist Church my whole life.

Let me explain, I know some of the people on the forums have known that I have doubted my salvation, but I am confident that now God is allowing me to doubt for a lesson. But while praying I came across something interesting, and I really am thinking God is giving me these signs. I've doubted for months, wondering if I'm really deceiving myself, or if it's something Demonic... but given the evidence: I want to goto Church, I want to learn more about God, I want to goto Bob Jones, and serve God, I want to pray more, and I want to read more of my Bible, I love the Christian people at my Church that I know, and I'm afraid for all of my co-workers at both of my jobs, and that the second they die they're going to hell, so I've been witnessing as best as I can...

So given the evidence, I can't be possessed, or I would be turning away from all these things. So then I'm saved. But back to the main issue the only two other things is, I'm deceiving myself, and my mind is playing tricks, or when I talk to God in prayer, God is granting me these signs, in the form of yes and no questions....

Let me explain how it works, I'll ask if a certain person I know is trully saved or not, I'll ask God that if they are saved, please allow me to receive instant conviction in my face (As if my face muscles were tightning up to cry)... Nothing happens. Then I'll ask if that person isn't really redeemed, and to grant me that conviction again in my face, and guess what? It happens.... My face will tighten up in a grimace, and I'll act like I'm about to cry, when I'm not, and a couple seconds later it'll stop, and I'll go back to my normal face...
And it's not just on wether people are saved or not, I've used this to actually "talk" to God to have better understanding on other things....

I can't explain it, I've tried stopping myself, but it still happens. I've asked God that if this is really you allowing this to happen, please grant me the sign, and the response is the same conviction in my face for several seconds, and then it just subsides again. Just now as I'm typing this, I asked if you guys would believe me, and it was that convicting face again, as that you guys would believe me? I've asked God that if this was the gift of discernment, to allow me to have the sign again, and it was the same face again. But there are some other things that have been wrong, or I'm just not discerning enough, we have an evangelist by the name of Dr. Tom Farrell at our Church right now, and last night, I kept asking God for the number of people that would go forward, and make professions of Faith in Christ, and I kept spitting out numbers, and when I got to 7 people, I got that convicting face again, but only 4 people went up? Unless 3 others were saved afterwards, after I left?

So I don't know, is this a gift? Do I have something that I have to work on? Something that needs exercise, and maybe I'm deceiving myself with some signs, but God is really actually using?

[Soldat_fur_Christ]

Oh, and I posted it here, because I don't want to be deceived by Charismatic answers... No offense, but I am afraid of the Charismatic/Pentecostal movements, so if there are any members of either movements, please don't reply to this thread.

Baptists only please.

[Montanaman]

My first question to you would be why you think Christ is giving you knowledge reserved only to him. To what end would Christ be giving you the power of judgement?

[novcncy]

Is discernment a spiritual gift, according to the Bible? Or is it a product of spiritual maturity? Philippians 1:9-11 I think you should talk to your pastor about this. I know it's awkward, but your pastor loves you, and should be willing to help you work this out. That's partly why he is there.

Also, make certain you are not trusting in a prayer of salvation as what saves you. I've found too many people who tie their salvation to a prayer, or even put their faith in their faith. It's a tricky trap, to be sure.

[novcncy]

Accidently posted twice. Could a MOD please delete this post?

[christian73]

I'm wondering if I have been given a gift of discernment?
And to make sure we're on the same page, I'm not Charismatic nor pentecostal, I've been raised in a Independent fundamental Baptist Church my whole life.

Let me explain, I know some of the people on the forums have known that I have doubted my salvation, but I am confident that now God is allowing me to doubt for a lesson. But while praying I came across something interesting, and I really am thinking God is giving me these signs. I've doubted for months, wondering if I'm really deceiving myself, or if it's something Demonic... but given the evidence: I want to goto Church, I want to learn more about God, I want to goto Bob Jones, and serve God, I want to pray more, and I want to read more of my Bible, I love the Christian people at my Church that I know, and I'm afraid for all of my co-workers at both of my jobs, and that the second they die they're going to hell, so I've been witnessing as best as I can...

So given the evidence, I can't be possessed, or I would be turning away from all these things. So then I'm saved. But back to the main issue the only two other things is, I'm deceiving myself, and my mind is playing tricks, or when I talk to God in prayer, God is granting me these signs, in the form of yes and no questions....

Let me explain how it works, I'll ask if a certain person I know is trully saved or not, I'll ask God that if they are saved, please allow me to receive instant conviction in my face (As if my face muscles were tightning up to cry)... Nothing happens. Then I'll ask if that person isn't really redeemed, and to grant me that conviction again in my face, and guess what? It happens.... My face will tighten up in a grimace, and I'll act like I'm about to cry, when I'm not, and a couple seconds later it'll stop, and I'll go back to my normal face...
And it's not just on wether people are saved or not, I've used this to actually "talk" to God to have better understanding on other things....

I can't explain it, I've tried stopping myself, but it still happens. I've asked God that if this is really you allowing this to happen, please grant me the sign, and the response is the same conviction in my face for several seconds, and then it just subsides again. Just now as I'm typing this, I asked if you guys would believe me, and it was that convicting face again, as that you guys would believe me? I've asked God that if this was the gift of discernment, to allow me to have the sign again, and it was the same face again. But there are some other things that have been wrong, or I'm just not discerning enough, we have an evangelist by the name of Dr. Tom Farrell at our Church right now, and last night, I kept asking God for the number of people that would go forward, and make professions of Faith in Christ, and I kept spitting out numbers, and when I got to 7 people, I got that convicting face again, but only 4 people went up? Unless 3 others were saved afterwards, after I left?

So I don't know, is this a gift? Do I have something that I have to work on? Something that needs exercise, and maybe I'm deceiving myself with some signs, but God is really actually using?
I may be way off base, but I think whether someone is a christian or not is between that person and Jesus. If someone says that they are born again, then, in my opinion, you must give them the benefit of the doubt. I do think you should talk to your pastor, as another person has stated. Like I said, I could be wrong. However, I don't think you'e insane. :)

[tonysma]

Actually, when I read your post, YOU don't want to know what I thought....

[JPPT1974]

Only God is given that power of judgement
As you never underestimate the power of the
Judgement of God!

[UBERROGO]

You sound like you have a need for an exorcism.