Do you have to be involved in a church to have the gift of discernment? I have a strong belief in God but do not attend church. I have been told quite often that I "read people" well. I have what I call gut instincts on typically a persons character that I have learned to trust because as far as I know, I have never been wrong. When I meet someone for the 1st, sometimes the 2nd time I get vibes. Sometimes good and I don't know why and sometimes bad and I don't know why. Time usually reveals the answer but I have learned to trust them. I always thought this was common sense or my inability to take people at face value because I had a really bad childhood and have trouble trusting people. I can't help but notice (as have others) that I'm typically (and I say typically because there are still a few the jurys out on) right.. If it is common sense why do so many people lack it? Are they just more trusting than I?

Your ability is not what the Bible means by the gift of discernment.

I have the same gift of reading strangers that you do and I had a wonderful childhood, so I don't think it has anything to do with that. You must have a very high empathy level. Do you?

How old are you? And are you in a career of some sort or still in school?

I am typically very empathetic of people. I'm a 33 year old stay at home Mom. My life up until having kids was not exactly good. I've chosen a lot of the wrong paths until decided to follow the right one. For myself but mainly for my kids. Sometimes I wonder if I can see a bad or a fake for whatever reason person because I've unfortunately spent the 1st 27 years of my life around them. However, my husband story is similar to mine and he doesn't see in people what I see. Whether it be good or bad. He used to base his decisions on his experience with them, now he asks me. It's a weird position to be in a I often don't like giving my opinion in fear that it will be the 1st time I'm wrong.

I too have been told that I can read people well.

The Gift of Discernment is one of the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit. This is not something someone is born with. It is a gift that is GIVEN by the Holy Spirit after someone's salvation. It is not for anyone outside the church and it really is meant to DEAL with the church. You can think of it as a way to clean out God's house. Reading people is one thing... supernaturally understanding the spirit behind something is entirely different.