OPEN HEAVEN FOR TODAY – 22ND MAY 2026

“Spiritually Discerned (1)”

By Pastor E. A. Adeboye (General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God)

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MEMORY VERSE

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14 (KJV)

BIBLE READING: NUMBERS 22:22-33 (KJV)

22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

32 And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Nehemiah 4-7

MESSAGE

Today’s memory verse tells us that the natural man cannot understand the things of God because they are spiritually discerned. This means that such a fellow cannot follow God’s direction, as he or she cannot understand spiritual things and will even consider them foolish. Those who walk in the spirit, however, know how to discern spiritual things.

For instance, when it seems that several people are trying to get a Christian angry, it could be that the devil is seeking to open a window through which he can attack him or her. If the believer cannot spiritually discern the devil’s plan, he or she might eventually give in to anger, thereby giving the devil access to carry out his attack. Likewise, if a Christian keeps encountering people in need, especially if they are fellow Christians, it could be that God wants the believer to help them so that He can open windows of blessings over his or her life. However, if the Christian cannot spiritually discern what is happening and ignores the people in need, he or she would miss out on God’s blessing. Spiritual discernment is crucial in the journey of every Christian.

“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” — Proverbs 22:3

In today’s Bible reading, Balaam’s donkey began to behave strangely when he was on his way to meet Balak despite God’s initial instruction forbidding him from going (Numbers 22:12). Balaam was so spiritually insensitive that he didn’t know the actions of the donkey were for his own good. When his donkey didn’t move as he wanted it to and kept turning away from the path it was supposed to take, he hit it in an attempt to force it to obey him. Even when the donkey spoke – which was very strange – Balaam was too spiritually insensitive to sense the danger ahead until God opened his eyes.

I pray that your spiritual senses will be sharpened enough to see any dangers that are ahead of you, and you will be prudent enough to hide yourself, in Jesus’ name.

The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed so many homes and ended so many lives prematurely. This is why spiritual discernment is a must-have for you in your walk with God, relationship with others, and dealings with the world. I pray that the Almighty God, in His mercy, will sharpen your discernment and help you see things as they really are, in Jesus’ name.

PRAYER POINT

Father, please help me to discern spiritual matters and see things as they truly are.

HYMN 28: “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah!”

Verse 1:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah!
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy powerful hand:
Bread of heaven! Bread of heaven!
Feed me now and evermore (2ce)

Verse 2:
Open Thou the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow:
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong deliverer! strong deliverer!
Be Thou still my strength and shield (2ce)

Verse 3:
If I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside:
Bear me through the swelling torrent,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side:
Songs of praises! songs of praises!
I will ever give to Thee (2ce)

Verse 4:
Saviour, come! We long to see Thee,
Long to dwell with Thee above;
And to know in full communion,
All the sweetness of Thy love.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come, Lord Jesus!
Take Thy waiting people home (2ce)

Commentary on Today’s Open Heaven

Today’s Open Heaven devotional, “Spiritually Discerned (1)” , addresses a critical weakness in the body of Christ: spiritual insensitivity. Pastor Adeboye draws from 1 Corinthians 2:14 to establish that the natural man – the one who operates only with human reasoning, without the illumination of the Holy Spirit – cannot receive or understand the things of God. They appear foolish to him. But for the believer, spiritual discernment is not optional; it is essential for survival, guidance, and fruitfulness.

The story of Balaam and his donkey (Numbers 22:22-33) is a powerful illustration. Balaam was a prophet – a man who should have been spiritually sensitive. Yet he was completely oblivious to the angel of the Lord standing in his path with a drawn sword, ready to kill him. His donkey saw what he could not see. His donkey understood what he could not perceive. It took a talking animal and a supernatural eye-opening for Balaam to realize the danger he was in.

How many dangers have we walked into because we lacked discernment? How many arguments have we entertained that were actually traps? How many relationships have we pursued that were actually assignments of the enemy? How many opportunities have we missed because we could not recognize God’s hand?

Pastor Adeboye gives two practical examples:
1. When people try to provoke you to anger – it may not be about you; it may be the devil seeking a doorway to attack you. Discernment allows you to see the trap behind the provocation.
2. When you keep encountering people in need – it may not be a coincidence; it may be God positioning you to be a blessing so that He can bless you in return.

The lack of spiritual discernment has destroyed homes and ended lives prematurely. A spouse who cannot discern the enemy’s strategy falls into affairs. A parent who cannot discern a child’s spiritual state loses that child to the world. A business owner who cannot discern a deceptive contract loses everything.

Prayer Points for Today Based on This Devotional:

1. For Sharpened Spiritual Senses: “Father, sharpen my spiritual eyes, ears, and heart. Let me see what the enemy is hiding. Let me hear what the Spirit is saying. Let me discern between good and evil, between Your will and the enemy’s trap.”

2. For Deliverance from Natural Thinking: “Father, deliver me from the mindset of the natural man. I refuse to be limited by human reasoning. I receive the mind of Christ and the discernment of the Spirit.”

3. For Discernment in Relationships: “Father, give me discernment concerning every person in my life. Show me who is sent by You and who is sent by the enemy. Let me not entertain wolves in sheep’s clothing.”

4. For Discernment in Decisions: “Father, before I move, let me discern. Before I speak, let me discern. Before I invest, before I marry, before I relocate – let me discern. I will not walk into traps because of spiritual blindness.”

5. For the Gift of Discerning of Spirits: “Father, I ask for the manifestation of the gift of discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10). Let me see into the spiritual realm. Let me perceive hidden agendas. Let me identify every Balaam in my life.”

Connection to NSPPD Today (Glory Friday – It Is Reversed):

Interestingly, today’s Open Heaven aligns powerfully with Pastor Jerry Eze’s NSPPD declaration for Glory Friday. The devotional speaks of spiritual discernment – the ability to see what is truly happening. And the NSPPD service declares that evil coverings are reversed. What is an evil covering? It is a veil over the eyes – a lack of discernment. When the glory comes, evil evaporates – and with it, the blindness that keeps you from seeing the angel with the drawn sword. Today, as you pray for reversal, also pray for opened eyes. May the Lord open your eyes to see the dangers ahead, the traps set for you, and the opportunities He is placing before you.

Closing Declaration from Today’s Open Heaven:

“I receive spiritual discernment today. I am not a natural man – I am spiritual. The things of God are not foolishness to me; they are my life. My eyes are opened to see the angel in the way. My ears are opened to hear the warning. My heart is opened to discern the truth. I will not walk into destruction. I will not be trapped by the enemy. The Lord guides me, holds me with His powerful hand, and leads me all my journey through. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

About Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Open Heaven

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) , one of the largest evangelical churches in the world, and the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. He is known worldwide for his deep, practical teaching of God’s Word, his prophetic accuracy, and his fatherly guidance to millions of believers. The Open Heaven daily devotional is read by millions across the globe, providing scriptural insight, prayer points, and hymns to start each day with God.

Today’s devotional, “Spiritually Discerned (1)” , is the first part of a series on spiritual discernment. It emphasizes that without the Holy Spirit’s illumination, even a prophet like Balaam can be blind to obvious danger. The remedy is not more information – it is more intimacy with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth (John 16:13).

Share this devotional with someone who needs spiritual discernment today.

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