KNOWING THE POWERS AT WORK

1. In the spiritual world(dreams, prophesies, visions), powers/principalities are represented by animals. For the powers of darkness, there will be use of serpents, dogs, actually most of the animals, including some that are not in existence. To represent the powers of God, scriptures and prophets have on ocassion used the lion, the lamb, with His angels adorning the faces of some animals too, for example in Ezekiel's visions, among others.These are rarely seen, unlike the powers of darkness which will wander alot. The mark of powers of darkness is engagement in vanity with no particular order. The power of an animal is hidden in its character. In the same way the power of God is known by its character. This is the best point of discernment.
2. Exposure of the powers/works of darkness is one of the most powerful weapons of war. But fight smart. This is because Christ is actually the light of the world, and the works, being works of darkness, cannot stand the light. They work better under the cover of darkness, when no one rebukes, no one looks, or even knows.
3. Spiritual gifts / powers have a characteristic. They are spirit. Not definitive, like human spirits. They are stored in the spirits of men, which most of the time, will be likened to a city. This is how a person can carry many demons inside them. The best of the gifts is the gift of wisdom, because its benefits include most of the remaining gifts, and much more. Gifts are also referred to as riches, and they are given to be given/for service of the church. A gift is like the authority or power to rule over something, healing for example rules over sickness, knowledge and wisdom over famine or the hunger for the counsel of God. This authority can be imposed over the life of another person, by the command of a word or an action like the laying of hands. This is because the gifts of God are not an end unto themselves. You know the person to whom the power is present to work for by the drawing of the Spirit of God. Jesus was drawn to heal by compassion, faith, love and  these are the characteristics of the Spirit of God. Not all men should be given to partake of these gifts, especially by laying of hands. Its unwise. Its like throwing pearls to one that will trample it, and then turn on you.