Gifts studied
Spiritual gifts should be sought so
that people get help. If a person does not feel his own
weakness, he can be proud of the use of gifts
Contents:
Gifts should be
prayed for and pursued
Gifts of grace are
for people
The correct use of
gifts of grace can be taught and practiced. For example, the
gift of prophecy has the right boundaries and framework in
which it should manifest itself. The content of prophecy
should be for edification, exhortation and comfort
Gifts of grace are
not given based on a person's maturity. The Corinthians had
most gifts of grace at work, but they had confusion in the
use of gifts and imperfection in the church.
The fruit of the
Spirit and gifts of grace are not opposites of each other.
Jesus had both in balance. There was no passion, anger, or
imbalance in him. He was quiet and humble of heart (Matt.
11:29) and acted from peace, so the church also needs a
similar model in spiritual life and the use of gifts. Many
can also boast about the gifts they have received. Power and
authority can corrupt anyone if we lack humility and have
too high an opinion of ourselves.
If fruit is missing
from a person’s life, he may be the false prophet Jesus
mentioned. Another possibility is that the person has had a
true anointing from God, like King Saul, but gradually the
person has drifted further and further away from God
The spiritual gifts
that false prophets have can come through the laying on of
hands, like God’s gifts of grace. Therefore, everyone should
be careful about whose hands they go under
Different kinds of approaches are needed when meeting
people, and gifts of the Spirit are among them The problem
for the church, especially in western countries, is that
these gifts are few or not used at all. Some theologians may
also say that gifts of the Spirit are not for our times.They
may believe in the performance of miracles as described in
the Bible, but they think they belonged only to the founding
of the church, not to modern times. In addition, the same
persons may contrast fruit and gifts as if they were
opposites, although they should complement each other. Next,
various issues related to the gifts of Spirit will be
raised.
We should pray for gifts.
It is clear from studying the Bible that gifts of Spirit are
important. It is shown, for example, in what Moses said:
”Would God that all the LORD's people were prophets” (Num
11:29). Furthermore, letters of Paul give a positive
idea of them. He encouraged us to pray so that we would
covet earnestly the best gifts. He said that he himself
speaks with tongues more than anyone else. He also
encouraged Timothy to stir up the gift of God instead of
neglecting it. Based on these verses, one can only conclude
that gifts of grace are important and they should be sought
for use as the building blocks of the congregation.
-
(1 Cor 12:1, 4-11, 28-31) Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you
ignorant.
4
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5
And there are differences of administrations, but the same
Lord.
6
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
God which works all in all.
7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to
profit with.
8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to
another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of
healing by the same Spirit;
10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to
another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of
tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11
But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will.
28 And God has set some in the church, first apostles,
secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are
all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues?
do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet
show I to you a more excellent way.
-
(1 Cor 14:1, 12,13,18,19,26,31,32,39,40)
Follow after charity, and desire
spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
12 Even so you, for as much as you are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of
the church.
13 Why let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray
that he may interpret.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also,
than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
26 How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every
one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a
revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to
edifying.
31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
39 Why, brothers, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak
with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
-
(2 Tim 1:6) Why I put you in
remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is in
you by the putting on of my hands.
-
(1 Tim 4:14,15) Neglect not the
gift that is in you, which was given you by prophecy, with
the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them;
that your profiting may appear to all.
-
(1 Thess 5:19,20) Quench not the
Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
Gifts can help
-
(1 Cor 12:7) But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit
with.
The
most important reason for gifts is that they benefit us all
and help us. Excluding the gift of speaking in tongues that
should build the person him/herself (1 Cor 14:4 He that
speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that
prophesies edifies the church.), gifts are meant to be
used to help people. They are not an exhibit that we should
use to flaunt our own godliness; their only purpose is to
help others. If we use them with any other motive in mind
then they are meaningless, and we have gone astray.
The help we give should be directed to the spirit, soul and
body of a person. Too often people concentrate only on the
spirit and neglect making the soul and body whole. Spiritual
life and salvation are, naturally, most important but a
healthy soul and body are also needed because doctors or
psychiatrists can rarely help people with all diseases and
problems. God’s supernatural assistance can be more
effective.
The next passage is about making the soul whole, and the
so-called Toronto blessing. In the Toronto blessing, many
people were faced with God’s love but were also healed of
wounds of the soul. Healing that usually takes an extensive
length of time in pastoral care, took place in a matter of
minutes. We need such internal liberation as much as we need
salvation of people and healing of their bodies. In these
activities, gifts can be a great benefit.
I
first heard about the Toronto blessing from a newspaper.
First, I considered the descriptions of people’s strange
reactions odd. Suddenly, I got this completely certain piece
of information within me:
Those external phenomena are only the tip of the iceberg –
in this revival, God renews and makes people whole deep
inside, no matter how broken or wounded they are!
I had always believed that God can heal physical illnesses
and even grow people new limbs. Honestly, I had not believed
that a broken or sick psyche could be made whole in the same
way. I thought that such healing would always require an
extensive process of pastoral care.
Nevertheless, here it was: healing revival! (...) Inner
healing and healing the wounds of the psyche in particular
are precious miracles for the stressed people of our modern
times. The different kinds of physical movements seem to be
related to this process of liberation. Such reactions when
inhibitions of the soul and locks in the mind are opened are
familiar to any expert in psychology in therapy.
There is no denying that the Spirit of God can in a matter
of minutes achieve results for which people would have to
engage in long-term pastoral care. (1)
Teaching.
There are two extremes one can take in spiritual activity:
fanaticism and religious zeal without the fruits and love of
Spirit; and extreme formality with plenty of rituals,
liturgy and ceremonies but with no place given for the acts
of God. Both extremes are possible.
Extreme practices are also found in the expression of gifts
of Spirit. There may be some people in the congregation who
have been hurt because of the misuse of the gift of
prophecy, for example. Some may have had a negative
experience, thus they consider all prophecies and gifts to
be wrong. They may consider the gift of prophecy cheap, as
written by Paul:
-
(1 Thess 5:19,20) Quench not the
Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
We
should not deny gifts altogether, however. Instead, we
should teach people how to use their gifts, as were students
of the Old Testament Prophets (2 Kings 2:3-7); students
learned from more experienced people. We need guidance in
how to use our particular gift so that it will work as well
as possible. This can first be done on a smaller scale so
that people who have been given a gift can more easily use
it.
A good example of teaching people how to use gifts of Spirit
is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 14, in which Paul teaches
that a suitable amount of control and order are needed when
using gifts. They should not be used whenever, in any order.
A maximum of two to three people could speak at a time; if
there was nobody to explain the message spoken in tongues
then people should remain silent; prophecies had to be
assessed and tested, and the spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets.
We need more of this kind of teaching rather than banning
the entire area based on a few negative experiences:
-
(1 Cor 14:6,7, 23-33) Now,
brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall
I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by
revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by
doctrine?
7
And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or
harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how
shall it be known what is piped or harped?
23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one
place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those
that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that
you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believes
not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged
of all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and
so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report
that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every
one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a
revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to
edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by
two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let
one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence
in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other
judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the
first hold his peace.
31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all may be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as
in all churches of the saints.
Furthermore, we should take into account certain important
points when using the gift of prophecy, such as:
•
Prophecy is never the most important tool for receiving
guidance but is one tool among others. It can, at most,
confirm what we already feel inside. Usually, God puts all
important matters into our hearts first.
•
Prophesying is defective, as Paul said (1 Cor 13:9): For we
know in part, and we prophesy in part.
• A
true prophecy is for edification, exhortation, and comfort
(1 Cor 14:3). A prophecy should express the tone and love of
the Good Shepherd.
•
False prophecies touch on matters that are not the area of
true prophecies, such as donation of money, encouragement to
marry someone (even though you do not want to do so), or
business operations. If a prophecy is being used in
disputes to strengthen one's own opinion or to lift the
prophet up rather than Christ, then it is a false prophecy.
•
False prophecies often deal with devastation and destruction
or tell the day Jesus will come back (even though Matt 24:36
clearly states that we cannot know the exact date). True
prophecies can also deal with devastation and negative
issues, but always address them with a loving attitude.
•
Compulsion is characteristic of false prophets. A person is
unable to control his prophecy (cf. 1 Cor 14:32: And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets). The
speaker can bring out his/her message in an unnatural,
high-pitched voice, and with his/her facial features often
distorted.
• A
true prophetic message usually is intended to draw people
closer to God, at saving people and helping them feel God’s
grace, but false prophecies cause the opposite effect. They
may cause people to sin, get a divorce, neglect obligations,
feel fearful for no reason, become anxious, or wreck
people’s prayers and spiritual life. These are activities
that always come from the devil.
Fruits.
It
is important to see that gifts are not given based on the
maturity of people but through grace. The recipient may
still be immature or a small child in Christ, as were the
Corinthians. They had received every gift but they were
still carnal, according to Paul. This is also possible
today.
-
(1 Cor 1:7) So that you come
behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
-
(1 Cor 3:1) And I, brothers,
could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal,
even as to babes in Christ.
Gifts are not the antithesis of fruits, as people often
think. If people were to choose between the fruits of the
Spirit and gifts of the Spirit, most would probably choose
the fruits. They consider the fruits to be more permanent,
which is naturally true but this is not what the Bible
stresses. Gifts and fruits of the Spirit should complement
each other, as they did in the life of Jesus Christ. In His
service work, most gifts were at work but He also had the
fruits of the Spirit. He was in no way fanatic, angrily
enthusiastic or restless. He was quiet and humble of heart
(Matt 11:29) and his work was built on the foundation of
peace. The congregation should follow His example in
spiritual life and when using gifts. This is what we should
strive for.
There is still another matter that we should address: What
happens if we receive gifts with the wrong kind of attitude?
Power may corrupt anyone if they lack humility and have too
high an opinion of themselves. People can fall. As Paul
wrote, ”Why let him that thinks he stands take heed lest
he fall” (1 Cor 10:12). Known men of God have warned
people of the danger of success.
Reinhard Bonnke: Those who are privileged to be channels of
the gifts of the Spirit must be especially careful.
Self-exaltation is visible. Spiritual gifts are not Oscars
to be put on display; they are not Rewards for work well
done. Do not flaunt the weapons of God's power. Do not make
head ornaments, necklaces and rings out of the gifts of the
Spirit.
The guardian of the door of your heart is called Humility.
If you let that guard go, the unguarded gate will soon be
smashed, and the enemy will take over. (2)
Cesar Castellanos: I have noticed during the past few years
that gifts of the Holy Spirit in people without character
are a great danger. The Spirit has not yet developed or
moulded such people. As explained before, this is as
dangerous as giving a gun to a child: it can lead to major
chaos. We have heard of terrible tragedies caused by young
people in schools in the United States during the past few
years. We are faced with a similar situation if a gift of
the Spirit is being used by a person who does not have a
steady nature. Gifts of grace given to us by God are boons
with which we can expand His work. There will be a day,
however, when the gifts cease to be, and then the only
valuable thing will be the fruits of the Holy Spirit. (3)
Rick Joyner: Many people fall because they become less
vigilant when their spiritual authority increases. This is
one reason why so many people tragically fall at the latter
stages of their life. The number of souls we have led to
salvation or the number of demons we have driven out is of
no significance: if we do not stay with God, get closer to
Him and reject evil, we are in danger. (4)
If there are no fruits.
What if miracles happen but the person him/herself lives in
sin? Is such a person a false prophet whose gifts are not
from God? After all, Jesus did say, ”You shall know them
by their fruits” (Matt 7:16), meaning false prophets.
This does not have to be the case, at least not at first. It
may be a question of person like the king of Israel, Saul,
who first had the Holy Spirit in him but who later drifted
away from God because he failed to control his life. This
can happen to anyone. Common causes of sin include sex,
money, fame and numbers.
Demos Shakarian gives a strange example of this. Great
miracles took place through a person; people responded to
his call of salvation even though the person himself was
living in deep sin. Was he like Saul, a person who was at
first used by God, but then lost his anointment?
What was strangest about this man was that regardless of his
excess interest in money, he had been anointed: he was a
speaker inspired by God. There were more people than ever
before at our meetings that summer, most people came to the
altar and most miraculous healings took place. (...)
Finally, the last Sunday afternoon came. More than 10,000
people were crammed in the enormous tent where Bob Smith
(name changed) gave an impressive final speech. I thought
that he was a great speaker and I was happy for him because
the meetings had also raised a lot of money – he seemed to
be so worried about money...
(...) It was six weeks later when I heard about Bob Smith
the next time. One day, he walked into the headquarters of
Safety 3, skinny, unshaven and in shabby clothes. He looked
penniless in every way. He told me his long and unlucky
story, and asked for money to get to Detroit. I gave it to
him. Three years later I heard that he had passed away.
This was the first but not by any means the last time we
came to face with this phenomenon: a person through whom God
worked to help others but whose own life was in shambles.
Sometimes, as in the case of Bob Smith, the problem was
money, others struggled with women, drugs or sexual
aberrations.
Why did God choose to use such people? Was it the power of
the Bible that worked regardless of the man using the power?
Or was it the faith of those listening? I did not know. (5)
False gifts and false prophets.
When receiving gifts of Spirit or healing, the laying on of
hands can be its instrument. That's how Timothy received his
gift when Paul and the elders put their hands on him, and
through that a person can receive healing, as Jesus
mentioned in the mission commandment:
-
(1 Tim 4:14) Neglect not the
gift that is in you, which was given you by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
-
(2 Tim 1:6) Why I put you in
remembrance that you stir up the gift of God, which is
in you by the putting on of my hands.
-
(Mark 16:17,18) And these signs
shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast
out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on
the sick, and they shall recover.
However, when laying on hands, we must follow the example of
the Bible. This means that we should not allow anyone to lay
his or her hands on us but only our elders (James 5:14
Is any sick among you? let him
call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.)
or reliable people, people in whose lives the fullness and
fruits of the Holy Spirit can be seen. Yonggi Cho warned us
about what may happen if we go to people in whom false
spirits are at work. We may suffer wholly unnecessarily.
People who pray earnestly and eagerly for receiving the Holy
Spirit should not allow anyone to place their hands on them
while they pray. An evil spirit is very contagious, as are
diseases that spread like epidemics. I have seen how filthy
spirits have been transferred into people when someone who
is possessed by evil spirits has placed their hands on them.
When such a spirit gets into them, they suffer terribly
until they are freed from it. If someone wants hands to be
placed on him in prayer, he should always be sure that the
people who do this are full of the Spirit of Truth. (6)
The
warning above is important also because there are
spiritualist gifts that resemble gifts of God and these
gifts may be mediated by a person putting his or her hands
on someone. They may speak in tongues, utter so-called words
of knowledge or be clairvoyant simply because they are
connected to spirits of divination, as the damsel mentioned
in the Acts. Healing and other miracles may also occur, as
in the case of Simon the sorcerer.
The teachings and examples of the Bible about false spirits
should be taken seriously. We also need the gift of
distinguishing between spirits in order to tell the right
from the false. This is difficult to do using natural
abilities alone.
-
(Acts 8:9-11) But there was a
certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the
same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria,
giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time
he had bewitched them with sorceries.
-
(Acts 16:16-18) And it came to
pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed
with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her
masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These
men are the servants of the most high God, which show to us
the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved,
turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of
Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same
hour.
So,
there are spiritualist gifts. There are also people who
claim they work for God but who are not His own. There may
be people consciously doing this in the congregation, or
they may be people who do not know what their actual state
is. There were such people during the times of the early
congregation, and this has surely not changed. The Bible
often refers to them but also shows us what will ultimately
happen to these liars. We do not wish this fate on anyone.
-
(Matt 7:15) Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves.
-
(2 Peter 2:1-3) But there were
false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be
false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in
damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on
themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason
of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not.
-
(2 Cor 11:13-15) For such are
false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an
angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers
also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works.
-
(Rev 22:15) For without are dogs,
and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.
-
(Rev 21:7,8) He that overcomes
shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and
murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters,
and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
REFERENCES:
1. Veikko Pekki:Lisää, lisää!, p. 9,16
2. Reinhard Bonnke: Evankeliointi
tulella käynnistää herätyksen (Evangelism by Fire: An
initiative for revival), p. 201
3. Cesar Castellanos D.: Menestyvä
johtajuus G-12 solumallissa (Succesful Leadership Through
the Government of Twelwe), p. 102
4. Rick Joyner: Ennen taivasta (A
Prophetic Vision for the 21st Century), p. 187
5. John ja Elizabeth Sherrill: Maailman onnellisimmat
ihmiset (The Happiest People on Earth), p. 76,79,80
6. YonggiCho: Pyhä Henki ja sinä, p. 100
More on this topic:
Be renewed in prayer! Prayer is the key to revival. All great revivals have come forth through
enduring prayer. Read about this important topic and start praying
Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The baptism and fullness of the Holy Spirit is necessary for spiritual work.
What does the Bible say about it, and how is this important gift received?
Deception number one. Discerning of spirits or spiritual blindness? Learn how all believers may
err in their judgments, even though they may consider themselves observant
How to react to different phenomena? Are the phenomena in the church of the Holy Spirit, of man himself, or of
the devil? Internal change is one criterion
Weaknesses of the church. The church has many
weaknesses, such as a small prayer, a small commitment to human
relationships, or a lack of desire to advance the gospel
ABC of missionary work. Eternity, hell, and heaven still exist. The goal of missionary work should
be for people to be saved and to come in contact with God
Fellowship in church. Spiritual connection; on what should it be based and on what not? Mental
blindness is one of the reasons why the connection does not work
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