Gifts of the Spirit
It is very difficult to explain spiritual gifts without being limited by my
own experience. For every example that I share there may be unlimited ways that
a particular gift works that was not included. Paul states: 1CO 12:4 ¶ Now
there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 12:5 And there are varieties
of ministries, and the same Lord. 12:6 And there are varieties of effects, but
the same God who works all things in all persons. We may even see
overlapping of several gifts when they are being manifested. As we near the end
of this age and the church comes forth in the power of the next age, we will be
amazed at how these gifts function far beyond what we understand now.
1) Prophesy
According to Paul the gift of prophesy is for edification, exhortation, and
consolation. 1CO 14:3 This gifting is for positive use and
doesn't include negative or a destructive element. It encourages and lifts up
the down trodden with words of hope and faith. The prophetic gifting is
different in that they can prophesy good as well as destruction. People moving
in the gift of prophesy are not necessarily called to be prophets. Conversely
one can be a prophet and not move fluently in prophesy, though they should. The
office of prophet is not just for prophesying. This will be address further
under the Prophet.
Prophesy is probably the most abused gift. Many use it to manipulate others
to do what they think is best. It is also confused with the office of a prophet
and thus creating more problems for the church as well as for the person so
gifted. Some feel that unless people listen to and do all that the prophetic
words say to do, they are missing God. Paul said that we know in part and
prophesy in part, so we cannot know what our prophetic word was sent to
accomplish. We can only assume that we know, which is different then actually
knowing. When giving a word we must give them to the person and then leave it up
the person to act or not to act upon it. We are in the wrong when we insist on
monitoring the persons life as to the word we gave. We are just a mouth piece
for the Spirit and not His enforcer. We see this principle illustrated in Paul's
life. Paul on his way to Jerusalem had many people warn him about the abuse that
he would undergo when he got there (Acts 21:4-13). You may think that Paul
missed God by proceeding to Jerusalem, especially after being warned so many
times by the Holy Spirit. We know that Paul's troubles just started in Jerusalem
and would ultimately bring him to Rome. We would miss the greater truth if we failed to look
beyond this place. The Lord told Ananias about Paul just days after his
conversion, ACT 9:15 But the Lord
said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name
before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel. The apostle Paul
was
destined to bear witness to kings and rulers and I am sure he knew that when
everyone was trying to stop him from proceeding toward Jerusalem. This word
from God was fulfilled because Paul went towards his destiny, even though it
meant hardship. It took being thrown in
prison for several years in order for Paul to fulfill his destiny. So we must
refrain from premature judgment.
We may even see the operation of different gifts while prophesying. It is not
uncommon to have words of knowledge as well as wisdom. Discernment of spirits is
another gift that often works while prophesying. We must check our motives
before prophesying and while we are prophesying. Many good people are wounded
severely because of false words.
If we bare witness with the words spoken then we must be obedient to what the
word requires and stand in faith for the word to be accomplished. If we don't
fully agree with what was spoken we should not hastily dismiss it, but pray and
wait to see if it is God. God uses people and they may not say things the way we
want to hear them, but it may still be God's word to us.
