Learn your gifts

[jediwill83]

Originally Posted by consapente89

I don't see gifts as being "used" but rather "operated in". I believe wholeheartedly in the gifts of the Spirit and their operation in the Apostolic church. However, when we see them as something to use at our whim, we tend toward showmanship. The gifts of the Spirit are for accomplishing the will of God! If someone is prophesying correctly 50% of the time, they don't need to learn how to "use their gift" better. They just need to learn how to shut up when God isn't speaking!

I have seen the gifts manifested powerfully for the purpose and will of God, and I have seen them abused for the manipulation of human emotions, almost to the point of witchcraft. The Church needs the element of the supernatural, but I'd rather be cold and lifeless than fake.

If someone is trying to operate in some supernatural work of God, yet their personal holiness and consecration is lacking, they will find themselves operating out of the flesh or another spirit. The true operation of the gifts always go hand in hand with the old paths, in my opinion.

I find it interesting that Paul rakes the Corinthians over the coals for being carnal but he doesn't sit them down and forbid the operation of the gifts until they straighten up.


In fact, he seems to encourage their use and is giving instruction to them on their use.


Could it be that the gifts were so strongly on operation with them because God was cleaning up some messes?


Ive been used before in the gifts in some intense ways when I wasnt exactly "living right"...but I didnt walk away from that experience feeling that my carnality and sin was justified because me being used in the gifts was some sort of stamp of approval from God.


It was humbling experiences that made me more aware of God...that stirring up of the gifts...it made me want to be closer to Him and it caused me to recognize how far I was and it gave me a lifeline to hold onto while I made my way back.


When what is in you flows OUT...it starts to clean off some of your mess.


You can keep adding more mess to replace what is eroded away of course but it doesnt change the nature of what is being used in you.



Ive heard it described that manifestations of "gifts" are like waves cresting...the water rises to an certain point and where it peaks...thats the gift...thats what raises you from where you are to that higher level.


The key I believe is that when we keep our mind renewed to His Word, we begin to live at the level where before we were able to only reach by riding that wave...the gifts are pullings that are trying to elevate your daily existence to where you walk and talk like Christ to where it becomes a lifestyle and not a event.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

I find it interesting that Paul rakes the Corinthians over the coals for being carnal but he doesn't sit them down and forbid the operation of the gifts until they straighten up.
perhaps Not everyone at Corinth was carnal.

In fact, he seems to encourage their use and is giving instruction to them on their use.


Could it be that the gifts were so strongly on operation with them because God was cleaning up some messes?


Ive been used before in the gifts in some intense ways when I wasnt exactly "living right"...but I didnt walk away from that experience feeling that my carnality and sin was justified because me being used in the gifts was some sort of stamp of approval from God.


It was humbling experiences that made me more aware of God...that stirring up of the gifts...it made me want to be closer to Him and it caused me to recognize how far I was and it gave me a lifeline to hold onto while I made my way back.


When what is in you flows OUT...it starts to clean off some of your mess.


You can keep adding more mess to replace what is eroded away of course but it doesnt change the nature of what is being used in you.



Ive heard it described that manifestations of "gifts" are like waves cresting...the water rises to an certain point and where it peaks...thats the gift...thats what raises you from where you are to that higher level.


The key I believe is that when we keep our mind renewed to His Word, we begin to live at the level where before we were able to only reach by riding that wave...the gifts are pullings that are trying to elevate your daily existence to where you walk and talk like Christ to where it becomes a lifestyle and not a event.

Gifts are for the purpose of edification of the believer and persuasion of the unbeliever. They are to be coveted for these purposes only. Paul addressed the Corinthian church about governing certain gifts with very common sense thoughts. We should focus on our relationship with God rather than being used in the gifts. Many men go off the deep end focusing on gifts rather that doctrine. They end up like the magicians of the king of Egypt replicating what God did through Moses. we dont need magic preachers.

[n david]

Originally Posted by consapente89

I don't see gifts as being "used" but rather "operated in". I believe wholeheartedly in the gifts of the Spirit and their operation in the Apostolic church. However, when we see them as something to use at our whim, we tend toward showmanship. The gifts of the Spirit are for accomplishing the will of God! If someone is prophesying correctly 50% of the time, they don't need to learn how to "use their gift" better. They just need to learn how to shut up when God isn't speaking!

Use vs operate -- semantics.

Operate: control the function of; perform
Use: the action of using something or the state of being used for some purpose

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by houston

Is there a scriptural precedent for people to learn how to use the gifts of the Spirit?

1 Corinthians 14:37 (ESV),

37. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

All we can learn to do is to acknowledge that Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are the commandments of the Lord and yield our members to that fact and be submissive to the Word and take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus.

There's no other way to learn how to use the charismata of God. Because we do not use or operate or administer the gift. The Lord is the One who does it all. We just have to let Him take and be in control of us however and wherever He wants whenever He wants, which is ALL THE TIME.

Anything else we might lack He will supply and teach to us. Too many people want to tell others how it seems God speaks to them, or moves on them, or urges or leads them like it's a one size fits all method. Imagine telling someone God raises the hackles on your neck whenever He allows you to discern an evil spirit and that person then thinks as long as the hairs on their neck don't stand up, it must not be a demon?

Some say they feel a pressure or a squeezing in their belly when the Lord wants them to prophesy but what if I don't ever feel that? Guess the Lord never wants me to prophesy???

This is why I think it's better to remain quiet and teach people the Word in truth and love and let Jesus sort the rest out in them when it comes to the charismata. Therefore any gift, so called, as the case might be, can be compared to the Scriptures and the moment any of it doesn't line up, it's bogus. You don't have to feel anything, or have some sense or other mystical experience to know one thing or another. You just have to point to the Bible and say "Not there", and reject it out of hand.

Like, prophecy and vocal gifts accurate 50% of the time... until you learn how to be ...more accurate? Saying that out loud... leaves a bad taste.

It would be beneficial to the one who averages 50-50 to know they are missing it half the time so they can repent, apologize, and get their partially in check flesh all the way crucified.

[houston]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

1 Corinthians 14:37 (ESV),

37. If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

All we can learn to do is to acknowledge that Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 12-14 are the commandments of the Lord and yield our members to that fact and be submissive to the Word and take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus.

There's no other way to learn how to use the charismata of God. Because we do not use or operate or administer the gift. The Lord is the One who does it all. We just have to let Him take and be in control of us however and wherever He wants whenever He wants, which is ALL THE TIME.

Anything else we might lack He will supply and teach to us. Too many people want to tell others how it seems God speaks to them, or moves on them, or urges or leads them like it's a one size fits all method. Imagine telling someone God raises the hackles on your neck whenever He allows you to discern an evil spirit and that person then thinks as long as the hairs on their neck don't stand up, it must not be a demon?

Some say they feel a pressure or a squeezing in their belly when the Lord wants them to prophesy but what if I don't ever feel that? Guess the Lord never wants me to prophesy???

This is why I think it's better to remain quiet and teach people the Word in truth and love and let Jesus sort the rest out in them when it comes to the charismata. Therefore any gift, so called, as the case might be, can be compared to the Scriptures and the moment any of it doesn't line up, it's bogus. You don't have to feel anything, or have some sense or other mystical experience to know one thing or another. You just have to point to the Bible and say "Not there", and reject it out of hand.



It would be beneficial to the one who averages 50-50 to know they are missing it half the time so they can repent, apologize, and get their partially in check flesh all the way crucified.

Excellent! Thanks.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by n david

Use vs operate -- semantics.

Operate: control the function of; perform
Use: the action of using something or the state of being used for some purpose

How about the use and operation of this gift?