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.