Testing Your Spiritual Gifts:

[Aquila]

In a way... it's boring. And in a way it's sad. So many of these people are so desperately looking for spiritual peace and healing. Eh... maybe it was just an experiment. Dumb idea.

Let's get back to debating something like dispensationalism vs. covenant theology.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Personally I don't believe God intended the gifts to be used that way, in a one man show, walking around the room with hopeful sheeple looking on expecting a sign. It's fertile ground for just that kind of psychic like reading. People are emotionally expecting and often willing to hear anything.

Sorry but I've seen way to many fakes and I am well aware of the gimicks they use AND I have experienced the genuine personally so I know this sort of stuff happens

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Here's one instance that was shockingly specific. I even emailed the conversation to a trusted friend. I was shocked at what unfolded...

Me: "I can't shake the name "Michael", "Mike", or "Mark"... or something beginning with an M. Maybe not his name but someone close. Feeling a lot of confused emotions surrounding his passing. The emotions are stable now. I'm feeling something about a child, feels like a nephew. Might be a younger sibling, but first impression wasn't one of direct blood relationship. Not very clear yet."


Karen: "is actually in Australia, but she will get back to you with some feedback as soon as she can hun ~Admin~"

Jessica: "My mum is Tracy. She is probably still sleeping right now. I will let her know you have responded. My heart smiled when I read you message!"

Tracy: "Hi Christopher, Yes his name is Michael, Mike was what loved ones called him. His dad's name is also Michael and my brothers name is Mark. There is one nephew in the family not blood related (his step sisters daughter) . There was a lot of emotions around his passing with people blaming them selves. I wont go into too much detail yet in case you can receive more info but will say it was no suicide."

All I had to go on was a picture posted by a woman I never met .... that lives in Australia. Specific enough?

Now... she thinks I'm a medium. LOL But... if God has a word for this family... I'll give it. I'm still praying.

My point exactly! How did this edify the church? How did this lead someone to Christ?

Me: "I can't shake the name "Michael", "Mike", or "Mark"... or something beginning with an M. Maybe not his name but someone close. Feeling a lot of confused emotions surrounding his passing. The emotions are stable now. I'm feeling something about a child, feels like a nephew. Might be a younger sibling, but first impression wasn't one of direct blood relationship. Not very clear yet."

That is exactly how psychic readings go. And they all claim a dead spirit guide is leading them and giving them this information.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Here's one instance that was shockingly specific. I even emailed the conversation to a trusted friend. I was shocked at what unfolded...

Me: "I can't shake the name "Michael", "Mike", or "Mark"... or something beginning with an M. Maybe not his name but someone close. Feeling a lot of confused emotions surrounding his passing. The emotions are stable now. I'm feeling something about a child, feels like a nephew. Might be a younger sibling, but first impression wasn't one of direct blood relationship. Not very clear yet."


Karen: "is actually in Australia, but she will get back to you with some feedback as soon as she can hun ~Admin~"

Jessica: "My mum is Tracy. She is probably still sleeping right now. I will let her know you have responded. My heart smiled when I read you message!"

Tracy: "Hi Christopher, Yes his name is Michael, Mike was what loved ones called him. His dad's name is also Michael and my brothers name is Mark. There is one nephew in the family not blood related (his step sisters daughter) . There was a lot of emotions around his passing with people blaming them selves. I wont go into too much detail yet in case you can receive more info but will say it was no suicide."

All I had to go on was a picture posted by a woman I never met .... that lives in Australia. Specific enough?

Now... she thinks I'm a medium. LOL But... if God has a word for this family... I'll give it. I'm still praying.

That should be a big warning sign to you, brother.

God doesn't give vague impressions and 'feelings'... he gives words of knowledge and revelation. I have never seen a genuine operation of the Spirit that went like 'I'm getting this feelin, there's someone who's name is Joe, or maybe John... there's static on the line, hold on, let me tune into the Spirit a little better...' such persons might need more tinfoil on the old antenna, knowhuttamean?

As for us being skeptical... Pentecostal people should be the most skeptical about claims of spiritual activities, just as doctors should be the most skeptical about claims of 'cancer cures' and whatnot...

[Praxeas]

what's the website?

[Esaias]

1 Cor 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth 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.

God is not in the business of solving supsicious deaths over the internet with 'impressions' and other clairvoyances derived 'from a photograph' or some such.

He is in the business of revealing men's hearts so they will REPENT AND WORSHIP GOD.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Esaias

That should be a big warning sign to you, brother.

God doesn't give vague impressions and 'feelings'... he gives words of knowledge and revelation. I have never seen a genuine operation of the Spirit that went like 'I'm getting this feelin, there's someone who's name is Joe, or maybe John... there's static on the line, hold on, let me tune into the Spirit a little better...' such persons might need more tinfoil on the old antenna, knowhuttamean?

As for us being skeptical... Pentecostal people should be the most skeptical about claims of spiritual activities, just as doctors should be the most skeptical about claims of 'cancer cures' and whatnot...

The most blunt I have ever heard someone ask someone for proof of psychic ability was when Chris Angel suddenly told Uri Geller "I'll give you a million dollars if you can tell me what I have written down in this sealed envelope.". No chance for mumbling a hundred different things hoping for a hit.

Uri couldn't do it.

[RandyWayne]

I have NEVER heard a legitimate 'word of knowledge' in my life, from anyone. I have never heard a specific prophecy give over someone -just ones that could have applied to at least a third of the people in the room.

I HAVE heard of, and experienced, the sudden need to pray for someone without knowing why. That by itself is enough of a "gift of the spirit" for me.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

I have NEVER heard a legitimate 'word of knowledge' in my life, from anyone. I have never heard a specific prophecy give over someone -just ones that could have applied to at least a third of the people in the room.

I HAVE heard of, and experienced, the sudden need to pray for someone without knowing why. That by itself is enough of a "gift of the spirit" for me.

Seriously? Do you believe the gifts as described in 1 Cor 12-14 are for today? Or are you saying you have never been in a meeting where the presence of God was demonstrably manifest?

[Esaias]

I believe a lot of times God gives someone a word for us... and that person does not know it is a 'divine word' meant for us. And a lot of times God tells us something through another, and it is nothing mysterious or anything, just common sense or perhaps it seems such a plain thing to say - and yet it speaks directly to us, in our situation, giving guidance, instruction, comfort, warning, etc...