“The Gifts of the Spirit” BIBLE REFERENCE: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-5;
ENCOURAGING WORDS:
As I navigate through my Christian walk, I have encountered many Christians that have been given different gifts of the Spirit, but with that being said, it angers me when someone that has a different gift than I do, right away assumes that because they haven’t been given that gift that I have that they won’t accept the truth that I have. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:8-11; “for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” I’m going to share with you want I believe my gifts from the Holy Spirit are. I believe that I have been given the word of Wisdom, the word of Knowledge, the discerning of spirits and the interpretation of prophecy. Two other gifts that I have been given according to others around me are the gift of encouragement and the gift of compassion. I will not claim to have the gift of healing, working of miracles, tongues or the interpretation of tongues. Now, just because I have not been given those last few gifts does not give me the right criticize someone for having a gift that I do not have. I believe people can have those gifts that I do not have and I do support their gifts by agreeing with them even though I don’t know anything about it. But I am going to tell you with pain in my heart, that I am sick of being ridiculed and mocked because I have been given the gift of understanding prophecy. Why are people that clearly understand the prophetic messages of the Bible considered some kind of wacko or nutcases? The Bible is 30% prophecy and God has put it in there for us to learn. Those that have been called by God to warn people of upcoming judgments who have been studying the prophecies of the Bible have seen Old Testament prophecies come to fruition at an accuracy rate of 100%. There is no reason to believe that the rest of the prophecies spoken of by the prophets of old will not also be fulfilled 100% as prophesied.
Even back in the days of the biblical prophets they were all mocked, laughed at, ridiculed and in many case put to death. I could go through a list of each prophet and how they were martyred for his loyalty to Gods Word. Each one went to their death declaring the truth of God’s Word. If you want to deny this or debate it, let me ask you this, would you die the torturous deaths that many of these men of God had to endure for a lie? (Not likely and neither would they have).
I’ll tell you why all the other gifts can be believed and why the gift of prophecy is usually mocked at. The gifts of wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, and the gift of tongues are gifts that can clearly be seen. We can see them happening right before our eyes. Wisdom is obvious as to how one carries on in their daily life. Knowledge in the same way is obvious because it can be backed up with actions. The gift of healing and miracles can be performed right before us in tangible (capable of being perceived especially by the sense of touch”) ways. The gift of tongues can be heard in an audio voice, even though the listener doesn’t have a clue what is being said. People will believe only what they can see, hear, touch or smell. This is also the reason that there are so many unbelievers in this world.
Discerning of spirits is one that is really needed in the dangerous and perilous times that we are now living in. The first thing to notice in 1 Corinthians 12:10 about this gift is that the “s” in the word “spirits” is with a small “s.” This means that it is not referring to the Holy Spirit. The only other spirits that are out there that this gift is referring to are the following three kinds of spirits: Demonic spirits, God’s angels, and Human spirits. What happens in this gift is that the Holy Spirit will give you supernatural discernment, insight, and knowledge involving these three kinds of spirits to certain people. Often, this gift will be used to fully expose what is really going on and operating behind the scenes with someone or something. Now, take the Discerning of spirits and mix it with those that have understanding of Bible prophecy and you get some very good insight to what is coming in the very near future if you will believe. If you do not believe then you will not understand. We read in Romans 12:3; “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” God has given each one of us a measure of faith and what we do with it will determine how much more God will give us. The more you use the measure of faith given to you, the more God will give you to further His purpose in your life. We read this verse in Mark 4: 24-25; “Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” To the average reader this may sound like a lot of double talk, but to he who is born-again into the Holy Spirit, it makes perfect sense. God will give each of us a measure of faith and depending on what we do with it, will determine how much more God will give us. If you take the measure of faith and put it under a bushel, you will lose what you have been given. We read in Matthew 5:14-16; “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; nor does it give light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” If you claim to be a born-again Christian and refuse to be a shining light unto the Lord, then what is your basis for claiming to be a born-again believer? You’re not fooling God so stop trying to fool yourself.
ACTION POINT:
With this little bit of understanding above, you may want to rethink how you feel about people revealing what is coming in the near future. The fact of the matter is this, whether you believe it or not it is not going to change what is coming. You either take it serious and be prepared or remain clueless and be caught off guard. Here is what Jesus has to say to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; “But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.” I find great comfort in this verse just as it says we should and that is what I am trying to bring to you. Comfort, not fear as most of the world is experiencing in these last days. Do you find comfort, or will you be one that will be caught unaware. The day of the Lord comes to those that are not watching and as a thief in the night, but those that are watching the signs of our times as we are instructed to do, know the time is near and we will not be caught off guard…we are ready! Are you? “Written To the glory of God, Inspired by the Holy Spirit!”
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