TableofContents

TitleMoreTitlesbyDerekPrinceCopyrightpagePart1.TheNatureoftheGiftsChapter1.TheGiftsoftheHolySpiritChapter2.Charisma:GraceGiftsChapter3.TheManifestationoftheSpiritPart2.GiftsofRevelationChapter4.AWordofWisdomChapter5.AWordofKnowledgeChapter6.DiscerningsofSpiritsPart3.GiftsofPowerChapter7.FaithChapter8.GiftsofHealingsChapter9.WorkingsofMiraclesPart4.TheVocalGiftsChapter10.KindsofTonguesandInterpretationofTonguesChapter11.ProphecyChapter12.HowtoJudgeProphecyPart5.UsingtheGiftsChapter13.HowtoExerciseSpiritualGiftsAbouttheAuthor

MoreTitlesbyDerekPrince

AppointmentinJerusalem(withLydiaPrince)

DeclaringGod’sWord:A365-DayDevotional

DerekPrinceonExperiencingGod’sPower

DoesYourTongueNeedHealing?

EnteringthePresenceofGod

FaithtoLiveBy

Fasting

GatewaytoGod’sBlessing

God’sMedicineBottle

God’sPlanforYourMoney

God’sRemedyforRejection

God’sWillforYourLife

TheGraceofYielding

TheHolySpiritinYou

HowtoFastSuccessfully

Judging:When?Why?How?

LuciferExposed

MarriageCovenant

ProtectionfromDeception

RediscoveringGod’sChurch

Self-StudyBibleCourse,BasicEdition

Self-StudyBibleCourse,ExpandedEdition

ShapingHistorythroughPrayerandFasting

SpiritualWarfare

YouShallReceivePower

Unlessotherwiseindicated,ScripturequotationsaretakenfromtheNewKingJamesVersion,©1979,1980,1982,1984byThomasNelson,Inc.Usedbypermission.Allrightsreserved.AllScripturequotationsmarked(kjv)aretakenfromtheKingJamesVersionoftheHolyBible.Scripturequotationsmarked(nasb)arefromtheNewAmericanStandardBible®,nasb®,©1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977byTheLockmanFoundation.Usedbypermission.(www.Lockman.org)Scripturequotationsmarked(niv)arefromtheHolyBible,NewInternationalVersion®,niv®,©1973,1978,1984bytheInternationalBibleSociety.UsedbypermissionofZondervan.Allrightsreserved.AlldefinitionsofHebrewandGreekwordsaretheauthor’sexceptfordorea,chapter2,p.28.SeeStrong’sExhaustiveConcordanceoftheBible,#G1431,andNewAmericanStandardExhaustiveConcordanceoftheBible(nasc),#G1431,©1981byTheLockmanFoundation.Allrightsreserved.

TheGiftsoftheSpirit:UnderstandingandReceivingGod’sSupernaturalPowerinYourLife

DerekPrinceMinistries

P.O.Box19501Charlotte,NorthCarolina28219

www.derekprince.org

ISBN-13:978-1-60374-200-9PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica

©2007byDerekPrinceMinistries,International

WhitakerHouse1030HuntValleyCircle

NewKensington,PA15068www.whitakerhouse.com

LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataPrince,Derek.

Thegiftsofthespirit:understandingandreceivingGod’ssupernaturalpowerinyourlife/DerekPrince.p.cm.Summary:“ExploresthenatureandoperationoftheninegiftsoftheHolySpiritlistedbytheapostlePaulin1Corinthians12”—Providedbypublisher.ISBN978-0-88368-291-3(tradepbk.:alk.paper)1.Gifts,Spiritual.I.Title.BT767.3.P752007234’.13—dc222007015559Nopartofthisbookmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronicormechanical—includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem—withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublisher.Pleasedirectyourinquiriestopermissionseditor@whitakerhouse.com.

Part1

TheNatureoftheGifts

Chapter1TheGiftsoftheHolySpirit

TheNewTestamentdepictsChristianityasasupernaturalwayoflife.TobefunctioningmembersofthebodyofChrist,aswellasmoreeffectivewitnessesforHimintheworld,weneedanunderstandingoftheninesupernaturalgiftsoftheHolySpiritandtheiroperationinourlives.TheapostlePaullistedthesegiftsin1Corinthians12:

Therearediversitiesofgifts,butthesameSpirit.Therearedifferencesofministries,butthesameLord.Andtherearediversitiesofactivities,butitisthesameGodwhoworksallinall.ButthemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeachonefortheprofitofall:fortooneisgiventhewordofwisdomthroughtheSpirit,toanotherthewordofknowledgethroughthesameSpirit,toanotherfaithbythesameSpirit,toanothergiftsofhealingsbythesameSpirit,toanothertheworkingofmiracles,toanotherprophecy,toanotherdiscerningofspirits,toanotherdifferentkindsoftongues,toanothertheinterpretationoftongues.ButoneandthesameSpiritworksallthesethings,distributingtoeachoneindividuallyasHewills.(1Corinthians12:4–11)

Thesegiftsareallsupernatural.Noneofthemcouldbeexplainedbynaturaltalent,education,orability.Awordofwisdomorknowledgeisnotthekindofwisdomorknowledgethatcomesfromspendingfifteenyearsincollegeandhavingthreedegrees.ItiswisdomorknowledgethatisgivenbytheHolySpirit.Healingisnotthetypeofhealingthatisadministeredbythegeneralphysicianorthesurgeon—thoughwerespectmedicalscienceandaregratefulforit.Thisissupernaturalhealing.

TheNineGiftsoftheSpirit

LetuslookatamoreliteraltranslationofsomeofthegiftsoftheSpiritfromtheabovepassagetoprepareusforexploringeachoftheminsomedetailincomingchapters.Inverseeight,wheretheNewKingJamesVersionreads,“FortooneisgiventhewordofwisdomthroughtheSpirit,toanotherthewordofknowledgethroughthesameSpirit,”thereisactuallyno“the”intheGreek.Ithereforetranslatethesegiftsas“awordofwisdom”and“awordofknowledge.”Inverseten,“toanothertheworkingofmiracles”isliterally

“workingsofmiracles.”Bothsignificantwordsareplural.Likewise,“discerningofspirits”shouldbe“discerningsofspirits.”

Fourofthegiftsarethereforepluralinnature:(1)giftsofhealings,(2)workingsofmiracles,(3)discerningsofspirits,and(4)kindsoftongues.Recognizingthepluralnatureofthesegiftsisimportantforunderstandinghowtheyfunction.

Theninegiftsarereadilydividedintothreegroupsofthree,undertheheadingsofRevelationGifts,PowerGifts,andVocalGifts.

RevelationGifts

awordofwisdom

awordofknowledge

discerningsofspirits

PowerGifts

faith

giftsofhealings

workingsofmiracles

VocalGifts

differentkindsoftongues

interpretationoftongues

prophecy

Formanyyears,Bibleteachersandcommentatorshavelistedthespiritualgiftsingroupsofthreeforthepurposeofeasyreferenceandclassification—threegroups,witheachgroupcontainingthreegiftsormanifestations.Thisparticulargroupingisnottheonlywaywecanviewthegifts,butitisausefulwaytoarrangethemandhelpsustounderstandthemmoreclearly.

Awordofwisdom,awordofknowledge,anddiscerningsofspiritsare

revelationgifts;theyconveyrevelationwecouldnotreceiveinanyotherway.Faith,giftsofhealings,andworkingsofmiraclesaregiftsofpower—theygetthingsdone.Theycouldalsobecalleddramaticgifts;theyarethegiftsthatreallyarrestpeople’sattention.Differentkindsoftongues,theinterpretationoftongues,andprophecyarevocalgiftsbecausetheynecessarilyoperatethroughhumanvocalcords.

MinistryGiftsandSpiritualGifts

Toavoidpotentialconfusion,itisimportanttoconsidertherelationshipanddifferencesbetweentheministrygifts,whicharefoundinEphesians4:11,andtheseninegiftsoftheHolySpirit.

ThecontextforthegiftsmentionedinEphesians4:11istheresurrectedChrist,forwereadinverseseightandten:“‘Heascendedonhigh,Heledcaptivitycaptive,andgavegiftstomen.’…HewhodescendedisalsotheOnewhoascendedfarabovealltheheavens,thatHemightfillallthings.”VerseelevenspecifiesfivemaingiftstheresurrectedChristgavetohumanity:“HeHimselfgavesometobeapostles,someprophets,someevangelists,andsomepastorsandteachers.”

Letuslookatthegiftsintwoparallelcolumns:

MinistryGiftsTheGiftsoftheSpirit

Apostlesawordofwisdom

Prophetsawordofknowledge

Evangelistsfaith

Pastorsgiftsofhealings

Teachersworkingsofmiracles

prophecy

discerningsofspirits

differentkindsoftongues

theinterpretationoftongues

Thesetwogroupsofgiftsaredistinguishedfromoneanotherinthreeways.

ThePersonasGift/TheGiftGiventoaPerson

First,withtheministrygifts,thebelieverhimselfisthegiftgivenbyChristtoHischurch.Thewordingemphasizesthis:“HeHimselfgavesometobeapostles….”Hedidnotgivetosome“apostleship,”butHegavesometobeapostles.Apostles,prophets,evangelists,pastors,andteachersareJesus’ministrygiftstoHischurchbecausethechurchcanneverbewhatHeintendswithoutthem.Forexample,theapostlePaulwasJesus’gifttotheGentilebelievers.

Incontrast,withspiritualgifts,thegiftisgiventotheperson,whoisthenabletoministerittoothers.Paulwrote,“TooneisgiventhewordofwisdomthroughtheSpirit,toanotherthewordofknowledgethroughthesameSpirit…”(1Corinthians12:8).Therefore,withministrygifts,thepersonisthegift,andwithspiritualgifts,thepersonhasthegift.

TheGiftasLifework/TheGiftasBriefManifestation

Second,withaministrygift,everyaspectofthetotalministrymakesupthegift.Itislikeanathletewhorunsthemilefasterthananybodyelse.Hiswholelifecentersonrunningthemile.Similarly,forthepersonwhoisaministrygifttothechurch,hiswholelifecentersonbeinganapostle,prophet,evangelist,pastor,orteacher.PauloftencomparedChristianministrytotheactivitiesofathletesbecausethereissomuchthatisparallelbetweenthemintermsoftheneedfortraining,discipline,anddedication.Aministryisalifework.

Ontheotherhand,theninesupernaturalgiftsarebrief,dramatic,brilliant,arrestingmanifestationsthathappenandarefinished.Forinstance,apropheticutterancemaylastsecondsorminutes,anditiscomplete.Itisnotsomethingthatgoesonallthetime.Awordofwisdomoccursinafewseconds.Amansuddenlygetsarevelationthatdirectshimtodosomethingthathecouldnothaveknowntodobynaturalunderstanding.Whenthegiftofdiscerningsofspiritsisgiven,apersonmaysuddenlyseethereisaspiritofprideorlustinsomeone.Thespiritualgiftisalmostlikeaflashoflightningorathunderclap.Itisthere,andthenitisfinished.

CharacterEssential/CharacterNotaPrerequisite

Third,aministrygiftcannotbedivorcedfromaperson’scharacter.Ithastobesobecauseoftheverynatureofministrygifts;itisessentialtotheiroutworking.Ontheotherhand,withspiritualgifts,characterisnotnecessarilyinvolved.Itseemsasifitshouldbe,butthisisnotalwaysso.Itisimportantforustolearnthisorwewillbeheadedforbitterdisappointment.Sometimes,people’sfaithisevenharmedwhentheymeetsomeonewhosecharacterdoesnotseemtomatchthegiftheisexercising.

Forexample,ifapersonislazyandirresponsiblebeforehereceivesaspiritualgift,hemaybejustaslazyandirresponsibleafterreceivingthegift.Hemaystandupandprophesylikeanangel,yetkeepyouwaitingforeveryappointmentheevermakeswithyou.WhilePaulwroteinEphesians4:11,“[Christ]Himselfgavesometobe…prophets,”healsowrotein1Corinthians14:31,“Foryoucanallprophesyonebyone,thatallmaylearnandallmaybeencouraged.”Allbelieversmayexercisethespiritualgiftofprophecy.YetGodneversayswewillallbeprophets.Prophesying,initself,doesnotgiveyoutheministryofaprophet,northecharacterthatnecessarilycorrespondswithaministrygift.However,ifyoureceiveasupernaturalgift,itdoesincreaseyourresponsibility.Andaresponsiblepersonwillconducthimselfinsuchawaythatthegiftwillgotogetherwiththerestofwhathedoes.Whatwefindisthatnotallwhoreceiveagifttakethatresponsibilityorarematureenoughinthatway.

Tohelpusunderstandthisconceptbetter,thegiftsoftheHolySpiritarelikepresentsunderaChristmastree.ItdoesnottakelongtoputagiftunderaChristmastreeortoopenagift.Thesearemomentaryacts.IonceopenedaChristmaspresentandfoundIhadreceivedanelectricshoepolisher,butitdidnotmakemeadifferentpersonfromwhatIwasbeforeIreceivedtheshoepolisher.Itdidn’tchangeanypartofmycharacter.

Pleasedonotmisunderstandme.Itiscertainlynotmypurposetobelittlegifts.MypurposeisonlytopointoutthedifferencesbetweenvariouswaysthroughwhichthegraceofGod(Hisfreeandunmeritedfavor)andtheHolySpiritoperate,aswellastheirparameters.Ifwethinkmerelyexercisingaspiritualgiftmakesapersonspiritual,weshouldrememberBalaam’sdonkey.Thiswillbringusdowntoearthagain.GodmadeadonkeytalktotheprophetbecausetheprophetwouldnotlistentoGod.(SeeNumbers22:22–40.)Thelessoncanbesummarizedinthisway:Ifyouwereadonkeybeforeyouprophesied,doyouknowwhatyouwillbeafterward?Spiritualgiftsalonedonot

changenatureorcharacter.Godcanuseadonkeyasalastresort.Again,thisdoesnotbelittlethegifts,butwemustrealizetheyaregifts.

TheGiftsandFruitoftheSpirit

Anotherwaytolookatgiftsandcharacteristorealizespiritualgiftsareonething,andspiritualfruitareanother.WehaveseenthereareninegiftsoftheSpirit,andGalatians5:22–23revealstherearealsonineformsofthefruitoftheSpirit:“ThefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,longsuffering,kindness,goodness,faithfulness[“faith”kjv],gentleness,self-control.”ManyChristiansloseoutonwhatGodhasfortheminsomemeasurebyfailingtomakeaverybasic,logicaldistinctionbetweenthegiftsandthefruitoftheSpirit.IsaidearlierthegiftsarelikepresentsunderaChristmastree.WecanalsosaythedifferencebetweenthegiftsandthefruitislikethedifferencebetweenornamentsonaChristmastreeandfruitonafruittree.PuttinganornamentonaChristmastreejusttakesamoment,andtheornamentisnotactuallyapartofthetree.Yetyoucan’tplaceanappleonanappletree.Itarrivesbyaprocessofcultivation,growth,andmaturation.Youknowitisgoingtotakeaconsiderableperiodoftimeforthatappletreetobearapplesthatarewortheating.Similarly,thereisaprocessinvolvedwiththegrowthofspiritualfruit.Ithastobecultivatedbylabor,patience,andskill.

Itwouldbeabsurdtoexpectaready-madeappleororangeonatree.TheapostlePaulwrote,“Thehard-workingfarmermustbefirsttopartakeofthecrops”(2Timothy2:6).Fruitdoesnotcomeforthwithoutlabor.Ithinkthisisafactweoftenoverlook.Wespeakaboutfruitgrowingspontaneouslywithouteffort.Fruitcangrowonitsown,butintheworldmarketstodayyoucouldnotpossiblymarketanykindoffruitthatwassimplylefttogrowbyitself.Allfruitrequiresverycarefulandoftenintensivecultivationthatinvolvestimeandcare.Similarly,noonewillbringspiritualfruittoperfectionwhodoesnotcultivateit.WeshouldalsorealizethatagiftoftheSpiritwillnotbeaseffectiveasitshouldbeunlessthefruitoftheSpiritiscultivatedalongsideit.Andexercisingthegiftmayproduceachangeincharacter,eventhoughreceivingitdoesnot.

In1Corinthians13:1–2,PaulpointedoutthathavingallgiftsoftheSpiritwithoutloveisofnovaluetothepersonwhohasthem.Hisstatementsareveryinterestingbecausethegiftsmaystillbevaluabletosomebodyelse.IfIhavethe

giftofhealingandIexerciseitwithoutlove,itdoesn’tprofitmeanything,butitmayprofitthepersonwhogetshealed.OralRobertsrelatedanincidentaboutthisIhaveneverforgotten.Awomanwasbotheringhimafterameeting.Shewasoversteppingherboundsandrunningafterhim.Hetoldher,“Themeetingisclosed.Idon’tprayforpeopleprivately.”Shestucktohimsolongthat,eventually,inafitofimpatience,heputouthishandandtouchedher—andshewashealed.Eventhoughshewashealed,hesaid,“Igotnoblessingfromit;itdidn’tprofitmeanything.”Theonewhoexercisesthegiftdoesnotprofitfromitunlessitisexercisedinlove.Ihavehadsimilarexperiencesattimes.Ihavebeensurprisedattheresults,consideringhowIfelt!ButGodisgreaterthanweare.

Somepeoplesaytheydonotneedgiftsbecausetheyhavespiritualfruit.Experiencehastaughtmetoquestionjusthowmuchfruitpeoplehavewhotalklikethat.Supposesomeonesays,“Ihavelove;Idon’tneedgifts.”ThisistotallyunscripturalbecausetheBiblesays,“Pursuelove,anddesirespiritualgifts”(1Corinthians14:1).Oneoftheevidenceswearepursuingloveisthatwearedesiringthespiritualgifts.Infact,spiritualgiftsarethetoolsbywhichloveworks.Thegiftsarethemeansbywhichloveismadeeffective.Lovewithoutthegiftsisleftlargelyimpotentandfrustrated.IamsurethatlovewillneverleadabelievertorefuseGod’sgifts.Myreplytosuchaspersonwouldbe,“Whatareyougoingtodowithallyourlove?Howareyougoingtohelphumanitywithit?Youneedthegiftsforthat.”Imagineamothersittingbyhersickchildandsaying,“Honey,Iloveyou,butI’mjustgoingtosithere.I’mnotgoingtocheckyourtemperature,I’mnotgoingtogiveyoumedicine,I’mnotgoingtocallthedoctor,andI’mnotevengoingtoprayforyou.ButIloveyou.”Howmuchlovedoesthatmotherreallyhave?Shehasloveinwordbutnotindeed.

Again,oneofthemainmeansbywhichloveisenabledtoactisbythegiftsoftheHolySpirit.Forinstance,ifwewanttoedifythechurchbecausewelovethechurch,thenwewilldesirethegiftthatmostedifiesthechurch,whichisprophecy.Or,ifwelovethesick,wewilldesirethegiftsthatwillenableustoministertothesick,whicharegiftsofhealingsandworkingsofmiracles.Biblicalloveisalwaysverypractical.Itdoesnotsitaroundusingnicephrases;itdoessomething.

Wemustnotbeone-sided.Weneedbothgiftsandlove.Weneedbothgiftsandfruit.Weneedbothspiritualgiftsandministrygifts.Noneoftheseisasubstituteforanyoftheothers.Weneedallofthem.

AllBelieversHaveSpiritualGifts

Aswecontinuetoexplorethenatureofspiritualgifts,Iwouldliketoaddresscertainperspectivespeoplehaveaboutspiritualgiftsthatareconfusingandunscriptural.Thefirstisthatsomepeoplebelieveitiswrongtotalkaboutbelievers“having”spiritualgifts,asifthisindicatespride.Yetapersonhasnothingtobepridefulaboutwhenhehasreceivedagift.Inthefirstplace,aswehaveseen,itdoesnotmakehimanydifferentfromwhathewasbeforehereceivedit.Second,hehasnothingthatmakeshimanydifferentfromanybodyelseexceptthegift,anditisnotsomethingthatcamefromhimorthathewentoutandobtained.Apersoncanhaveagiftandbegratefulforitwithoutbeingpridefulaboutit.

Second,somepeopledonotthinkbelieversshouldsay,forexample,“Ihaveagiftofhealing.”Theythinkifsomeoneishealed,thepersonwhowashealedreceivedthegift.Orifprophecyismanifested,theythinktherecipientobtainedthegift.Thisperspectivecanhaveaveryconfusingeffectonpeople,andIwanttopointoutthatitisnotreallyscriptural.IfGodgivesyouormeagift,wehaveanobligationtoconfessthatHehasgivenit.Iknowmenwhoobviouslyhaveadivinegiftofhealingbutwho,inordertoavoidcontroversyorcriticism,willnotownuptoit.Theysay,“I’veneverclaimedtohaveagiftofhealing.Godheals.”ItistruethatGodheals,butHeuseshumaninstrumentsthroughwhichtoheal.

LetuslookatanumberofplacesintheNewTestamentthatspecificallystatebelievershavegifts.

FirstCorinthians12:7says,“ButthemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeachonefortheprofitofall”(emphasisadded).WiththeGreeklanguage,thetensesoftheverbsareoftenofvitalimportance.Inthisverse,theverbisthecontinuouspresenttense.“TooneisregularlygivenbytheSpiritawordofwisdom,”andsoon.Apersonwhohasthesegiftsregularlymanifeststhem.

“Havingthengiftsdifferingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous,letususethem”(Romans12:6,emphasisadded).

“EachonehashisowngiftfromGod,oneinthismannerandanotherinthat”(1Corinthians7:7,emphasisadded).

“Doallhavegiftsofhealings?Doallspeakwithtongues?Doallinterpret?”

(1Corinthians12:30).Thisisanimportantversebecauseitincludesoneofthegiftspeoplearehesitantaboutsayingtheyhave.WhenPaulwrote,“Doallhavegiftsofhealings?”heclearlymeantnotalldo,butsomedo.Otherwise,itwouldhavebeenameaninglessrhetoricalquestion.Hereisclearscripturalauthorityforbelieverstosay,“Ihavegiftsofhealings[ortheinterpretationoftongues,andsoon].Godgavethemtome.Itdoesn’tmakemeanybetterthanIwasbefore,butIhavetosay,asamatterofexperience,itisregularlymanifestedthroughme.”

“Earnestlydesirethebestgifts”(1Corinthians12:31).Ifwecouldnothavegifts,therewouldbenothingtodesire.ItisclearyouareinthewillofGodtodesiretohavegifts.

“Donotneglectthegiftthatisinyou,whichwasgiventoyoubyprophecywiththelayingonofthehandsoftheeldership”(1Timothy4:14,emphasisadded),and“IremindyoutostirupthegiftofGodwhichisinyouthroughthelayingonofmyhands”(2Timothy1:6,emphasisadded).PaulwrotetoTimothyinsuchawaythatitisabsolutelyclearheconsideredTimothytohaveacertaingift.Ifthegiftisinyou,thenyouhaveit.

“Aseachonehasreceivedagift,ministerittooneanother,asgoodstewardsofthemanifoldgraceofGod”(1Peter4:10,emphasisadded).PeterusedlanguagesimilartoPaul’s.Youcannotministerwhatyoudonothave.Firstyouhavetoreceiveit.PeterassumedallChristianswouldhavegifts,thusenablingustoministertoeachother.Realpovertyishavingnothingtocontribute.That’sthetragicconditionofprobably90percentofchurchgoingChristianswhoprofessfaithinChrist.TheyhavenotreceivedwhatGodhasmadeavailabletothem,sotheycannotgiveit.ButthisisnotthewillofGod.NobelieverinJesusChristneedstobewithouthisowndistinctivemanifestationoftheHolySpirit.“ButthemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeachonefortheprofitofall.…ButoneandthesameSpiritworksallthesethings,distributingtoeachoneindividuallyasHewills”(1Corinthians12:7,11).

Whileallbelieversaregivendistinctgifts,thisdoesnotlimittheHolySpiritfrommanifestinganygiftthroughanypersonatanytimeHewantsto,becauseallthegiftsareresidentinHim.Forexample,ifyouareinanemergencyandsomebodyisdyinginfrontofyou,youdonothavetostandthereandsay,“Idon’thavethegiftofhealing,sothereisnothingIcando.”IfyouarefilledwiththeHolySpirit,youpotentiallyhaveeverythinginHim.Thereisnothingto

preventtheHolySpiritfrommanifestingthegiftofhealingthroughyouatthatmoment.However,theScripturewouldnotjustifyyoursayingyouhavethegiftofhealingunlessitisregularlymanifestedinyourlife.Godcangiveanymanifestationthatisneededtoanyperson,butthisisnotthesameashavingthegift.WewouldnotsaythatBalaam’sdonkeyhadthegiftofprophecy.Why?Becauseithappenedononlyoneoccasion.

PaulthereforebeganandendedhislistofthegiftsoftheSpiritbyremindingusthat,asbelievers,eachoneofusisentitledtohisownspecificmanifestation(s)oftheHolySpiritinhislife.PauldoesnotsuggestthatGodrationstousjustonemanifestation.Butifweliveinourspiritualinheritance,weareentitledtoenjoythemanifestationsoftheHolySpiritinourlives.AnybelieverwhoislivingwithoutthesemanifestationsislivingbelowthelevelofGod’sprovisionforhislife.

HavetheGiftsBeenWithdrawnfromtheChurch?

Somepeopletellusthatthegiftswerewithdrawnfromthechurchafterthefirstcentury.YetPaulsaidthechurchistoexercisethegiftswhileitwaitsforthereturnoftheLordJesus.

IthankmyGodalwaysconcerningyouforthegraceofGodwhichwasgiventoyoubyChristJesus,thatyouwereenrichedineverythingbyHiminallutteranceandallknowledge,evenasthetestimonyofChristwasconfirmedinyou,sothatyoucomeshortinnogift,eagerlywaitingfortherevelationofourLordJesusChrist,whowillalsoconfirmyoutotheend,thatyoumaybeblamelessinthedayofourLordJesusChrist.(1Corinthians1:4–8,emphasisadded)

ThecloserthereturnoftheLord,themoreweneedtomanifestthegifts.ThereisnotaScriptureintheBiblethatsuggeststhesupernaturalgiftsofGod’sgracewilleverbewithdrawnfromthechurchofJesusChrist.Whenthechurch,asthebride,goestomeetJesus,theBridegroom,shewillbeadornedwiththegiftsHesenttoher.

Thereasonwhysomebelieversdonothavethesemanifestationsisthattheyhavenevertakenthevitalstepoutofthenaturalintothesupernatural.IbelievethefirstessentialstepisthebaptismintheHolySpirit,accompaniedbythe

miraculousmanifestationofspeakinginothertongues.Onceyouhaveenteredintotherealmofthesupernatural,itisthewillofGodthatyoushouldcontinuetofunctioninthatrealm.

Spiritualgiftsarenotsomethingremotefromabygoneage;neitheraretheyreservedforafewspiritualgiantsorpreachersandmissionariesinforeignlands.TheNewTestamentrevealsthegiftsaspartofthespiritualequipmentfornormalChristianlivingforbelieversthroughoutallagesuntilChristreturns.

TheUltimatePurposeofSpiritualGifts

Let’sclosethischapterbydiscussingthepurposeofthegiftsfromGod’spointofview.WeoftenmakethemistakeofviewingHispurposesandprovisiononlyfromtheperspectiveofwhattheywilldoforus.Forinstance,youhearpeoplesayingaboutthebaptismintheHolySpirit,“You’llfeelwonderfulifyougetthebaptism.”Youwillnotfeelwonderfulallthetime.Sometimesyoumayfeelworsethanyouhaveeverfeltbeforebecauseyoumaybecomeawareofproblems,needs,andspiritualforcesyouwerenotpreviouslyawareof.Othersmaysay,“It’llhelpyoutremendouslywithyourstudyoftheBible,”whichistrue.Ortheymaytellyou,“You’llhavepowertowitness.”Thisisalsoawonderfulresultofthebaptism.However,allthesereasonsforreceivingthebaptismintheHolySpiritaredirectedtowardwhatitwilldoforyou.ThegreatreasonforhavingthebaptismintheHolySpiritiswhatitwilldoforthebodyofChrist.

“[In]oneSpiritwewereallbaptizedintoonebody”(1Corinthians12:13).Why?TomakeuseffectivemembersofthebodyofChrist.ThiswillglorifyGod.TheWestminsterCatechismincludesthisstatement:“Whatisthechiefendofman?”Itis“toglorifyGod,andtoenjoyHimforever.”FewofusgraspthefactthatthesupremeendoflifeistoglorifyGod.Somebodyoncesaidtome,“Ifyoudon’texistforthegloryofGod,you’vegotnorighttoexist.”That’sthetruth.EverythingwascreatedforGod’spleasure.Whyarespiritualgiftsimportant?ItisbecausetheybringglorytoGod.

ThebookofEphesianscontainssomeabsolutelybreathtakingphrasesinregardtothis.

TheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist…[has]predestinedustoadoptionassonsbyJesusChristtoHimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureof

Hiswill,tothepraiseofthegloryofHisgrace,bywhichHehasmadeusacceptedintheBeloved.…ThatwewhofirsttrustedinChristshouldbetothepraiseofHisglory.(Ephesians1:3,5–6,12)

What’stheultimatepurposeofGodinadoptingusasHischildren?Thatwemaybefor“thepraiseofthegloryofHisgrace.”Ilikethewayoneversiontranslatestheendofversesix:“…whichhasmadeusgraciouslyfavoredinthebeloved.”Graceisheapedonus.Graceisgiventouswhenwedon’tdeserveit,makingustheobjectofGod’sspecialfavor.WearetheobjectofHisfavormorethananythingelseintheuniversebecauseofourrelationshipwithJesusChrist.

Ialsoliketheversionwepreviouslyread,“HehasmadeusacceptedintheBeloved,”becauseaboutoneinfivepeopleinAmericahasabasicproblemoffeelingrejected.Ihaveministeredtoscoresofpeoplewhosebasicproblemwasthat,becauseofsometraumaticexperienceinlife—usuallyalackoflovefromparents—theyhavegonethroughlifefeelingunwanted.

Yet,wewhoaretheleastworthy,whowerethefarthestoff,havebeenmadetheclosest.AlltherichesofGod’sfavorhavebeenheapeduponussothatweshouldbetothepraiseofthegloryofHisgracethroughouteternity.Thisiswherethegiftshaveaparttoplay.Ephesians3:10says,“TotheintentthatnowthemanifoldwisdomofGodmightbemadeknownbythechurchtotheprincipalitiesandpowersintheheavenlyplaces.”ThechurchofJesusChrististobetherevelationtothewholeuniverseofGod’swisdom.OurEnglishtranslationsays“manifoldwisdom,”buttheGreekwordisevenstronger,meaning“infinitelyvariedwisdom.”OurexerciseofthegiftsisasignificantwayinwhichGodfulfillsHispurposeofmakingknownHisinfinitelyvariedwisdombythechurch.

Inthenextchapter,wewillseemoreofthisbeautifulandvitalconnectionbetweenGod’sgraceandthegiftsHebestowsonus.

ChapterTwoCharisma:GraceGifts

TheGreekwordfor“gifts”and“gift”in1Corinthians12ischarisma.TheninegiftslistedtherearenottheonlycharismagiftsmentionedintheScriptures.WhereveracertainwordrecursinScripture,ascharismadoes,itislikeachain.IttendstoshowyoupassagesyoushouldconsidertogethertoobtainamorecompletepictureofwhatGodistryingtoreveal.Havinganunderstandingoftheotherkindsofgracegiftsenablesustoputtheninegiftsintheirproperperspective.Forexample,inthelastchapter,wesawtherelationshipbetweenthegiftsoftheSpiritandtheministrygifts.

ThewordcharismaisderivedfromthebasicGreeknouncharis.Charisisnormallytranslatedasgrace.Gracemaybedefinedas“theunmeritedfavorofGodtowardtheundeservingandtheill-deserving.”NothinginourselvespresentsanyreasonforGod’sofferoflove,mercy,andfavor.ItisHisgracethatcausesHimtodoit.

LetuslookatseveralimportantfactsaboutthenatureofGod’sgracethatalsoapplytothenatureofHisgracegifts.

TheNatureandWorkingofGod’sGrace

GraceIsFree

First,graceisfree;itcannotbeearned.ThegospelisamanifestationofthegraceofGod;itisHisfavortowardthosewhodidn’tdeserveit,butratherdeservedjudgmentandcondemnationbecauseoftheirsinandrebellion.AlthoughGoddoesfaithfullyrewardthosewhodogood,thisisnotgrace.Graceisonanaltogetherdifferentlevelthanrewardforwork.

ManyreligiouspeoplethinktheyhavetodosomethingtoearnGod’sgraceand—evenworse—mostofthemthinktheyhavedonesomethingtoearnit.Theyarewronginbothrespects.WecanneverdoanythingtoearnthegraceofGod.ThehardestthingforareligiouspersontorealizeishehasnoclaimonthegraceofGodwhatever.WecannotpleaseGodmorethanbybeingwillingtoacceptHisgracewithouttryingtoearnitorbegoodenough.

GraceIsGiventhroughGod’sSovereignty

Second,God’sgraceisHissovereignchoice.HeisabsolutelyentitledtodowhateverHedesireswithit.HedoesnotoweanyoneanaccountorexplanationoftheworkingsofHisgrace.TheLordsays,“IwillhavemercyonwhomeverIwillhavemercy,andIwillhavecompassiononwhomeverIwillhavecompassion”(Romans9:15).

GraceComesthroughJesusChrist

Third,gracehasonlyonechannel;thereisonlyonewayitcomestothehumanrace,andthatisbyJesusChrist.InJohn1:17,weread,“ThelawwasgiventhroughMoses,butgraceandtruthcamethroughJesusChrist.”GoddoesnotgivegracetoanyoneinanysituationorcircumstanceapartfromHisSon.

GraceComestotheHumble

Fourth,graceisofferedtoonlyonekindofperson:theonewhoishumble.BothJamesandPeterquotedProverbs3:34intheirepistles:“Godresiststheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble”(James4:6;1Peter5:5).Again,ifwepridefullythinkwehaveearnedGod’sgrace,wecannotreceiveit.Wemustreceiveitonthebasisofhumblyacknowledgingwehavenotearnedit.

GraceComesthroughFaith

Thereisonlyonemeansbywhichgraceisappropriated—bywhichyoucanactuallyhaveitinyourlifeandexperience—andthatisfaith.Ephesians2:8says,“Bygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves;itisthegiftofGod.”

EvenfaithisgivenbyGod.Youcannotboastofhavingfaithbecause,untilGodgaveittoyou,youdidnothaveit.GodoffersyouHisgraceonlythroughJesusChrist;itisofferedonlytothehumbleanditisappropriatedonlybyfaithinHim.

GraceIsAdministeredbytheHolySpirit

ThereisonlyoneadministratorordispenserofthegraceofGod—theHolySpirit.InHebrews10:29,Heiscalledthe“Spiritofgrace.”TheSpiritadministersGod’sgracejustasHeadministerseverythingwereceivethroughJesusChrist.

CharismathroughouttheNewTestament

Withthisunderstandingofthenatureofgrace,orcharis,weareinapositiontoseehowgraceappliestothegracegiftsorcharisma.Adding“ma”tocharistransformsitfromageneral,abstractnountoadefinite,specificnoun.Charismaisgracemadeeffective.Therefore,acharismaisaspecificform,operation,ormanifestationofthegraceofGod;itisgracemadeavailableinaparticularway.

TherearevariousplacesintheNewTestamentwherethewordcharismaisused.Letuslookatthoseinstancestogetabetterideaofthemeaningofthiswordanditsassociationssowecanapplyittotheninespiritualgifts.

CharismainRomans

WhentheapostlePaulwaswritingtotheChristiansatRome,whomhehadnotyetmetinperson,hesaid,“Ilongtoseeyou,thatImayimparttoyousomespiritualgift[charisma]”(Romans1:11).Pauldidnotspecifywhatgiftorgiftshehadinmind.Yethisuseoftheword“spiritual”immediatelyletsusknowhewasreferringtogiftsofwhichtheHolySpiritwastheadministratorthroughJesusChrist.

InthefifthchapterofRomans,thewordcharismaoccurstwice.Intheseinstances,itistranslated“freegift,”whichespeciallyemphasizesitsassociationwithgrace.PaulwascontrastingwhathappenedtothehumanracethroughthesinofAdamtowhatisofferedtothehumanracethroughtherighteousnessofJesusChrist.

Butthefreegift[charisma]isnotliketheoffense.Forifbytheoneman’soffensemanydied,muchmorethegrace[charis]ofGodandthegift[dorea]bythegrace[charis]oftheoneMan,JesusChrist,aboundedtomany.(Romans5:15,emphasisadded)

Inthisverse,Pauldirectlylinedupgraceandgift:“thegraceofGod”and“thegiftbythegraceof…JesusChrist.”TheGreekwordforthesecondinstanceof“gift”inthisverseisdorea,meaning“agratuity.”Ithastheconnotationofsomethingfreelygiven.Paulemphasizedthatthechannel,whichisonlythroughJesusChrist,“aboundedtomany.”

Andthegift[dorea]isnotlikethatwhichcamethroughtheonewhosinned.Forthejudgmentwhichcamefromoneoffenseresultedincondemnation,but

thefreegift[charisma—thefreegiftofJesusChrist]whichcamefrommanyoffensesresultedinjustification.(Romans5:16,emphasisadded)

Althoughthewordcharismaisnotactuallyusedinverse17,werecognizethespecificgiftPaulwasspeakingof.

Forifbytheoneman’soffensedeathreignedthroughtheone,muchmorethosewhoreceiveabundanceofgraceandofthegift[dorea]ofrighteousnesswillreigninlifethroughtheOne,JesusChrist.(emphasisadded)

ThefreegiftPaulwaswritingaboutisrighteousness.ItistremendouslysignificantthatthefirstspecifiedgracegiftmentionedintheNewTestamentisthisgiftofrighteousness.ItisthefirstmanifestationofGod’sgraceinthelivesofthosewhocometoHimthroughJesusChrist.GodcannotdoanythingforusuntilHehasmadeusrighteous.Righteousnessisagracegift,afreeunmeritedgift.Youeitherreceiveitasagiftoryoudonothaveit.

Next,wecometothiswell-knownverse:“Forthewagesofsinisdeath,butthegift[charisma]ofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusourLord”(Romans6:23).Again,Pauldrewadeliberatecontrastbetweenwagesandgracegifts—wagesbeingtheduerewardforwhatwehavedone.Ifyouworkfivedaysaweekatacertainfixedsalary,attheendoftheweekyouhaveearnedyourwages.That’syourduereward.Paulsaidtheduerewardforthesinswehaveallcommittedisdeath.Ifyouwantjustice,youcanhaveit,forGodisjust.ButthealternativetojusticeisHisgrace—notwhatyouhaveearned,notwhatyouaregoodenoughfor,notwhatyouhaveworkedfor,butthefree,unmeritedgracegiftofGod,whichiseternallifeinJesusChristourLord.

InRomans8:10,Paulgavetheconnectionbetweenlifeandrighteousness.“AndifChristisinyou,thebodyisdeadbecauseofsin[theold,Adamicnaturehasdied],buttheSpiritislifebecauseofrighteousness.”ThislifecomesinbytheHolySpiritbecausewearereckonedasrighteous.Godcannotgivelifetotheunrighteous.EternallifecomesinonthebasisofChrist’srighteousnessimputedtousthroughfaithinHim.

MovingontoRomans11:29,Paulsaid,“Forthegifts[charisma]andthecallingofGodareirrevocable.”WhenGodhasgivenagift,HedoesnotchangeHismind.SupposeIgaveoneofmyadultdaughtersanewcar.Ifitweretrulya

gift,IcouldnotsubsequentlywithdrawitifshedidsomethingIdisapprovedof.Otherwise,itwouldonlybeaconditionalloan.

Likewise,whenGodgivesyouandmegifts,includingthegiftsoftheSpirit,Hedoesnottakethemaway,evenifwemisusethem.Weareaccountableforwhatwedowiththem,butbecausetheyaregifts,theyarenotrevoked.ThisistruenotonlyofthegiftsofGod,butalsothecallingofGod.Ihaveknownanumberofpeoplewhohadthecallingofanevangelist.Inmanyrespects,theirliveswerealtogetheroutoforder.Theymightevenhavebeendrunksoractedinimmoralways.Yeteverytimetheywouldpreach,sinnerswouldbesaved.Youmayask,“HowcanpeoplelikethatbeusedbyGod?”ItisbecauseGodgavethemthegift,andHenevertakesawaywhatHehasgiven.Ifatanytimemyreceivingagiftisconditionalonmybeinggoodenoughtocontinuehavingit,thenitisnotagracegift.Wedonotreceiveagiftbyearningit,deservingit,orbeinggoodenoughforit.Andwekeepitunlessweourselvesdeliberatelyletitgo—whichcanhappen.YetGodneverwithdrawsit.Understandingthatacharismaisanunconditionalgiftisvitaltoourreceivingandexercisingspiritualgifts.

NoticethatPaullinedupthewordgiftwiththewordgrace.InRomans12:6–8,hewrote,

Havingthengifts[charisma,gracegifts]differingaccordingtothegrace[charis]thatisgiventous,letususethem:ifprophecy,letusprophesyinproportiontoourfaith;orministry,letususeitinourministering;hewhoteaches,inteaching;hewhoexhorts,inexhortation;hewhogives,withliberality;hewholeads,withdiligence;hewhoshowsmercy,withcheerfulness.

Paullistedsevenspecifictypesofcharisma.Thefirstisprophecy.Thesecondisministry.TheGreekwordforministrymeans“serving,”primarilyinthepracticalrealm.Itisrelatedtothewordfromwhichthetermdeaconisderived.Thisisessentiallyaformofserviceinthematerialrealmoflife.Nexthelistedteaching,exhortation,giving,andleading.TheGreekwordforgivingreferstosharing,butitmeanssharingfromourmaterialsubstance,orourfinances.TheGreekwordforleadingisproistemi,whichmeansto“besetover”or“attheheadof.”(Seealso1Thessalonians5:12;1Timothy3:4–5,12;5:17.)In1Timothy3,thereisadirectparallelbetweenamanrulinghisfamilyandamanrulingthechurch,forPaulsaid,“Abishop[“overseer”nasb]thenmustbe…one

whorules[proistemi]hisownhousewell,havinghischildreninsubmissionwithallreverence(forifamandoesnotknowhowtorule[proistemi]hisownhouse,howwillhetakecareofthechurchofGod?).”Theauthorityofafatherinhisfamily,therefore,isapatternfortheauthorityofaleaderinthechurch.

Last,wehavethegiftofshowingmercy.Ilovetoemphasizethatshowingmercyisaspecificcharisma.Notallthecharismagiftsaredramatic.Manypeoplearelookingonlyforthesensational.Millionsofpeopleinthisworldneedsomeonetoshowthemmercy.Therearemanylonelypeoplewhoarelongingforsomeonetoextendkindnesstothem.WehavereceivedGod’smercy,andwehaveanobligationtoshowHismercy.Theearlychurchregularlytookuponitselftheresponsibilityofcaringforthepoor.Mostmodernchurcheshaveacommitteeforeverythingexceptcaringforthepoor.Thisisagraceministrythatisgreatlyneglected.Butthesearealltypesofcharismathataretobeministeredbybelieversinthechurch.

Charismain1and2Corinthians

Thebookof1Corinthiansprobablyhasthelargestnumberofoccurrencesofthewordcharisma,thoughRomanscomesveryclose.First,PaulsaidtothechurchofCorinth,“Youcomeshortinnogift[charisma],eagerlywaitingfortherevelationofourLordJesusChrist”(1Corinthians1:7).To“comeshort”meanstobelackingin.

Paultoldthischurch,whichhadsomeveryseriousmoralproblems,ineffect,“I’msogladyou’renotlackinginanygift.Everycharismaismanifestedamongyou.”ThinkaboutthemanyproblemsinthischurchatCorinth.Forexample,therewasopenimmorality—amanhadtakenhisfather’swife.Yet,fromPaul’swords,wecanseethatthebelieversneverthelessallhadgracegifts.Why?Again,theydidnothavethembydeservingthem.IhavenoticedthatpeoplewhoarenotreligiousoftenhavemuchmorefaithtoappropriatethegracegiftsofGodwhentheyhearaboutthembecausetheyarenevertroubledbytryingtoearnthem;theyknowtheycannotdothat.Incontrast,good,religiouspeopleoftenfinditveryhardtoreceivegracegiftsbecausetheystillthinkinthebackoftheirmindssomewhere,I’vegottodosomethingtoearnthis.

Paul’sministrytotheCorinthiansremindsusthatreceivingagiftdoesnotnecessarilychangeaperson’scharacter.GodwantstochangeourcharactersothatwebecomelikeHisSonJesusChrist,butthatisnotthebasisonwhichwe

receivethegifts.Wedonotreceivegiftsbecausewearegood;wereceivethembyfaith.

In1Corinthians7:7–8,Paulwrote,

ForIwishthatallmenwereevenasImyself.Buteachonehashisowngift[charisma]fromGod,oneinthismannerandanotherinthat.ButIsaytotheunmarriedandtothewidows:ItisgoodforthemiftheyremainevenasIam.

WhatparticulargiftormanifestationofGod’sgracewasPaulreferringtoinhisownlife?Itwascelibacy,theabilitytoliveunmarried.Hesaid,ineffect,“IwisheverybodyhadthisgiftsotheycouldservetheLordfull-time,butIrealizenoteverybodydoes.”EverypersonhashisorherownparticularmanifestationofGod’sgracethatenableshimtodowhatGodhascalledhimtodo.Itisnotgoodforapersonwhodoesnothavethisgifttotrytoliveasifhedid.ButIwantyoutonoticethatPaulaffirmedthisasagracegift.

In1Corinthians12:4,Paulwrote,“Therearediversitiesofgifts[charisma],butthesameSpirit.”Aswenotedearlier,therearemanydifferentgifts,butitistheHolySpiritwhodispensesallofthem.Paulthenlistedninespecificgracegifts,whicharethefocusofthisbook.

FortooneisgiventhewordofwisdomthroughtheSpirit,toanotherthewordofknowledgethroughthesameSpirit,toanotherfaithbythesameSpirit,toanothergiftsofhealingsbythesameSpirit,toanothertheworkingofmiracles,toanotherprophecy,toanotherdiscerningofspirits,toanotherdifferentkindsoftongues,toanothertheinterpretationoftongues.(vv.8–10)

Alittlelater,Paulsaid,“Butearnestlydesirethebestgifts[charisma]”(v.31).Peoplecannotdesiregiftsiftheydonotknowwhatthegiftsare.PaulassumedChristianswouldbecomeacquaintedwithwhatGod’sgiftsare,withwhatisavailabletothem.Notethatwhenhesaidtodesirethebestgifts,hewasnotencouragingpride.Thegracegiftsaregivenonlytothehumble.Adesiretoreceivespiritualgifts,initself,isnotwrong.

TounderstandwhatPaulmeantbythe“bestgifts,”weneedgotoversetwenty-eight,wherehesaid,“AndGodhasappointedtheseinthechurch:firstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,afterthatmiracles,thengiftsofhealings,helps,administrations[“governments”kjv],varietiesoftongues.”Paul

specifiedeightspecificfunctionsorministriesinthechurch:apostles,prophets,teachers,miracles,giftsofhealings,helps,administrationsorgovernments,andvarietiesoftongues.Insumminguphisteaching,Paulsaidtodesirethebest.Thenwhichgiftsarethebest?

IdoubtPaularrangedthesegiftsinanorderofmerit.Idonotbelieveyoucanmakeanabsolutelistandsaythisistheorderoftheirimportance.Thebestgiftsarethosethatbestfulfillthefunctionforwhichtheyweregiven.Therefore,whichevergiftfulfillsyoursituationandcircumstancesatthetimeisthebestgift.

Acompletelydifferenttypeofcharismaismentionedinthefollowingpassage.Paulwasreferringtoacertainexperienceinhisownmissionaryministry.

Yes,wehadthesentenceofdeathinourselves,thatweshouldnottrustinourselvesbutinGodwhoraisesthedead,whodeliveredusfromsogreatadeath,anddoesdeliverus;inwhomwetrustthatHewillstilldeliverus,youalsohelpingtogetherinprayerforus,thatthanksmaybegivenbymanypersonsonourbehalfforthegift[charisma]grantedtousthroughmany.(2Corinthians1:9–11)

Paulwasreferringtomiraculousdeliverancefromextremedanger,andhecalleditagift;itwasamanifestationofGod’sgrace.Possibly,PaulwastalkingaboutthesituationatLystrawhenhewasstonedanddraggedoutofthecitybyhisenemiesandleftfordead,butthenstoodupandwalkedawayasthoughnothinghadhappened.(SeeActs14:8–20.)ThatsupernaturalinterventionofGodwasagracegift,anditcameinanswertotheprayersofmany.Itisimportanttounderstandthatasudden,dramatic,supernaturalinterventionofGod,contrarytoallwecouldnormallyexpect,isagiftgivenbyGod’sgracetomeettheneedsofaparticularsituation.

ThecontextofPaul’sremarkswouldseemtoindicatethatmiraculousinterventionnormallycomesinresponsetotheprayersofagroupratherthanasamanifestationinthelifeofaparticularindividual.AsPaulwrote,“Youalsohelpingtogetherinprayerforus,thatthanksmaybegivenbymanypersonsonourbehalfforthegiftgrantedtousthroughmany”(2Corinthians1:11).

Anotherobviousexampleofdivine,miraculousinterventioninanswertothe

prayersofagroupiswhenPeterwasbroughtoutofprisonthenightbeforehewastobeexecuted,whichisrecordedinActs12.Clearly,thisinterventionofGodmustfallinthesamecategoryasagiftbecauseitwasnotearned.ItwasthesovereigngraceofGodreachingdownatacriticalmomenttosparePeter’slife.Ifweconsidergracegiftsinthislight,manyofusmaybeabletolookbackonasupernatural,miraculousinterventioninanswertoprayerthatmeetstherequirementsofacharisma.

Charismain1and2Timothy

In1Timothy4:14,PaulgavewordsofadvicetoTimothy,whomheearliercalledhis“soninthefaith”(1Timothy1:2):“Donotneglectthegift[charisma]thatisinyou,whichwasgiventoyoubyprophecywiththelayingonofthehandsoftheeldership.”In2Timothy1:6,averysimilarexhortationwasgiven:“Iremindyoutostirupthegift[charisma]ofGodwhichisinyouthroughthelayingonofmyhands.”TimothywasapparentlyratherliabletoallowtimiditytokeephimfromexercisingthegiftGodhadgivenhim.Paulthereforefounditnecessaryineachoftheseepistlestoexhorthim,ineffect,“Donotletthatgiftliedormant;donotbecontentjusttoministerasifyoudidnothavethisparticulargift.Stiritup;useit.ItwasgiventoyoubyGodforHisgloryandtofulfillHispurposes,andyouareaccountableforwhatyoudowithit.”Likewise,weareaccountableforwhatwedowiththegracegiftsofGodinourlives.

Charismain1Peter

ThefinalinstanceofcharismaintheNewTestamentisin1Peter4:10:“Aseachonehasreceivedagift[charisma],ministerittooneanother,asgoodstewardsofthemanifoldgraceofGod.”PeterdidnotexpectanyChristiantobelackingingracegifts.Heindicatedeverybelieverwouldreceivegifts,and,onthebasisofwhattheyhadreceived,theywouldbeabletoministertoothers.

IfChristiansaregoingtominister,therefore,theymustfirstreceive.Largesectionsofthecontemporarychurchseemtohavenothingtogive.Thepreachercanpreachatthemandexhortthemtodothisandthat,butiftheyhavenothingtodoitwith,howcantheydoit?OneofthebasicproblemsoftheChristianchurchtodayisthatweareoperatinginthenatural.Wetrustineducation,background,socialenvironment,andsoforth,ratherthaninGod’sgraceandpower.IfwewouldletGodgiveusgracegifts—whichwedonothavetoearnorqualifyforwitheducation,training,orseminarybackground—wewouldbeina

positiontoministertoothers.

TheVarietyandAbundanceofGod’sGrace

Thereareatotaloftwenty-sixtypesofcharismaorgracegiftsmentionedintheNewTestament,notcountingthosethatrepeat.Wehavelookedatanumberofthem.ManyaredirectlyreferredtointheScriptures,whileothersareinferred.

1. righteousness(seeRomans5:15–17)

2. eternallife(Romans6:23)

3. prophecy(Romans12:6;1Corinthians12:10)

4. ministry[serving](Romans12:7)

5. teaching(Romans12:7)

6. exhortation(Romans12:8)

7. giving(Romans12:8)

8. leading(Romans12:8)

9. showingmercy(Romans12:8)

10. celibacy(see1Corinthians7:7)

11. awordofwisdom(1Corinthians12:8)

12. awordofknowledge(1Corinthians12:8)

13. faith(1Corinthians12:9)

14. giftsofhealings(1Corinthians12:9)

15. workingsofmiracles(1Corinthians12:10)

16. discerningsofspirits(1Corinthians12:10)

17. differentkindsoftongues(1Corinthians12:10)

18. theinterpretationoftongues(1Corinthians12:10)

19. apostle(1Corinthians12:28)

20. prophet(1Corinthians12:28)

21. teacher(1Corinthians12:28)

22. helps(1Corinthians12:28)

23. administrations[governmentskjv](1Corinthians12:28)

24. evangelists(Ephesians4:11)

25. pastors(Ephesians4:11)

26. miraculousintervention(2Corinthians1:11)

Throughoutthisbook,aswetakeanin-depthlookattheninespiritualgifts,thewordIwantyoualwaystokeepinmindisgrace—therichesofGod’sgrace,theabundanceofGod’sgrace,thevarietyofGod’sgrace.IwentintosomedetailinthischapteraboutthefrequentuseofcharismaintheNewTestamentinordertostiryouuptobelievethatGodhasanabundanceforyou,too.Godnevermadetwosnowflakesorsetsoffingerprintsthesame.Similarly,notwoChristiansareidenticalbecauseGodhasenoughgrace,gifts,variety,andabundanceforallofus.Ifyouarelivingonlimitedrationsofgrace,Godisnotrationingyou—youarerationingyourself!OpenyourheartandlifetoreceiveHisplentifulgiftsofgrace.

Chapter3TheManifestationoftheSpirit

Sincetherearetwenty-sixdistinctfacetsortypesofcharismaintheScriptures(seethecompletelistonpages38–39),thenaturalquestionis,“Whyaretheninegiftsmentionedin1Corinthians12:8–10inaspecialcategoryoftheirown?”Tousescientificterms,wecanthinkaboutthecharismaasa“genus”(aclassorcategory)andtheseninegiftsasone“species”inthatgenus.Thisleadstoasecondquestion,“Whatisthedistinguishingfeatureofthesegifts?”

Theanswermaybefoundintheversethatintroducesthelist:“ButthemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeachonefortheprofitofall”(1Corinthians12:7).Obviously,thesegiftsareforauseful,practical,profitablepurpose.Someonehassaid,“ThegiftsoftheHolySpiritarenottoys,they’retools.”YetIbelievethekeywordthatdistinguishestheseninefromallothergracegiftsis“manifestation.”Manifestationreferstoanopenrevelationtothesenses,suchastheeyeortheear.

ThephysicalbodyofthebelieverinJesusChristisatempleinwhichthepersonoftheHolySpiritdwells.TheapostlePaulsaid,“DoyounotknowthatyourbodyisthetempleoftheHolySpiritwhoisinyou?”(1Corinthians6:19).YettheHolySpiritwithinthattempleisinvisible;Hispresencecannotbeperceivedbyanyofthefivesenses.TheseninedistinctivemanifestationsoftheSpiritarethereforeevidenceoftheinvisibleSpiritdwellinginabeliever.TheyarewaysinwhichtheinvisibleHolySpiritismademanifestinthatbeliever.Everyoneofthesegiftsisperceptiblebythesensesinsomewayoranother.

JesustaughtNicodemusabouttheHolySpiritintermsofthewind:“Thewindblowswhereitwishes,andyouhearthesoundofit,butcannottellwhereitcomesfromandwhereitgoes.SoiseveryonewhoisbornoftheSpirit”(John3:8).Noneofushaseverseenthewind;itsnatureistobeinvisible.Yetweknowwhenthewindisblowingbecauseweseethethingsthewinddoes:leavescomeofftrees,thetreesallbendinaparticulardirection,thecloudsgoscurryingacrossthesky,dustswirlsinthestreets,andsoon.Thesearemanifestationsofthewind.Similarly,nooneseestheHolySpiritindwellingabeliever,butthethingstheHolySpiritdoesfromwithinthatbelieveraremanifestationsofHispresence.TheyareadistinctiverevelationthatHeisthereandoperatingin

specificways.

SomeChristianshavetheideathattheHolySpiritissosacred,invisible,andspiritualthatyoucannevergetclosetoHimorfeelorexperienceHim.Thisisnotcorrect.ItisimportanttounderstanditisscripturaltospeakaboutmanifestationsoftheHolySpirit.TheHolySpirithasdonemuchthatwasperceptibletopeople.IwouldliketoillustratethisfactfromtwopassagesintheNewTestament.

Acts2describestheeventsonthedayofPentecost,whentheHolySpiritdescendedfromheaventotakeupHisdwellingwithinthemembersofthenewlyformedchurchofJesusChristonearth.TherewereclearlymanifestationsoftheHolySpiritonthatday.

WhentheDayofPentecosthadfullycome,theywereallwithoneaccordinoneplace.Andsuddenlytherecameasoundfromheaven,asofarushingmightywind,anditfilledthewholehousewheretheyweresitting.Thenthereappearedtothemdividedtongues,asoffire,andonesatuponeachofthem.AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegantospeakwithothertongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance.(Acts2:1–4)

ThebelieverswerefilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegantospeakinotherlanguages—newlanguagestheyhadnotlearned.ItwasthesemanifestationsoftheSpiritthatdrewthegreatcrowdofpeopletohearthesermonPetersubsequentlypreached(seeverses14–40),whichbroughtthreethousandpeopletothepointoffaithinJesusChrist(seeverse41).Iftherehadnotbeenanymanifestations,noonebeyondthediscipleswouldhaverecognizedtheHolySpirithadcome.TheHolySpiritisknownthroughHismanifestations.

WhenPeterwascomingtotheclimaxofhismessage—afterhehadpreachedaboutJesus,thecourseofHisministry,Hisdeath,Hisresurrection,andHisascensionintoheaven—hesaid,

ThisJesusGodhasraisedup,ofwhichweareallwitnesses.ThereforebeingexaltedtotherighthandofGod,andhavingreceivedfromtheFatherthepromiseoftheHolySpirit,Hepouredoutthiswhichyounowseeandhear.(Acts2:32–33,emphasisadded)

ThepeopledidnotseeandheartheHolySpiritHimself,buttheysawand

heardwhatHedidinandthroughthebelieverswhomHehadcometoindwell.Itisinterestingtonotetheword“this”inversethirty-three:“thiswhichyounowseeandhear.”ThewordisactuallyusedseveraltimesinActs2.First,weread,

Whenthissoundoccurred,themultitudecametogether,andwereconfused,becauseeveryoneheardthemspeakinhisownlanguage.Thentheywereallamazedandmarveled,sayingtooneanother,“Look,arenotallthesewhospeakGalileans?Andhowisitthatwehear,eachinourownlanguageinwhichwewereborn?”(vv.6–8,emphasisadded)

Itwasthesoundthatattractedthecrowd.Soundisamanifestation;itcanberecognizedthroughthesenseofhearing.Theverseisspecificastowhatastonishedthemultitude.TheyheardtheseGalileanfishermenspeakinglanguagestheyrecognizedbutknewtheGalileansdidn’tknow,languagestheyhadneverlearnedbynaturalunderstandingoreducation.Thisisthepointatissue.

Continuingon,weread,“Sotheywereallamazedandperplexed,sayingtooneanother,‘Whatevercouldthismean?’”(v.12,emphasisadded).Whatdoes“this”referto?Itreferstothedisciplesspeakinginlanguagestheydidn’tknow.Someofthepeoplerespondedbysaying,ineffect,“Thesemenaredrunk.Whatareyoulisteningtothemfor?”(Seeverse13.)

Peterstoodupandputthemstraight:

MenofJudeaandallwhodwellinJerusalem,letthisbeknowntoyou,andheedmywords.Forthesearenotdrunk,asyousuppose,sinceitisonlythethirdhouroftheday[Noonegetsdrunkatnineo’clockinthemorning].ButthisiswhatwasspokenbytheprophetJoel….(Acts2:14–16,emphasisadded)

“This”referstothesamething,thespeakinginotherlanguages.WhatdidPetersayaboutthisspeakinginotherlanguages?“ThisiswhatwasspokenbytheprophetJoel:‘Anditshallcometopassinthelastdays,saysGod,thatIwillpouroutofMySpiritonallflesh’”(vv.16–17).HewasspeakingofthepromisedoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,predictedthroughtheprophet.Peteragainusedtheword“this”attheendofhisdeclaration:“[Jesus]beingexaltedtotherighthandofGod,andhavingreceivedfromtheFatherthepromiseofthe

HolySpirit,Hepouredoutthiswhichyounowseeandhear”(v.33,emphasisadded).

ThisincidentofthefirstoutpouringoftheHolySpiritshowsthatwhentheHolySpiritcomestoindwellthebeliever,Hewillproducemanifestationsoutofthatbelieverthatcanbeseenandheard,thatareperceptiblebythesenses.ThisisactuallytheevidenceofHishavingcome.NotewhatPaulsaidabouthisownpreachingandministryin1Corinthians:

AndI,brethren,whenIcametoyou,didnotcomewithexcellenceofspeechorofwisdomdeclaringtoyouthetestimonyofGod.ForIdeterminednottoknowanythingamongyouexceptJesusChristandHimcrucified.Iwaswithyouinweakness,infear,andinmuchtrembling.Andmyspeechandmypreachingwerenotwithpersuasivewordsofhumanwisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower,thatyourfaithshouldnotbeinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod.(1Corinthians2:1–5)

ManypeopleimaginePaulwasagreatpreacher,butthisideaiscontradictedbyScripture.Hesaid,“Myspeechandmypreachingwerenotwithpersuasivewordsofhumanwisdom.”In2Corinthians10:10,hequotedhisenemiesassayinghisbodilypresencewasweakandhisspeechcontemptible.IthinkPeterwasatremendouspreacher,butPaulwasnota“pulpitpersonality”atall.Hewasn’tatremendousorator.Howdidheproducehisresults?

Itwasn’tbytheeducationhereceivedatthefeetofthehighlyregardedJewishteacherGamaliel.(SeeActs5:34;22:3.)Paulsaid,“I…didnotcomewithexcellenceofspeechorofwisdomdeclaringtoyouthetestimonyofGod.ForIdeterminednottoknowanythingamongyouexceptJesusChristandHimcrucified”(1Corinthians2:1–2).Itwasn’tuncommonboldness.HetoldtheCorinthians,“Iwaswithyouinweakness,infear,andinmuchtrembling”(v.3).InActs18:1–11,wereadthatPaul’slifewasindangerwhenhewasinCorinth,andhewasafraid.ButtheLordspoketohiminavisionandsaid,“Donotbeafraid,butspeak,anddonotkeepsilent;forIamwithyou,andnoonewillattackyoutohurtyou;forIhavemanypeopleinthiscity”(vv.9–10).

SohowdidPaulproducehisresults?Hispreachingwas“indemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower”(1Corinthians2:4).Theword“demonstration”exactlycorrespondswiththewordmanifestationwehavebeenlookingat.ThesecretofPaul’sministrywasnotoratory,education,orevencouragebutthe

manifestationofthesupernaturalpowerofGod—thedemonstrationoftheworkingoftheHolySpiritinhislife.

Likewise,believersaretodemonstratethepoweroftheHolySpiritthroughthesupernaturalgiftsPaulenumeratedinthetwelfthchapterof1Corinthians.Paulsaidthepurposeforthisdemonstrationormanifestationis“thatyourfaithshouldnotbeinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod”(1Corinthians2:5).ThefaithofeverytrueChristianshouldnotbebasedonintellectualorphilosophicalarguments,oronseminarytraininganddegrees,thoughtheycanhavetheirplace,butonthepersonalexperienceofGod’spower.

WhenIwasamissionaryinEastAfrica,IcametoakindofcrisisinministeringtotheAfricanstudentswhomIwastrainingtobeteachers.TheysaidyestoeverythingIsaid,butIneverknewhowmuchtheyreallybelieved;theproblemwastoomuchacquiescence.OnedayIstoodinfrontofthestudentsinanassemblyandsaid,“Iwanttothankyouthatyou’resocooperativeandobedientandwillingtodowhatweask.Iknowthereasonwhy.Youreducationdependsonusandyouwanteducation;itisyourgod.”ThenIsaid,“Inthemindsofmostofyou,therestillremainsagreatbigquestionmark.”WhenIsaidthat,theybegantolookatme.“Thequestioninyourmindsisthis:IstheBibleabookforAfricansthatyoucanreadandtrust,orisitjustawhiteman’sbookthatsomebodyhasbroughtfromanothercountry,whichdoesn’treallyrelatetoAfricans?ManyofyourownAfricaneldersaretellingyouitisjustawhiteman’sbookthatyoubetternotspendyourtimetryingtoobeyortofollow.”

WhenIsaidthat,therewasquiteasilencebecauseIhadsaidtheverythingtheywerethinking.Iadded,“Iwanttotellyouonemorething.Icannotanswerthatquestionforyou.”Thatstatementsurprisedthembecausetheythoughtmissionariescouldanswerallquestions.“There’sonlyonewayyou’llfindtheanswertothatquestion,andthatisifyouhaveapersonalexperiencewiththesupernaturalpowerofGodinyourlife.Whenyouhavethatexperience,you’llknowitdidn’tcomefromBritain,anditdidn’tcomefromAmerica;itcamefromGod.”

Ididn’targuewiththem.Idismissedtheassembly,andIwentawayandprayedonthisbasis:“Lord,Yousaidwhatsoeveramansows,thatshallhealsoreap.I’vebeensowingtheWordofGodtotheseyoungpeople,andYousaidifwesowtotheSpiritweshalloftheSpiritreapeverlastinglife.I’mholdingYou

toYourWord.”(See2Corinthians9:6;Galatians6:7–8.)

Astimewenton,IcontinuedtopreachtheWordtothestudents,andIprayed.IdidnotdoanythingtocoercethemintoanytypeofacquiescencetotheChristianfaith.Aboutsixmonthslater,therewasasovereigninterventionofGodinthatcollege.Itwasquiteremarkable.Duringthehalf-termbreak,mostofthestudentswenthomeforalongweekend.Buttherewereaboutsixoreightstudentswhosehomesweresofarawaytheycouldn’tgetthereandbackintime,sotheystayedatthecollege.MywifeandIthoughtweoughttodosomethingfortheselonelyyoungmen,soweinvitedthemuptoourhometohaveacupoftea,whichwasalittleunconventionalinthatsettinginAfrica.

TheywerenotaccustomedtoaEuropeanorAmericanstyleoflivingandsocializing—sittingaroundonchairsandmakingconversation;theyhadneverexperiencedthat.So,weallsatthereratherstiffly,andweservedthemtea,andtheyalltookaboutfivespoonfulsofsugarineachcupbecausetheydidn’toftenhaveit.ThenIthought,Whatarewegoingtodowiththemnow?Isaidmaybeweshouldhaveawordofprayer.Theyobedientlykneltdowntopray,andwhenwestartedtopraysomethinghappened.Itwaslikeathunderclap.Somethingcameintothatroomandjusthitus.Everyoneofthosestudentsstartedtoprayoutloudsimultaneously.TheywereprayinginalanguageIdidnotknow,butIdonotthinkitwasothertongues;Ithinkitwastheirowntriballanguage.EventhoughwewereinaPentecostalmission,theothermissionarieslatercomplainedwemadetoomuchnoise!Butitwasadivineact.Ididnothaveanythingtodowithit.IcouldnothavedoneitifIhadstoodonmyhead.Godhadintervened.

Thateventstartedsomethingthatwentonforapproximatelyfouryears.Wehadasovereign,supernaturalmoveoftheHolySpiritinthatcollege.Aboutthreemonthslater,Iwasspeakingtothesamegroupofstudentsagain,andIreadthemActs2:17,partofwhichwepreviouslyread:“Anditshallcometopassinthelastdays,saysGod,thatIwillpouroutofMySpiritonallflesh;yoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,youryoungmenshallseevisions,youroldmenshalldreamdreams.”

Ireadthisversecarefullyandslowlyandmadesuretheyunderstooditsmeaning.ThenIsaid,“Icallyoualltorecordthateverysinglestatementthatismadeinthatversehashappenedtoyou.Ithasnothappenedtosomebodyinanothercountryoranothercollegeoranotherchurch.Ithashappenedtoyou;

you’veexperiencedit.Youreyeshaveseenit,andyourearshaveheardit.ThisisGod’stestimonytoyouthatyouarelivinginthelastdays.Now,Iamnotaskingyoutobelievesomethingthatawhitemansaidorsomethingthatisinawhiteman’sbook.Youhavefirsthandexperientialevidencethatthisistrue.”

Thatdidforthemwhatnoseriesofsermons,arguments,theologicalevidences,orseminarytrainingcouldeverhavedone.Itchangedtheirentireattitudeandbehavior,anditmadethatcollegeaplacethatwasworthlivingin.Itwasn’tanefforttogetthemtopray.Infact,wehadtostopthemfromprayingbecausetheywouldn’tgotobed!Theywouldprayallnightintheirdormitories.ThiswasasovereigninterventionofGod,anditcamethroughthemanifestationoftheHolySpirit.Whentheyreallyfoundthiswastrueintheirownexperience,wedidnothavetokeepprimingthemandproddingthemandpushingthemalong.

ThisiswhattheapostlePaulwassaying.Itisnotenoughtohavesounddoctrine,theology,education,arguments,andreasoning.TruefaithmustnotbebasedonthewisdomofmenbutonthepowerofGod.Intheselastdays,withthepowerofwickednessmountingoneveryhandandeverytypeofassaultagainstthefaithofGodandJesusChristandagainstHistruechurch,nooneisgoingtomakeitwhodoesn’thaveapersonalexperienceofGod’ssupernaturalpowerinhisorherownlife.Thisisnotaluxury—itisanecessity.TheapostlePaultreateditthatway:“Myspeechandmypreachingwerenotwithpersuasivewordsofhumanwisdom,butindemonstrationoftheSpiritandofpower,thatyourfaithshouldnotbeinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod”(1Corinthians2:4–5).

Part2

GiftsofRevelation

Chapter4AWordofWisdom

Letusnowbeginourin-depthlookattheindividualgiftsoftheSpiritwiththegiftsofrevelation,startingwithawordofwisdom.

ComparingWisdomandKnowledge

Itisworthwhiletonotethesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenawordofwisdomandawordofknowledge.First,wisdomandknowledgecannotbeseparatedintocompletelydistinctcategoriesbecausetheyarecloselyrelated.Infact,inourexaminationofallninegiftsoftheSpirit,wearenotseekingtodrawhard-and-fastlinesbetweenthem.Theyarelikethecolorsoftherainbow:violet,indigo,blue,green,yellow,orange,red.Itiseasytodiscernthedifferentcolorsinarainbow,butthereisnotonesinglepointwhereyoucansay,forexample,violetendsandindigobeginsorindigoendsandbluebegins.Theyblendintooneanother.

Thesameistrueaboutspiritualgiftsandotherspiritualmatterswearediscussing.Itisperfectlylegitimatetospeakseparatelyaboutwisdomandknowledge,buttherearealsopointswheretheymeet;youcannotalwayssaywherewisdomendsandknowledgebegins.Therearetimeswhenyoumightwonder,“Wasthatawordofwisdomorawordofknowledge?”Veryfrequently,wherethereisone,theotheralsocomesintoplay.

Yet,generally,thedifferencebetweenwisdomandknowledgeisthis:knowledgegivesusfactsandwisdomshowsuswhattodoaboutthosefacts.Ifyouhaveallthewisdomintheworldbuthavenofacts,youcannotmakemuchdirectapplicationwithit.Ontheotherhand,evenifyouknowallthefacts,unlessyouhavewisdom,youarelikelytodothewrongthingwiththem.

ThistruthisbeautifullysummedupinastatementbyKingSolomon:“Thetongueofthewiseusesknowledgerightly,butthemouthoffoolspoursforthfoolishness”(Proverbs15:2).Awisepersonusesknowledgerightly.Manypeoplehaveknowledge,buttheydon’tuseitcorrectly.Icanthinkofoneortwopeoplewhoknowmanythingsbutalwaysseemtosaythematthewrongtime.Usually,theyaretryingtoimpresspeoplewithhowmuchtheyknow,buttheirtimingandwayofpresentingitisoutofplace.Theyhaveknowledge,butthey

don’thavewisdomregardinghowtouseit.

God’sWisdomversustheWorld’sWisdom

Wemustalsorecognizethataspiritualwordofwisdomisnotthesameastheworld’swisdom.WhenIwasaprofessionalphilosopher,IthoughtIwasdealinginwisdom,yetthis“wisdom”wasintenselyconfusing.ThemoreIconfusedpeople,thecleverertheythoughtIwas—andprobablytheclevererIthoughtIwas,too.Ifyouwantconcentratedconfusion,justgotophilosophybecausethatiswhereyouwillfindit.

Yet,whenIreceivedtheLordJesusChristanddedicatedmylifetoteachingandpreachingtheWordofGod,IdiscoveredGod’swisdomisverydifferentfromwhatIwasusedto.Hiswisdomisverypracticalandtothepoint.Itisnotremote;itisdown-to-earth,anditisstatedinsimpleterms.Infact,itisfascinatingtostudytheteachingsofJesusinthisregard.IntheKingJamesVersion,inallofJesus’recordedteachings,onlyoncedoyoufindawordthathasmorethanfoursyllables.Thatwordisregeneration.MuchofHisteachingisinwordsofonesyllable,inwhichHespeaksaboutlamps,oil,light,sheep,fish,life,death,love,hate.Itisquiteremarkable,andalmostallhistorianswouldconcurthatnooneeverspokelikethisManJesus.Hiswasatotallydifferentkindofwisdom.

TheBiblecallsSolomonthewisestmanwhoeverlived,andhesummedupthenatureofwisdominEcclesiastes10:10:“Iftheaxisdull,andonedoesnotsharpentheedge,thenhemustusemorestrength;butwisdombringssuccess[“isprofitabletodirect”kjv].”Wisdomisprofitableorusefultodirect,anditbringssuccess.Wisdomisthereforedirective,whileknowledgeisinformative.

ThisversealwaysremindsmeofwhenItriedtocutdownatreewhenIwasayoungboylivinginsouthwestIndiawithmyparents.Everynowandthen,IwouldgetaspurtofenthusiasmandaskmyfatheriftherewasanythingIcoulddotocleanupthegarden.Onedayhesaid,“There’satreedownthereonthebankofthelittlestreamthatneedscuttingdown.”

Iwentoffandgottheaxandstartedtohewawayatthistree.AfterIhadexpendedaboutthirtyminutesofenergy,thetreestillstooddefiant.AllIhaddonewasgetverysweatyanddevelopblistersonmyhands.Thegardenercamealong,andhelookedatmewithasortofsmileofpity.Hetooktheaxand

sharpenedit.Thenhecockedhiseyeatthetree,lookedatthepoint,andgaveitaboutfourblowswiththeax,anditcamedown.IhavealwaysrememberedthatexperiencebecauseIhadmadetwomistakes.First,Ihadbeenusingabluntax.Second,Ihadnotbeenhittingthetreeintherightplace.Thegardener,however,usedtheknowledgeandwisdomhehadgainedtocutdownthetree.

WhenIbecameapreacher,Icametoseethat,manytimes,Iwasguiltyofthesamethinginmypreaching.Sometimespreachersusebluntaxes.Atothertimes,evenwhentheyhaveasharpax,theydonothitthetreeintherightplace.IrememberanoccasionwhenIpreachedinanAssembliesofGodchurchintheUnitedStatesandhadaweekofrathersuccessfulmeetings.IwasinvitedtopreachinaPentecostalchurchinCanada,andIamashamedtoadmitIthoughtthesameseriesofmessageswoulddo.Ibasicallywentthroughtheseries,withsomechanges,andplowedaway.Therewerenoresults.Nothing.Thelastday,Idiscoveredthat,someyearspreviously,therehadbeenatremendousriftinthatchurch.They’dhadadisputeaboutsomething,andthepeoplewhosatontheright-handsideofthechurchneverspoketothepeoplewhosatontheleft-handside—whethertheywereinchurchornot.Theywouldn’ttalktooneanothereveniftheymetonthestreet.TheprophetElijahcouldhavecomefromheavenandpreachedtothem,andnothingwouldhavehappeneduntiltheywerereconciledtooneanother.

IfIhadwaitedonGodandbeenguidedbythewisdomoftheHolySpirit,IamsureHewouldhavegivenmetherightmessage.ButallIdidwasstandthereandhewawayforaweekwithabluntax,nevercuttingthetreedownbutgettingalotofblisters.Ilearnedthehardway.

WemustremembertosharpentheaxandlettheLordshowuswheretodirectourblows.Manytimes,whenIamledbytheHolySpirit,Iwillsaysomething,andthenIwillaskmyself,“WhatdidIsaythatfor?”Butsureenough,itgotthetreedown.Peoplehaveoftencomeuptomeafterwardalmostindignantordisturbed,asking,“Doyouremembersayingthat?”Ireply,“No,Idon’tremembersayingit.Ididn’tintendtosayit.”Theyreply,“Well,thatiswhatspoketome.”TheHolySpirithadgivenittomeasawordofwisdom.

AWordofWisdomversusEverydayWisdom

Inaddition,wemustalsorealizeawordofwisdomisnotthesameaseverydaywisdomthatGodprovidesforus.Thereisaverypreciouspromisein

James1:5:“Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivestoallliberallyandwithoutreproach,anditwillbegiventohim.”Ifyoulackwisdominyourdailylifeforlegitimatetasksandresponsibilities,youcanaskandbeassureditwillbegiventoyou.TheBibledoesnothaveonegoodwordtosayaboutfoolishness.Goddoesnotwantustobefoolish,andHedoesnotwantustobefooled,either.

Ifyouarehavingdifficultyinyourjob,orifyouarefacingaparticularlifesituationwhereyourownwisdomisnotsufficient,thenyouareentitledtogotoGodandaskHimforpractical,everydaywisdom.Itwillhelpyoutodoabetterjobortohandlethesituationbetterthanyouwouldhavewithoutit.Thiswisdomwillnotnormallycomeintheformofawordofwisdom,however.Itwillcomebyagradualilluminationofyourmindinwhichyouunderstandwhatyoushoulddo.

AWordofWisdomDefined

Thenwhatisthegiftofawordofwisdom?ItisatinyportionofGod’stotalwisdomdirectlyandsupernaturallyimpartedbytheHolySpirit.“Fortooneisgiven[a]wordofwisdomthroughtheSpirit”(1Corinthians12:8).

Godhasallwisdom.But,fortunatelyforyouandme,Hedoesnotgiveittousallatoncebecauseitwouldcompletelysubmergeus.Thisgiftisgivenbysupernaturalmeansbecausetheresultswouldnotbeavailablebynaturalmeans.ItisimpartedbytheHolySpiritinawaywecouldnotgetforourselves.

ManifestationsofaWordofWisdominScripture

LetusreviewsomespecificexamplesfromtheNewTestamentwherethisgiftofwisdomwasinoperation,beginningwiththeministryofJesusandthenmovingontoexamplesfromtheearlychurch.Wewilllookatthewaythegiftwasusedandthekindofresultsitproduced.InJesus,wefindthefiveministrygiftsperfectlydemonstrated.Hewastheperfectapostle,prophet,evangelist,shepherd,andteacher.AsHeoperatedintheseministries,thevarioussupernaturalgiftsoftheHolySpiritwerealsodemonstratedtotheirperfectioninHim.

WordsofWisdomaboutFishandMen

ThefirstexampleisfromLuke:

When[Jesus]hadstoppedspeaking,HesaidtoSimon,“Launchoutintothedeepandletdownyournetsforacatch.”ButSimonansweredandsaidtoHim,“Master,wehavetoiledallnightandcaughtnothing;neverthelessatYourwordIwillletdownthenet.”Andwhentheyhaddonethis,theycaughtagreatnumberoffish,andtheirnetwasbreaking.Sotheysignaledtotheirpartnersintheotherboattocomeandhelpthem.Andtheycameandfilledboththeboats,sothattheybegantosink.WhenSimonPetersawit,hefelldownatJesus’knees,saying,“Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord!”Forheandallwhowerewithhimwereastonishedatthecatchoffishwhichtheyhadtaken;andsoalsowereJamesandJohn,thesonsofZebedee,whowerepartnerswithSimon.AndJesussaidtoSimon,“Donotbeafraid.Fromnowonyouwillcatchmen.”(Luke5:4–10)

Thisincidentisobviouslysupernatural.First,Jesus,whowastrainedasacarpenter,wasabletotellanexperiencedfishermanwheretoputdownhisnetsforacatch.Petermadehislivingatfishing,whichissufficientproofhewasfairlygoodatit.HehadfishedallnightatacertainplaceontheLakeofGennesaretbuthadcaughtnothing.Jesushadcomeintheearlymorningandpreachedtothecrowdsontheshore.AttheendofHismessage,Hesaid,“Simon,launchoutandletdownyournets.”Peterreplied,“Lord,thisisn’tthetimeofdaytofish.Besides,wehavealreadyfishedhereandthereweren’tanyfishtocatch.”Yetnoticewhatheadded:“NeverthelessatYourwordIwillletdownthenet.”

Jesusgavehimawordofdivine,directivewisdomregardingwheretofish.Whenhefollowedthatword,hecaughtsomanyfishthenetbroke;evenwiththehelpofhispartners,JamesandJohn,whoalsohadaboat,theycouldnotgetallthefishintotheboats,andtheirboatsbegantosink.

TheeffectthisexperienceproducedinPeterwastremendousspiritualconviction.HefelldownatJesus’kneesandsaid,“Departfromme,forIamasinfulman,OLord!”(Luke5:8).Convictionisoneoftheresultsoftheexerciseofatrue,supernaturalwordofwisdom.Ihaveseenthegiftsofawordofwisdomandawordofknowledgeproducesimilarconviction.ThesuddenrealizationthatGodknowseverything,thatthereisnothinghiddenfromHim,

canbreakdownthestubborn,proudheartofasinnerinaremarkableway.

Thiswordofwisdomnotonlyhadanaturalapplication—thecatchingoffish—butitalsohadaspiritualapplication.ImmediatelyafterPeter’sdeclaration,Jesustoldhim,“Donotbeafraid.Fromnowonyouwillcatchmen”(v.10).IftheyneededJesustogivethemdirectivewisdomasfishermentocatchfish,howmuchmorewouldtheyneeddirectivewisdomfromHimwhentheybegantopreachto“catch”souls?Inthisincident,therefore,weseeanimportantillustrationofawordofwisdom.Peterreceiveddirectionregardinghowandwheretofish,withabroaderapplicationofhowandwherePeter,James,andJohnwouldpreachthegospel.

ItwasthisdemonstrationofJesus’supernaturalwisdomthatmadethesemenwillingtoleaveeverythingandfollowHim.“Sowhentheyhadbroughttheirboatstoland,theyforsookallandfollowedHim”(v.11).TheymusthavefeltthatifthisManhadtheanswerstothatdegreeinthephysicalrealm,itwassafetofollowHim.

AWordofWisdomaboutTransportation

ThenextillustrationisfromMatthew21:1–7.TheScripturesaysthatwhenJesusandHisdisciplesarrivedatthesummitoftheMountofOlives,nearJerusalem,

Jesussenttwodisciples,sayingtothem,“Gointothevillageoppositeyou,andimmediatelyyouwillfindadonkeytied,andacoltwithher.LoosethemandbringthemtoMe.Andifanyonesaysanythingtoyou,youshallsay,‘TheLordhasneedofthem,’andimmediatelyhewillsendthem.”Allthiswasdonethatitmightbefulfilledwhichwasspokenbytheprophet,saying:“TellthedaughterofZion,‘Behold,yourKingiscomingtoyou,lowly,andsittingonadonkey,acolt,thefoalofadonkey.’”SothediscipleswentanddidasJesuscommandedthem.Theybroughtthedonkeyandthecolt,laidtheirclothesonthem,andsetHimonthem.

ThiswasthebeginningofJesus’triumphalrideintoJerusalem,whichwecelebrateonPalmSunday.ItisimportanttoseethiswasdoneinfulfillmentofOldTestamentprophecy,whichisquotedinthispassage.(SeeZechariah9:9.)ThroughtheScriptures,andbytheSpiritofGod,JesusknewGod’sprogramforthatday.Heknewtherewastobeadonkeyandadonkey’scoltforHimtoride

on.Then,bytherevelationoftheHolySpirit,Heknewwheretheycouldbefound,sothatHecoulddirectHisdisciplesthere.

Mostpeoplewouldnotallowyoutotakeawaytheirdonkeyandcoltjustbecauseyousaid,“TheLordhasneedofthem.”Yetthiswasdivine,directivewisdom,andGodhadpreparedtheowners’heartstoreceiveit.Weseethattheresultsofthiswordofwisdomweretoopenheartsandmeetapracticalneed.

IwanttoemphasizethiswordofwisdomaroseoutofJesus’knowledgeofScripture,andthataknowledgeofScriptureisbasicinrevelationgifts.

AWordofWisdomaboutMinistry

Inournextexample,averyurgentpracticalproblemwassolvedbyawordofwisdom.Acts6relatesadisputethatthreatenedtodividetheearlychurchintoJewishChristianswhospokeAramaicorHebrew(the“Hebrews”),andJewishChristianswhospokeGreek(the“Hellenists”):

Nowinthosedays,whenthenumberofthediscipleswasmultiplying,therearoseacomplaintagainsttheHebrewsbytheHellenists,becausetheirwidowswereneglectedinthedailydistribution.Thenthetwelvesummonedthemultitudeofthedisciplesandsaid,“ItisnotdesirablethatweshouldleavethewordofGodandservetables.Therefore,brethren,seekoutfromamongyousevenmenofgoodreputation,fulloftheHolySpiritandwisdom,whomwemayappointoverthisbusiness;butwewillgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayerandtotheministryoftheword.”(Acts6:1–4)

ThefirstpriorityinspiritualmattersisprayerandtheministryoftheWordofGod,towhichthetwelveapostleswerecalled.Practicalmattersareimportant,buttheyaresecondary,anditisnotGod’swillthatthosewhoarecalledtotheministryoftheWordandprayershouldgetsidetrackedbyhavingtosupervisepracticalministries.TheHolySpiritthereforegavetheapostlesawordofwisdom.Theyweretostaywiththeirprimaryministry,andtheotherbelieversweretonominatefromamongthecongregationsevenmenwhomtheapostlescouldappointtooverseethedistributionofcharitablegifts.

Acts6:5givesusthepeople’sresponsetothiswordofwisdom:“Andthesayingpleasedthewholemultitude.”Thisisanotherresultofawordofwisdom.

God’speopleimmediatelysay,“That’sit!Thataddressestheproblem;thisiswhatwehavetodo.”Wordsofwisdomsolvedisputes,problems,andquandaries,andtheybringunanimity.

Thechurchchosesevenmentooverseethedistributiontothewidows.“ThenthewordofGodspread,andthenumberofthedisciplesmultipliedgreatlyinJerusalem,andagreatmanyofthepriestswereobedienttothefaith”(v.7).Thiswouldnothavehappenediftheyhadnotsolvedthepracticalproblem,becausetherewouldhavebeencontinuingdivision,frustration,andjealousy—andthemovingofGod’sSpiritwouldhavebeenhindered.Wecanseethat,althoughthiswasapracticalproblem,italsohadimportantspiritualramifications,whichweremetbyawordofwisdom.

WordsofWisdomaboutaRoadandaChariot

InActs8,wehaveanexamplefromtheministryoftheapostlePhilip,whowaslatercalledPhiliptheevangelist.ThisexampleinthespiritualrealmexactlyparallelstheincidentinthephysicalrealminwhichJesustoldthediscipleswheretofish.

NowanangeloftheLordspoketoPhilip,saying,“AriseandgotowardthesouthalongtheroadwhichgoesdownfromJerusalemtoGaza.”Thisisdesert.Sohearoseandwent.Andbehold,amanofEthiopia,aeunuchofgreatauthorityunderCandacethequeenoftheEthiopians,whohadchargeofallhertreasury,andhadcometoJerusalemtoworship,wasreturning.Andsittinginhischariot,hewasreadingIsaiahtheprophet.ThentheSpiritsaidtoPhilip,“Gonearandovertakethischariot.”SoPhiliprantohim,andheardhimreadingtheprophetIsaiah,andsaid,“Doyouunderstandwhatyouarereading?”(Acts8:26–30)

ThebackgroundtothisstoryisthatPhilipwasinthemidstofatremendousmoveofGodinthecityofSamaria.Multitudesofpeoplehadbeenconverted,andmanymiracles,wonders,andsignshadtakenplace.Suddenlyanangelcamewithamessage,“GodownontheroadthatleadsfromJerusalemtoGaza.”Thisstretchofroadwasdesert.Therewasnocongregationandapparentlynoonetopreachtointhedesert.Whatwasthepurposeofgoingthere?YetPhilipdidnotquestionitandwasobedient.Ashetraveledthisroad,hecameacrossaeunuchinachariot.ThiseunuchwasatopgovernmentofficialfromthecountryofEthiopia,andwasalsoadevoutJewishconvert.HehadtraveledtoJerusalemto

worshipandwasreadingthebookofIsaiahoutloudashejourneyedbacktohishomecountry.

TheHolySpirittoldPhiliptogouptothechariot.Philipwasreceivingdivinedirection.Bythisguidance,GodplacedPhilipwithinearshotofthepersonHewantedhimtoreach.ThewholethinghadbeenpreparedbyGod,andthemanwasjustlongingtoknowtheanswertowhathewasreadinginthefifty-thirdchapterofIsaiah,thegreatprophecyabouttheatonementofJesusChrist.AndPhilipwasabletoexplaintohimthewayofsalvation.

ThisstoryaboutPhilipremindsmeofanincidentthathappenedtoawomanwhomIknowwell.ShewassittingintheAtlantaairportwhenshesawayoungmanwhomwewouldperhapscategorizeasahippie.Hewaswearingbrightpurpleclothes.ShegotthestrongesturgetosaytohimwhatPhilipsaidtotheeunuch,“Doyouunderstandwhatyou’rereading?”Shefoughtthisurgeforquiteawhileandthought,Thisisnonsense.Eventually,sheyieldedtotheHolySpiritandsaidtotheyoungman,“Doyouunderstandwhatyou’rereading?”

Hewasn’treadinganythingatthatmoment,butherquestiongotthemintoconversation.HewasfromNewEngland,andhisparentswerewealthyandrespectablepeople,buthehadbecomedesperatetofindthemeaningoflife,tofindsomethingthatwasn’tphonyorsuperficial,andhehadrunawayfromhome.Hegotinwithagroupofhippiesandwentthroughthevariousexperiencestheyoftengothrough.Hedecidedhewasn’tgettinganywhereandlefttolivesomewhereinthewildernessforatimewithpracticallynothingbutthebarestessentialsoflife.HetooknothingwithhimtoreadexcepttheNewTestament.WhilehewasouttherereadingtheNewTestament,eventhoughhesincerelydesiredtofindthetruth,hecouldnotfigureoutwhatitwasallabout.YetreadingtheNewTestamenthadmadesuchanimpactonhimthathedecidedhemustgohomeandbereconciledtohisparents.Theonlycleanclotheshehadwerethosepurpleones,sotherehewasintheAtlantaairportinhispurpleattirewaitingtocatchaplanebacktoNewEnglandandstilltryingtofindthemeaningoflife.

Becausethewomanhadaskedifheunderstoodwhathewasreading,heeventuallyopenedupandbegantotellherallabouthisstruggletounderstandtheNewTestament.Shewasabletoexplaintohimbrieflytheplanofsalvation.ItreallywasjustlikeanincidentfromthebookofActs.Theresultoftheword

ofwisdomwasthesame—theyoungmanhadanopenheart.OutofallthepeopleintheAtlantaairport,therewasonepersonwhoneededtobeapproachedatthatmoment.Noone,inthenatural,couldhaveknownwhothatwas.Butbythisdirectivewordofwisdom,thewomanwasledtotalkwithexactlytherightperson.

AWordofWisdomaboutPeopleGodWantedtoSave

InActs10,wehaveanotherexamplethatshowshowmuchthisgiftofwisdomisusedtodirecttheservantsoftheLordconcerningwhenandwheretogointheirministries.ARomancenturionnamedCornelius,wholivedinthecityofCaesareaandwasadevoutbelieverinGod,hadreceivedavisitationfromanangel,whotoldhimtosendmentoJoppaforSimonPeter.Whilethemenwereontheirway,

Peterwentuponthehousetoptopray,aboutthesixthhour.Thenhebecameveryhungryandwantedtoeat;butwhiletheymadeready,hefellintoatranceandsawheavenopenedandanobjectlikeagreatsheetboundatthefourcorners,descendingtohimandletdowntotheearth.Initwereallkindsoffour-footedanimalsoftheearth,wildbeasts,creepingthings,andbirdsoftheair.Andavoicecametohim,“Rise,Peter;killandeat.”ButPetersaid,“Notso,Lord!ForIhavenevereatenanythingcommonorunclean.”Andavoicespoketohimagainthesecondtime,“WhatGodhascleansedyoumustnotcallcommon.”Thiswasdonethreetimes.Andtheobjectwastakenupintoheavenagain.(Acts10:9–16)

PeterwasbeingdirectedbyGodagainsthisownnaturalwill,inclination,background,andtrainingtogotothehouseofaGentileandbringhimthemessageofthegospel.AfterarrivingatCornelius’shouse,hesaid,“YouknowhowunlawfulitisforaJewishmantokeepcompanywithorgotooneofanothernation.ButGodhasshownmethatIshouldnotcallanymancommonorunclean”(v.28).

ThisspiritualinsightandPeter’sagreeingtogowithCornelius’smessengersweretheresultofthedirectionhereceivedfromGod.WhilePeterspoketoCornelius,alongwithhisfamilyandfriends,theHolySpiritfellonthem,andtheyspokeintonguesandpraisedGod.Theresultwasatremendous,new

additiontothechurchofJesusChrist.ButthewisdomthatpavedthewayforitwasgiventhroughasupernaturalwordfromGodintheformofavisionPeterreceivedduringprayer.

AWordofWisdomaboutLawversusGrace

InActs15,thewholechurchinJerusalemcametogethertodebateaverycriticalproblem—whatshouldberequiredoftheGentileconvertswhowerebeginningtofloodintothechurch?

CertainmencamedownfromJudeaandtaughtthebrethren,“UnlessyouarecircumcisedaccordingtothecustomofMoses,youcannotbesaved.”Therefore,whenPaulandBarnabashadnosmalldissensionanddisputewiththem,theydeterminedthatPaulandBarnabasandcertainothersofthemshouldgouptoJerusalem,totheapostlesandelders,aboutthisquestion.…AndwhentheyhadcometoJerusalem,theywerereceivedbythechurchandtheapostlesandtheelders;andtheyreportedallthingsthatGodhaddonewiththem.ButsomeofthesectofthePhariseeswhobelievedroseup,saying,“Itisnecessarytocircumcisethem,andtocommandthemtokeepthelawofMoses.”Nowtheapostlesandelderscametogethertoconsiderthismatter.Andwhentherehadbeenmuchdispute….(Acts15:1–2,4–7)

PaulandBarnabashadbeenoutontheirfirstmissionaryjourneyandhadseenwonderfulresultsamongtheGentiles.Godhadworkedwiththemsupernaturally,andtherehadbeenmanymiracles,healings,andconversions.YetwhentheycamebacktoJerusalemwiththisreport,someoftheJewswhowerebelieversinJesusChristbutPhariseesbybackgroundsaid,ineffect,“IftheseGentileswanttobecomeChristians,theyhavetocomeunderthelawofMosesandbecircumcised.”ThedecisionastohowtheyweretotreatGentileconvertswhowerecomingintothechurchinvolvedfundamentalquestionsofthenatureofsalvationthroughJesusChrist.

TheyfirstheardPeter,whoremindedthemofwhathadhappenedwhenGodsupernaturallydirectedhimtothehomeofCornelius:

God,whoknowstheheart,acknowledgedthembygivingthemtheHolySpirit,justasHedidtous,andmadenodistinctionbetweenusandthem,purifyingtheirheartsbyfaith.(Acts15:8–9)

Next,weread,“ThenallthemultitudekeptsilentandlistenedtoBarnabasandPauldeclaringhowmanymiraclesandwondersGodhadworkedthroughthemamongtheGentiles”(v.12).Inotherwords,PaulandBarnabasweresayingGodhadbornesupernaturaltestimonytotheirministrytotheGentiles,andyoucannotresistwhatGodisdoing.Thisdidnotsettlethequestion,however.

After[PaulandBarnabas]hadbecomesilent,Jamesanswered,saying,“Menandbrethren,listentome:Simon[Peter]hasdeclaredhowGodatthefirstvisitedtheGentilestotakeoutofthemapeopleforHisname.Andwiththisthewordsoftheprophetsagree,justasitiswritten:‘AfterthisIwillreturnandwillrebuildthetabernacleofDavid,whichhasfallendown;Iwillrebuilditsruins,andIwillsetitup;sothattherestofmankindmayseektheLord,evenalltheGentileswhoarecalledbyMyname,saystheLordwhodoesallthesethings.’KnowntoGodfrometernityareallHisworks.”(vv.13–18)

Jamesfollowedhiscommentswithadirectivewordofwisdom,butletusnoticefirstthathebasedthatwisdomonhisknowledgeofOldTestamentScripture.(SeeAmos9:11–12.)Again,awordofwisdomalwaysgoeshandinhandwithaknowledgeoftheWordofGod.HereisJames’swordofwisdom:

ThereforeIjudgethatweshouldnottroublethosefromamongtheGentileswhoareturningtoGod,butthatwewritetothemtoabstainfromthingspollutedbyidols,fromsexualimmorality,fromthingsstrangled,andfromblood.(Acts15:19–20)

Thiswordofwisdomincludedfoursimplerequirementsandbroughtcompleteunanimitytotheassembledchurch.

Thenitpleasedtheapostlesandelders,withthewholechurch,tosendchosenmenoftheirowncompanytoAntiochwithPaulandBarnabas[withthismessage].(v.22)

Themessagewasthis:

ForitseemedgoodtotheHolySpirit,andtous,tolayuponyounogreaterburdenthanthesenecessarythings:thatyouabstainfromthingsofferedtoidols,fromblood,fromthingsstrangled,andfromsexualimmorality.Ifyoukeepyourselvesfromthese,youwilldowell.(vv.28–29)

Notehowremarkablethiswas.TheremusthavebeenmanythousandsofJewishbelieversgathered,sincethismeetinginvolvedthewholechurchinJerusalem.Considerthenumberofpeoplepresentwhowerebitterlyopposedonthismatter.Neithersidewasgoingtogivein.Andyet,thedivine,directivewordofwisdomcameinandsettledit.Theseopposingsidescametocompleteunanimity.Therewaspeace,calm,unity—andspiritualprogress.Therestofthechaptersaysthegospelmovedonvictoriously.Thisisaclearexampleofhowimportantawordofwisdomis.

AWordofWisdomaboutLocation

AfinalexampleofawordofwisdomdirectingministryisduringPaul’ssecondmissionaryjourney.HeandSilashadgoneintowhatisknowntodayasAsiaMinor.TheyhadfinishedgoingthroughtheareathatPaulandBarnabashadcoveredinthefirstmissionaryjourney,andtheywerewonderingwheretogoonfromthere.

NowwhentheyhadgonethroughPhrygiaandtheregionofGalatia,theywereforbiddenbytheHolySpirittopreachthewordinAsia.AftertheyhadcometoMysia,theytriedtogointoBithynia,buttheSpiritdidnotpermitthem.SopassingbyMysia,theycamedowntoTroas.AndavisionappearedtoPaulinthenight.AmanofMacedoniastoodandpleadedwithhim,saying,“ComeovertoMacedoniaandhelpus.”Nowafterhehadseenthevision,immediatelywesoughttogotoMacedonia,concludingthattheLordhadcalledustopreachthegospeltothem.(Acts16:6–10)

Thisisremarkable.TheprovinceofAsia,whichisonthewesterncoastofAsiaMinor,wasinthedirectiontheywereheading,buttheHolySpirittoldthemnottogothere.JesushadtoldHisfollowers,“Gointoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoeverycreature”(Mark16:15).Andheretheywere,tryingtogototheprovinceofAsia,andtheHolySpiritsaidno.ThentheythoughttheywouldgonorthtothesouthernshoreoftheBlackSea,Bithynia,buttheHolySpiritsaidno.Whatweretheytodo?Theymovednorthwest,andGodshowedthemtheyweretogotoMacedonia,wheretheysawatremendousmoveofGod.

TheyexperiencedthismoveofGodbecausetheyweredirectedbyHimtogothere.Thedoorwasopen,theheartsofthepeoplewereopen,andthewaywaspreparedforthem.Noticetheyhadtobesufficientlyobedienttoaccepttheanswerofnotwice,andittookquiteawhiletogettoTroas.Allthattime,they

werewalkinginfaith.ThencamethevisionwiththemanpleadingwiththemtocometoMacedonia,whichwasinwhatistodaythenorthernpartofGreece.ThismarksthefirsttimethegospelwasbroughtfromAsiaMinortoEuropeproper.Thiswasoneofthemostcriticaltransitionsinthehistoryofthechurch.PaulandSilascouldneverhavehadanyideahowchurchhistorywasgoingtounfoldinthenextnineteencenturies.YettheoneplacewherethegospelwaspreservedandfromwhichitwasultimatelysentforthagaininmissionaryenterprisewasEurope.

Insummary,awordofwisdomisassociatedwithaknowledgeofScripture,andwhenitismanifestedinaccordancewiththewillofGod,itcommonlyproducestheseresults:conviction,openhearts,unanimity,opendoors,andspiritualprogress.

TimingIsEssential

Letusnoteonefinalpointaboutwisdom.LateroninPaul’ssecondmissionaryjourney,hedidgotothecityofEphesus,whichisthechiefcityoftheprovinceofAsia.There,hehadpossiblythegreatestandmostdramaticresultsofhisentireministry.Yet,previously,theHolySpirithadsaidnottogothere.Wemustrealizethattimingisessential.PaulwastogotoAsia,butnotatthetimeheoriginallywantedto.Ihaveseenthousandsofdollarswastedandpreciouslivesfrustratedonthemissionfieldbypeoplebeingintherightplaceatthewrongtime.Theylackeddivine,directivewisdom.Solomongraspedtheimportanceoftimingandwrotethesefamiliarwords:

Toeverythingthereisaseason,atimeforeverypurposeunderheaven:atimetobeborn,andatimetodie;atimetoplant,andatimetopluckwhatisplanted;atimetokill,andatimetoheal;atimetobreakdown,andatimetobuildup.(Ecclesiastes3:1–3)

Howdoweanswerthequestion,Dowebreaksomethingdown,ordowebuildsomethingup?Itdependsonthetime.Doweplantordoweharvest?Itdependsonthetime.Youcannotalwayssayabsolutelyyesorabsolutelynotoaquestionconcerningwisdom.Thetimefactorisdecisive.Whorevealstherighttime?TheHolySpirit.AndonemainwayHedoessoisbythedirectivewordofwisdom.

Chapter5AWordofKnowledge

AWordofKnowledgeDefined

Inthelastchapter,IdefinedawordofwisdomasatinyportionofGod’stotalwisdomimpartedbytheHolySpirit.Awordofknowledgehasaparalleldefinition.ItisatinyportionofGod’stotalknowledgesupernaturallyimpartedbytheHolySpirit.“Toanother[a]wordofknowledge[isgiven]throughthesameSpirit”(1Corinthians12:8).

Likeawordofwisdom,supernaturalknowledgedoesnotcomebynaturalreasoning,education,ortrainingbutdirectlybytheHolySpirit,anditisoperatedonlyunderGod’scontrol.Icannothaveawordofknowledgemerelybytheexerciseofmywill.Imayneedknowledge,andImaybeopentoreceivingitfromGod,butwhetherHegivesitisultimatelyinHishands.

ManifestationsofWordsofKnowledgeinScripture

LetuslookatsomeexamplesofwordsofknowledgeintheNewTestament.WewillagainbeginwiththeministryofJesusHimselfbecause,oncemore,Jesusistheperfectpattern.

WordsofKnowledgeaboutCharacterandLocation

ThebackgroundtothisfirstexampleisthatPhiliphadinvitedNathanaeltomeetJesus,whomPhilipsaidwastheMessiah.WhenNathanaellearnedJesuscamefromNazareth,hecouldscarcelybelieveanythingasgoodastheprophesiedMessiahcouldcomefromthattown.NathanaelwasthereforebroughttoJesusinaverydubious,questioning,rathercriticalattitudeofmind.

JesussawNathanaelcomingtowardHim,andsaidofhim,“Behold,anIsraeliteindeed[“trueIsraelite”niv],inwhomisnodeceit!”(John1:47)

NotethatJesusreferredtohimasatrueIsraelite.WhatqualitymadehimarealIsraelite?Therewasnodeceitorguileinhim.Mostofuswouldagreethatisaveryunusualthinginaperson.LetusconsiderwhyJesusmayhavemadethis

statement.TheforefatheroftheIsraeliteswasIsrael,whosenamewasoriginallyJacob.Jacobmeans“supplanter”or“cheat.”ThiswasessentiallyJacob’scharacter.YetafterGodhaddealtwithhimformanyyears,hehadanencounterwiththeLordinwhichhisnamewaschangedtoIsrael,whichmeans“heshallbeaprincewithGod.”ThebasisofthatchangewasgettingthecrookednessoutofJacob.Therefore,anybodywhoiscalledanIsraeliteshouldhavehadthecrookednesstakenoutofhim.AndJesussaidofNathanael,“HereisarealIsraelite.There’snodeceitinhim.”

Nathanael’sresponsewas,inessence,“Youhavenevermetmebefore.HowdoYouknowwhatkindofapersonIam?”“Jesusansweredandsaidtohim,‘BeforePhilipcalledyou,whenyouwereunderthefigtree,Isawyou’”(John1:48).Jesushadnotseenhimbynaturalsight,butbyavisionorrevelationoftheHolySpirit.PerhapsNathanaelhadbeenprayingunderthefigtree.Tohisamazement,whathethoughtwasaprivatemomentwasknowntoJesus.Notehisreaction.“NathanaelansweredandsaidtoHim,‘Rabbi,YouaretheSonofGod!YouaretheKingofIsrael!’”(v.49).Heexperiencedimmediate,intenseconviction.Thisresultissimilartotheresultwesawwithawordofwisdom.

Ihaveobservedthegiftofawordofknowledgeinoperationmanytimes,andIhavenoticeditnormallyproducesthisresult.Itisoftenmanifestedinhealingservices.Whenapreachercantellapersontheexactnatureandlocationofhispainorsicknesswithoutanynaturalmeansofknowing,itimmediatelyproducesconviction.ItalsoveryoftenproducesfaithbecausepeoplerealizeifGodknowswhattheproblemis,thenHecanhealit.Manytimes,therefore,awordofknowledgeisusedasatooltobringfaithintooperationforhealing.

AWordofKnowledgeaboutPersonalHistory

Asecondillustrationofawordofknowledgeisthewell-knownstoryofJesus’meetingwiththeSamaritanwomanatthewell.Hebeganbyaskingherforadrinkofwater.Shewassurprised,theygotintoconversation,andHebegantospeaktoheraboutlivingwaterthatwouldnothavetobedrawncontinuouslyfromawell.Letuscontinuetheirconversationfromthatpoint.

ThewomansaidtoHim,“Sir,givemethiswater,thatImaynotthirst,norcomeheretodraw.”Jesussaidtoher,“Go,callyourhusband,andcomehere.”Thewomanansweredandsaid,“Ihavenohusband.”Jesussaidtoher,“Youhavewellsaid,‘Ihavenohusband,’foryouhavehadfivehusbands,andtheone

whomyounowhaveisnotyourhusband;inthatyouspoketruly.”ThewomansaidtoHim,“Sir,IperceivethatYouareaprophet.”(John4:15–19)

ThewomanknewperfectlywelltherewasnonaturalmeansbywhichJesuscouldhaveknownthesedetailsofherpast.WhenHespokethem,herdefenseswereimmediatelybrokendown,andshesaid,“You’reaprophet.”

Ihadanexperiencerelatedtothis.IwaspreachinginastreetmeetinginLondon,England,andIwastalkingabouttheSamaritanwomanandthelivingwaterthatJesusgives.Igottothispointinthestory,andIwasgrippedbythefactthatifyouwantthelivingwater,youhavetoputyourliferight.Ispokeabouthowthiswomanwantedthelivingwater,butshedidn’twanttodealwiththefactthatshewaslivingwithamanwhowasnotherhusband.Iemphasizedthispoint,andtherewasayoungwomantherewhobecamesofuriouswithmeshealmostassaultedme.Why?Shehadrunawayfromherhusbandandwaslivingwithanotherman.Ofcourse,Iwasn’tspeakingaboutherlifewiththesameclaritywithwhichJesusspoketothewomanatthewell.Yetevencomingascloseasthatimmediatelyproducedconvictioninthewoman.

AWordofKnowledgeaboutDishonesty

OnepersonwhodefinitelymanifestedthegiftofawordofknowledgewastheapostlePeter.Itwasveryevidentinhisministry.InActs5,wefindaverystartlingincidentintheearlychurchinwhichhisgiftwasmanifested.Thebackgroundofthesituationwasthat,atthistimeinthelifeoftheearlychurch,believersweresellingtheirlandandotherpossessionsandbringingthemoneytotheapostlesfortheworkofthechurchandtheministry.

ButacertainmannamedAnanias,withSapphirahiswife,soldapossession.Andhekeptbackpartoftheproceeds,hiswifealsobeingawareofit,andbroughtacertainpartandlaiditattheapostles’feet.(Acts5:1–2)

Iwanttopointouttheirsinwasnotkeepingbackpartoftheprice.Itwaspretendingtheyhadgiventhewholeamount.

ButPetersaid,“Ananias,whyhasSatanfilledyourhearttolietotheHolySpiritandkeepbackpartofthepriceofthelandforyourself?Whileitremained,wasitnotyourown?Andafteritwassold,wasitnotinyourowncontrol?Whyhaveyouconceivedthisthinginyourheart?Youhavenotliedtomenbutto

God.”ThenAnanias,hearingthesewords,felldownandbreathedhislast.Sogreatfearcameuponallthosewhoheardthesethings.Andtheyoungmenaroseandwrappedhimup,carriedhimout,andburiedhim.Nowitwasaboutthreehourslaterwhenhiswifecamein,notknowingwhathadhappened.AndPeteransweredher,“Tellmewhetheryousoldthelandforsomuch?”Shesaid,“Yes,forsomuch.”ThenPetersaidtoher,“HowisitthatyouhaveagreedtogethertotesttheSpiritoftheLord?Look,thefeetofthosewhohaveburiedyourhusbandareatthedoor,andtheywillcarryyouout.”Thenimmediatelyshefelldownathisfeetandbreathedherlast.Andtheyoungmencameinandfoundherdead,andcarryingherout,buriedherbyherhusband.Sogreatfearcameuponallthechurchanduponallwhoheardthesethings.(vv.3–11)

IfIhadbeenthere,greatfearwouldhavecomeuponme,I’lltellyou.Thinkofthepower!Thesetwopeoplejustcouldn’tliveinthepresenceofthesupernaturalknowledgeoftheHolySpirit.HowmanypeoplearetryingtocheatGodtodaybypretendingtobebetterandtogivemorethantheyreallydo?

ThiswasacautionaryjudgmentofGod.ItdoesnotmeanHedealswitheveryhypocritelikethis,butitshowswhatGodthinksofhypocrites.Hisopiniondoesnotchange,thoughHismethodofdealingwithhypocrisyisnotalwaysthesame.Thisisreallytheonlywaythechurchcanbekeptpure.Somechurcheshaveastatementoffundamentalsofwhattheybelieve,andtheyaskpeopletoacknowledgetheiracceptanceofit.AnaniasandSapphirawouldprobablyhavesaidamentoeveryfundamental.Yetherewassomethingtheycouldnotgetaround.Theywerelying,butthesupernaturalknowledgeofalmightyGodrevealedit.TheHolySpiritinPeterknewwhatPetercouldnothaveknown,andhesaid,inessence,“Youhaven’tbeenlyingtome.You’vebeenlyingtotheHolySpirit.”

WearedealingwithalivingGod.TheBiblesays,“AllthingsarenakedandopentotheeyesofHimtowhomwemustgiveaccount”(Hebrews4:13).TheproblemwithmostchurchmembersistheydonotrealizetheyaredealingwithGodHimself.Theythinktheyaredealingwiththechurchboard,thedeacons,orthepastor.Youcanfoolanypreachersomeofthetime.YetthereisonePersonnoneofuseverfools,andthatisGod.

AWordofKnowledgeaboutaChosenServantofGod

InActs9,wefindanotherexampleofawordofknowledge.SaulofTarsuswasonhiswaytoDamascustoimprisonandcondemnthosewhobelievedinJesusinthatcity.AsSaulnearedDamascus,theLordJesusstoppedhimontheroadwithabrightlight,andthenrevealedHimselftohim.Saulwasstruckblind,andhehadtobeledbythehandintothecity.

AbelievernamedAnaniaslivedinDamascus.Hewasn’tanapostle,andhewasn’tanevangelist.TheBiblejustcallshima“disciple”(Acts9:10).SomepeopledonotbelieveGodgivesgiftsandrevelationstoanybodyexceptpreachers,missionaries,andotherChristianleaders.ButhereweseeGodgaveawordofknowledgetothisdiscipleAnanias.

NowtherewasacertaindiscipleatDamascusnamedAnanias;andtohimtheLordsaidinavision,“Ananias.”Andhesaid,“HereIam,Lord.”SotheLordsaidtohim,“AriseandgotothestreetcalledStraight,andinquireatthehouseofJudasforonecalledSaulofTarsus,forbehold,heispraying.AndinavisionhehasseenamannamedAnaniascominginandputtinghishandonhim,sothathemightreceivehissight.”(vv.10–12)

AnaniaswasgivenSaul’sexactnameandaddress,andhewasabletoknowwhatSaulhadseeninavision.Notethattheknowledgehereceivedalsoincludedadirectivewordofwisdom:ifAnaniaswenttoSaulandlaidhishandsonhim,hewouldreceivehissight.

AtfirstAnaniaswasunwillingtogo.HeprotestedtotheLordthatthismanhadcometoDamascustopersecutetheChristians.ButtheLordpersuadedhim.“Go,forheisachosenvesselofMinetobearMynamebeforeGentiles,kings,andthechildrenofIsrael”(Acts9:15).HisobedienceresultedinSaul’sbeingbroughtintofullnessoffaithinJesusChrist.ItwasacrucialmomentinGod’sdealingswiththeearlychurch.BecauseAnaniascouldgotoSaulandsay,withknowledgeandwisdom,“BrotherSaul,theLordJesus,whoappearedtoyouontheroadasyoucame,hassentme”(v.17),Saul’sheartwasopenedtothetruth.SaulbecametheapostlePaul,evangelizedmuchoftheGentileworld,andwrotealargeportionoftheNewTestament.

AWordofKnowledgeforConfirmation

Inthepreviouschapter,welookedatapassageinActs10asanexampleofawordofwisdom.PeterwasdirectedbyavisiontopreachtotheGentilesin

Caesarea.Noticethatthiswisdomwasfollowedbyawordofknowledge.AsIsaid,thesetwogiftsoftenworktogether.AfterPeterhadthevision,themenfromthehouseofCorneliusinCaesareaarrivedatthegateandwereknocking.Peterwasstillontherooftop,wherehehadbeenpraying,ponderingthevision.Weread,

WhilePeterthoughtaboutthevision,theSpiritsaidtohim,“Behold,threemenareseekingyou.Arisetherefore,godownandgowiththem,doubtingnothing;forIhavesentthem.”ThenPeterwentdowntothemenwhohadbeensenttohimfromCornelius.(Acts10:19–21)

BeforePeterknewthroughnaturalmeansthatthemenwerethere,orwhohadsentthem,theHolySpirittoldhim.Thiswordofknowledgeservedasconfirmationforthevisionhehadpreviouslyreceived.Atthispoint,GodhadtoputagreatdealofpressureonPetertogethimtogoandpreachtoCorneliusbecauseitwascontrarytohiswholenature,background,andupbringingtogotothehouseofaGentile,muchlessbringhimthegospel.Therefore,awordofwisdomwasfollowedbyawordofknowledge,andthewordofknowledgeservedasconfirmationofthewordofwisdomthathadpreviouslybeengiven.

MywifeLydiatoldmeaboutanincidentthatoccurredinJerusalembeforeshemetme.TherewasriotingandwarbetweentheArabsandJews,andGodrevealedtoherasituationofgreatdanger.Inanightvision,shesawbloodonthebottomstepofthestairsthatleddownfromherfrontdoor.Shewasleadingbythehandoneofthelittlegirlsshewastakingcareof—whobecameouradopteddaughter,Anna—andsheliftedheroverthispoolofblood,whereamanhadbeenkilled.Whenshesawthisinthevision,sheprayed,“Lord,Idon’tknowwhatisgoingtohappen.ButifI’mgoingtobeinthatsituation,bewithmeandprotectus.”Abouttwodayslater,exactlywhatshehadseeninthevisionhappened,andtheyweresafe.ConfirmationsuchasthisletsabelieverknowGodalreadyknewaboutthesituation,Hewaswiththem,andHetookthemthrough.

AWordofKnowledgeforPreparation

InActs20,whilePaulwasonhiswaytoJerusalem,hemetwiththeeldersoftheEphesianchurch.Hetoldthemvariousbelieversinthechurcheshehadstoppedtovisitduringhisjourneyhadreceivedwordsofknowledgeabouthim

fromtheHolySpirit.Paulsaidtothem,

Andsee,nowIgoboundinthespirittoJerusalem,notknowingthethingsthatwillhappentomethere,exceptthattheHolySpirittestifiesineverycity,sayingthatchainsandtribulationsawaitme.(Acts20:22–23)

Wedonotknowthedetails,butineverycitywherePaulhadmettogetherwithbelievers,theHolySpirithadwarnedhimthat“chainsandtribulations”wereawaitinghiminJerusalem.

IhadasimilarexperiencewhenIwaspreachinginDenmarkafterwehadreturnedfromEastAfrica.IhadacertainmessageIfelttheLordhadgivenme,whichwasthattheharvesthourwasathandanditwasthetimefortheharvest.Ipreacheditinthreeorfourdifferentcongregationsoveroneweekend.Theremarkablethingwasthat,ineverycongregation,whenIfinishedthatmessage,itwasfollowedimmediatelybyanutteranceinanunknowntongueandtheinterpretationintheDanishlanguagebearingtestimonybytheHolySpirittothetruthofwhatIsaid.Thepeopleinthosecongregationswerequitedifferent,andtheydidnothaveanydirectcontactwithoneanother.Yetineverycongregation,theHolySpirit,throughthegiftsoftheSpirit,boretestimony.Iwantyoutoknowthesethingsstillhappentoday.

AsPaulcontinuedhisjourneytoJerusalem,hereachedthecityofCaesarea.Thiswasalmostthelaststageofthejourney.InActs21,wereadthatPaulreceivedanotherrevelationthroughaprophetnamedAgabus.

Andaswestayedmanydays,acertainprophetnamedAgabuscamedownfromJudea.Whenhehadcometous,hetookPaul’sbelt,boundhisownhandsandfeet,andsaid,“ThussaystheHolySpirit,‘SoshalltheJewsatJerusalembindthemanwhoownsthisbelt,anddeliverhimintothehandsoftheGentiles.’”(Acts21:10–11)

Herewasyetanotherwordofknowledgealongthesamelines.“YourownpeoplearegoingtobindyouandbetrayyouintothehandsoftheRomans,theGentiles.”NoticehowgracioustheHolySpiritis.IfweareprisonersofGod,weareprisonersoflove.TheHolySpiritdidnotcauseAgabustobindPaul’shandsandfeetbuttobindhisownhandsandfeet.Paulhadtheoptionofwhetherhewouldstepintothatpositionornot.Itwasuptohisfreewill.

IalsowanttopointoutsomethingthatperhapsyouwouldnotrealizeifyouarenotfamiliarwithJewishculture.TheultimatebetrayalforaJewistobetrayafellowJewintothehandsofGentiles.Thatisabsolutelythelastandlowestacttheywouldcommit.AndtheultimatebetrayalwaswhenJesuswasbetrayedintothehandsoftheRomans.

WhenLydiaandIwereinJerusaleminl947–48,therewereJewishterroristsatwork,andtheywerebrutal.Theywouldshootpeopledowninthestreets,refusetoletanybodyhelpthem,andwatchthemdie.Iamnottakingsidesaboutthis,but,inmanycases,respectableJewishcitizensknewwhothesepeoplewerebutsaidnothingaboutit.TheywouldneverbetraythemintothehandsoftheBritishoranyotherGentile.Unlessyouhavethisbackground,youcannotappreciatewhatitmeantforPaultohearthathewouldbebetrayedbyhisownpeopletotheRomans.

WhatwastheresultofPaul’sbeinggiventhiswordofknowledgeseveraltimesalonghisroutetoJerusalem?Itwasthepreparationofhisownheart.Thereisaproverbthatsays,“Forewarnedisforearmed.”Hewasbeinggivenmentalandspiritualpreparationforthetremendousordealthatlayaheadofhim.

ResultsofaWordofKnowledge

Letusthensummarizetheresultsthatarefrequentlyproducedbyawordofknowledge.Themostconspicuousresultisthatitbringsconvictionofthetruth.Second,itconfirmssomethingGodhasperhapsbeenshowingusbysomeothermeans.Third,incertaincircumstances,itpreparesusforwhatistocome.

Chapter6DiscerningsofSpirits

Discerningsofspiritsisthethirdinthecategoryofthegiftsofrevelation.“Toanother[isgiven]discerning[s]ofspirits”(1Corinthians12:10).Letusconsiderbrieflythemeaningofdiscernment.

DiscernmentDefined

Theworddiscernmaybedefinedas“torecognizeanddistinguishbetween.”Whileknowledgeistheimpartationofafact,discernmentisaformofdirectperception.Theresultmaybethesame,butthemeansisdifferent.

Discernmentcancomeindifferentways.Attimes,itmaycomeasavisionwhereyouactuallyseesomethingthatisnotthereinthenatural.LetuslookattwoveryobviousexamplesofthisintheScriptures.

First,JohntheBaptistsawtheHolySpiritdescendinguponJesusasadove.Otherpeoplewhowerepresentapparentlydidnotseethis,butJohnwasgivenspiritualdiscernment.(SeeJohn1:32–34.)Second,inthebookofRevelation,theapostleJohnwasgrantedavisionofthreeuncleanspiritslikefrogscomingoutofthemouthofthedragon,thebeast,andthefalseprophet.(SeeRevelation16:13–14.)Ihavemetmanypeoplewhohaveseenevilspiritsintheformofanimals,suchasfoxes,mice,bats,snakes,andfrogs.Thisisnottosaytheanimalitselfistheevilspirit,butthisishowitisrevealed.Theseareexamplesofpeopleseeingclearvisionsofwhatisnotthereinthenatural.

YetIthinkdiscernmentisnotcommonlygiventobelieversthroughsuchvisions.Itusuallycomesintheformofapersonseeingwhatisthereinthenatural,butseeingitwiththeunderstandingoftheHolySpirit.

ThisishowIexperiencethegiftofdiscernmentmostoften.Iseepeopleastheyoutwardlyappear,butsomehowIalsoseesomethingsignificantaboutthem.Forexample,agoodfriendofmine,averywonderfulman,cametomeforhelpbecausehewasacompulsivesmoker.Heloathedit,andhewantedtobefreeofit,buthecouldnot;hewasenslavedbyit.Ihadtriedeverythinginthebooktohelphimandhadapproacheditfromeveryangle,butmyhelpneverlasted.Hewouldgetfreeforacoupleofweeksandthengobacktoit.Onedayhephonedandsaid,“I’mflyingin.”Hewascominghalfwayacrossthecountry,

soIthoughtIhadbettercomeupwithananswer.Ididn’tknowanythingmoretodo,soIsaid,“Let’sgooutandtalk.”Wewentandsatinarestaurant,andhebegantotellmeabouthisboyhoodandthingsIhadnotknownabouthim.Hehadgottentiredofhismother’sreligionandhadrunawayfromhome.Ashewastellingmethis,somethinglookedoutatmefromwithinhimandsortofsaid,“Doyouseeme?”AndIsawsomethingIhadneverseenbefore,becauseinthenatural,hewasawell-behaved,polite,courteousman.Yetalittledemonofrebellionhadbeentheresincehisearlyboyhood.Thatnight,wecastoutthatdemon,andthesmokingproblemwassolved.Thesmokingwasjustabranchonthetrunk,butthetrunkwasrebellion.

Thereisthereforeawayofseeingpeoplethatisnotavisionandyetenablesyoutoseewhatisimportanttoaproblemorsituation.Discernmentisveryuseful.Sometimes,itisalsoratherfrighteningandattimesalmostembarrassingtoknowwhatyouwishyoudidn’tknow.Wehavetobepreparedforthis.

CultivatingDiscernment

Hebrews5:14containsaveryimportantfactaboutdiscernmentthatisalsotrue,invariousrespects,aboutallthegifts.

Solidfoodbelongstothosewhoareoffullage[mature,grownup],thatis,thosewhobyreasonofusehavetheirsensesexercisedtodiscernbothgoodandevil.

Veryfewofusbeginoperatinginthegiftsperfectlythefirsttime.Yetwecanpracticeandcometoperfectioninourunderstandingandoperationofthem.Somepeoplearesuchperfectioniststheywillneverdoanythingunlesstheyknowtheycandoitrightthefirsttime.ThisisaproblemwithmanypeopleconcerningtheexerciseofthegiftsoftheSpirit.TheythinkiftheycannotprophesylikeIsaiah,theywillnotprophesyatall.Thatreallyisabsurd.WhoknowshowIsaiahbegan?

Discernment,particularly,canbecultivated.Hebrews5:14speaksaboutthenecessityofexercisingyoursensestodiscerngoodandevil.TocontinueonyourChristianjourneyalwaysfallingforeverykindoftrapSatanputsinyourwayisnottothegloryofGod.Neitherisbeingunabletodiscernbetweenthesincerepersonandthehypocrite.ManyofusfailGodbynotexercisingthediscernmentHehasmadeavailabletous.

TheMeaningofDiscerningsofSpirits

Letusconsidersomedefinitionsinregardtothegiftofdiscerningsofspirits.First,thisgiftdoesnotreferonlytodiscerningevilspirits.TherearevariousclassesofspiritsthatweencounterintheChristianlife:

theHolySpirit,whoistheSpiritofGod

goodangels

fallen,rebelliousangels(demonsorevilspirits)

humanspirits(everyhumanbeinghashisownspirit)

Second,asImentionedearlier,theworddiscerningsisintheplural.Ibelievethismeanseachdiscerningisanoperationofthegift.Similarly,withgiftsofhealingsandworkingsofmiracles,eachhealingormiracleisanoperationofthegift.

Third,thegiftofdiscerningsofspiritsis,again,operatedunderGod’scontrol.Wecannotdoitatwill.AtaconventioninFortLauderdale,awomanwearingverydarkglasseswalkeduptomeattheendofameeting.Shestoodrightinfrontofme,andIwonderedwhatwasgoingtohappennext.Shewhiskedoffherglassesandsaid,“BrotherPrince,youhavediscernment.LookinmyeyesandtellmeifIhaveademon.”Isaid,“Sister,itdoesn’tworkthatway,Ican’tswitchitonandswitchitoffatwill.ButifI’mministeringandIneedtheknowledge,thenGodwillgiveittome.”ShethoughtitwassimilartoanX-ray.Itisn’tlikethat.Itisnotunderthecontrolofthehumanwill,althoughwehavetobeopentoitoritwillnotcome.

ManifestationsofDiscerningsofSpiritsinScripture

LetusnowconsidersomeexamplesofthegiftofdiscerningsofspiritsintheNewTestament,accordingtothedifferentcategoriesofspiritsIlistedabove.

DiscerningtheHolySpirit

IntheFormofaDove

Earlier,wediscussedhowJohntheBaptistwasgivendiscernmentthrougha

vision.Letuslookfurtheratwhathesaidaboutthatvision.

ThenextdayJohnsawJesuscomingtowardhim,andsaid,“Behold!TheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!…IdidnotknowHim;butthatHeshouldberevealedtoIsrael,thereforeIcamebaptizingwithwater.”AndJohnborewitness,saying,“IsawtheSpiritdescendingfromheavenlikeadove,andHeremaineduponHim.IdidnotknowHim,butHewhosentmetobaptizewithwatersaidtome,‘UponwhomyouseetheSpiritdescending,andremainingonHim,thisisHewhobaptizeswiththeHolySpirit.’”(John1:29,31–33)

Again,IthinkitisclearfromthewordofJohntheBaptistthatonlyhesawtheHolySpiritdescendinglikeadove.Therestofthepeopletheredidnotseethevision.ItwasasupernaturaldiscernmentthatwasgivenspecificallytoJohnbecauseheneededit.ItwasthewayhewouldknowwhotheMessiahwas.

AsTonguesofFire

InActs2,theHolySpiritwasmanifestedtohumansensesintheformoftonguesoffire.“Thenthereappearedtothem[thefollowersofJesus]dividedtongues,asoffire,andonesatuponeachofthem.AndtheywereallfilledwiththeHolySpiritandbegantospeakwithothertongues,astheSpiritgavethemutterance”(vv.3–4).ThiswasasupernaturaldiscerningoftheHolySpirit.TheHolySpiritHimselfisnottonguesoffire,butHewasmanifestedinthatway.

ItistremendouslyimportantthatwelearntodiscerntheHolySpiritwhenbelieversmeettogether—whenHemoves,throughwhomHemoves,andhowHemoves.WemustbeinapositiontorecognizeHim.Otherwise,wewilloftenmisswhatGodisdoinginameeting.AcertainmanifestationoftheHolySpiritmaymovein.Forinstance,Ihaverecentlyseenthespiritofhealingmoveintoaplaceandjusttakeover.Almostanybodycouldbehealedatsuchatime.Andanybodycouldprayforsomeone,andhewouldbehealed.Ihaveseengroupsofabouthalfadozenallprayingatonetimeandpeoplegettinghealed.Anothertimethespiritofmiraclesmovedinandmiraclesweretakingplace.Theseweremanifest,evidentmiracles.

UnlesswediscerntheHolySpiritintheseways,wewillmisssomuchofwhatGodwantstodo.Ourhumanagendaduringachurchserviceistosingthreehymnsandachorus,givetheannouncements,andthenhavethesermon.

Yet,whatif,inthemiddleofallthis,theSpiritofGodmovedinanditwasthetimeforhealing?IfweignoreHim,wewillmissthehealingHewantstogive.RememberthatBartimaeus,theblindman,wasbeggingbythesideoftheroadwhenheheardacrowdofpeopleandaskedwhatwashappening.WhenhewastoldJesusofNazarethwascoming,heknew,Thisisit.Itisnowornever.Hedidnotletanybody’sprogramstophimfromgettingtotheLord.(SeeMark10:46–52.)

Similarly,therearetimesinourmeetingswhenwemustrecognizeitisthemomenttoreceive.WehavetodiscerntheHolySpiritandbewillingtolethumanplans,ideas,andpreconceptionstakeabackseat,orwewillmissout.WhenBartimaeuswantedtobehealed,allthepeoplewhoknewaboutreligiousprotocolsaid,“Stop.Don’tmakeanoise;don’tdisturbJesus—He’stoobusy.”Andtherewillalwaysbepeoplewiththeirreligiousprotocolwhosayyoumustnotconductyourselfdifferentlyfromthewaythingshavealwaysbeen.YetifyouwantwhatGodhasforyou,youhavetodoitwhenGodsaystodoit.

Apparently,theSpiritofGodledKingDavid,amightymanofvalor,todanceinfrontofthearkofthecovenantwithallhismight.Hiswife,Michal,methimafterwardwithherreligiousprotocol,saying,ineffect,“Youmadeaspectacleofyourselfdancinginfrontofallthosemaidservants.”Davidanswered,“Iwasn’tdancinginfrontofthemaidservants.IwasdancinginfrontoftheLord.IwillmakeevenmoreofaspectacleofmyselfthanthatiftheLordtellsmeto.”WereadthatMichalthecriticneverboreachildbecauseshedespisedDavidinthisway.(See2Samuel6:14–16,20–23.)Similarly,acriticalspiritthatrefuseswhattheHolySpiritisdoingmakespeoplespirituallybarren.WehavetobeopentotheHolySpiritandHisworkingamongus.

DiscerningAngels

AscendingandDescendingontheSonofMan

JesussaidtoNathanael,“BecauseIsaidtoyou,‘Isawyouunderthefigtree,’doyoubelieve?Youwillseegreaterthingsthanthese.…Mostassuredly,Isaytoyou,hereafteryoushallseeheavenopen,andtheangelsofGodascendinganddescendingupontheSonofMan”(John1:50–51).Thisisareferencetothediscerningofangels.

IntheGardenofGethsemane

JesusHimselfdiscernedthepresenceofGod’sangels.NeartheendofHisministry,justbeforeHewasarrestedandcrucified,JesuswasprayinginthegardenofGethsemane.AsHeprayedinagony,“anangelappearedtoHimfromheaven,strengtheningHim”(Luke22:43).ItseemsclearfromthisaccountthatJesuswastheonlyonewhosawthatangelthroughspiritualdiscernment.Otherswerethere,buttheydidnotseeit.

AttheResurrection

AfterJesuswasresurrected,MaryMagdalenesawanangelthatneithertheapostleJohnnortheapostlePetercouldsee.

NowonthefirstdayoftheweekMaryMagdalenewenttothetombearly,whileitwasstilldark,andsawthatthestonehadbeentakenawayfromthetomb.ThensheranandcametoSimonPeter,andtotheotherdisciple[John],whomJesusloved,andsaidtothem,“TheyhavetakenawaytheLordoutofthetomb,andwedonotknowwheretheyhavelaidHim.”Peterthereforewentout,andtheotherdisciple,andweregoingtothetomb.Sotheybothrantogether,andtheotherdiscipleoutranPeterandcametothetombfirst.Andhe,stoopingdownandlookingin,sawthelinenclothslyingthere;yethedidnotgoin.ThenSimonPetercame,followinghim,andwentintothetomb;andhesawthelinenclothslyingthere,andthehandkerchiefthathadbeenaroundHishead,notlyingwiththelinencloths,butfoldedtogetherinaplacebyitself.Thentheotherdisciple,whocametothetombfirst,wentinalso;andhesawandbelieved.ForasyettheydidnotknowtheScripture,thatHemustriseagainfromthedead.Thenthediscipleswentawayagaintotheirownhomes.ButMarystoodoutsidebythetombweeping,andassheweptshestoopeddownandlookedintothetomb.Andshesawtwoangelsinwhitesitting,oneattheheadandtheotheratthefeet,wherethebodyofJesushadlain.(John20:1–12)

AllPeterandJohnsawwerethelinenclothsandthehandkerchief.Thentheywentbackhome.Theydidnotseetheangels,butMarydid.Shesawthemthroughspiritualdiscernment.

Inthechildren’shomemywifeLydiaoperatedinIsraelformanyyears,thereweretimeswhenthesmallchildrenwouldbeconsciousofthepresenceofanangeltheotherscouldnotsee.Oncealittleboywasverysick,andmywifewastryingtonursehimbacktohealth.Shewassittingwiththechildreninthe

kitchenoneday,andoneofthegirlsliftedupherheadandsaid,“Mama,Isawanangel,andhecameandtookJoseph.”Thenextday,Josephdied.GodhadshownthatlittlegirlHewascomingtotakethesicklittleboytobewithHim.

OnaPerilousJourneyatSea

InthebookofActs,wereadaboutPaulbeingtransportedasaprisoneronashipthatwas“exceedinglytempest-tossed”(Acts27:18)andabouttobewreckedontheislandofMalta.Paulstoodupinthemiddleofthestormandtoldtherestofthepeopleonboard,

Iurgeyoutotakeheart,fortherewillbenolossoflifeamongyou,butonlyoftheship.FortherestoodbymethisnightanangeloftheGodtowhomIbelongandwhomIserve,saying,“Donotbeafraid,Paul;youmustbebroughtbeforeCaesar;andindeedGodhasgrantedyouallthosewhosailwithyou.”Thereforetakeheart,men,forIbelieveGodthatitwillbejustasitwastoldme.However,wemustrunagroundonacertainisland.(vv.22–26)

TheonlypersonwhowasawareoftheangelwasPaul,andtheangel’swordswereconfirmedtobe100percentaccurate.

DiscerningHumanSpirits

JesusandNathanael

Thenthereisthediscernmentofhumanspirits.Inconnectionwiththewordofknowledge,wehavealreadylookedatJesus’supernaturalrevelationofNathanael.However,letusreturntothatincidentasanexampleofthediscerningofhumanspiritsaswell.InJohn1:47,weread,“JesussawNathanaelcomingtowardHim,andsaidofhim,‘Behold,anIsraeliteindeed,inwhomisnodeceit!’”Jesusdiscernedaguilelessspirit.ThisdoesnotrefertoaspiritotherthanNathanael’s,buttohisownhumanspirit.

JesusandtheHeartsofMen

NotewhattheScripturesaysaboutJesusinthesecondchapterofJohn:

NowwhenHewasinJerusalematthePassover,duringthefeast,manybelievedinHisnamewhentheysawthesignswhichHedid.ButJesusdidnotcommitHimselftothem,becauseHeknewallmen,andhadnoneedthatanyone

shouldtestifyofman,forHeknewwhatwasinman.(John2:23–25,emphasisadded)

Jesuswasnotdeceivedbypeople.Hecouldseetheinvisible,realmaninsidetheouterman.TherestofthedisciplesacceptedJudasandhadnoideahewouldbetheonetobetrayJesus.JesussawthisfromthebeginningandyetmadehimanapostlebecauseHewasfollowingHisFather’spurposes.(SeeJohn6:64.)

PeterandSimontheSorcerer

InActs8,PeterexercisedthegiftofdiscernmentindealingwithSimonthesorcerer.SimonhadlongdominatedthecityofSamariawithhiswitchcraftandsorcery.WhenheheardPhilippreachingthegospelandsawthemiraclesandsignsheperformed,hewasbaptizedandbecameadisciple,inasense.ThenJohnandPetercamedownandprayedfortheconverts,andtheyreceivedtheHolySpiritwithmanifestevidenceofpower,throughthelayingonoftheapostles’hands.

WhenSimonsawthatthroughthelayingonoftheapostles’handstheHolySpiritwasgiven,heofferedthemmoney,saying,“Givemethispoweralso,thatanyoneonwhomIlayhandsmayreceivetheHolySpirit.”ButPetersaidtohim,“Yourmoneyperishwithyou,becauseyouthoughtthatthegiftofGodcouldbepurchasedwithmoney!Youhaveneitherpartnorportioninthismatter,foryourheartisnotrightinthesightofGod.Repentthereforeofthisyourwickedness,andprayGodifperhapsthethoughtofyourheartmaybeforgivenyou.ForIseethatyouarepoisonedbybitternessandboundbyiniquity.”(Acts8:18–23)

PetersawthroughtheoutwardconformityofSimontotheinwardcrookednessandwrongmotivesinhisheart.Apparently,PhiliphadnotpreviouslyseenthroughSimonwhilehewasthere.ArevelationoftheinnernatureofSimonwasgiventoPeter.

PaulandtheFaithoftheCrippledMan

InActs14,wehaveanexampleofPauldiscerningfaithinamanwhowascrippled.

AndinLystraacertainmanwithoutstrengthinhisfeetwassitting,acripplefromhismother’swomb,whohadneverwalked.ThismanheardPaulspeaking.Paul,observinghimintentlyandseeingthathehadfaithtobehealed,saidwitha

loudvoice,“Standupstraightonyourfeet!”Andheleapedandwalked.(Acts14:8–10,emphasisadded)

Paulwasinthemiddleofspeakingtowhatwasprobablyalargecongregationwhenhelookedatthatonemanandsawfaithinhim.Hestoppedinthemiddleofhismessageandsaid,“Standupstraightonyourfeet!”Themanrespondedinfaithandbegantowalk.ThiswasnotaninstanceofPauldiscerningtheHolySpiritortheworkingofevilspirits,butratherthespiritofbeliefinaman.In2Corinthians4:13,Paulspokeaboutthespiritoffaith:“Andsincewehavethesamespiritoffaith,accordingtowhatiswritten,‘IbelievedandthereforeIspoke,’wealsobelieveandthereforespeak.”

DiscerningEvilSpirits

Letusnowdiscussthediscerningofevilspirits.IntheministryofJesus,thisgiftwasfrequentlyusedinconnectionwithhealing.Itisquiteremarkablehowoftenphysicalsicknessinthegospelisattributedtoevilspirits.

MutenessandDeafnessCausedbyEvilSpirits

ThefirstexampleisJesus’healingofamanwhowasmute.

Astheywentout,behold,theybroughttoHimaman,muteanddemon-possessed.Andwhenthedemonwascastout,themutespoke.Andthemultitudesmarveled,saying,“ItwasneverseenlikethisinIsrael!”(Matthew9:32–33)

Jesusdiscernedtheman’sinabilitytospeakwascausedbyanevilspiritthatpreventedhimfromusinghisvocalcords.WhenHecastouttheevilspirit,themanimmediatelyspoke.Thisisnottosuggestevilspiritscauseallmuteness,butinthiscase,anevilspiritwasbehindit,andJesusdiscernedthat.

MywifeLydiaandIwitnessedcaseswheremutenessimmediatelyceasedwhenevilspiritswerecastout.InKenya,EastAfrica,wheneveranevangelistwasministeringinacertaincitythere,theAsianswhowereHinduswouldnotcomenearaChristianchurch;theywerenotinterested.ButwhenanAmericanevangelistcamewithaministryofhealing,theywouldlineuporsitdownonthegrassandwaitforhoursbeforethemeetingopenedbecausehealingiswhattheywanted.

Themayorofthiscity,awealthyAsian,hadasonwhowaseighteenyearsoldandhadneverspoken.Afteranevilspiritwascastoutofhim,thatyoungmanimmediatelystartedimitatingsoundsandlearningtospeak.ThatincidentmademoreimpactonthoseAsiansthantenyearsofnormalmissionaryactivityhad.Thesethingsarereal,but,again,Idonotsuggestforamomentthatalldumbnessordeafnessiscausedbyevilspirits.Yetwemustbeabletodiscernwhentheyare.

ThereisasimilarexampleinthetwelfthchapterofMatthew:

ThenonewasbroughttoHimwhowasdemon-possessed,blindandmute;andHehealedhim,sothattheblindandmutemanbothspokeandsaw.Andallthemultitudeswereamazedandsaid,“CouldthisbetheSonofDavid?”(Matthew12:22–23)

ItisclearfromthecontextthatJesushealedthismanbycastingoutanevilspiritthatwascausinghisblindnessandmuteness.

OncewewereministeringtoayoungwomaninAtlanta,Georgia,andmanyevilspiritswerecomingoutofher,namingthemselvesastheydid.Onewascalled“Blindness.”Whenherhusbandheardthis,healmostjumped.Hesaid,“Thedoctorhastoldherthatshe’llbeblind.”Isaid,“She’snotgoingtobeblindnow.”Ablindspiritwillcomeintoproduceblindnessoveraperiodoftime,justasadeafspiritwillcomein.Itdoesn’timmediatelyproducetotaldeafness,butthedeafnesswillfollow.Itistheproductofwhatthespiritdoes.

AwomanIknowwell,whowasstone-deafinoneear,wasinameetinginLondon.Anevangelistcastoutadeafspiritfromher,andthewomanheardeverythingwiththatearperfectly,instantly.Yetshedidn’thavethefaithtokeepherhealing.Abouttwoweekslater,shewasasdeafasshehadeverbeen.Sheallowedthespirittocomeback.ThisiswhyitissoimportantforChristianstorealizewehavetoidentifytheevilspiritswecastout.TheScripturesaysthedevilisamurderer,andamurdererisonewhokillsphysically.Thedevilwilldothisifwelethim.Heisaruthless,unscrupulous,cruelenemy,andwehavetounderstandwhatwearedealingwith.

AfurtherexamplemaybeseeninthebookofMark.

Thenoneofthecrowdansweredandsaid,“Teacher,IbroughtYoumyson,whohasamutespirit.Andwhereveritseizeshim,itthrowshimdown;hefoamsatthemouth,gnasheshisteeth,andbecomesrigid.SoIspoketoYourdisciples,thattheyshouldcastitout,buttheycouldnot.”Heansweredhimandsaid,“Ofaithlessgeneration,howlongshallIbewithyou?HowlongshallIbearwithyou?BringhimtoMe.”ThentheybroughthimtoHim.AndwhenhesawHim,immediatelythespiritconvulsedhim,andhefellonthegroundandwallowed,foamingatthemouth.SoHeaskedhisfather,“Howlonghasthisbeenhappeningtohim?”Andhesaid,“Fromchildhood.Andoftenhehasthrownhimbothintothefireandintothewatertodestroyhim.ButifYoucandoanything,havecompassiononusandhelpus.”Jesussaidtohim,“Ifyoucanbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimwhobelieves.”Immediatelythefatherofthechildcriedoutandsaidwithtears,“Lord,Ibelieve;helpmyunbelief!”WhenJesussawthatthepeoplecamerunningtogether,Herebukedtheuncleanspirit,sayingtoit,“Deafanddumbspirit,Icommandyou,comeoutofhimandenterhimnomore!”Thenthespiritcriedout,convulsedhimgreatly,andcameoutofhim.Andhebecameasonedead,sothatmanysaid,“Heisdead.”ButJesustookhimbythehandandliftedhimup,andhearose.(Mark9:17–27)

Weshouldnoteseveralimportanttruthsrevealedinthispassage.First,Jesusdidnottelltheman,“Thisistoohard,”or“ThisconditionisthewillofGodforyourson.”Instead,Hesaid,“BringhimtoMe.”ThatwasJesus’attitudeabouteverysinglecaseofsickness.Forexample,whenthecenturionsaid,“Ihaveasickservantathome,”Jesussaid,“I’llcomeandhealhim.”(SeeMatthew8:5–13;Luke7:2–10.)ThereneverwasaquestionaboutthewillofJesustohealanddeliver,andwemustunderstandHiswillingnesstohealanddelivertoday.

Next,theboy’sfathertoldJesustheevilspirit“throwshimdown;hefoamsatthemouth,gnasheshisteeth,andbecomesrigid.”Fromthisdescription,mostpeoplewouldsaytheboyhadepilepsy,buttherewassomethingelsehappeningthatneededtobediscerned.

Jesusaskedthefather,“Howlonghasthisbeenhappeningtohim?”Heanswered,“Fromchildhood.”Childhoodexperiencesareoftencrucialintracingtheoriginandentranceofademon.

ThemantoldJesus,“IfYoucandoanything,havecompassiononusand

helpus.”Jesus’responsewas,“Ifyoucanbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimwhobelieves.”Heputtheresponsibilityrightbackonthefather.ManyChristiansdonotrecognizethespiritualresponsibilitiesofparenthood.Weareresponsibletohavefaithforourchildren.Jesusdidnotsay,“Ifyoursoncanbelieve.”Hesaid,ineffect,“Ifyoucanbelieve,yoursoncanbehealed.”InMatthew15,therewasaSyrophoenicianwomanwhohadadaughterwhowasgrievouslytormentedbyanevilspirit,andshehadfaithforherdaughter’shealing.Jesustoldher,“Greatisyourfaith!”(v.28)andherdaughterwascured.(SeeMatthew15:22–28.)

Inthecaseofthismanandhisson,“[Jesus]rebukedtheuncleanspirit,sayingtoit,‘Deafanddumbspirit,Icommandyou,comeoutofhimandenterhimnomore!’Thenthespiritcriedout,convulsedhimgreatly,andcameoutofhim.”

Jesusspecificallycalledtheevilspirita“deafanddumbspirit.”Andwhenthespiritcameout,theepilepsyceased.Thisideacouldbecontroversial,butepilepsycanbecausedbyanevilspirit.Ihavehadanepilepticdemontalktomeoutofpeople.Ihavehadonetalktomewithaman’svoiceoutofawoman’sbody.Wehavetodiscernandlearnhowtodealwithevilspiritsthatcausesickness.

ACripplingConditionCausedbyanEvilSpirit

Anotherexampleisaspiritofinfirmitythatplaguedawomanforeighteenyears.WereadinLuke,

Andbehold,therewasawomanwhohadaspiritofinfirmityeighteenyears,andwasbentoverandcouldinnowayraiseherselfup.ButwhenJesussawher,HecalledhertoHimandsaidtoher,“Woman,youareloosedfromyourinfirmity.”AndHelaidHishandsonher,andimmediatelyshewasmadestraight,andglorifiedGod.Buttherulerofthesynagogueansweredwithindignation,becauseJesushadhealedontheSabbath;andhesaidtothecrowd,“Therearesixdaysonwhichmenoughttowork;thereforecomeandbehealedonthem,andnotontheSabbathday.”TheLordthenansweredhimandsaid,“Hypocrite!DoesnoteachoneofyouontheSabbathloosehisoxordonkeyfromthestall,andleaditawaytowaterit?Sooughtnotthiswoman,beingadaughterofAbraham,whomSatanhasbound;thinkofit;foreighteenyears,beloosedfromthisbondontheSabbath?”AndwhenHesaidthesethings,allHisadversarieswereputtoshame;andallthemultituderejoicedforalltheglorious

thingsthatweredonebyHim.(Luke13:11–17)

Whatcausedthewoman’sphysicalproblem?A“spiritofinfirmity.”JesussaidthatSatanhad“bound”thewoman.Noticethatshewashealedimmediatelyaftershewasreleasedfromthepoweroftheevilspirit.Themomentthespiritlefther,shecouldstraightenherback.Jesushadtobeabletodiscernthecauseofherillnesstoknowhowtodealwithit.

ASpiritofDivination

OurfinalexampleisanincidentthatoccurredwhenPaulandSilaswerepreachingthegospelinPhilippi.

Nowithappened,aswewenttoprayer,thatacertainslavegirlpossessedwithaspiritofdivinationmetus,whobroughthermastersmuchprofitbyfortune-telling.ThisgirlfollowedPaulandus,andcriedout,saying,“ThesemenaretheservantsoftheMostHighGod,whoproclaimtousthewayofsalvation.”Andthisshedidformanydays.ButPaul,greatlyannoyed,turnedandsaidtothespirit,“IcommandyouinthenameofJesusChristtocomeoutofher.”Andhecameoutthatveryhour.(Acts16:16–18)

Everywordthegirlsaidwastrue;shewasadvertisingthepreachersofthegospel,butanevilspiritwasdoingitthroughher.Pauldiscernedthisandcastthespiritoutofher.Wemusthavethesamekindofdiscernmenttoday.Fortune-tellingdemonsarerifeinthechurch.EverywhereIgo,eveninnice“respectable”churchcongregations,Iencounterthedemonsofsorcery,witchcraft,anddivinationamongpeoplewhoarefoolingaroundwithhoroscopes,Ouijaboards,andastrology.Theybecome“hooked”bythissamedemonofdivination.

ResultsofDiscerningsofSpirits

ThegiftofdiscerningsofspiritsisveryimportanttothefunctioningofthebodyofChrist.ItresultsinbelieversrecognizingthepresenceoftheHolySpiritandthewaysinwhichGodisworking,itrevealsthecharacterandmotivationsofhumanhearts,anditidentifieswhenevilspiritsarethecauseofsicknessandstrife.WhendiscerningsofspiritsisoperatingonafullscaleinthebodyofChrist,itwillbringremarkableministrytothechurchandworld.

Part3

GiftsofPower

Chapter7Faith

Wemoveonnowtothegiftsofpower—faith,giftsofhealings,andworkingsofmiracles.Aswebeginwiththegiftoffaith,letusclarifythenatureofthisgiftbynotingthedifferencesbetweenthreekindsoffaithreferredtointheNewTestament.

DifferentKindsofFaith

FaithforSalvation

First,Romans10:17says,“Faithcomesbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.”ThisisthefaiththatapersonreceivesthroughhearingthepreachingofthegospelofJesusChrist.Asapersonopenshisheartandreceivesthisword,itproducesfaithwithinhim.Thiskindoffaithisnecessaryforsalvation.InEphesians2:8–9,Paulstatedregardingtherequirementforsalvation,“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves;itisthegiftofGod,notofworks,lestanyoneshouldboast.”ThegraceofGodthatbringssalvationcomestousthroughfaith.Wecannotboastaboutthisfaith,however,becauseGodgaveittousasweopenedourheartstohearthepreachingofthegospel.

ThefactthatfaithisabsolutelyessentialforsalvationisalsoemphasizedinseveralotherpassagesofScripture.ThefirstisRomans4:4–5:“Nowtohimwhoworks,thewagesarenotcountedasgracebutasdebt.ButtohimwhodoesnotworkbutbelievesonHimwhojustifiestheungodly,hisfaithisaccountedforrighteousness.”Inordertoreceiverighteousness,wemusthavefaith.OurfaithinJesusChrist,whichcomesthroughthehearingofthegospel,isimputedtousbyGodasrighteousness.

Paulwrote,“ForIsay,throughthegracegiventome,toeveryonewhoisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheoughttothink,buttothinksoberly,asGodhasdealttoeachoneameasureoffaith”(Romans12:3).Pauldidnotsay“the”measureoffaithbut“a”measureoffaith.Godhasgiventoeachbelieveracertainproportionoffaith.Thisiswhatisoftencalled“savingfaith”orfaithforsalvationorfaiththataccompaniessalvation.

ThistruthisalsoimpliedinHebrews11:6:“Withoutfaithitisimpossibleto

please[God],forhewhocomestoGodmustbelievethatHeis,andthatHeisarewarderofthosewhodiligentlyseekHim.”NoonecanpleaseGod,noonecanapproachGod,andnoonecanreceivesalvationwithoutthefaiththatcomesbyhearingHisWord.

FaithasaFruitoftheHolySpirit

ThesecondkindoffaithispartofthefruitoftheHolySpirit:“thefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,longsuffering,gentleness,goodness,faith,meekness,temperance:againstsuchthereisnolaw”(Galatians5:22–23kjv).WehavealreadynotedthefruitoftheSpiritisninefold,justasthegiftsoftheSpiritareninefold.IthinkitisoneofthemarksofthebeautifulinspirationoftheHolySpiritthatthereisanexactbalancebetweenthegiftsandthefruit.IpersonallybelieveallthefruitoftheSpiritislove,butlovemanifestsitselfinvariousaspects.

TheseventhfruitoftheSpiritis“faith”(Galatians5:22kjv).Thisisnotthetypeoffaithwemusthavetobesaved.EveryoneoftheninefoldformsofthefruitoftheSpiritisamarkofcharacter.Thisfaithmeans“continuingquiettrust”or“dependability”or“faithfulness.”Ifapersonhascontinuingquiettrust,hedoesnotbecomeflusteredoroveremotionalinanycircumstance.Veryfewpeoplehavethisqualitythemomenttheyaresaved.Itcomesbyexperienceandcultivation.Adependableandfaithfulpersonisreliable;hekeepshiscommitments.Heissomeoneyoucanputyourtrustin.IfhesayshewilltakeaSundayschoolclass,hewillbethereeveryweektoteachtheSundayschoolclass.Sothisfaithdenotesanaspectofcharacter.

MiraculousFaith

Thethirdkindoffaith,whichisoneofthegiftsoftheHolySpirit,ismiraculousfaith.“Toanother[isgiven]faithbythesameSpirit”(1Corinthians12:9).IpointedoutpreviouslythatGodhasallwisdom,butHedoesn’tgiveusallthatwisdomatonce.Inamomentofneed,HeimpartstousawordofHiswisdombytheHolySpirit.ThisisjustalittlefragmentofHiswisdomthatmeetstheneedofthatsituation.Similarly,althoughGodhasallknowledge,Hedoesnotimparttousallthatknowledgebecausewewouldstaggerundertheload.Again,inthemomentofneed,HeimpartstousawordofHisknowledgebytheHolySpirit.Heimpartsthegiftoffaithinaverysimilarway.

PauldidnotsayGodgives“aword”offaith,butthisisessentiallywhatitis.Godhasallfaith,andthroughthisgiftHeimpartstousatinyportionofit.Itisnothumanfaithorfaiththatiscultivated.Itisdivinefaith.Thisisfaiththatcomesinstantly,supernaturally,asagiftdirectlyfromGodbytheHolySpirit,veryfrequentlyintheformofaword.Thisgift,liketheotherswehaveexaminedsofar,isoperatedonlyunderGod’scontrol.Noonehasawordofknowledgeorawordofwisdomatwill.Noonediscernsspiritsatwill.Likewise,noonehasthegiftoffaithatwill.ThesegiftsremainunderGod’scontrol,butwemakeourselvesavailabletoHimsoHemayoperatethemthroughusasHedesires.

Ifallbelieverscouldoperatethegiftoffaithatanytime,theworldwouldbeinchaosandconfusionbecausewewoulduseittosuitourownmoodsandneeds.Onepersonwouldbemovingthemountaineastwhiletheotherwasmovingthemountainwest.TherearecertaingiftsGodhastokeepverystrictcontrolover,andfaithisdefinitelyoneofthem.

TheNatureofGod’sFaith

Miraculousfaithisthereforetheimpartationofdivinefaithtohumanity.LetuslookforamomentatthenatureofGod’sfaith.

ThefaithofGodisafascinatingstudy.HisfaithinHisownwordbroughttheentireuniverseintobeing.Psalm33:6says,“BythewordoftheLordtheheavensweremade,andallthehostofthembythebreathofHismouth.”

TheimageofGod’s“breath”isimportant.Itookacourseinphoneticsanddiscoveredsomeremarkablethings.Itisimpossibleforapersontospeakwithoutbreathing.Whenawordgoesoutofyourmouth,yourbreathalsogoesoutwithit.Essentially,everyformofspeech,inallthelanguagesoftheworld,isjustavariationonthewayaircomesoutofourmouths.Whenyouthinkoftheuncountablenumberofvariationsandwhatisachievedbythem,itisreallyfascinatingtocontemplate.InPsalm33:6,theHebrewwordtranslatedas“breath”means“spirit.”“BythewordoftheLordtheheavensweremade,andallthehostofthembythespiritofHismouth.”Inotherwords,allcreationistheproductofGod’sWordandGod’sSpiritgoingforthtogether.Or,God’swordgoingforththroughHisSpirit.Therefore,whenGodspeaks,Hisbreath,HisSpirit,goeswithit.Thebreathed-outwordofGodproducedallthatwasevercreated.

LetuslookatsomeScripturepassagesthatconfirmthistruth.InGenesis1:2,weread,“TheSpiritofGodwashoveringoverthefaceofthewaters.”Whatwasthenextthingthathappened?“Godsaid,‘Lettherebelight’;andtherewaslight”(v.3).God’swordwentoutofHismouth,andwhenthewordandtheSpiritofGodunited,thewordlightturnedintothethingcalledlight.InbothHebrewandGreekthesamewordsfor“word”areusedfor“thing.”Thisisnoaccident,becausethingsareGod’swordsspokenintobeingbyHisSpirit.WhenGodsaid“light,”therewaslight.Thisistheoriginandnatureofallcreation.

InHebrews11:3,thesametruthispresentedagaininrelationtoGod’swordbreathedforthbyHisSpirit.“Byfaithweunderstandthattheworlds[theages]wereframed[fittedtogether]bythewordofGod,sothatthethingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhicharevisible.”Whatisthebasicforcebehindallcreatedthings?ItisthewordofGodbytheSpiritofGod.

Ioncestudiedthephilosophyofphysics.AsIunderstandit,ifyouweretoaskaphysicistwhatacertaindeskwasmadeof,hewouldgiveyouananswerintermsofatoms.Ifyouweretoaskhimwhatatomsaremadeof,hewouldgiveyouananswerintermsofprotons,neutrons,andelectrons.Ifyouweretoaskhimifanybodyhaseverseenanyofthesethings,theanswerwouldbeno.Ifyouweretoaskhimtoexpressanyoftheserealities,thebesthecoulddowouldbetogiveyousomekindofmathematicalformulaorequation.HewouldessentiallybeinagreementwiththewriterofHebrewswho,nineteencenturiesago,wrote,“Thethingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhicharevisible.”Whatisnowvisible,tangible,orperceptiblewasnotmadeofthingswecansee.

Itisimpossibletooverestimatetheimmensepowerofwords,thoughmostChristianssadlyunderestimatethem.Ezekiel12:25says,“ForIamtheLord.Ispeak,andthewordwhichIspeakwillcometopass.”Inotherwords,“IamGod,andwhenIsaysomething,ithappens.”ThisisGod’sunchanging,eternalnature.Weimmediatelyseethepossibilitythat,ifthebreathoftheSpiritofGodiswithinus,thatsamebreathcanbringforthawordfromusthatisjustaseffectiveasifalmightyGodhadspokenitdirectly.

Thisisexactlywhatthegiftoffaithis.

SpeakingtheWordinFaith

LetuslookatsomeoftheteachingsofJesusinthisconnection.WewillbeginbycomparingthetwogospelversionsoftheincidentofthefigtreeJesuscursed.InMatthew21:18–22,weread,

Nowinthemorning,asHereturnedtothecity,Hewashungry.Andseeingafigtreebytheroad,Hecametoitandfoundnothingonitbutleaves,andsaidtoit,“Letnofruitgrowonyoueveragain.”Immediatelythefigtreewitheredaway.Andwhenthedisciplessawit,theymarveled,saying,“Howdidthefigtreewitherawaysosoon?”SoJesusansweredandsaidtothem,“Assuredly,Isaytoyou,ifyouhavefaithanddonotdoubt,youwillnotonlydowhatwasdonetothefigtree,butalsoifyousaytothismountain,‘Beremovedandbecastintothesea,’itwillbedone.Andwhateverthingsyouaskinprayer,believing,youwillreceive.”

Therearetwowaysofusingwords,whicharebroughtoutinthispassage.OnewayistowardsomethingorsomeoneonbehalfofGod,andtheotherwayistowardGodonbehalfofsomethingorsomeone.First,JesusdidnotprayaboutthefigtreeandHedidnotpraytothefigtree,whichwouldhavebeenidolatry.HespoketothefigtreeonbehalfofGod,andthefigtreedidwhatHetoldittodo.JesustoldHisdisciplestheycoulddowhatwasdonetothefigtreeiftheyhadfaith.What’smore,iftheyspoketoamountain,itwouldhavetoobeythemjustthesame.Second,JesusexplainedtoHisdisciplesthatifyouareinprayertoGodonbehalfofsomething,whateveryouaskinprayerbelieving,youwillreceive.Iwilldiscussthesetwowaysofusingwordsinmoredetaillaterinthechapter.ButaccordingtotheleadingoftheHolySpirit,youmayeitherspeaktosomethingonbehalfofGodoryoumayspeaktoGodonbehalfofsomething.

NowletuslookatthesameincidentasrecordedinMark,becausethisaccountincludessomethingfurtherJesussaidthatreallyisthekeytounderstandingitall.

Thenextday,whentheyhadcomeoutfromBethany,Hewashungry.Andseeingfromafarafigtreehavingleaves,HewenttoseeifperhapsHewouldfindsomethingonit.WhenHecametoit,Hefoundnothingbutleaves,foritwasnottheseasonforfigs.InresponseJesussaidtoit,“Letnooneeatfruitfromyoueveragain.”AndHisdisciplesheardit.…Nowinthemorning,astheypassedby,theysawthefigtreedriedupfromtheroots.AndPeter,remembering,saidtoHim,“Rabbi,look!ThefigtreewhichYoucursedhas

witheredaway.”SoJesusansweredandsaidtothem,“HavefaithinGod.”(Mark11:12–14,20–22)

TheliteraltranslationofJesus’statementis“HavethefaithofGod.”Again,God’sfaithexpressedthroughthewordsofhumanbeingsarejustasauthoritativeasifGodHimselfhadspokenthem.Inacertainsense,sincetheyarebreathedforthbytheSpiritofGod,theyareGod-givenutterances.Jesuswentontosay,

Forassuredly,Isaytoyou,whoeversaystothismountain,“Beremovedandbecastintothesea,”anddoesnotdoubtinhisheart,butbelievesthatthosethingshesayswillbedone,hewillhavewhateverhesays.ThereforeIsaytoyou,whateverthingsyouaskwhenyoupray,believethatyoureceivethem,andyouwillhavethem.(vv.23–24)

Ifwetaketheopeningandclosingwordsofversetwenty-three,wehavethemostremarkabletruth:“Whoeversays…willhavewhateverhesays.”Thisdoesnotleaveanybodyoranythingout.Itiswhoeverandwhatever.Theconditionistohavedivinefaith—thefaithofGod.ThesuggestionisthatGodismorewillingtogiveusthisfaiththanmanyofusaretoreceiveit.Jesuswassaying,“Donotmarvel.Youcandoit.HavethefaithofGod.”

In1Corinthians13,Paullistedanumberofspiritualgifts,includingfaith,themountain-movinggift:

ThoughIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels,buthavenotlove,Ihavebecomesoundingbrassoraclangingcymbal.AndthoughIhavethegiftofprophecy,andunderstandallmysteries[wordofwisdom]andallknowledge[wordofknowledge],andthoughIhaveallfaith,sothatIcouldremovemountains….(vv.1–2)

Youdonotlayhandsonamountain,andyoudonotperformamiracleoverit;youjustspeaktoamountain.Ifyouspeakwithdivinefaith,thatmountainhastodowhatyoutellittodo.

NoteJesus’statementaboutprayer:“ThereforeIsaytoyou,whateverthingsyouaskwhenyoupray,believethatyoureceivethem,andyouwillhavethem”(Mark11:24).Ioftenaskpeople,“Whendoyoureceive?”Theansweris,“Whenyoupray.”Themomentyoupray,youreceive.Havingmaycomelater,but

receivingcomeswhenyoupray.Thisisthegreatsecrettoobtainingthings.Thedevilalwayshasatomorrow,andifyoulethimkeepyouatbaywithhistomorrows,youwillneverreceivewhatGodhasforyou.TheBiblesaysthat,asfarasGodisconcerned,“Nowistheacceptedtime;behold,nowisthedayofsalvation”(2Corinthians6:2).Godlivesinaneternalnow.

DivineMustard-SeedFaith

InMatthew,wereadaboutthedisciples’inabilitytocastoutademonfromanepilepticboy.WhentheywerealonewithJesus,theyaskedHim,“Whycouldwenotcastitout?”(Matthew17:19).Jesushadonesimpleanswer:“Becauseofyourunbelief”(v.20).ThenHewentontosay,

Assuredly,Isaytoyou,ifyouhavefaithasamustardseed,youwillsaytothismountain,“Movefromheretothere,”anditwillmove;andnothingwillbeimpossibleforyou.However,thiskinddoesnotgooutexceptbyprayerandfasting.(vv.20–21)

Let’scomparethispassagewithLuke17:6.

Ifyouhavefaithasamustardseed,youcansaytothismulberrytree,“Bepulledupbytherootsandbeplantedinthesea,”anditwouldobeyyou.

Noticethetreeisnotjustcastintotheseabutisplantedinthesea.Inbothpassages,theLordsaysallyouneedisa“mustardseed”ofthiskindoffaithforittobeeffective.Onelittlemustardseedissufficienttomoveamountain.IfitisGod’sfaith,youdonotneedalargespoonfulofit.Thatisnottrueofeverykindoffaith,butthisisdivinefaith.ItisnotthequantitybutthequalityoffaithJesusisspeakingabout.

WhenIwasplanningtomarrymywifeLydia,IwaswalkingalongtheMountofOlivesandcontemplatingwhatwouldbeinvolvedinbecomingafaithmissionaryinthelandofIsrael.Lydiahadtoldmesomestoriesabouthavingtogetupinthemiddleofthenighttopraytoreceivethechildren’sbreakfastthenextmorning.ItoldtheLordIneverwantedtobebroughtasclosetothemarginasthat,andIsettledthematterforeverwithGodinfaith.Iknewthingswouldnevergettothatpoint.WhenIlookbackatthattimeofprayernow,IknowthatiswhenIreceived.Itwasn’tastruggle;itwasn’taneffort.Ijustknewthatwasthewayitwasgoingtobe.Anditwasthatwayforthirtyyearsofmarriedlife.I

cannottakeanycreditforit.ImentionitbecauseIwantyoutoseetherecanbeamomentwhenGoddropsamustardseedofdivinefaithintoyourheartanditissettled.

TheWordintheHeartandMouth

AverydramaticexampleofthefaithofGodanditspowerisillustratedinthecallingoftheprophetJeremiah.Godsaidtohim,“BeforeIformedyouinthewombIknewyou;beforeyouwerebornIsanctifiedyou;Iordainedyouaprophettothenations”(Jeremiah1:5).Jeremiahreplied,ineffect,“Ican’t.I’mtooyoung.”AndGodessentiallysaid,“DonottellMeyouaretooyoungbecauseyouaregoingtodoit.”(Seeverses6–8.)Thepassagecontinues,

ThentheLordputforthHishandandtouchedmymouth,andtheLordsaidtome:“Behold,IhaveputMywordsinyourmouth.See,Ihavethisdaysetyouoverthenationsandoverthekingdoms,torootoutandtopulldown,todestroyandtothrowdown,tobuildandtoplant.”(vv.9–10,emphasisadded)

Jeremiahthoughthewastooyoungtobeaprophet,butGodtoldhim,“Fromnowon,youwillbeoverthenationsandoverthekingdomstorootout,pulldown,destroy,throwdown,build,andplant.”Howwasthisachieved?“IhaveputMywordsinyourmouth”(Jeremiah1:9).AndwhenGod’swordswentforthfromJeremiah’smouthbyGod’sSpirit,itwasjustaseffectiveasifGodHimselfhadspokenthem.IfyoustudythepropheciesofJeremiah,youwillfindthatthedestiniesofmanynationsforthepast2,500yearsweresettledbyhisprophecies.Theywereexactlyfulfilled.ThatisthepoweroftheWordofGodspokenbythehumanmouththroughtheSpiritofGod.

TheconditionforbeingamouthpieceofGodisgiveninJeremiah15.Jeremiah’stestimonywas,“Yourwordswerefound,andIatethem,andYourwordwastomethejoyandrejoicingofmyheart;forIamcalledbyYourname,OLordGodofhosts”(v.16).IfwearetobringforthGod’sWord,wemustfirsthavedigestedGod’sWord.Likewise,whenGodcalledtheprophetEzekiel,HeheldoutarollinHishandandsaid,“OpenyourmouthandeatwhatIgiveyou”(Ezekiel2:8).ThenHetoldEzekieltoprophesy.

Wemustfullyunderstandthatprophecyandspiritualgiftsdonotcomeoutofthenaturalmind.WearenotonlytogettheWordofGodintoourminds,butwe

arealsotodigestitinourspirits.WhentheWordisdigestedthere,andwehavehiddenitinourhearts,asDavidsaid(seePsalm119:11),thenitisavailablefortheHolySpirittobringforthasHeseesfit.WhenJeremiahreceivedGod’swords,heatethemandlivedonthem.Likewise,thetestimonyofJobwas,“IhavetreasuredthewordsofHismouthmorethanmynecessaryfood”(Job23:12).

WhenIwasnewlysavedandservingasasoldierintheBritisharmyinNorthAfrica,thiswasmytestimonyaswell.IpreferredtheWordofGodtomyfood.IfitcametoachoicebetweeneatingbreakfastandreadingtheBible,IwouldtakethetimetoreadtheBible.Foraboutthreeyearsinthedesert,IlivedonGod’sWord.Therewerenochurches,chaplains,orpreachersthere,butIhadtwothings:theWordandtheSpiritofGod.Thatexperiencemadethemostprofoundandpermanentchangesineveryareaofmybeing.

Finally,Jeremiah15:19says,“ThereforethussaystheLord:‘Ifyoureturn,thenIwillbringyouback;youshallstandbeforeMe;ifyoutakeoutthepreciousfromthevile,youshallbeasMymouth.Letthemreturntoyou,butyoumustnotreturntothem.”JeremiahwastostandbeforeGod,hearHisword,anddeliverit.Godwantsapuremouthpiece.WhenGodsetsastandard,wecannotlowerit.WhenGodsetsconditions,wehavenoauthoritytochangethem.Wecannotgodowntoman’sstandards.WehavetostandwhereGodsetsusandletmenreturntoHisstandards;wecannotreturntotheirs.

TwoWaysofUsingWordsinFaith

EarlierImentionedtwodifferentwaysofusingwordswhileexercisingfaith.Thefirstwayiswordsspokentoaperson,object,orsituationonbehalfofGod.ThisexpressionoffaithdoesnothaveatheologicalnamethatIknowof,butIwouldsayitisthepowerofthebeliever’sdecree.

ThesecondwayiswordsspokentoGodonbehalfofaperson,object,orsituation.Thisexpressionoffaithiswhatwecallprayer.

TheExampleofElijah

OneofmyfavoriteBiblecharacters,Elijah,illustratesbothofthesewaysofusingwordswhileexercisingfaith.HeemergedasaprophetinIsraelatatimeoftotalbacksliding,evil,andchaosinthekingdom,whichwasbeingruledbythe

wickedKingAhab.ElijahgavethisdramaticutteranceonbehalfofGod:

AndElijahtheTishbite,oftheinhabitantsofGilead,saidtoAhab,“AstheLordGodofIsraellives,beforewhomIstand,thereshallnotbedewnorraintheseyears,exceptatmyword.”(1Kings17:1)

Thatisquiteapowerfulstatement,isn’tit?Whenyoucontroltherainandthedew,that’sauthority.TheBiblerevealsthatforthreeandahalfyears,therewasnorainandnodew,justasElijahhadsaid.AhabsenttoeverykingdomandnationlookingforElijah.(See1Kings18:10.)HeapparentlythoughtifhecouldgetholdofElijahandsomehowtorturehimintosayingtherightthing,therainwouldfallagain.Whentheyfinallymet,AhabsaidtoElijah,“Isthatyou,OtroublerofIsrael?”(1Kings18:17).Hewassaying,“You’retheonewhoiscausingallthistrouble;you’rethereasonwhywedon’thaverainanddew;you’rethereasonwhyallthecropsarefailingandallthebeastsaredying.”

SpeakingawordsuchasElijahdidisaresponsibility.TheweatherwasunderthecontrolofElijah’sword,notGod’s,becausehewasthevisiblerepresentativeofGodtoIsrael.In1Kings18:1,GodhadtoldElijah,“Go,presentyourselftoAhab,andIwillsendrainontheearth.”ElijahdidnotjusttakethemessagetoAhab—hewasthemessage.“Presentyourself…andIwillsendrain.”

YetnotethatwhenElijahwantedtherainagain,hehadtopersevereinprayeraboutit,eventhoughhewastheonewhohadwithheldit:

ThenElijahsaidtoAhab,“Goup,eatanddrink;forthereisthesoundofabundanceofrain.”SoAhabwentuptoeatanddrink.AndElijahwentuptothetopofCarmel;thenheboweddownontheground,andputhisfacebetweenhisknees.(1Kings18:41–42)

Haveyoueverbeeninthatposition?TherehavebeentimeswhenIfeltGodhadbentmeintothatpositioninprayer.IwouldnotjustsayElijahwaspraying,butthatElijahwashisprayer.ThewholeofElijahwasaprayer:spirit,soul,andbody.Hewastotallyidentifiedwithhisprayer.Heprayeduntilthelittlecloudappeared,andbyhiswordsspokentoGod,heliberatedtherain.(Seeverses43–45.)

ThisiswhatJamescalled“theprayeroffaith”(James5:15).JamesusedElijahasanexample,sayinghewasnotaspecialkindofpersonbutwasa

humanbeingwhowasjustlikeyouandme.Inotherwords,wecandothesame.

Theprayeroffaithwillsavethesick,andtheLordwillraisehimup.Andifhehascommittedsins,hewillbeforgiven.…Theeffective,ferventprayerofarighteousmanavailsmuch.Elijahwasamanwithanaturelikeours,andheprayedearnestlythatitwouldnotrain;anditdidnotrainonthelandforthreeyearsandsixmonths.Andheprayedagain,andtheheavengaverain,andtheearthproduceditsfruit.(James5:15–18)

Thissamepowerisavailabletoyouandme.

IntheaboveScripture,wearetoldthatElijahprayedinconjunctionwithspeakingwordsonbehalfofGod.Thisshowsusthesetwowaysofusingwordswhileexercisingfaitharecloselyrelated.WedonotjustspeakwordsonbehalfofGodarbitrarily;rather,wespeakwordsinfaithbasedonourrelationshipwithHimandaccordingtoourknowledgeofHiswillandpower.

TheExampleofJoshua

AnotherexampleofawordspokenonbehalfofGodmaybefoundinthelifeofJoshua,whenheandtheIsraeliteswereinthemiddleofabattleagainsttheirenemies.

ThenJoshuaspoketotheLordinthedaywhentheLorddelivereduptheAmoritesbeforethechildrenofIsrael,andhesaidinthesightofIsrael:“Sun,standstilloverGibeon;andMoon,intheValleyofAijalon.”Sothesunstoodstill,andthemoonstopped,tillthepeoplehadrevengeupontheirenemies.…Sothesunstoodstillinthemidstofheaven,anddidnothastentogodownforaboutawholeday.Andtherehasbeennodaylikethat,beforeitorafterit,thattheLordheededthevoiceofaman.(Joshua10:12–14)

AlthoughthepassagesaysJoshuaspoketotheLord,itwasJoshuawhotoldthesunandthemoontostandstill.Thewordsamanspokeaffectedthecourseoftheheavenlybodies.Thiswasremarkable.Mypersonalconvictionisthatexactlythesameprivilegesareavailabletoyouandmetoday.

ManifestationsofMiraculousFaithintheNewTestament

Letusnowlookatsomeexamplesofmiraculousfaith,orthewordoffaith,

foundintheNewTestament.

CalmingaStorminDivineAuthority

Inthefirstexample,JesusandHisdiscipleswereinasmallboatwhenatremendousstormarose.

Wheneveninghadcome,Hesaidtothem,“Letuscrossovertotheotherside.”Nowwhentheyhadleftthemultitude,theytookHimalongintheboatasHewas.AndotherlittleboatswerealsowithHim.Andagreatwindstormarose,andthewavesbeatintotheboat,sothatitwasalreadyfilling.ButHewasinthestern,asleeponapillow.AndtheyawokeHimandsaidtoHim,“Teacher,doYounotcarethatweareperishing?”ThenHearoseandrebukedthewind,andsaidtothesea,“Peace,bestill!”Andthewindceasedandtherewasagreatcalm.ButHesaidtothem,“Whyareyousofearful?Howisitthatyouhavenofaith?”Andtheyfearedexceedingly,andsaidtooneanother,“Whocanthisbe,thateventhewindandtheseaobeyHim!”(Mark4:35–41)

JesusdidnotlayHishandsonthesea—Hejustspoketoit.Thisisanexampleofdivineauthoritythroughthewordoffaith.IntheGreek,theliteralmeaningofthewordtranslated“bestill”is“bemuzzled.”ItappearstomeJesussawsomethingsatanicbehindthatsudden,abnormal,dramaticstorm.HewasonHiswaytowhatIconsiderHistoughestcaseofdeliverance,theGadarenedemoniacwhomHemetontheotherside.IcannotbutbelievethatallSatan’sforcesgangedupagainstHimtopreventHimfromgettingtothesceneofthatman’sdeliverance.Sometimes,whenweareonaparticularassignmentthatmeansagreatdealtothekingdomofGod,Satanwillhavehisagentsplantedineverysituationandcircumstancealongtheway.ThisisagoodsignGodisgoingtodosomethingspecial,ifwedonotbecomediscouragedandlosethevictoryontheway.

WhenJesusspokeindivineauthority,thestormwasmuzzledimmediately.Itcouldnotutteranothersoundorcauseanymoredamage.WhenIsraelleftEgyptonthePassovernight,theScripturesaysnotadogwaggeditstongueatanyoftheIsraelites.(SeeExodus11:7.)Godcansilenceanythingifwehavefaith.

RaisingtheDeadbyaWordofFaith

TherearethreeinstancesintheScripturesofJesusraisingpeoplefromthedeadbyawordoffaith.ThefirstisthesonofthewidowofNain.

AndwhenHecamenearthegateofthecity,behold,adeadmanwasbeingcarriedout,theonlysonofhismother;andshewasawidow.Andalargecrowdfromthecitywaswithher.WhentheLordsawher,Hehadcompassiononherandsaidtoher,“Donotweep.”ThenHecameandtouchedtheopencoffin,andthosewhocarriedhimstoodstill.AndHesaid,“Youngman,Isaytoyou,arise.”Sohewhowasdeadsatupandbegantospeak.AndHepresentedhimtohismother.(Luke7:12–15)

Jesuswasmovedbythewoman’stragicsituationandtoldhernottoweep.Thiswasdivinecompassion.AsureevidencethatGodwantstodosomethingiswhenyouaremovedwithdivinecompassion.Jesusspokeawordoffaithandtoldtheyoungmantoarise.

EverytimeJesusraisedthedead,Hewasveryspecific.Healwayscalledtothepersonwhowastoberaised.SomepeoplebelievethatifHehadnotdesignatedtheperson,allthedeadwouldhavearisenbecauseHehadthepowertocallthemalloutofthegrave.

ThesecondinstanceconcernsthedaughterofJairus.

Nowallweptandmournedforher;butHesaid,“Donotweep;sheisnotdead,butsleeping.”AndtheyridiculedHim,knowingthatshewasdead.ButHeputthemalloutside,tookherbythehandandcalled,saying,“Littlegirl,arise.”Thenherspiritreturned,andshearoseimmediately.AndHecommandedthatshebegivensomethingtoeat.(Luke8:52–55)

Again,Jesusspokeawordoffaithandtoldthelittlegirltoarise.Somepeopleclaimraisingthedeadneverhappenstoday.Yet,inEastAfrica,wheremywifeLydiaandIworkedasmissionaries,therehavebeenwell-authenticatedcasesofpeoplebeingraised.Duringthetimeweworkedthere,thereweretwooccasionsinwhichsomeonewasbroughtbackfromdeath.Oneinvolvedawomanstudentofourswhohaddied.Herwholefamilywasintheclinicnexttoherbody,whichwasstretchedoutonthebed.Theywereweepingandwailingandpraying.Weaskediftheywouldlikeustopray,andtheysaidyes.Weaskedthemalltoleave,andthoughwehadnotplannedanythingbeforehand,wejust

kneltdownoneithersideofthebedandprayed.Atacertainmomentwebothreceivedtheassuranceofvictory,andthegirlsatstraightup.

Thefirstthingshesaidwas,“HasanybodygotaBible?”Isaidyes,andshetoldmetoreadPsalm41.AfterIreadPsalm41,wetookherhomewithusandshewasperfectlywellwithinadayortwo.Later,Iaskedher,“WhydidyouwantustoreadPsalm41?”Shesaid,“AtthattimetwomeninwhitestoodbesidemeandIwalked,withthemoneitherside,downavery,verylong,straightpathway.Ittookustoaplacethatwasfulloflightsandpeopleinwhiteclothingallsinging.Therewasamanreadingoutofaverybigbook.HewasreadingPsalm41,andIwantedtoknowwhatwasinit.”Bythewordsofthispsalm,wemayseeanexampleoftheconnectionbetweentheWordofGodandmiraculousfaith:

TheLordwillpreservehimandkeephimalive,andhewillbeblessedontheearth;youwillnotdeliverhimtothewillofhisenemies.TheLordwillstrengthenhimonhisbedofillness;youwillsustainhimonhissickbed.Isaid,“Lord,bemercifultome;healmysoul,forIhavesinnedagainstYou.”Myenemiesspeakevilofme:“Whenwillhedie,andhisnameperish?”…Allwhohatemewhispertogetheragainstme;againstmetheydevisemyhurt.“Anevildisease,”theysay,“clingstohim.Andnowthatheliesdown,hewillriseupnomore.”…ButYou,OLord,bemercifultome,andraisemeup.(Psalm41:2–5,7–8,10)

ThethirdinstanceiswhenJesusraisedLazarusfromthedead.

Thentheytookawaythestonefromtheplacewherethedeadmanwaslying.AndJesusliftedupHiseyesandsaid,“Father,IthankYouthatYouhaveheardMe.AndIknowthatYoualwayshearMe,butbecauseofthepeoplewhoarestandingbyIsaidthis,thattheymaybelievethatYousentMe.”NowwhenHehadsaidthesethings,Hecriedwithaloudvoice,“Lazarus,comeforth!”Andhewhohaddiedcameoutboundhandandfootwithgraveclothes,andhisfacewaswrappedwithacloth.Jesussaidtothem,“Loosehim,andlethimgo.”(John11:41–44)

Whatadramaticmoment.Noticethat,ineverycase,Jesusspokeandtoldthepersontorise.AsimilaroccurrencehappenedwhenPeterraisedDorcasfromthedeadafterherbodyhadbeenwashedandlaidoutinpreparationforburial:

Allthewidowsstoodby[Peter]weeping,showingthetunicsandgarmentswhichDorcashadmadewhileshewaswiththem.ButPeterputthemallout,andkneltdownandprayed.Andturningtothebodyhesaid,“Tabitha,arise.”Andsheopenedhereyes,andwhenshesawPetershesatup.Thenhegaveherhishandandliftedherup;andwhenhehadcalledthesaintsandwidows,hepresentedheralive.(Acts9:39–41)

NoticePeterwasspecific,asJesushadbeen,andcalledherbyname.Afterprayingandreceivingthewordoffaith,hetoldTabithatorise,andshedid.

SpeakingJudgmentthroughaWordofFaith

OurfinalexampleisaveryremarkablesituationfromthebookofActs.Elymasthesorcerer—afalseprophetormagician—opposedthepreachingofPaulandBarnabasontheislandofCyprus.

ThenSaul,whoalsoiscalledPaul,filledwiththeHolySpirit,lookedintentlyathimandsaid,“Ofullofalldeceitandallfraud,yousonofthedevil,youenemyofallrighteousness,willyounotceasepervertingthestraightwaysoftheLord?Andnow,indeed,thehandoftheLordisuponyou,andyoushallbeblind,notseeingthesunforatime.”Andimmediatelyadarkmistfellonhim,andhewentaroundseekingsomeonetoleadhimbythehand.(Acts13:9–11)

PaulpronouncedGod’sjudgmentonElymasthroughthepowerofthespokenword.NoticePaulwas“filledwiththeHolySpirit,”revealingthejudgmentcamethroughadivinewordoffaith.

ResultsofMiraculousFaith

WhenGodimpartsdivinefaithtohumanity,humanbeingscanspeakforththesameresultsasifGodhadspokenthewordsdirectly.ThosetowhomdivinefaithcomeshaveallowedtheWordofGodtopenetratepasttheirmindsandintotheirspiritsandhearts,fromwhichmiraculouswordsoffaithcomeaccordingtotheleadingoftheHolySpirit.Thesewordshavepowerovercreation,death,andSatan,demonstratingauthorityinallaspectsofphysicalandspiritualexistence.TheyteardownevilandbuildupwhatisgoodandrighteousbythefaithofGodHimself.

Chapter8GiftsofHealings

Inthenexttwochapters,wewillexploregiftsofhealingsandworkingsofmiracles.Togainanoverallperspectiveofthesetwogifts,weshouldnotethedistinctionbetweenahealingandamiracle.

DistinguishingbetweenHealingsandMiracles

Essentially,ahealingrelievesthebodyofdiseaseorinjury.Itisoftenimperceptibletothesenses.Itmayalsobegradual;itdoesnotnecessarilyhappeninstantaneouslyoreveninaveryshortperiodoftime.Ontheotherhand,amiracleisusuallyperceptibletothesensesandalmostinstantaneous,anditproducesachangethatgoesbeyondhealing.

Forinstance,youcannot“heal”onelegthatisshorterthantheother,butGodcanlengthenit.Ihaveseenthousandsofcasesinwhichlegshavegrownoutinstantaneouslyandvisiblyafterprayer.Ihavealsowitnessedtherestorationofanear.Amanwhoaskedforprayerforthehealingofhisearmentionedafterwardthathisinnerearhadbeensurgicallyremoved.Whenhewentbacktoadoctorandhadhisearexamined,thedoctortoldhimhehadacompletelynormalear.Thiswasnotjustahealingbecauseyoucannothealsomethingthatisnotthere.Thiswasacreativeorrestorativemiracle.

Ofcourse,healingandmiraclescanoverlaponeother.Aninstantaneoushealingthatisvisiblecouldbedescribedasamiracle.Ihavewitnessedquiteanumberofthesehealings.OnceIprayedforagirlwhohadacne.Ididn’treallyexpectmuch,butinthenexttenminutes,herfacechangedtoakindofglowingpink.Itwasabsolutelysupernatural.Allthatwasleftwasafaintshadowwherethespotshadbeen.Thatwasahealing,butitwassoperceptibleandinstantaneousyoumightcallitamiracle.

TheNatureofGiftsofHealings

Wewillnowlookinamorein-depthwayatgiftsofhealings.“Toanother[isgiven]giftsofhealingsbythesameSpirit”(1Corinthians12:9).Again,withthisgift,bothgiftsandhealingsareintheplural.Iinterpretthistomeaneachtimeahealingcomes,itisagiftgiventhroughthepersonbywhomthegiftismanifested.

UnderGod’sControl

AswithothergiftsoftheSpirit,giftsofhealingsareoperatedonlyunderGod’scontrol.Idonotbelieveanyonecangoaroundhealingpeopleatwillanywhereandatanytime.Ifyoumanifestgiftsofhealings,somefoolishpersonmaysaytoyou,“Walkintothehospitalandhealeverybody.”Thatisreallyunscriptural.Forexample,lookattheincidentinwhichJesushealedtheinvalidmanatthepoolofBethesda.

NowthereisinJerusalembytheSheepGateapool,whichiscalledinHebrew,Bethesda,havingfiveporches.Intheselayagreatmultitudeofsickpeople,blind,lame,paralyzed.…Nowacertainmanwastherewhohadaninfirmitythirty-eightyears.WhenJesussawhimlyingthere,andknewthathealreadyhadbeeninthatconditionalongtime,Hesaidtohim,“Doyouwanttobemadewell?”ThesickmanansweredHim,“Sir,Ihavenomantoputmeintothepoolwhenthewaterisstirredup;butwhileIamcoming,anotherstepsdownbeforeme.”Jesussaidtohim,“Rise,takeupyourbedandwalk.”Andimmediatelythemanwasmadewell,tookuphisbed,andwalked.(John5:2–3,5–9)

“Doyouwanttobemadewell?”mightseemlikeastrangequestiontoaskamanwhohadbeenthereforthirty-eightyearsseekinghealing.However,theexerciseofthewillcanbeanimportantfactorinbeinghealed.

Notetherewasagreatmultitudeofsickpeopleatthepool.YetJesuswentin,healedoneman,andwalkedoutagain.WhenJesuswasquestionedaboutthehealing,Hesaid,“Mostassuredly,Isaytoyou,theSoncandonothingofHimself,butwhatHeseestheFatherdo;forwhateverHedoes,theSonalsodoesinlikemanner”(v.19).JesusdidnotclaimtheabilitytodoanythingindependentlyoftheFather.InanotherplaceHesaid,“ThewordsthatIspeaktoyouIdonotspeakonMyownauthority;buttheFatherwhodwellsinMedoestheworks”(John14:10).Inotherwords,JesusHimselfcouldnotgooutanddoanythinginHisownwillorbyHisowndecisionifitwasnotbyrevelationoftheFather’swill.Jesusdidnotoperateinthatway,andwecannoteither.

WemustbedirectedbyGodinthesematters.Forexample,whenfiftypeoplecomeforwardinameetingforhealing,itisusuallyveryunsatisfactorytolinethemup,givethemanumber,andstartwithnumberone.Thefirstpersoninline

maybesomeonewhohasnofaith,soyouprayforhimandnothinghappens.Numbertwomayalsohavenofaith.Bythetimeyouprayforhimandnothinghappens,nobodyhasanyfaith.You’refightingunbeliefineverybody.WehavelearnedbyexperiencetolettheLordselecttheonetobeginwith.WecanonlydothesethingsinsofarasGodleadsusandoperatesthroughus,asHedidthroughJesusandtheapostles.

ThePoweroftheSpiritfortheBeliever’sBody

HealingpoweristhepoweroftheHolySpiritmadeavailabletothebodyofthebeliever.InRomans8:11,Paulwrote,“ButiftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedJesusfromthedeaddwellsinyou,HewhoraisedChristfromthedeadwillalsogivelifetoyourmortalbodiesthroughHisSpiritwhodwellsinyou.”Youhaveavailablewithinyou,throughtheindwellingHolySpirit,theverysamepowerthatraisedtolifethedeadbodyofJesus.Paulbroughtoutthesameideawhenhegavethistestimony:

AlwayscarryingaboutinthebodythedyingoftheLordJesus,thatthelifeofJesusalsomaybemanifestedinourbody.ForwewholivearealwaysdeliveredtodeathforJesus’sake,thatthelifeofJesusalsomaybemanifestedinourmortalflesh.Sothendeathisworkinginus,butlifeinyou.(2Corinthians4:10–12)

Wedonotyethaveourresurrectionbodies.Butwhatwedohave,andwhatweareentitledtoclaim,isresurrectionlifeinamortalbody.TheresurrectionlifeofJesusChristismadeavailabletothebodyofthebelieverbytheHolySpiritthroughfaith.Paulsaid,“ThatthelifeofJesusalsomaybemanifestedinourmortalflesh.”Thelifeisnotjusttobethere,butitisalsotobemademanifest.ThisiswhatIcalldivinehealinganddivinehealth.ItisthepresenceoftheSpiritofGodthatraisedthebodyofJesusoutofthetombmademanifest,operatingsothatyoucanseeitispresentandobservewhatitisdoing.Jameswrote,“Isanyoneamongyousick?Lethimcallfortheeldersofthechurch,andletthemprayoverhim,anointinghimwithoilinthenameoftheLord”(James5:14).TheoiltypifiestheHolySpiritgivingresurrectionlifetothebodyofthebeliever.

Ibelievetheresurrectionlifegoesbeyondhealingtohealth.ThewillofGodisnotforthebelieverinChristtokeepgettinghealedbuttobehealthy.Hiswillforthebelieverisstatedin3John2:“Beloved,Ipraythatyoumayprosperinall

thingsandbeinhealth,justasyoursoulprospers.”Ihavelearnedbyexperienceitismucheasiertobeinhealththanitistokeepgettinghealed.Itisgoodtobehealed,butitismuchbettertobehealthy.Ihavealsolearneditismucheasiertohavefaithnottogetsickthanitistohavefaithforhealingwhenyouarealreadysick.

ThereisafurtherbenefittothepoweroftheHolySpiritinthebodyofthebeliever:“Sothatyouryouthisrenewedliketheeagle’s”(Psalm103:5).Theresurrectionlifeismorethanequaltotheravagesofsicknessanddisease,anditcaneven,inacertainmeasure,counterbalancetheworkingsofoldage.TheScripturesays,“Moseswasonehundredandtwentyyearsoldwhenhedied.Hiseyeswerenotdimnorhisnaturalvigordiminished”(Deuteronomy34:7).MosesspentsomuchtimeinthepresenceofGodthathereallywaslivinginadifferentkindofatmospherethantheotherIsraelites.

Theenvironmentweliveinmakesasignificantdifference.AwomantoldmesheandherhusbandwenthomefortheholidaysandhadareunionwithothermembersofthefamilywhowerenotSpirit-baptizedbelievers.Theyallarrivedhealthybutstartedtalkingabouttheirsicknesses.Afteraboutthreedaysoftalkingabouttheirsicknesses,mostofthemweresick.Sheandherhusbandsaid,“Wewerejustgladtogetoutofthatatmosphere.”Theenvironmentyouliveinhasmuchtodowithwhatyouexperience.IfirmlybelievetheSpirit-filledbelievershouldcreateanenvironmentaroundhimofpositivefaith,confidence,andpraise.

AnAtmosphereofPowerthatHeals

TheHolySpirit’spowerforhealingindwelledJesusfromthetimeofHisbaptismintheriverJordan.TherewereinstanceswhenthispowerflowedthroughHiminanalmosttangibleway.OneexampleofthiswaswhenthewomanwiththeflowofbloodcameupbehindHiminthecrowdandtouchedtheborderofHisgarment.

Nowacertainwomanhadaflowofbloodfortwelveyears,andhadsufferedmanythingsfrommanyphysicians.Shehadspentallthatshehadandwasnobetter,butrathergrewworse.WhensheheardaboutJesus,shecamebehindHiminthecrowdandtouchedHisgarment.Forshesaid,“IfonlyImaytouchHisclothes,Ishallbemadewell.”Immediatelythefountainofherbloodwasdried

up,andshefeltinherbodythatshewashealedoftheaffliction.AndJesus,immediatelyknowinginHimselfthatpowerhadgoneoutofHim,turnedaroundinthecrowdandsaid,“WhotouchedMyclothes?”(Mark5:25–30)

JesusfelthealingpowerleaveHimwhenthewomanwashealed.Letuslookatanotherexample:“Nowithappenedonacertainday,asHewasteaching,thattherewerePhariseesandteachersofthelawsittingby,whohadcomeoutofeverytownofGalilee,Judea,andJerusalem.AndthepoweroftheLordwaspresenttohealthem”(Luke5:17).Thewholeatmosphereapparentlywaspermeatedwiththishealingpower.InLuke6:19,wefindasituationsimilartothatofthewomanwiththeflowofbloodwhowashealed:“AndthewholemultitudesoughttotouchHim,forpowerwentoutfromHimandhealedthemall.”WewillhaveexperienceslikethatinourownlivesandministrieswhenthespiritofhealingormiracleswillmoveintoameetingandalmosteverybodywillbesupernaturallytouchedbyGod.IhavebeguntoseethisonasmallscaleandIexpecttoseeitincrease.

ThesamesupernaturalhealingpowerwasassociatedwiththeministryofPetersothatevenhisshadowbroughthealing:

Theybroughtthesickoutintothestreetsandlaidthemonbedsandcouches,thatatleasttheshadowofPeterpassingbymightfallonsomeofthem.AlsoamultitudegatheredfromthesurroundingcitiestoJerusalem,bringingsickpeopleandthosewhoweretormentedbyuncleanspirits,andtheywereallhealed.(Acts5:15–16)

SuchhealingsarenotlimitedtotheministryofJesusandtheapostles.AbrotherintheLordwhomIknewwasusedinthiswayasheministeredinArgentina.Hesaidattheheightofthemeetingshewasconducting,hedeliberatelywalkedsohisshadowfellonthesick,andtheywerehealed.ThemeetingsinArgentinashookthewholecountryfromendtoendinawaythatallpreviousmissionaryeffortshadabsolutelybeenunabletoachieve.Thishappenedinthespaceofafewbriefweeks.WhenGod’spowerisliberated,wecannotmeasurewhattheresultswillbe.

SpecificHealingsofIndividuals

Theexamplesinthelastsectionweregenerallyaboutmasshealingsoccurringinanatmosphereofpower.Letusnowlookatsomescriptural

accountsofthehealingofindividuals.WebeginwiththeministryofJesus.

Whenthesunwassetting,allthosewhohadanythatweresickwithvariousdiseasesbroughtthemto[Jesus];andHelaidHishandsoneveryoneofthemandhealedthem.(Luke4:40,emphasisadded)

HereweseethatJesusministeredtopeopleindividually.EachonewhomHelaidHishandsonwashealed.WeseefromthisexamplethatGoddoesnotalwaysworkhealinginthesameway.Sometimes,peoplecouldjusttouchJesusandbehealed,andothertimesHehadtolayHishandsonthemindividually.

Weseethisindividualapproachintheaccountofthehealingoftheleper.

When[Jesus]hadcomedownfromthemountain,greatmultitudesfollowedHim.Andbehold,alepercameandworshipedHim,saying,“Lord,ifYouarewilling,Youcanmakemeclean.”ThenJesusputoutHishandandtouchedhim,saying,“Iamwilling;becleansed.”Immediatelyhisleprosywascleansed.(Matthew8:1–3)

Thisvisiblehealingofleprosycouldreallybeconsideredamiracle.Jesustouchedhim,andhewasimmediatelycured.Ofcourse,onereasonJesustouchedhimwasthatpeopledidnotusuallytouchlepers.Hecouldhavehealedhimwithsomeothermethod,butHewentoutofHiswaytotouchthemantoshowhimcompassion.

Sometimes,themethodsJesususedinhealingweredistinctlyunconventional.ThisshowswemustrelytotallyontheleadingoftheHolySpiritinhealing.LetuslookattwoexamplesofunconventionalhealingsinwhichpeoplewerehealedafterJesustouchedthem.Thefirstinvolvesamanwhowasdeaf:

ThentheybroughttoHimonewhowasdeafandhadanimpedimentinhisspeech,andtheybeggedHimtoputHishandonhim.AndHetookhimasidefromthemultitude,andputHisfingersinhisears,andHespatandtouchedhistongue.Then,lookinguptoheaven,Hesighed,andsaidtohim,“Ephphatha,”thatis,“Beopened.”Immediatelyhisearswereopened,andtheimpedimentofhistonguewasloosed,andhespokeplainly.(Mark7:32–35)

Thenwehaveanotherremarkableaccountinvolvingthehealingofablindman.“ThenHecametoBethsaida;andtheybroughtablindmantoHim,and

beggedHimtotouchhim.SoHetooktheblindmanbythehandandledhimoutofthetown”(Mark8:22–23).WhydidJesusleadthemanoutoftown?Therewasprobablysuchanatmosphereofunbelieftherethatthemancouldneverhavehadthefaithtobehealed.

Thepassagecontinues,“Andwhen[Jesus]hadspitonhiseyesandputHishandsonhim,Heaskedhimifhesawanything.Andhelookedupandsaid,‘Iseemenliketrees,walking’”(vv.23–24).Themancouldsee,butnotclearly.SomepeoplesayallJesus’healingswereinstantaneouslycomplete.YetJesusdepended,inameasure,ontheresponseoffaithinthepersonHewasdealingwith.“ThenHeputHishandsonhiseyesagainandmadehimlookup.Andhewasrestoredandsaweveryoneclearly.ThenHesenthimawaytohishouse,saying,‘Neithergointothetown,nortellanyoneinthetown’”(vv.25–26).

Apparently,Jesusjustcouldnotstandtheatmosphereofthattown.Therewassuchanenvironmentofunbeliefthere.Perhapsitwastheman’srelativeswhoweretheproblem.Sometimes,thehardestpeopletohavefaithinfrontofareyourrelatives.Ifallyourrelativesareunbelievers,youmayhavetohavefaithsomewhereelse.Thismancouldnotbehealedinthatparticulartown.Andevenwhenhewashealed,heevidentlycouldnotkeephishealingifhewentbackthere.

Individualhealingswerealsoworkedthroughtheministryoftheearlychurch.InthebookofActs,PaulandotherswereshipwreckedontheislandofMaltaafteraterriblestorm.Whentheycameashore,theislandersreceivedthemandopeneduptheirhomestothem.AndtherewasonestrategichealingGodusedtogaintheattentionofthewholeisland.

Inthatregiontherewasanestateoftheleadingcitizenoftheisland,whosenamewasPublius,whoreceivedusandentertaineduscourteouslyforthreedays.AndithappenedthatthefatherofPubliuslaysickofafeveranddysentery.Paulwentintohimandprayed,andhelaidhishandsonhimandhealedhim.Sowhenthiswasdone,therestofthoseontheislandwhohaddiseasesalsocameandwerehealed.(Acts28:7–9)

NotethepassagesaysPaulhealedhim.Ofcourse,wecannothealanybodyapartfromJesusandthepoweroftheHolySpirit,buttherearetimeswhenwecanbesoidentifiedwithHimthatwecanhealpeople.Jesussaid,“Hewho

believesinMe,theworksthatIdohewilldoalso”(John14:12).WhenJesussentoutthetwelvedisciplesandthentheseventydisciplestoministerinsurroundingtownsandcities,Hetoldthem,“Healthesick.”(See,forexample,Luke10:9.)TheBibleputsmuchmoreresponsibilityonbelieversthanmostofusarewillingtorecognize.

ResultsofGiftsofHealings

Wehaveseenthatgiftsofhealingssupernaturallyrestorepeopletophysicalwholeness.Whensucharestorationcomes,itisagiftgiventhroughthepersonbywhomthegiftismanifested.GiftsofhealingsmaybeeffectedthroughtheresurrectionpoweroftheHolySpirit.Theycanbemanifestedinanatmosphereforhealinginwhichmanyaremadewhole,aswellinthehealingofspecificindividualsundertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.GiftsofhealingsalsoresultincreatinganatmosphereofbeliefforadditionalhealingandanopennesstothegospelofJesusChrist.

Chapter9WorkingsofMiracles

TheNatureofWorkingsofMiracles

In1Corinthians12:10,weread,“Toanother[isgiven]theworkingofmiracles.”Aswithgiftsofhealings,thisgiftisoperatedonlyunderGod’scontrol.Noonecanworkamiraclesimplybyanexerciseofhisownwill.

AsIsaidearlier,thisgiftismoreproperlydesignatedasthedoubleplural“workingsofmiracles.”Moreover,Paulwroteaboutworkingsofmiraclesthreetimes—inthetenthandtwenty-eighthversesof1Corinthians12andinthefifthverseofGalatians3.TheGreekwordtranslated“miracles”intheseversesisthepluralformofdunamis.Dunamismeans“power,”andtherefore,translatedliterally,thegiftwouldbe“workingsofpowers.”TheseworkingsrefertotheGod-givenabilitytodemonstratethesupernaturalpoweroftheHolySpiritatwork.Eachmiracleisaworking—aspecific,definitemanifestationofthegift.

GeneralReferencestoMiraclesinScripture

AthreadrunsthroughtheScriptureswherevertheworddunamisisusedintheplural.LetusbeginbylookingatinstancesintheNewTestamentwheredunamisisusedinageneralwayforthemiraculous,withoutaparticularmiraculousactbeingmentioned.

InMatthew13:54,thepeopleofNazarethcommentedaboutJesuswhenHefirstbeganHisministry:“AndwhenHehadcometoHisowncountry,Hetaughtthemintheirsynagogue,sothattheywereastonishedandsaid,‘WheredidthisMangetthiswisdomandthesemightyworks?’”Theworddunamisinthiscaseistranslated“mightyworks.”OtherBibleversionsuse“miraculouspowers.”ThepeoplewereamazedatJesus’wisdomandmiraclesandsaid,ineffect,“Wheredidtheycomefrom?WeknowHim.Heisjustacarpenter’sson.HowisHeabletodothesethings?”(Seeverses55–56.)

InActs2:22,PeterreferredtoJesusinthisway:“MenofIsrael,hearthesewords:JesusofNazareth,aManattestedbyGodtoyoubymiracles[dunamis,powers],wonders,andsignswhichGoddidthroughHiminyourmidst,asyouyourselvesalsoknow….”GodAlmightyboresupernaturaltestimonytothelife

andministryofJesusbythreethings:miracles,wonders,andsigns.Jesuswas“attestedbyGod.”ThisfactwasimportantforPeter’sJewishaudiencetounderstand.“ForJewsrequestasign,”Paulwrote,“andGreeksseekafterwisdom”(1Corinthians1:22).Jewswillneveracknowledgeaprophetwhodoesnothaveasupernaturalsign.Itisingrainedinthem.TheirwholereligiousbackgroundisofmenwhocamewithamessagefromGodandcouldproveit.

WereallywillneverreachpeopleasweshoulduntilwehavesupernaturalevidencethatwhatwearetellingthemisattestedbyGod.Ihavebeenamissionaryintwocountries,andIwouldnotstepoutsidemyowncountrytopreachthegospelifIwerenotconvincedGodwouldbearsupernaturaltestimonytothemessageHegivesme.Otherwise,wewoulddobettertostayathomeandsendliterature.Itwilldothejobmuchbetterunlesswehavesomethingmorethanjustwordstoofferpeople.Thatisthepowerofworkingsofmiracles.

Inspeakingofhisownapostleship,Paulwrote,“Trulythesignsofanapostlewereaccomplishedamongyouwithallperseverance,insignsandwondersandmightydeeds[dunamis]”(2Corinthians12:12).Thewordtranslated“mightydeeds”isrendered“miracles”inotherBibleversions.Oncemore,Paulmadeitclearthatanapostlehastodemonstratehisapostleship.Hehastohavesupernaturalattestation.Accompanyingthesignsofanapostleisacharacterquality,perseverance—theabilitynottogetdiscouragedorgiveup.NotethatthesamethreewordsofattestationareusedherethatwereusedofJesusinActs2:22:signs,wonders,andmightydeedsormiracles.

AnotherinstanceofdunamisisinPaul’sepistletotheGalatians.Inthisletter,hewasdealingwiththefactthatthebelievers,havingknownsalvationbythegraceandpowerofGod,havingexperiencedthebaptismintheHolySpirit,andhavingseenthemiraculous,werenowgoingbackunderthelawofMosesandobservinglegalrequirementsthroughtheinfluenceofJudaizingteachers.ItisveryinterestingthatPaulwasmuchmoreupsetwiththeGalatiansthanhewaswiththeCorinthians.TheCorinthianshadproblemswithallsortsofcarnalsins,butPaultooktimeatthebeginningofhisfirstlettertothankGodforthegraceofGodrevealedtothem.InhislettertotheGalatians,hedidnothaveanytimetothankGodforthem.Hesaid,“ImarvelthatyouareturningawaysosoonfromHimwhocalledyouinthegraceofChrist,toadifferentgospel”(Galatians1:6).Paulappearedtohavebeenmuchmoredisturbedbythelegalismthanhe

wasbytheimmorality,thoughhecarefullycorrectedbotherrors.ButlegalismisamuchgreaterdangertomostChristians.

NotewhatPaulwroteinhisrebuketotheGalatians:

ThisonlyIwanttolearnfromyou:DidyoureceivetheSpiritbytheworksofthelaw,orbythehearingoffaith?Areyousofoolish?HavingbegunintheSpirit,areyounowbeingmadeperfectbytheflesh?Haveyousufferedsomanythingsinvain;ifindeeditwasinvain?ThereforeHewhosuppliestheSpirittoyouandworksmiracles[dunamis]amongyou,doesHedoitbytheworksofthelaw,orbythehearingoffaith?(Galatians3:2–5)

Theapostlewassaying,“DidyoureceivetheHolySpiritasaresultofbeingcircumcisedandkeepingthelawofMoses?No.YoureceivedtheHolySpiritwhenyoubelievedthepreachingofthegospel,somebodyprayedandlaidhandsonyou,andyoubegantospeakwithtongues.AreyougoingbacktofleshlyordinancesandrulesafteryouhaveknownwhatitistotastethepowerandlibertyoftheHolySpirit?”

“SuppliestheSpirittoyou”(v.5)referstobringingpeopleintothebaptismintheHolySpirit.ThisdoesnothappenbybeingcircumcisedorbeingunderthelawofMosesbutbyfaith,justassalvationcomesbyfaith.PaulthereforeputworkingsofmiraclesinthesamecategoryasreceivingtheHolySpirit.Theycomebythehearingoffaith.YoulistentosomebodyexpoundtheWordofGod,andthenbyasimpleact,youreleaseyourfaithandithappens.Itdoesn’trequirealotofagonizingorshouting;itisn’temotionalism.ItisjusthearingtheWordofGodwithfaith.

AnotherexampleofmiraclesmentionedinageneralwayintheScripturesisinHebrews:

Howshallweescapeifweneglectsogreatasalvation,whichatthefirstbegantobespokenbytheLord,andwasconfirmedtousbythosewhoheardHim,Godalsobearingwitnessbothwithsignsandwonders,withvariousmiracles[dunamis],andgiftsoftheHolySpirit,accordingtoHisownwill?(Hebrews2:3–4)

FourmanifestationsofGod’spowerarementionedhere:signs,wonders,variousmiracles,andgiftsoftheHolySpirit.“Gifts”inthisversewouldbe

bettertranslatedas“distributions.”ThetestimonyofGodtothegospelmessagewassupernaturalthroughandthrough.Itshouldbejustthesametoday.

MiraclesandDeliverance

Beforewediscussspecificmiracles,Iwanttopointouttherelationshipbetweengiftsofmiraclesandthecastingoutofevilspirits.Inalmosteveryplacewheretheworddunamisisused,thereisareferencetocastingoutdemons.Forexample,inMarkweread,

NowJohnansweredHim,saying,“Teacher,wesawsomeonewhodoesnotfollowus[whoisnotinourgroup]castingoutdemonsinYourname,andweforbadehimbecausehedoesnotfollowus.”ButJesussaid,“Donotforbidhim,fornoonewhoworksamiracle[dunamis]inMynamecansoonafterwardspeakevilofMe.”(Mark9:38–39)

NoticeJesusreferredtothecastingoutofevilspiritsinHisnameasdoingamiracle.

WefindasimilarsituationinthedescriptionoftheministryofPhilipinSamaria.

AndthemultitudeswithoneaccordheededthethingsspokenbyPhilip,hearingandseeingthemiracles[adifferentGreekword]whichhedid.Foruncleanspirits,cryingwithaloudvoice,cameoutofmanywhowerepossessed;andmanywhowereparalyzedandlamewerehealed.…ThenSimonhimselfalsobelieved;andwhenhewasbaptizedhecontinuedwithPhilip,andwasamazed,seeingthemiracles[dunamis]andsignswhichweredone.(Acts8:6–7,13)

ThecorrecttranslationfromtheGreekis“seeingthesignsandgreatmiraclesthatweredone.”ThegreatmiraclesSimonsawwerenotjusttheparalyzedandthelamebeingvisiblyhealed,butalsoevilspiritscomingoutofpeopleinamanifestway.Ihavefoundsimilarresultsinmyministry.TheLordrevealedtousthatifwewouldcontinuetocastoutevilspirits,miraculoushealingswouldfollow.AndIhaveseenthelameandparalyzedhealed.ItisremarkablehowaccuratetheScriptureis.Ifwepresson,thereismoreahead.Thebestisyettobe.

AnotherexampleoftheconnectionbetweenmiraclesanddeliveranceisfoundinActs19.“Godworkedunusual[“special”kjv]miracles[dunamis]by

thehandsofPaul,sothatevenhandkerchiefsorapronswerebroughtfromhisbodytothesick,andthediseasesleftthemandtheevilspiritswentoutofthem”(vv.11–12).Theword“unusual”or“special”tellsusmiracleswerenormalintheearlychurch,butthatherewassomethingevenoutsidethenorm.

InScripturepassageswhereanactualmiracleormiraclesisspecified,therefore,thereisgenerallyareferencetoevilspiritsgoingout.ThisisoneofthemanifestdemonstrationsofthepowerofGod.

ManifestationsofSpecificMiracles

WaterintoWine

LetusnowlookatsomeexamplesofspecificmiraclesrecordedintheNewTestament.Jesus’veryfirstmiraclewasturningwaterintowine.

TherewasaweddinginCanaofGalilee,andthemotherofJesuswasthere.NowbothJesusandHisdiscipleswereinvitedtothewedding.Andwhentheyranoutofwine,themotherofJesussaidtoHim,“Theyhavenowine.”Jesussaidtoher,“Woman,whatdoesyourconcernhavetodowithMe?Myhourhasnotyetcome.”Hismothersaidtotheservants,“WhateverHesaystoyou,doit.”Nowthereweresettheresixwaterpotsofstone,accordingtothemannerofpurificationoftheJews,containingtwentyorthirtygallonsapiece.Jesussaidtothem,“Fillthewaterpotswithwater.”Andtheyfilledthemuptothebrim.AndHesaidtothem,“Drawsomeoutnow,andtakeittothemasterofthefeast.”Andtheytookit.(John2:1–8)

Jesustoldtheservantstofillthesixpotswithwater—that’sfaith.ThenHesaidtodrawsomeoutandgiveittothemasterofthefeast.Somewherebetweenthetimetheydrewitoutandthetimeitgottothemasterofthefeast,ithadchangedintowine.Thatwasamiracle.(SeeJohn2:9–11.)Youmightcallitasignoryoumightcallitawonder,butitfitsinthatcategory.

FeedingtheFiveThousand

AnothermiraclewasJesusmultiplyingtheloavesandfishtofeedthousandsofpeople.

JesusliftedupHiseyes,andseeingagreatmultitudecomingtowardHim,HesaidtoPhilip,“Whereshallwebuybread,thatthesemayeat?”ButthisHesaid

totesthim,forHeHimselfknewwhatHewoulddo.PhilipansweredHim,“Twohundreddenariiworthofbreadisnotsufficientforthem,thateveryoneofthemmayhavealittle.”OneofHisdisciples,Andrew,SimonPeter’sbrother,saidtoHim,“Thereisaladherewhohasfivebarleyloavesandtwosmallfish,butwhataretheyamongsomany?”ThenJesussaid,“Makethepeoplesitdown.”Nowtherewasmuchgrassintheplace.Sothemensatdown,innumberaboutfivethousand.AndJesustooktheloaves,andwhenHehadgiventhanksHedistributedthemtothedisciples,andthedisciplestothosesittingdown;andlikewiseofthefish,asmuchastheywanted.Sowhentheywerefilled,HesaidtoHisdisciples,“Gatherupthefragmentsthatremain,sothatnothingislost.”Thereforetheygatheredthemup,andfilledtwelvebasketswiththefragmentsofthefivebarleyloaveswhichwereleftoverbythosewhohadeaten.Thenthosemen,whentheyhadseenthesignthatJesusdid,said,“ThisistrulytheProphetwhoistocomeintotheworld.”(John6:5–14)

Jesuswantedtofeedfivethousandmen,notincludingwomenandchildren,andHehadfiveloavesandtwofish.WhatdidHedo?Oneverysimplething.HegavethankstotheLordandthenstartedtogiveoutthefood.Itfedeveryone,withsomeleftover.Doyouknowhowmuchfoodwasgatheredupattheend?Thepassagesaysitfilledtwelvebaskets.Anothertime,Jesusfedfourthousandpeoplewithsevenloavesandafewfish.Inthiscase,thereweresevenbasketsfulleftover,butadifferentwordisusedforbasketthesecondtimebecausetheseweremuchlargerbaskets.Notonlywerethepeoplefed,butalsotheleftoverswereabundant.(See,forexample,Mark8:1–9.)

NoticeJesusconductedthismiracleinaveryorderlyandsystematicway.IntheMark6accountofthefeedingofthefivethousand,wereadJesustoldthedisciplestohavepeoplesitdowningroups,andtheysatdownonthegrassingroupsoffiftyandahundred.JesusrequiredorderandsubmissiontoHisauthoritybeforeHefedthepeople.Thesameistrueforusinaspiritualsense.Somepeopledonotwanttobejoinedtoanybodyorbeundertheauthorityofanybodyelse.Becauseofthis,theyarenotabletobespirituallyfed.

ACreativeMiracleforaManBlindfromBirth

ThenwehavetheremarkablecaseofJesushealingamanwhohadbeenbornblind.

NowasJesuspassedby,Hesawamanwhowasblindfrombirth.AndHisdisciplesaskedHim,saying,“Rabbi,whosinned,thismanorhisparents,thathewasbornblind?”Jesusanswered,“Neitherthismannorhisparentssinned,butthattheworksofGodshouldberevealedinhim.…”WhenHehadsaidthesethings,Hespatonthegroundandmadeclaywiththesaliva;andHeanointedtheeyesoftheblindmanwiththeclay.AndHesaidtohim,“Go,washinthepoolofSiloam”(whichistranslated,Sent).Sohewentandwashed,andcamebackseeing.(John9:1–3,6–7)

JesusanointedtheeyesofablindmanwithclayandtoldhimtowashinthepoolatSiloam.Hewent,washed,andwasabletosee.Itwasnottheclayitselfthathealedtheman;yet,whenheobeyedJesus’instructionsbyanactoffaithandwashedinthepool,theHolySpiritrespondedtohisobedienceandaccomplishedwhatnohumanbeingcoulddo.ThepoweroftheHolySpiritturnedthatclayintoeyes.IbelieveJesusputtheclayontheman’seyesjusttoadvertisethatHewastheCreatorandthatanytime,inthewilloftheFather,Hecouldmakeclayintoflesh.AccordingtoGenesis2:7,theLordGodformedmanfromtheclayofthegroundandthenbreathedintohisnostrilsthebreathoflife,thedivineSpiritofGod,andmanbecamealivingbeingwithaspirit,soul,andbody.Thiswasthereforeanoutstandingmiracle,avindicationofthefactthatJesuswastheeternalCreatorwhohadcometoliveamonghumanity.

TheHealingofaManLamefromBirth

Intheministryoftheapostles,therewasthehealingmiracleofthemanwhowasbornlameandhadneverwalked.

Andacertainmanlamefromhismother’swombwascarried,whomtheylaiddailyatthegateofthetemplewhichiscalledBeautiful,toaskalmsfromthosewhoenteredthetemple;who,seeingPeterandJohnabouttogointothetemple,askedforalms.Andfixinghiseyesonhim,withJohn,Petersaid,“Lookatus.”Sohegavethemhisattention,expectingtoreceivesomethingfromthem.ThenPetersaid,“SilverandgoldIdonothave,butwhatIdohaveIgiveyou:InthenameofJesusChristofNazareth,riseupandwalk.”Andhetookhimbytherighthandandliftedhimup,andimmediatelyhisfeetandanklebonesreceivedstrength.Sohe,leapingup,stoodandwalkedandenteredthetemplewiththem;walking,leaping,andpraisingGod.(Acts3:2–8)

ThismanwassittingattheBeautifulGateofthetemplewhenhesawPeterandJohncoming.Hestretchedouthishandexpectingtoreceivemoney,whenPetersaid,“SilverandgoldIdonothave,butwhatIdohaveIgiveyou.”Obviously,youcannotgivesomethingifyoudonothaveit.Thetroublewithsomanyofusisthatwedonothavemuchspirituallytogiveotherpeople.ButPetersaid,ineffect,“Idon’thavesilverandIdon’thavegold,butinthenameofJesus,riseupandwalk.”

Whilethemanwasstillsittingthere,Peterstretchedouthishandandliftedhimup.Whenthemanbegantoriseup,hewashealed.Itismostimportanttoseethatpeopleveryrarelyreceiveanythingbyjustsittingpassively.Youhavetodosomethingtoexerciseyourfaith.Faithwithoutworks,withoutcorrespondingacts,isdead.(SeeJames2:20,26.)Ihavelearnedthecrucialpointinamiracleisgettingapersontodoasmallactthatstartshisfaithmoving.Inmanycases,itdoesnotmattermuchwhatitis,butthemomentpeoplebegintoact,thingsbegintohappen.AsPeterstartedtoliftthemanup,andasthemanresponded,inthatmomentofacting,thesupernaturalpowerofGodstraightenedouthisanklesandlegs.

Ihavepersonallywitnessedmanylegsstraightened.Ihaveseenpeoplewithbowlegshavetheirlegsvisiblycometogether.Inaddition,afriendofminewasaskedtoprayforahighschoolteacherwhowascrippledwitharthritisandclubfeet.Heprayedforhimandcommandedhimtoriseupandwalk,andhedidso.Thenextday,insteadofappearinginawheelchair,hewalkedintohisclassroom.MyfriendsaidthatconvincedthosestudentsmorethanahundredsermonscouldhavethatGodisalive.WehaveanobligationtoourgenerationtodemonstrateGodistrulyalive.Ihaveseenbumperstickersthatsay,“MyGodisnotdead.”Thatisfine,butletusseeademonstration.Thisiswhattheworldislookingfor.Whentheyseeit,itisamazingwhowillrespond.Themosthard-heartedandcynicalcanbecomethemostenthusiastic.

TheRaisingofEutychusfromtheDead

TheapostlePaulwasinvolvedinthemiracleofraisingamannamedEutychusfromthedead.

Nowonthefirstdayoftheweek,whenthedisciplescametogethertobreakbread,Paul,readytodepartthenextday,spoketothemandcontinuedhismessageuntilmidnight.Thereweremanylampsintheupperroomwherethey

weregatheredtogether.AndinawindowsatacertainyoungmannamedEutychus,whowassinkingintoadeepsleep.Hewasovercomebysleep;andasPaulcontinuedspeaking,hefelldownfromthethirdstoryandwastakenupdead.ButPaulwentdown,fellonhim,andembracinghimsaid,“Donottroubleyourselves,forhislifeisinhim.”…Andtheybroughttheyoungmaninalive,andtheywerenotalittlecomforted.(Acts20:7–10,12)

Somepeoplewouldhavebeenthrownoffbalanceifthathadhappenedinthemiddleoftheirgivingasermon,yetPaulalmosttookitinstride.ThroughPaul,thepoweroftheHolySpiritworkedthemiracleofbringingEutychusbacktolife.

MiraclesandActsofFaith

IfyoustudythemiraclesinScripture,youwillfindthatalmosteverytime,anactoffaithtriggeredthem.Sometimes,itwasaverysimpleact.Forexample,whenMosesandtheIsraelitesarrivedatMarah,thewaterswerebitter,andtheycouldnotdrinkfromthem.MosescriedtotheLord,andtheLordshowedhimatree.Whenhethrewthetreeintothewater,thewatersbecamesweet.(SeeExodus15:23–25).Thetreeitselfdidnotsweetenthewater;itwasthepowerofGod.YetMoseshadtothrowthetreein.Hedidnotslipthetreeinquietly;hethrewitinwithasplash.Inotherwords,hecommittedhimself.Faithisnotanexperiment;itisacommitment.

JesusHimselfdidsomeseeminglystrangethingswhiledoingmiracles,suchasputtingclayinablindman’seyesandspittingandtouchingadeafman’stongue.Healsotoldotherpeopletodothingsthatwereabsurdinthenatural,suchasgoingandwashinginaspecificpool.ButthosesimpleactsliberatedthehealingpowerofGod.

MiraclesandHealings

Inoneway,healingsmergewithmiracles;aninstantaneous,visiblehealingisamiracle.Inanotherway,miraclesmergewithfaith.Butofthegiftsofpower,theministryofmiraclesisputbeforetheministryofhealings,accordingto1Corinthians12:28:“AndGodhasappointedtheseinthechurch:firstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,afterthatmiracles,thengiftsofhealings….”Earlier,wereadthatwhenJesuswenttoHishometownofNazareth,thepeoplewouldnotacceptHimbecauseoftheirunbelief.“Hecoulddonomightywork

there,exceptthatHelaidHishandsonafewsickpeopleandhealedthem”(Mark6:5).Again,intheGreek,thetermtranslatedas“mightywork”isdunamis,thesamewordformiraclewehavebeenlookingat.JesuscouldnotdoamiracleinNazareth,butHecoulddoalittlehealing.Apparently,amiracleisonaslightlyhigherlevelthanahealing.

ThereisnotanymoreobviousneedinthechurchtodaythanfortheexerciseofgiftsofmiraclesbecausethisiswhattheworldneedstoseeasademonstrationofthepresenceandpowerofGod.WeshouldbeprayingthatGodwillfullyrestorethisgifttoHispeople.

Part4

TheVocalGifts

Chapter10KindsofTonguesandInterpretationofTongues

Nowwecometothethirdgroupofspiritualgifts:thevocalgifts.Thesederivetheirnamefromthefactthattheynecessarilyoperatethroughhumanvocalcords.Underthevocalgifts,wehavedifferentkindsoftongues,interpretationoftongues,andprophecy.

TheVocalGifts

Letusbeginwithsomebasicdefinitionsofthesegifts.Thesedefinitionsarenotintendedtobeall-encompassing,butratherpracticalintroductions.Notethatthewordstospeakarecentraltoeachone.

KindsoftonguesistheabilitygivenbytheHolySpirittospeakinalanguagenotunderstoodbythespeaker.

InterpretationoftonguesistheabilitygivenbytheHolySpirittospeak,inalanguageunderstoodbythespeaker,themeaningofwordspreviouslyspokeninanunknownlanguage.

ProphecyistheabilitytospeakwordsgivenbytheHolySpiritinalanguageunderstoodbythespeaker.

Wehavesaidthattheprevioustwogroupsofgifts—thegiftsofrevelationandthegiftsofpower—remainunderthecontrolofGod.Noonebyanactofhiswillcanoperateagiftofhealingoraworkingofmiracles,orhaveawordofwisdomorawordofknowledge.Thisdoesn’tmeanthehumanwilldoesnotplayanypartintheexerciseofthesegifts,becauseifthehumanwilldoesnotyieldtotheHolySpirit,thegiftscannotoperate.However,theinitiativeinthosesixgiftsremainswithGod.

Yetwhenwecometothevocalgifts,thereisnoquestionthat,insomemeasure—itvarieswithdifferentpeople—theyareplacedunderhumancontrol.Speakingfrompersonalexperience,Icanspeakinanunknowntongueatwillatanytimeofthedayornight,withoutanyreservationthatIknowof.Icanalsointerpretveryfrequently.IdonotknowhowoftenImightprophesy,butIknowthatifIsoughtto,Icouldprophesyatanymeeting.GodgavemethatabilitymanyyearsagoandIhaveneverlostit.

Ontheotherhand,Idonotjustprophesyatanymeeting.Ilearnedquicklythat,whilethesegiftsareplacedunderourcontrol,wearealsoresponsibleforwhatwedowiththem.OneofthefirstthingswehavetodointhefieldofthevocalgiftsislearnfromtheWordofGodthepurposesforwhichtheyaregiven,therightwaytousethem,andthewaysweshouldnotusethem.

In1Corinthians14,Paulgavemanyinstructionsregardinghowandwhentoexercisethegiftsandhowandwhennotto.Forinstance,Paulsaidthat,normally,inameeting,twoorthreepeoplearetospeakintongues,andnomore.Obviously,moremighthavetheabilitytodoso,buttheyaretorestrainthemselvesforpurposesoforder.Similarly,onlytwoorthreeprophetsmayspeakatameeting.Ifsomeonewantstospeakoutloudinanunknowntongue,theremustbeaninterpreter(eitherthepersonwhogavethetongueoranotherperson)orelsethetongueshouldnotbespoken.

ItisclearfromtheexamplesPaulgavethatpeopleretainthepowertoeitherexerciseornotexercisethesegifts.ThereisnowaytocalculatethenumberofmistakesanddisastersthathavearisenfrompeoplenotunderstandingtheyareresponsibletolearntocontrolthevocalgiftsoftheSpirit.

KindsofTongues

Paulwrote,“Toanother[isgiven]differentkindsoftongues”(1Corinthians12:10).ThisversedoesnotrefertothegiftofspeakinginanunknowntonguethatisgiventoallbelieversatthebaptismintheHolySpirit.Concerningthisgift,Paulwrote,“HewhospeaksinatonguedoesnotspeaktomenbuttoGod,fornooneunderstandshim;however,inthespirithespeaksmysteries”(1Corinthians14:2).EverybelievermayexercisethisformoftonguesinprivatecommunionwithGod.Hespeaks“mysteries,”orthingsnotunderstoodbythemind,forthepurposeofedificationinhispersonalspirituallife.Incontrast,thegiftofkindsoftonguesispluralinbothitsaspects,anditissetinthepublicassemblyforministrytothatassembly.ThesetonguesarenotforpersonaledificationbutforthebuildingupofthebodyofChristinalocalchurch.

PublicversusPrivateTongues

Togiveusabroaderperspectiveofthispublicgiftoftongues,letuslookat1Corinthians12:28,wherePaullisteddifferentministriesgivenbyGodforthepublicassembly.“AndGodhasappointedtheseinthechurch:firstapostles,

secondprophets,thirdteachers,afterthatmiracles,thengiftsofhealings,helps,administrations,varieties[kinds]oftongues.”WhenPaultalkedaboutthechurchinthisverse,hewasnotspeakingofthechurchuniversalbutwasspecificallyreferringtoapublicassemblyofGod’speoplewhohavecometogethertoministertooneanotherthroughtheoperationofthegifts.

Intheaboveverse,thegiftsarelisted,moreorless,inorderofseniority.Wenotedthisfactinthechapteronworkingsofmiracles,inwhichwesawthatmiraclesareputonasomewhathigherlevelthanhealings.Thistypeoforderingisunusual,however.Inmostplaces,Pauldidnotlistahierarchyofgifts.Forexample,thereisnothingtosuggesthewaslistingthemostimportantgiftsfirstin1Corinthians12:8–10,whenhelistedthespiritualgiftsweareexamininginthisbook.Infact,Paulwrotevariouspassagesthatmightsuggestthemosthighlyprizedgiftisprophecy,whichislistedquiteneartheendofthatlist.Yetherewehaveadefiniteorder.“Firstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,afterthatmiracles,thengiftsofhealings….”Thefirstfive,atleast,arelistedapparentlyinorderofseniority.

TheministryoftheWordtakesprecedenceoverallotherformsofministrybecauseithasthefinalauthority.ThisiswhythosewhohavetheministryoftheWordarelistedfirst.TheministriesoftheWordarefollowedbythesupernaturalministriesthatcomebytheexerciseofthegiftsofmiraclesandhealings.Thenwehavehelpsandadministrationsor“steering,”whichmeansindicatingthewaythemeetingoragroupshouldgo.Finally,wehavevarietiesoftongues.

IntheGreek,exactlythesamephraseisusedin1Corinthians12:28forvarietiesoftonguesthatisusedin1Corinthians12:10fordifferentkindsoftongues.Ithereforeprefertotranslateversetwenty-eightasdifferentkindsoftonguesalso.Incidentally,theGreekwordwetranslateas“kinds”isthesamewordfromwhichtheEnglishwordgenusisderived.Sowhatwearetalkingaboutinthisgiftaredifferentgenusesoftonguesordifferentgenresoftongues.

Itisclearfromthecontextof1Corinthians12wearenotdealingwithatongueusedinpersonalcommunionwithGod.AsIwroteearlier,thatisaprivategift,whilethisisapublicgift.Ifwedonotclearlyunderstandthedifference,wewillnotbeabletocomprehendthecontextofwhatPaulsaidconcerningthedifferentaspectsofthesetongues.Thepurposeofdifferentkinds

oftonguesispublicministryintheassembly,justasapostles,prophets,teachers,miracles,giftsofhealings,helps,andadministrationshavethatpurpose.Wemustcompletelydistinguishinourmindskindsoftonguesfromtheprivateuseofatongue.

Followinghislistofgiftsin1Corinthians12:28,Paulclearlyimpliednotallbelievershaveaministryoftonguesinthepublicassembly.Hewrote,“Areallapostles?Areallprophets?Areallteachers?Areallworkersofmiracles?Doallhavegiftsofhealings?Doallspeakwithtongues?Doallinterpret?”(vv.29–30).Paulaskedtheserhetoricalquestions,andIthinkeverybodywouldagreethewaythequestionsareaskedimpliestheanswerineachcaseisno.

Somepeoplededucefromtheseversesthat,becausenotallhavethegiftoftongues,tonguesarenotanecessarilyresultofthebaptismintheHolySpirit.YetthequestionPaulwasaskingis,“Inthepublicassembly,doallhavetheoperationofkindsoftongues?”Theanswerisno.IknowmanypeoplewhoarebaptizedintheSpiritandareabletocommunicateregularlywithGodprivatelyinanunknowntonguewhodonothaveaministryoftonguesinthepublicassembly.SoPaulwasnottalkingabouttheresultofthebaptismintheHolySpirit.Hewastalkingaboutdifferenttypesofministriesinapublicgatheringofbelievers.

DifferentKindsofTonguesforPublicAssembly

InowofferyoumyunderstandingofwhatPaulmeantbykindsoftongues.Ihavearrivedatthisconclusionfromyearsofstudy,meditation,andprayer,aswellasonthebasisofobservationandexperienceinanumberofdifferentgroupsinmanydifferentcountries.However,Ihavetosayitstillremainsmyopinion,andthatothersmightfeeldifferently.

Idonotbelieveitmeansdifferentlanguagesas,forinstance,sometimesRussian,sometimesGreek,sometimesFrench,sometimesSanskrit,andsoon.IwasinNewZealandteachingontheworkoftheHolySpirit,andIhadcometotheplaceinmyseriesofmessageswhereIwasabouttoteachonkindsoftongues.Ihadalreadyseenthefactthatbothpartsofthisgiftarepluralandhadcometotheconclusionthatitdidnotrefertodifferentlanguages.OnemorningIwokeupwiththisphraseinmymind,asclearanddistinctasanything:“Kindsoftongues:praise,intercession,rebuke,andexhortation.”IfeeltheHolySpiritwasshowingmeatleastapartofthemeaningofkindsoftongues—different

kindsofprayergivenintonguesthatsuitthetypesofprayer.Italsoreferstoexhortationorinstruction.Iaminnowaysuggestingthesefourtypesexhaustthepossibilities.

ImentionedthatthewordkindsinkindsoftonguesisrelatedtotheEnglishwordgenus.Therefore,thevariouskindsoflanguagesaredistinguishedonthebasisoftheuseorpurposeforwhichtheyaregiven.Asbackground,letuslookattwopassagesfrom1Timothy.Paulwrote,

Ihopetocometoyoushortly;butifIamdelayed,IwritesothatyoumayknowhowyououghttoconductyourselfinthehouseofGod,whichisthechurchofthelivingGod,thepillarandgroundofthetruth.(1Timothy3:14–15)

Weseethattheprimarypurposeforwhich1TimothywaswrittenwastoinstructTimothyincorrectbehaviorinthelocalchurch.Withthisinmind,wecannoteaveryimportantpointofemphasisinregardtokindsofprayer,whichPaulwrotetoTimothyearlierinhisletter:

ThereforeIexhortfirstofallthatsupplications,prayers,intercessions,andgivingofthanksbemadeforallmen.(1Timothy2:1)

Inotherwords,theprimaryministryofthelocalcongregationisprayer.Ifwedonotseethis,wewillfailtounderstandmanyotherbiblicaltruths,andwewillnotbeabletoenterintothefullexperienceofwhatGodhasforus.Ifwebypassprayer,wewillnotobtaintheresultstheNewTestamentspeaksabout,forprayeristhegeneratorthatproducesthepowerthatoperatestheotheraspectsoflifeintheassembly.

Forexample,ifyouskipprayerandimmediatelyimplementaprograminthechurch,youwillfindyoudonothavethepowertooperateit.Itislikehavingabuildingwiredforelectricitywithlight,heat,andsoundfixturesbutlackingaconnectiontoagenerator.Nothingworksbecausethereisnopower.ThisishowIunderstandtheplaceofprayerinthelocalassembly.

Thewholesubjectofprayerandtonguesissuchafulloneitalwaysgrievesmetohearpeoplerefertotonguesasiftheyweresmallandinsignificant.ItisatremendoussubjectthatreachesintomanydifferentaspectsofChristianliving.Afterstudyingandmeditatingonitfordecades,Ihavenotcomeanywherenear

tothedepthofit.

Inmanyways,althoughthegiftofkindsoftonguesisoneofthehardesttounderstandandenterinto,itisalsooneoffullestandmosteffectivewhenitiscorrectlyoperated.

FourKindsofTongues

Letusnowrelatedifferentkindsoftonguestodifferentkindsofpraying.Again,Iamnotsuggestingthesearetheonlykindsofprayerinrelationtotonguesinthepublicassembly,buttheyareimportantaspectsofit.

Praise

Althoughwearetalkingabouttheexerciseofkindsoftonguesinapublicassembly,thesizeoftheassemblydoesnotneedtobeverylarge.ThesmallestassemblyistwoorthreebelieversgatheredtogetherinthenameofJesus.(SeeMatthew18:20.)Manytimes,averysmallgroupreallycommittedtotheLordinprayerandreadytodobusinesswithGod—insteadofbeingouttoplayspiritualgamesorgetspiritualthrills—isoneofthemosteffectiveprayergroups.Sometimes,whenaprayergroupbecomeslarger,themotivesofsomeofthepeopleinitcanbequestionableandthereisnotthesameunity,power,andspiritualimpact.Whilepeoplealwaysseemtowanttheirprayergroupstogrowbigger,thenumberofpeopledoesnotreallymatter;itisthedegreeofunityandpurposethatmakesprayereffective.

Suppose,therefore,wehaveagroupoftwo,fifteen,fifty,orfivehundredpeoplewhoareinthepresenceoftheLord,ministeringtoHim.ThisconceptofministeringtotheLordisanimportantone.ManyChristians’ideaofprayerissimplytocometogetherwithalistofthingstheywantGodtodo.YetexperienceshowsthatifweministertotheLord,then,inHistiming,Hewillministerveryrapidlytoourneeds.WedonotusuallyneedtodoalotofbeggingandpleadingwithGod.

WithinagroupsuchasIjustdescribed,whetheritissmallorlarge,somebodymaybegivenatongueofpraise.Whenyouhearit,yourecognizethatahumanspiritisadoring,exalting,andworshippingtheCreator.Thiscanbeathrillingexperience.Andtheresultisthatitliberatestherestofthegroup.TheyallbegintojointogetherinexaltingGod.Thepurposeofthistongueofpraiseis

toleadthewholegroupintoworshipandpraise.Itfulfillsitspurposewithoutanyneedforinterpretation—thoughsometimesaninterpretationofatonguethatispurelypraiseandworshipdoescome,anditcanbeverybeautiful.

Intercession

Letusconsideranothersituationunderthegenreofintercession.Agroupmaybeprayingaboutapersonorasituation,buttheycannotseemtopraythroughtovictory.Or,theymaynotknowwhichwaytoprayorwhichwaythemeetingshouldgo.Insuchcases,GodtheHolySpiritmaygivesomeoneanintercessorytongue.Thismaybethespecificprayerthatpersonorsituationneeds,oritmaybeaprayerforthegroupasawholetobedirectedrightlyandknowthewilloftheLord.

Ihavenoticedthat,quiteoftenafterwhatIwouldcallanintercessorytongue,therewillbeanutteranceinprophecy.Yetthetwoarenotdirectlyconnected,astonguesandinterpretationare.Rather,thetongueofintercessionliberatedtheprophecythatGodwantedtobebroughtforth.Ihaveseenthishappenmanytimes.Welearntodistinguishbetweentonguesandinterpretation,andtonguesfollowedbyprophecy.

Rebuke

Anothertypeofpublictonguethatpeoplesometimesfindrathersurprisingandevenupsettingistonguesintheformofrebuke.WereadseveraltimesinthegospelsthatJesusrebukedsituations.HestoodoverPeter’smother-in-lawandrebukedthefever.(SeeLuke4:38–39.)Youdon’trebukesomethingthatispurelyaphysicalcondition.Ifyourebukesomething,thereisapersonorpersonalitybehindit,whichimpliesanevilspiritmayhavebeeninvolved.Earlier,wesawthatwhenJesusandthediscipleswerecrossingtheseaofGalileeandthestormwasabouttosinktheirship,Jesusstoodupandrebukedthewindandthewaves.(SeeMark4:35–41.)RememberthattheliteralmeaningintheGreekfor“bestill”(v.39)is“bemuzzled.”Hewasdealingwithapersonalitybehindthesituation.

TheHolySpiritwithinChristianswillsometimesdothesame.Whenwebegintoprayforaparticularphysicalormentalneed,forexample,theHolySpiritwillseemtoriseupwithinsomeone,eveninanger.Ihaveseenthismanytimes.Itcomesoutinatorrentlikeadamburstingandariversweepingdown,

carryingawaythebouldersanddebrisbeforeit.ThisistheHolySpiritturnedlooseagainstthepresenceandoperationofthedevilinsomeformoranother.PeoplewhoarenotfamiliarwiththismanifestationbecomescaredandaskhowtheHolySpiritcouldsoundlikethat.WehavetolearntheHolySpirithastheinfinitewisdomofGod,andHeseesbehindthesituationweareprayingabout,sothatHewillturnHispowerlooseagainstthedevilforthatsituation.

MywifeLydiaprayedforthesickmanytimesinthisway,anditcameoutlikearoar.Tome,whatmattersisthatthepersonwashealed.Forexample,wewereinameetinginOhiothatwasratherquietbecausethepeoplewerenotveryfreeintheSpirit.Amanasked,“Wouldyouprayforme?Ihavearthritis.”MywifeandIstoodbehindhim,andLydialaidherhandsonhisback.Suddenly,shegaveaveryloud,fierceroar.Themanwentupintheairabouttwoinchesandcamedown.Hesaid,“My,youfrightenedme!Butmyarthritisisgone.”

Thiswasanexampleoftonguesforrebuke.Therewasnoneedforanyinterpretation;itwouldhavebeenoutofplacetogiveaninterpretation.Sometimes,thistypeoftonguescanbesomewhatembarrassing.Yetifyoushutofftheembarrassment,youalsoshutoffthegift.Iknowonemanwhohadthisgift,andpeopleheministeredtowouldfalldownintheSpiritbythedozensandhundreds.IhaveseentwohundredpeopleinAfricaontheirbacksatonetimeasheministered.Hetoldmeoneday,“IaskedGodifIcoulddoitwithoutpeoplegoingontheirbacksbecauseitprovokessomuchcriticismandopposition.Thepeopledidn’tgoontheirbacksafterthat,buttheydidn’tgethealedeither.”Afterawhileheprayed,“God,YouhealthepeoplewhateverwayYouwanttodoit.”WearenottodictatetermstotheHolySpirit.AllwehavetodoisyieldourselvesandcooperatewithHim.

Exhortation

Afourthkindoftongueinthepublicassemblyisexhortation,wheretheHolySpiritspeaksaspecificwordtothegroupofbelieversgathered.Obviously,sinceitisgiveninatongue,itspurposewillnotbefulfilledunlessitisfollowedbyinterpretationinthelanguageunderstoodbythegroup.

TheInterpretationofTongues

Letusnowlookatthegiftofinterpretationoftongues,whichwehavedefinedastheabilitygivenbytheHolySpirittospeak,inalanguageunderstood

bythespeaker,themeaningofwordspreviouslyspokeninanunknownlanguage.Again,itisobviousthatinterpretationhasrelevanceonlytoasituationwhereanutterancehaspreviouslybeengiveninanunknowntongue.Iftherehasbeennounknowntongue,therecanneverbeanylogicalorreasonableuseforaninterpretation.

Paulwrote,“Iwishyouallspokewithtongues,butevenmorethatyouprophesied;forhewhoprophesiesisgreaterthanhewhospeakswithtongues,unlessindeedheinterprets,thatthechurchmayreceiveedification”(1Corinthians14:5,emphasisadded).Theapostlewassayingthatspeakinginanunknowntongue,initself,isnotedifyingtothechurchunlessthetongueisfollowedbyitsinterpretation.Apparently,inthiscase,atongueofexhortationfollowedbyinterpretationisequivalenttoprophecy.Itaccomplishesthesamepurposeanditmustobviouslybejudgedbythesamestandards.WeseeagainthatwhatPaulsaidin1Corinthians14:2aboutanunknowntonguecommunicatingonlywithGoddoesnotapplytohisstatementin1Corinthians14:5aboutatonguefollowedbyinterpretationinthepublicassembly.Ifitwereamysterythatcouldnotbeunderstood,itcouldnotbeinterpreted.

Paulsaid,“IthankmyGodIspeakwithtonguesmorethanyouall;yetinthechurchIwouldratherspeakfivewordswithmyunderstanding,thatImayteachothersalso,thantenthousandwordsinatongue”(1Corinthians14:18–19).Somepeoplewhoarecriticsoftonguesknowversenineteen,buttheyhavenotreadverseeighteen.Theyask,“Didn’tPaulsayhewouldratherspeakfivewordsinaknowntonguethantenthousandinanunknowntongue?”Yes,buthealsosaidhethankedGodhespokewithtonguesmorethanalltherestoftheCorinthianbelievers.

WhenyouformapicturefromPaul’slettersofhowmuchtheCorinthianchurchspokeintongues,itisobviousPaulspokeintonguesagreatdeal.Itisequallyobvioushedidnotnormallydoitinthepublicassembly.WheredidPauldoallthisspeakingintongues?Clearly,itwasinhisprivatecommunionwithGod.Thisshowsusagainthetwotypesoftonguesarequitedistinct,forPaulessentiallysaiditwouldbenogoodforhimtostandupforanhourinthepublicassemblyandspeakinanunknowntongue.Itwouldbeoutofplace,sinceitwouldnotedifyorhelpanybody.Butintheassembly,ouraimistocommunicatewithourfellowbelievers,toblessandtoministertothem,andweneedtooperateonthatbasis.Wehavetospeakinawaythatreachesthemand

thattheycanunderstand.

Ihaveseenasituationmanytimeswheresomebodywillspeakinanunknowntongueoutloud,anditwillnotbefollowedbyinterpretation;itwillnotfulfillanyfunctionorministrybutwillconfuse,disturb,andperhapsfrightenthosewhodonotunderstandit.Thisisamisuseofanunknowntongue.Again,inthepublicassembly,theprimarypurposetowhicheverythingelseshouldbesubjectedistheedifyingandblessingofourfellowbelievers.Thisiswhythepublicministryoftonguesforexhortationmustbefollowedbyinterpretation.

In1Corinthians14:28,Paulsaid,“Ifthereisnointerpreter,lethimkeepsilentinchurch[thepublicassembly],andlethimspeaktohimselfandtoGod.”Supposeyoufeelyouwanttoprayinanunknowntongue,butyouareinthepublicassemblyandrealizeitisnotgoingtobeinterpreted.Whatdoyoudo?Itisverysimple.Youdoitunderyourbreath;youspeakonlytoyourselfandtoGod.IhaveknownpeoplewhohavebeenbaptizedintheHolySpiritforyearsbutwhodidnotknowtheycouldprayquietlyintonguesundertheirbreath.YetthisiswhatPaulwassayingintheaboveverseasasolutiontotheproblemofalackofinterpretation.

TheNatureofInterpretation

Toproperlyexercisethegiftofinterpretationoftongues,wemustunderstanditsnature.Interpretationmustnotnecessarilybeunderstoodtomeanaword-for-wordtranslation,butratherarenderingofthegeneralsenseofwhatwasspokeninthetongue.Letmeillustratethisbymyownexperiencesofpreachingthroughaninterpreterinaforeignlanguage.

Byusinganinterpreter,Ihavelearnedtotrimmuchextraneouspreachingandeliminatealotofwastedtime.Forinstance,Ihavefounditisnogoodtryingtomakejokesbecausetheyareusuallyimpossibletotranslate.Likewise,Icannotuseexcessivelyslangyexpressionsbecausetheygetlostintranslation.Itisalsouselesstopileupalotofbombasticwordsbecausetheyperplextheinterpreterandgetyounowhere.Whenyoupreachthroughaninterpreter,allyoucangiveisthemeat;thefrillshavetofallaway.Theonlythingthatwillgetthroughtoaninterpreterissomethingthathasrealmeaningandishelpful.

Letmegiveyouanotherillustration.WhenIwasinEastAfrica,mypreachinginEnglishwasinterpretedintoSwahili,whichisgenerallythe

commonlanguagethere.Ihadtwoofthebestinterpretersinthecountry,buttheywereabsolutelydifferent.Onewoulduseatleasttwiceasmanywordsastheother.Thefirstwasratherblunt,brief,andtothepoint.Yet,insomeways,hegotthemessageacrossbetter.

Theseexperiencesreallybroughthometomethatinterpretingisnotexactlytranslating.Itisconveyingthemeaninginawaythatcanbeunderstood.Sotheinterpretationoftonguesmayconveyonlythegeneralmeaningofthewords.

However,itisalsopossibleforinterpretationtocomeintheformofaliteraltranslation.Ihavewitnessedoccasionswhereapersonhasgivenaninterpretationofatonguespokeninalanguagehedidnotknow,andthiswasverifiedbysomeoneelsewhoknewthelanguageasanaccurateword-for-wordtranslation.Theseexampleshelptoexplainwhyaninterpretationoftonguesmaybelonger,shorter,orasimilarlengthinregardtothelengthofthetongueitself.

Inaddition,myexperiencewithinterpretershasshownmeeachinterpreterconveyshisindividualpersonality.Ibelievethisalsoappliestothosewhoexercisethegiftofinterpretationoftongues.Ifyoulistentopeopleexercisingthegiftofinterpretation,youwillfindtheirownpersonalitiesarestillperceptibleastheyoperateinthegift.Forexample,IhavebeenaskedwhysomepeoplegiveinterpretationsusingKingJamesEnglish.MyansweristhatapersonmayhavegrownupwiththeKingJamesBiblesothathehasitinhisheart,andthereforeitwillcomeoutnaturallyaspartofwhoheis.AnotherwillgiveaninterpretationinmodernEnglish.Therearedifferentkindsofinterpreters,andthegiftwilloperateaccordingtotheirpersonalities.

WhenIwasinNewZealand,atthesametimeGodtaughtmeaboutthekindsoftonguesforprayer,oneofourworshipmeetingswasbroadcastduringthemainnewsprogramononeoftheTVchannels.ThemanwhoteleviseditwasnotaChristian,buthewasextremelyinterestedinspeakingintongues.IspokeonthetopicoftonguesandthenweworshippedGodandpraisedHimintongues.Theybroadcastthisfortwentyminutesatpeaknewstime.Friendstoldmeafterwarditwassopopulartheyrepeateditlaterthatyearasthemostinterestingnewscastofthatparticularperiod.However,agroupofChristiansinthecitylistenedandsaid,“Youcanseeitwasn’trealbecauseevenwhenMr.Princespokeintongues,youcouldrecognizehisvoiceandhisaccent.”Theydid

notrealizethatoperatinginthegiftsoftheSpiritwillnotsetasideaperson’spersonalityorthenormalsoundofhisvoice.Thisiswhy,whenpeoplegiveinterpretations,eachdoessoinhisownparticularstyle.

ComparetheutterancesoftheOldTestamentprophets.Forexample,lookatthewordsofAmos,Hosea,andIsaiah,whoweremoreorlesscontemporaries.Youcouldnotmistakeanutteranceofoneforanother.YettheywereallinspiredbytheHolySpirit.TheHolySpiritlovesanddelightsinhumanpersonality.Henevermakesahumanbeingarubberstamp;Heneversetsasidepersonalityandusesapersonlikearobotoramachine.Yetanevilspiritwilldothat.ThatisagreatdifferencebetweentheSpiritofGodandsatanicspirits.Godcreatedhumanpersonality,andHeesteemsit,appreciatesit,andcultivatesit.Butthedeviloverridesitandtramplesuponit.ThisisoneofthewaysyoucanknowwhethersomethingisoftheSpiritofGodorifanotherkindofspiritisatwork.Ifitisaspiritthatenslavesandsetsasidethenormalhumanpersonality,itcannotbeGod’sSpirit.

TheOperationoftheGiftofInterpretation

Wewillnextconsiderwaysinwhichthegiftofinterpretationoperates.Tostartwithageneralprinciple,1Corinthians12:6says,“Therearediversitiesofactivities[“operations”kjv],butitisthesameGodwhoworksallinall.”Inotherwords,twomenmayhavethesameministry,butitwilloperateintheirlivesverydifferently.Letustaketwowell-knownexamples.TwomenwhohavetheobviousministrygiftofanevangelistareBillyGrahamandOralRoberts.Yetthereisaverydefinite,conspicuousdifferencebetweentheministryofoneandtheministryoftheother.Thoughtheministryisthesame,therearediversitiesofoperations.Thesameistruewiththegifts.Onepersonwillhaveagiftofhealingthatoperatesinoneway,whileanotherpersonwillhaveagiftofhealingthatoperatescompletelydifferently.

Thefollowingarediversewaysinwhichapersonmightreceiveinterpretation.Ihaveheardallthesetestifiedtobypeopleatonetimeoranother.

AnIntroductoryPhraseorSentence

Inadditiontothepersonalityandstylisticdifferenceswehavenoted,thegiftofinterpretationdoesnotoperateinexactlythesamewaythrougheachperson.Inmyexperience,onepersonmayinitiallybegivenanintroductoryphrase;then

hemustlaunchoutinfaithwiththerestofit.Thisiswhatusuallyhappenstome.WhenIreceiveinterpretation,thefirstsentencewillbegiventomeveryclearlyandforcefullyinmymind.IfIbegintospeakthefirstsentenceinfaith,andwithauthority,therestwillfollow.ButifIholdback,nothingmorecomes.SupposeIweretosay,“Lord,ifYouwillgivemethewholemessage,thenI’llspeakit.I’mnotquitesurethatanythingelseisgoingtocome,andI’lllookrathersillyifIjustspeakoutthissentence.”Iwouldneverreceivethewholemessagebecauseyoucannotsetasidetheprincipleoffaith.Hebrews11:6tellsus,“Withoutfaithitisimpossibletoplease[God].”EverythingwedoforGodhastobedoneinfaith.

Manypeopleholdbackanddonotreceivetheinterpretationtheyweremeanttospeak.Ihavetalkedtopeoplewhohavesaid,“IthinktheLordgavemetheinterpretation,butIonlygotonesentence.”Ihavetoldthem,“Youwillnevergetmoreuntilyoustarttousetheonesentenceyouhave.”Similarly,somepeoplesay,“IbelieveIreceivedthebaptismintheHolySpirit,butIonlyspeakoneword.”Itellthemtogoonspeakingthatword,tobethankfulforwhattheyhave,andGodwillgivethemmore.Usingwhatyouhaveuntilyoureceivemoreisageneralbiblicalprinciplethatappliestointerpretation.

ASenseofPressurewithWordsorScripture

Perhapsthemostcommonwayinterpretationcomesafteranutteranceisgiveninanunknowntongueisthatapersonwillexperienceafeelingof“butterflies”inhisstomachorakindofpressure,orfeelthatGodwantstodosomething,andthensomewordsoraverseofScripturewillcometomind.Ifthishappenstoyou,youshouldgiveoutthatverseofScriptureorthosewords,andthenyouwillmoveforwardwiththefullinterpretation.Afterthis,thingswillfollowthatyoudidnotplanandcouldnothaveimaginedyourself,sothatsometimesyouwillbeverysurprisedatwhatyouhearyourselfsaying.

AGeneralThoughtorIdea

Anotherpersonmaybegivenageneralthought,whichheclotheswithwordsofhisownchoosing.TheHolySpiritdoesnotgivetheexactwordsbutratheraseriesofinspiredthoughtsandleavesittothepersontoexpressit.

HearingWords,SeeingWords,SeeingaPicture

Peoplemayalsoreceiveinterpretationbyactuallyhearingwordsorseeingthemwrittenonascroll.Othersmayseeavisionoramentalpictureandthenrelatewhattheysee.ALutheranpastoroncecametomeandsaid,“We’vehadanoutpouringoftheHolySpiritinourchurch.AboutfiftyorsixtypeoplereceivedthebaptismintheHolySpiritatthealtarrailsofthechurch.WearehavingthegiftsoftheSpiritinoperation.Wehavewhatwebelievetobeinterpretation.ButwegetitinawaythatIhaven’theardaboutelsewhere.Onepersonwillspeakinatongue,andsomebodyelsewillgetakindofmentalpictureoravision.They’llstarttodescribewhattheyhaveseeninthepicture,anditseemstobetheinterpretationofthetongue.”Headded,“Thefunnythingis,allthepeopleinmycongregationgetitthatway.Whyisthat?”

Ireplied,“TherearethingsIcannotexplain,butIknowthatpeoplehavefaithforwhattheyseehappen.Jesussaid,‘Accordingtoyourfaithbeituntoyou.’[Matthew9:29kjv]Ifyoubelieveyouaregoingtoreceiveitoneway,thatisnormallythewayyouwillgetit.”ThisiswhyitissoimportanttodemonstratethegiftsoftheSpiritforpeople.Mostpeopledonotbelievethingsuntiltheyseethem.Themomenttheyseeithappen,theybelieveitwillhappen.Toacertainextent,thewaywethinkdetermineswhatweexperience.

PrayingforInterpretationofTongues

Wecomenowtothequestionofwhetherornotwecanprayfortheinterpretationofatongue.Paulwrote,

Evensoyou,sinceyouarezealousforspiritualgifts,letitbefortheedificationofthechurchthatyouseektoexcel.Thereforelethimwhospeaksinatonguepraythathemayinterpret.(1Corinthians14:12–13)

Themotivewithwhichallthegiftsshouldbeputintooperationisadesiretoedifythebodyofbelievers.Paulindicatedthatsinceatongueismoreedifyinginthepublicassemblywhenfollowedbyinterpretation,thenifyouspeakinanunknowntongue,youshouldpraythatyoumayinterpret.IhavelearnedbyexperiencethatifyoucanteachpeoplethisisGod’swillandcausethemtoactuponit,theywillinvariablyreceiveinterpretation.WeshouldrememberwhatJesussaidaboutaskingtheFatherforsomethingthatisgood:

Ifasonasksforbreadfromanyfatheramongyou,willhegivehimastone?Orifheasksforafish,willhegivehimaserpentinsteadofafish?Orifheasks

foranegg,willheofferhimascorpion?Ifyouthen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewillyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothosewhoaskHim!(Luke11:11–13)

IfyouareachildofGod,andyouarepromptedorstirredtoaskforacertaingiftoftheHolySpirit,youaretoaskforit,andyouwillreceivewhatyouaskfor.Basedonthisassurance,ifyouhavespokeninanunknowntongue,youdesiretointerpret,andyouhaveprayedfortheinterpretation,whatdoyoudonext?Youjustinterpret.Howdoyouknowyouhavetherightthing?Again,Godguaranteesthatifyouaskfortherightthing,youwillnotgetthewrongthing.Thisisfaith.ItiswithintherevealedwillofGodforHispeoplebothtospeakintonguesandtointerpret.

OrderandVarietyintheAssemblyofBelievers

Toconclude,letusreviewafinalguidelinebyPaulconcerningtheuseofthegiftofinterpretationoftongues.

Ifanyonespeaksinatongue,lettherebetwooratthemostthree,eachinturn,andletoneinterpret.Butifthereisnointerpreter,lethimkeepsilentinchurch,andlethimspeaktohimselfandtoGod.(1Corinthians14:27–28)

Tongueswithinterpretationshouldnotbeoverdoneinanymeeting,justasprophecyshouldnot.Nosinglemeetingshouldbetakenoverandusedexclusivelyfortheoperationofanyparticulargift.Goddoesnotwantaone-coursemealonthetableforHischildren.HegivesavarietyofnourishmenttobuildupallthemembersofHisbodyineveryway.

Chapter11Prophecy

Inthischapter,wewillfocusonthethirdvocalgift,whichisthegiftofprophecyorthegiftofprophesying.FirstCorinthians12:10says,“Toanother[isgiven]prophecy.”Wehavedefinedthisgiftastheabilitytospeak,inalanguageunderstoodbythebeliever,wordsthatareinspiredandgivenbytheHolySpirit.Prophecyisnotjustinspiredpreaching.Neitherdoesitproceedfromhumanreasoning,learning,education,orseminarytraining.Likealltheothergifts,itismadepossibleonlybythesupernaturaloperationoftheHolySpirit.

DesireandSeektoProphesy

Paulsaid,“Followthewayofloveandeagerlydesirespiritualgifts,especiallythegiftofprophecy”(1Corinthians14:1niv).Isaidearlierthegiftsarethewayinwhichloveismadeeffectiveandisgivenexpression.ThisisparticularlytrueofthegiftofprophecybecausePaulsaidprophecyedifiesthechurch.(See1Corinthians14:3–5.)Ifyoulovethechurch,youwillwanttoedifythechurch.Andinordertoedifythechurch,youwilldesireagiftthatspecificallydoesthat.

Paul’scommentsthatweshould“earnestlydesirethebestgifts”(1Corinthians12:31),andthatweshould“desire…especiallythegiftofprophecy”(1Corinthians14:1niv)leadustoconsiderwhichofthegiftsoftheSpiritisthebestgift.Again,IwouldsaythebestgiftistheonethatbestfulfillsGod’spurposeatagiventime.Thegiftyouconsidertobethebestwillberelativetothesituationandneed.Yet,ifwehadtopickoutanyonegiftthatispreeminentovertheothers,itwouldapparentlybeprophecy.ThisistheonlygiftwearespecificallytoldinScripturetoearnestlydesireandseek.(Seealso1Corinthians14:39.)Anybeliever,therefore,whoisnotinterestedinandwhoisnotseekingprophecyisreallyignoringascripturalexhortation.

TheScripturalBasisforProphecy

OnthedayofPentecost,Petersaidtothecrowds,“ThisiswhatwasspokenbytheprophetJoel:‘Inthelastdays,Godsays,IwillpouroutmySpiritonallpeople’”(Acts2:16–17niv).GodisdoingexactlywhatHesaidHewoulddointhelastdays.HeispouringoutHisSpiritonallpeople.Canpeopleofall

denominationalandnondenominationalchurchesreceivethebaptism?CanJewscometoreceivethebaptism?CanMuslimscometoreceivethebaptism?Godsaid“allpeople.”Everysectionofthehumanrace,withoutexception,isgoingtoexperiencethislast-dayvisitationoftheHolySpirit.

WhatdidJoelsaywouldhappenwhentheHolySpiritwaspouredout?

Yoursonsanddaughterswillprophesy,youryoungmenwillseevisions,youroldmenwilldreamdreams.Evenonmyservants,bothmenandwomen,IwillpouroutmySpiritinthosedays,andtheywillprophesy.(Acts2:17–18niv,emphasisadded)

Prophecyisparticularlyemphasizedinthispassage.Inthelastdays,God’speopleeverywherearegoingtohaverestoredtothemthisbeautifulspiritualmanifestationofprophesying.WehaveseentheHolySpiritpouredouttoday,andwearegoingtoseethisonafarmoreextensiveanddramaticscalethanmostofusyetrealize.Fourgroupsarementionedinverseseventeen,oneofwhichisoldmen,whiletheotherthreeareallyoung:sons,daughters,andyoungmen.IntheUnitedStatesandaroundtheworld,wewillseeasovereignvisitationofGoduponyoungpeople.Theyarenotgoingtoreceiveapartialgospel;theyarenotgoingtoacceptmeretheologicalplatitudes.Youngpeopletodaywantreality,andGodsayswhatHehasinstoreforthemistoprophesyandtohavevisions,dreams,andrevelations.

Notealsothatwomenareincludedinprophesying:“yoursonsanddaughterswillprophesy”(Acts2:17niv),and“evenonmyservants,bothmenandwomen,IwillpouroutmySpirit”(v.18niv).WeknowfromthefirstchapterofActsthatamongthosewhowaitedwiththedisciplesintheupperroomwereMary,themotherofJesus,andotherwomen.(SeeActs1:14.)TheywereallbaptizedintheHolySpirit,andeverythingthatiswritteninthesecondchapterofActsappliedtothem.

Prophesyingisaministrythatisopentowomenjustasmuchasitistomen.InActswereadthat“Philiptheevangelist…hadfourunmarrieddaughterswhoprophesied”(Acts21:8–9niv).ConsideringthecultureoftheEast,itisextremelyimprobablethatPhilipwouldhavefourunmarrieddaughterswhoweremucholderthanfifteen.Inmostcases,theywouldmarrywhentheywereaboutfifteenorsixteen.SomeofPhilip’sdaughterswereprobablyevenyoungerthanteenagers.Ithinkthisisafairlydefiniteindicationthateventhechildren

prophesied.Ihaveseenthishappen.Manytimes,mywifeLydiaandIwitnessedchildrenreceivingverybeautifulministryandmanifestationsofthegiftofprophecy.

In1Corinthians11:5,Paulclearlyindicatedtheministryofprophecyasbeingopentowomen.“Everywomanwhopraysorprophesieswithherheaduncovereddishonorsherhead.”Obviously,sincePaulrequiredawomantohaveherheadcoveredwhenprophesying,heexpectedwomentobeprophesying.

TheNatureofProphecy

In1Corinthians14:3–4,Paullaiddownthebasicpurposesandfunctionsofthegiftofprophecy:“Buthewhoprophesiesspeaksedificationandexhortationandcomforttomen.Hewhospeaksinatongueedifieshimself,buthewhoprophesiesedifiesthechurch.”

Wecanthereforesummarizethedifferencesbetweenprophecyandspeakinginanunknowntongueinthreeways:

Prophecy

1. Speakstopeople

2. Speakswordsunderstoodbyspeakerandhearers

3. Edifiesthechurch

UnknownTongue

1. SpeakstoGod

2. Speaksmysteries

3. Edifiesindividualbelievers

Afailuretounderstandthesepurposeshasledmanypeopletoawrongunderstandingofprophecyandeventomisusethegift.ThefollowingindicatethegeneraltenorandnatureoftrueprophesyingintheNewTestamentchurch.

GivenforPeople

Paulsaid,“Hewhoprophesiesspeaks…tomen”(1Corinthians14:3).Hewas

contrastingwhathehadpreviouslysaidaboutspeakinginanunknowntongue,that“hewhospeaksinatonguedoesnotspeaktomenbuttoGod”(v.2).TheprimarypurposeofprophecyistospeaktopeoplewordsfromGod.

DirectedatBelievers

Whichpeopleinparticulararebeingspokento?Thechurch,ortheassembledcompanyofbelievers.Laterin1Corinthians14,Paulwrote,“Thereforetonguesareforasign,nottothosewhobelievebuttounbelievers;butprophesyingisnotforunbelieversbutforthosewhobelieve”(v.22).

Inthefirstpartofthisverse,Paulwasreferringtotheparticularfunctionoftonguesasasupernaturalsigntounbelievers,whereabelieverbytheHolySpiritspeaksalanguagehedoesnotunderstandbutthatisunderstoodbyanunbelieverwhoispresent.Inthisway,Godbringssupernaturalconvictiontotheunbeliever.Again,thisisnottheregularuseoftongues;itisanoccasionalorexceptionaluse.Inthesecondpartoftheverse,PaulwassayingthatprophesyingisnotusedbyGodtospeaktounbelieversbuttoministertobelievers.Thisisaveryimportantandbasicfact.GoddoesnotspeaktobelieversinthewayHemightspeaktounbelievers.

Inthisrespect,prophesyingintheNewTestamentdiffersfromprophesyingintheOldTestament,whereGodoftenusedHisprophetstospeaktopeoplewhowerecompleteunbelievers.Forinstance,Elijahwasusedtodelivermessagestomenwhomadenorealprofessionoffaith.JeremiahwasgivenmessagesthatwenttoalltheGentilenationssurroundingIsrael.WemustthereforeobserveadistinctionbetweenOldTestamentprophesyingandNewTestamentprophesyinginthechurch,whichisthebodyofChrist.NewTestamentprophesyingisaddressedtoGod’sredeemedpeople,andthetoneofitwillalwaysbeappropriatetoGod’speople.

WeshouldnotePauldidsayin1Corinthians14:24–25,“Ifallprophesy,andanunbelieveroranuninformedpersoncomesin,heisconvincedbyall,heisconvictedbyall.Andthusthesecretsofhisheartarerevealed;andso,fallingdownonhisface,hewillworshipGodandreportthatGodistrulyamongyou.”Thepicturehereisofagroupofbelieversministeringtoeachotherinprophecy,andanunbelieverhappenstocomein.SomeofthepropheticutterancesorrevelationtouchhimandcausehimtorealizeGodknowsmoreabouthimthanheunderstood,whichbringshimtoconvictionandanacknowledgmentthatGod

isthere.This,however,istheexception.Normally,prophecyisgiventoministertobelievers.

ForEdification,Exhortation,andComfort

Whatdoesapersonwhoprophesiesspeaktothechurch?“He…speaksedificationandexhortationandcomforttomen….Hewhoprophesiesedifiesthechurch”(1Corinthians14:3–4).Prophecyislimitedtoedification,exhortation,andcomfortbecauseGoddoesnotdiscourageandbeatdownbelievers.AsImentionedabove,Hedoesnotpourforthwarningsofjudgmentagainstbelievers,butunbelievers.

Letuslookalittlemorecloselyatthesethreeprimarypurposesofprophesying.

Thefirstpurposeistoedify.Thiswordmayseemalittleold-fashionedandecclesiastical-soundingtomanypeople.However,mostpeoplearestillfamiliarwiththetermedifice,whichisabuilding.Toedifysimplymeans“tobuilduporstrengthen.”ItmeanstomakepeoplemoreeffectiveasmembersofthebodyofChristinwhateverparticularministriestheyhave.Ifyoureceivethegiftofprophesying,then,itshouldmakeyoubetterabletoservetheLordandHispeople.

Thesecondpurposeistoexhort,whichmeans“tostimulate,toencourage,toadmonish,andtostirup.”Admonishmentcanincludeseverewarningandevenrebuke.However,exhortationdoesnotincludecondemnation.“ThereisthereforenownocondemnationtothosewhoareinChristJesus,whodonotwalkaccordingtotheflesh,butaccordingtotheSpirit”(Romans8:1).

Thethirdpurposeistocomfort,which,incontemporarywords,means“tocheerup.”

TrueProphecyNeverBringsCondemnation

Imentionedabovethattrueprophecy,andexhortationinparticular,donotbringcondemnation.Iwanttoemphasizethispointagainbecause,overtheyears,Ihaveheardmanyinstancesofpeopleclaimingtoprophesy,yetthetotaleffectcouldbesummedupasconfusionandcondemnation.ThatisnotagenuinemanifestationoftheHolySpirit.Godisnevertheauthorofconfusion,nordoestheHolySpiriteverministercondemnationtothepeopleofGod.Much

ofwhatiscalledprophecyandprophesyingamongsomebelieversisnottherealthing.Itdoesnotservetheprimarypurposesofedification,exhortation,andcomfort.

Unfortunately,somepeoplefeelthemoretheycanbeatpeopledownandleavethemfeelinguseless,worthless,andcondemned—includingthemselves—themorespiritualtheyare.Theabsoluteoppositeisthetruth.Yearsago,IusedtothinkifIcouldleaveeverybodyfeelinghowterribletheywere,Ihaddoneatremendousjobofpreaching.ThentheHolySpirittookholdofmeandshowedmeIwasafailureasapreacher.TheHolySpiritdoesnotleavepeoplefeelingterrible,andthisisnottobetheobjectofpreachingorministering.

Trueprophesyingdoesnotservethedevil’spurpose;itundoesthedevil’spurpose.Ifso-calledprophesyingcondemnsanddiscourages,itisdoingthedevil’swork.TwoofSatan’sgreatestandmostfrequentlyusedweaponsagainstGod’speoplearecondemnationanddiscouragement.IheardBillyGrahamquotesomebodywhosaidthatGodneverusesadiscouragedman.Icanwellbelievethat,becauseadiscouragedmanisnotsomeonewhoisundertheinfluenceoftheHolySpirit,whodoesnotdiscouragebelievers.Itisextremelyimportantforustounderstandthis.Ifaninfluence,suggestion,ormessagecomesintoyourlifethathastheeffectofdiscouragingyou,donotattributeittotheHolySpirit.

OneoftheproblemsisthatmanyChristiansbelievetheyarebeinghumblewhentheyfeelcondemnedandsubsequentlygoaroundtellingpeoplehowbadtheyare.Yet,whenyouareanewcreationinJesusChristandareGod’shandiwork,everytimeyoucriticizeyourself,youarecriticizingGod’swork.YouarenotglorifyingGod;youareglorifyingthedevil.

Itisthedevilwhomakespeoplefeelguilty.Wereadin2Corinthians5:19that“GodwasinChristreconcilingtheworldtoHimself,notimputingtheirtrespassestothem,andhascommittedtousthewordofreconciliation.”Godhascommittedtousthewordofreconciliation,notcondemnation.Itisnotspiritualtogoaroundmakingeverybodyfeelhowsinfultheyare;itdoesn’tdothemanygood.WeshouldgoaroundmakingpeopleunderstandGodwantstohelpthem,Helovesthem,andHeisontheirside.Godisnotagainstanybody.HeisnotagainsttheChinese,theRussians,theArabs,theEuropeans,ortheAmericans.Heisforthehumanrace,andthisisthemessageofthegospel.Itisthegood

news.

TheprincipleofnocondemnationinChrist(seeRomans8:1)isveryimportantforustounderstand,anditappliesparticularlytoprophecy.Ifbelieverscouldliveinthisplaceofnocondemnation,thechurchwouldbeanarmythedevilcouldnotovercome.AsIsaid,thegreatestsingleweaponthedevilhasagainstbelieversisasenseofcondemnation,unworthiness,failure,anddiscouragement.YetoneofthegreatinstrumentsGodhasplacedatthedisposalofbelieverstoovercomethesethingsisthegiftofprophecy,whichbuildsupandencourages.Thisiswhyitisatragedytoseeprophecymisusedtodotheverythingitissupposedtocounteract!

ProphecyComesthroughOurComforter

JesuscalledtheHolySpirittheComforter.(See,forexample,John14:16,26kjv.)WeshouldbearinmindthattheHolySpirit’srelationshiptotheredeemedofGodisasourComforter.TheGreekwordparakletos,translated“Comforter,”“Helper”(nkjv),or“Counselor”(niv)iscloselyrelatedtothewordtranslated“exhortation”in1Corinthians14.Parakletosmeans“onecalledinalongsideyou.”TheHolySpirit’sbusinessistoencourage,stirup,stimulate,cheerup,help,andcounsel.ItismostliterallytranslatedinEnglishasadvocate,whichisfromaLatinwordmeaning“onecalledin.”Youdonotcallinanadvocateoranattorneytocondemnyou—youwouldbeveryfoolishtopayhimforthat—buttopleadyourcauseforyou.Whatwouldbetheuseofhiringanattorneywhosetouttoproveincourthowguiltyyouwere?Youwouldnotfeelhewasdoinghisjob.

Likewise,theHolySpiritiscalledinandsentbyGodtohelpyou.HecomestojustifyyouonthebasisofyourredemptioninChrist,notcondemnyou.TheHolySpiritisthebestattorney.Hecomesfromtheverybestplace,HeissentbyourbestfriendJesus,andHecomestopleadourcause.Therefore,donotacceptcondemnationordiscouragement.Again,anythingthatcausesyoutofeelfearfulandunworthyisnotthevoiceoftheHolySpirit.

ProphecyGivesaWordinSeason

Prophecycangiveawordinseasontothosewhoarespiritually,emotionally,andphysicallyweary.LetuslookattwoverybeautifulScripturesthatrelatetothisattributeofprophecy.Proverbs15:23says,“Amanhasjoybytheanswerof

hismouth,andawordspokenindueseason,howgooditis!”InIsaiah,wehaveoneofthemostbeautifulpicturesofJesusintheOldTestament.ThisiswhatJesussaidpropheticallythroughtheprophet:“TheLordGodhasgivenMethetongueofthelearned,thatIshouldknowhowtospeakawordinseasontohimwhoisweary”(Isaiah50:4).

Agoodmarkoftruelearningisbeingabletospeakawordinseasontosomeonewhoisweary.Iknowmanypeoplewhoareeducatedbutnotlearned,andtheycertainlyarenotabletodothis.Infact,Ifindmanyeducatedpeoplecanbesomewhatdiscouraging.Theycantendtolookdownonyou,criticizeyou,andmakeyoufeelinferior.Theyaresoknowledgeableabouteverything,theyknowjusthowbadthingsareandhowtheyaregoingtogetworse.TheHolySpiritisn’tlikethat.ThroughJesus,Hegivesthispreciousabilitytospeakawordinseasontothosewhoareweary.

ProphecyComestoThoseWhoHear

ThesecondhalfofIsaiah50:4reads,“HeawakensMemorningbymorning,HeawakensMyeartohearasthelearned.”Youcannotspeakifyouhavenotheard.IfGoddoesnotawakenyoureartohear,youarenotgoingtohaveanythingtoministerorspeaktoothers.OneofthegreatsecretsofJesus’ministrythatisrevealedinthisverseisthat,morningbymorning,HehadcommunionwithGodtheFather.BeforeJesuswentoutandmetthemultitudes,HewaswithHisFather.HeheardthevoiceofGodspeakingtoHim,givingHimwordsofcomfortandencouragementHecouldspeaktoothers.

ThisprincipleisalsostatedinProverbs21:28:“Afalsewitnessshallperish:butthemanthathearethspeakethconstantly”(kjv).Tosayanythingthatisworthanything,youhavetohearfromGodbeforeyouspeak.Yourearhastobeawakenedbeforeyoucanspeakawordinseason.Noneoftheprophetseverministeredbeforehehadfirstreceived.EzekielwastoldbyGodtoeatthewordHegavehimandthentogiveitforth.(SeeEzekiel3:1.)Thisappliestothegiftofprophecytoday.MinisteringintheSpiritdoesnotcomeoffthetopofyourhead.YouhavetotaketheWordintoyourspiritsoyoucanministeritoutofyourspirit.Thepersonwhohasneverreceivedanythingintohisspiritneverhasanythingtoministeroutofhisspirit.

ProphecyComesthroughSelf-Denial

SecondCorinthians4:12says,“Sothendeathisworkinginus,butlifeinyou.”Ifwearegoingtoministerlifetoothers,wealsohavetoletdeath“work”inus.Wehavetodietoourownself-will,ourownideas,andourowndetermination.WehavetoopenupachannelthatthewillandtheSpiritofGodcanworkthrough.

Oneofthewonderfulthemesof2Corinthiansiscomfort,which,aswehaveseen,isoneofthegreatwordsconnectedwiththeHolySpiritandwithprophecy.Atthebeginningoftheepistle,Paulwrotethesebeautifulwords:“BlessedbetheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofmerciesandGodofallcomfort…”(2Corinthians1:3).Anythingthatiscomforting,encouraging,andupliftinghasitsorigininGod.HeistheGodofallcomfort.

Paulwentontospeakaboutthetremendoustribulations,persecutions,andtrialsheandhiscompanionswereexperiencing,usingthewordscomfort,comforted,orconsolationfivetimes:

…whocomfortsusinallourtribulation,thatwemaybeabletocomfortthosewhoareinanytrouble,withthecomfortwithwhichweourselvesarecomfortedbyGod.ForasthesufferingsofChristaboundinus,soourconsolationalsoaboundsthroughChrist.(2Corinthians1:4–5)

Hesaidthepressureagainstthemwassofiercetheyhadnowaytomeasureit.Theydidnothavethestrengthtoresistit;itpressedthemtotheverypointofextinguishinglife.“Forwedonotwantyoutobeignorant,brethren,ofourtroublewhichcametousinAsia:thatwewereburdenedbeyondmeasure,abovestrength,sothatwedespairedevenoflife”(v.8).

ThenPaulgavethisbeautifulstatement:“Yes,wehadthesentenceofdeathinourselves,thatweshouldnottrustinourselvesbutinGodwhoraisesthedead,whodeliveredusfromsogreatadeath,anddoesdeliverus;inwhomwetrustthatHewillstilldeliverus”(vv.9–10).NotePaulmentioneddeliveranceinthreetenses:past,present,andfuture.Hediddeliver,Hedoesdeliver,andHewilldeliver.Thatisamessageofcomfort!

Likewise,untilwecometotheplacewherewehavethe“sentenceofdeath”inourselves,wedonothavethisabilitytoministercomforttoothers.Theonewhowillreallyministercomfortmusthaveexperiencedthedeathofhisselfish,self-pleasingego.Yetitisablessedprivilegetohavebeenthroughthis.I

understandittobetheinnerworkingofprophecyinthehumanspirit.

Iemphasizethisbecause,again,Ihaveseenprophecygreatlymisusedandcheapenedsoitisalmostameanstodisplayahumanpersonalityratherthanministertotheneedsofothers.Thepurposeofprophecyisnottomakeyouadictator.Itisnottoenableyoutogoaroundpointingyourfingeratpeopleandsaying,“ThussaiththeLord….”Itistoministercomforttopeople.ItisalsotoedifyandtobuildupinordertomakebelieversbetterequippedandabletoservetheLordandtofulfilltheirplaceandfunctioninthebodyofChrist.

ProphecyandOtherGiftsoftheSpirit

Letusnowlookattherelationshipbetweenprophecyandothervocalandrevelationgifts.

ProphecyandTongues

First,asIwrotepreviously,speakingintonguesoftenleadsintoprophecy.WesawinActs19:6that,afterthedisciplesatEphesushadbeenministeredtobyPaulandhadbeenbaptizedinthenameofJesus,“whenPaulhadlaidhandsonthem,theHolySpiritcameupon[downover]them,andtheyspokewithtonguesandprophesied.”IfwedonotbecomeinhibitedbutallowtheHolySpirittowork,veryfrequently,speakingwithtongueswillleadintoprophesying.IamsurethishappenedonthedayofPentecost,andithappenedinEphesus.

ProphecyandWordsofWisdomandKnowledge

Prophecymayalsobecomeavehicleforotherrelatedgifts.Weknowthatthegiftsarelikethecolorsoftherainbow.Thoughwecandistinguishdifferentcolors,wecannotsayatanyspecificpointwhereonecolorendsandanotherbegins.Likewise,prophecycanblendintoothergifts,suchasawordofknowledgeorawordofwisdom.Awordofknowledgemaybegiventhroughanutterancethatisprophesied.Inthiscase,morethanonegiftisoperatingatthesametime.

Forexample,youcanpourablackfluidmadefromcoffeebeansintoacupandsayitisacupofcoffee,andthatwouldbetrue.Yetsupposeyouofferacupofcoffeetosomeoneandask,“Doyoutakesugarandcream?”Ifhesaysyes,

andyouputinsugarandcream,youstillcallitcoffee.Yettheblackfluidhasbecomeavehicleforthecreamandsugar.Inthesameway,whatwecallprophecyissometimesprophecyalone,andsometimesitisprophecycontainingawordofwisdomorawordofknowledge.Westillcallitprophecy,butwehavetoacknowledgeanotherelementinit.

Acts13:2says,“Asthey[fiveprophetsandteachersinthechurchatAntioch]ministeredtotheLordandfasted,theHolySpiritsaid,‘NowseparatetoMeBarnabasandSaulfortheworktowhichIhavecalledthem.’”WearenottoldhowtheHolySpiritmadethisstatement,butitseemsmorethanprobableitwasgiventhroughprophecy.ItwouldappeartheprophecywasnotgiventhroughBarnabasorSaulbecausetheyarereferredtointhethirdperson.Oneoftheotherthreementhereforehadthisutteranceinprophecy.Yetnotetheutterancewasreallymorethanprophecy.ItwasadirectivewordofwisdomrevealingthewillandplanofGodandwhowastogoforth.

InActs20,wehavePaul’stestimonyregardingwhathadbeenhappeningduringhisjourneytoJerusalem.HetoldtheeldersofEphesianchurch,whomhehadcalledtotheportofMiletus,“Andsee,nowIgoboundinthespirittoJerusalem,notknowingthethingsthatwillhappentomethere,exceptthattheHolySpirittestifiesineverycity,sayingthatchainsandtribulationsawaitme”(vv.22–23).IneveryplacealongthewaywherePaulhadfellowshippedwithbelievers,theHolySpirithadbeenrevealingwhatlayahead.

PaulwasnotspecificabouthowtheHolySpirithadtestifiedineachcity.Hedid,however,usetheword“saying.”Itseemsextremelyreasonableandprobablethattheseutterancescameeitherbywayofatonguefollowedbyinterpretationorbywayofprophecy.Incityaftercity,asPauljourneyedalongonhiswaytoJerusalem,somebrotherorsisterwouldcomeforthwithanutteranceinprophecytellinghim—withsomedescriptionoranother—bondsandafflictionslayaheadofhiminJerusalem.ThesewerewordsofknowledgeregardingwhatPaulwastoexperience.

MoreoftheserevelationscameashecontinuedonhisjourneyafterMiletus.PaulandhiscompanionsarrivedattheportofTyre,“andfindingdisciples,…stayedtheresevendays.TheytoldPaulthroughtheSpiritnottogouptoJerusalem”(Acts21:4).Thephrase“toldPaulthroughtheSpirit”couldmeanawordofwisdomoritcouldmeanprophecycontainingawordofwisdom.

Whatevertheexactgiftwas,theresultwasthatPaulwasdetainedandrestrainedfromgoinguptoJerusalem.

AfterTyre,PaulwenttoCaesarea,whereaprophetnamedAgabuscamedownfromJudeatovisithim.“Whenhehadcometous,hetookPaul’sbelt,boundhisownhandsandfeet,andsaid,‘ThussaystheHolySpirit,“SoshalltheJewsatJerusalembindthemanwhoownsthisbelt,anddeliverhimintothehandsoftheGentiles”’”(Acts21:11).

Paul’sjourneytoJerusalemwasratherlikegoingthroughaseriesoftrafficlights.Hecametooneplaceafteranotherandthelightwasred—stop.Hestoppedthereandwaited,thelightturnedgreen,andhewentontothenextplace,wherethelightwasred.Hewaited,andthelightturnedgreen.Andsoon.WeseethatallthroughthissectionofPaul’slifeandministry,theSpiritwasbearingwitnessthroughotherbelievers,inacombinationofprophecyandothergifts,ofwhatlayahead.Godworkedthroughbelieverswhosenamesarenotgiven,incongregationsaboutwhichweknowverylittle.YetthesebeautifulgiftsoftheSpiritwereactuallyhelpinganddirectingPaulinhisministry.

ProphecyandrelatedgiftsalsoplayedaveryimportantpartintheministryofTimothy.PaulwrotetoTimothy,whowasfulfillingaGod-givenministryinthecityofEphesus,“ThischargeIcommittoyou,sonTimothy,accordingtothepropheciespreviouslymadeconcerningyou,thatbythemyoumaywagethegoodwarfare”(1Timothy1:18).Apparently,invariousplacesinthepast—possiblyinhishomeassembly,whichwasinLystra—prophecieshadbeengivenforthinrelationtoTimothy.Thesepropheciessaidhewastofulfillacertainministry,warnedhimthathewouldmeetoppositionanddifficulty,andtoldhimhewouldhavetogoahead.Whenheenteredintothisministryandencounteredthesedifficulties,hecouldbestrengthenedbytheremembranceofthepropheciesthathadgonebeforehim.

Thiskindofencouragementandstrengtheningisoneoftheworkingsofprophecy.SupposeyoureceivearevelationofthewillofGod,youstepintoHiswill,andthenthegoinggetsveryhardastheoppositionbecomestough.Youmaythink,“PerhapsI’minthewrongplace,”or“MaybeIwon’tmakeitthroughthis.”Thenyoucanthink,No,Ihavethatwordofprophecy.IttoldmeIwasgoingtogothiswayandIwouldmeetopposition.IamjustexperiencingwhatisnecessaryindoingGod’swill.

In1Timothy4:14,Paulwroteinasimilarveinwhenhesaid,“Donotneglectthegiftthatisinyou,whichwasgiventoyoubyprophecywiththelayingonofthehandsoftheeldership.”TheGreekwordtranslated“gift”ischarisma.AsIpointedoutinchapterone,thiswordhasmanydifferentmeanings.Itmaymeanaspiritualgift,oritmaymeanaministry.Itprobablyreferstoanapostolicministrybecauseitwasscripturalfortheapostletobesentforthfromthecongregationwiththelayingonofthehandsoftheelders.AtatimewhenTimothywasfacingoppositionanddifficulty,Paulwasremindinghimnottoforgethewassetaparttothisministrybyprophecywiththelayingonofthehandsoftheelders.Ifyoureadbetweenthelinesofthisepistle,youwillseePaulwascontinuallystirringTimothyup,saying,inessence,“Don’tgetdiscouraged;don’tgiveup.Don’tneglectthegiftthatisinyou.Don’tgivewaytofear.Godhascalledyoutothisministry.HehasrevealedHiswill,sofollowthroughandfulfillit.”ThisisoneofthethemesofbothepistlestoTimothy.

IwroteanotherbookinwhichIreferredtothelayingonofhandsforagift.Ipointedoutwhatwehavebeendiscussinginthischapter—thatpeoplesometimesreceivepropheciesthatshowthemthewaytheirliveswilltakeandthat,inmomentsofdifficulty,theyshouldberemindedofthesepropheciesforencouragementandstrengthening.Afterthebookwasfirstprinted,ImetapastorinNewZealandwhosaid,“Iwanttotellyouthatyourbookcameintomyhandsanddidexactlythatforme.WhenIwasintheUnitedStatesatBibleschool,propheciesweregivenoutthatIwouldhaveaparticularministryandfulfillacertainjob.IgotheretoNewZealandandthingsbecamesticky.Ibecameratherdiscouragedandnothingwashappening.IgotyourbookandIreadthispassageaboutpropheciesthathavegonebeforeandhowTimothywasstirreduptodothetask.WhenIreadthatinthebook,IrememberedthepropheciesthathadgoneonbeforemeintheUnitedStates.IsawthatIwasn’tfulfillingmyministry,anditstirredmeuptodoit.”

Sincethen,Godhaswonderfullyblessedthatmanashetookastepforwardinfaith,andhehasenteredfullyintotheministrythatwasprophesiedoverhim.Wecanseethatprophecywasnotjustanirrelevantfrillinhislifebutanimportantpartinhisfindingandfulfillinghisministry.

ExercisingProphecyinaLocalAssembly

Letusconcludebyseeinghowprophecyistobeexercisedinanorderlyway

inalocalassemblysoallmaybenefitfromit.

ItIsGod’sWillforAlltoProphesy

Inchapterone,wediscussedthedistinctionbetweentheministryofaprophetandthegiftofprophesying.TheBiblesaysallmayprophesy,butitdoesnotsayallwillhavethespecificministryofprophet.Paulsaid,“Foryoucanallprophesyonebyone”(1Corinthians14:31,emphasisadded).ItisclearlytherevealedwillofGodforallbelieverstoprophesy.Ifwedonotprophesy,itisnotbecauseitisn’tGod’swill.ItisbecausewehavenotmovedintothewillofGod.

ThoseWhoProphesyMustYieldtoOneAnother

“Youcanallprophesyonebyone,thatallmaylearnandallmaybeencouraged”(1Corinthians14:31).Wearenotalltoprophesyatonceinameetingbecausethatwouldcauseconfusion.Wearetoprophesyonebyonesothatallmaylearn.Somepeopledonotrealizewemustlearntooperatespiritualgifts.Fewpeopleeverbeginbyprophesyingperfectly.Paulsaidifwehavethegiftofprophecy,“letusprophesyinproportiontoourfaith”(Romans12:6).Wearetodoasmuchaswehavefaithforandstopthere.Ifwebegintooperateinthegift,wewillgrowandmatureinit.Ifweneverbegin,wewillnevermature.Somepeoplewillnotdoathingunlesstheycandoitperfectly,andtheprobableresultistheywillneverdoitatall.

Paulwrote,“Lettwoorthreeprophetsspeak,andlettheothersjudge[discern].Butifanythingisrevealedtoanotherwhositsby,letthefirstkeepsilent”(1Corinthians14:29–30).Thereisatimetospeakandthereisatimetostopspeaking.MywifeLydiaandIsawaclearexampleofthiswhenwewereworkingwiththeyoungpeopleintheteacher-trainingcollegeinEastAfrica.InourSundayeveningservices,IwouldpreachtheWordtothemasthoroughlyandascarefullyasIcouldforaboutanhour,andthenwewouldopenupthemeetingforworshipandanythingGodwantedtodo.WewouldstarttopraisetheLord,andtherewouldperhapsbeanutteranceinatongue,withinterpretation,oraprophecy.Thenoneofthesestudentswouldputhishandupandsay,“Please,sir,theLordhasjusttoldmesomething.”Iwouldsay,“Well,iftheLordhastoldyou,don’tkeepittoyourself.Comeupandtellusall.”Iwouldthensaytotherestofthegroup,“TheBiblesaysifanythingisrevealedtoanotherwhositsby,letthefirstkeepsilent.Youbequietandlet’slisten.”

Wehadsomefascinatingthingshappenthatway.Oneoftheseinvolvedayoungmanwhohadbeenarealrebel.HehadbeensotroublesomethateventheAfricanteacherswantedmetodismisshim.ButtheLordtookholdofhim,andhewasconverted.Aboutoneweekafterhisconversion,hewassittinginthemeetingandsaid,“Please,sir.”Ireplied,“Yes,whatisit?”Hecontinued,“TheLordhasjusttoldmethatthere’saverseintheBibleabouttrafficontheroadstoday.”Isaid,“Yes,you’llfinditinNahum.Ithinkitisinthesecondchapteraboutthechariotsjostlingoneanotherinthestreets.”Whenhefoundthat,healmostfelloffhisseatwithdelight.

ThinkabouthowtheLordmovedinthissituation.TheLorddidnottellhimwheretheversewas.Hetoldhimtherewasaverseandhehadtoaskmewheretheversewas.Wehadthingslikethathappenquitefrequentlywiththosestudents.IhaveneverbeeninanothersituationwhereIhaveseensorealisticallywhatthisversemeans,“Ifanythingisrevealedtoanotherwhositsby,letthefirstkeepsilent”(1Corinthians14:30).Thisistheministryofthemembersofthebodyonetoanother.

AsIsaidinthepreviouschapter,itisnotrighttogiveoverawholemeetingtoanyonemanifestation,whetheritistonguesandinterpretationorprophesyingoranythingelse.Weshouldneverletourselvesbecometieddowntojustonetypeofmanifestation.Sometimes,whenpeoplefirstspeakintongues,alltheywanttodoisspeakintongues.Whentheystarttoprophesy,alltheywanttodoisprophesy,andsoon.Wehavetobedisciplinedandnotgetstuckinarut.TherearemanydifferentwaysGodcanmoveandspeakandbless.LetusbeopentowhatHewantstodo.

Thereisoneotherveryimportantprincipleregardingprophecy,whichwewillexploreinmoredetailinthenextchapter.FirstCorinthians14:32says,“Thespiritsoftheprophetsaresubjecttotheprophets.”Atrueprophetdoesnotlosecontrolofhimself.HeisalwaysaccountabletoScriptureandthebodyofChristforwhathesaysanddoes.HecannotputtheblameonGodandsay,“Icouldn’thelpit.Godmademedoit.”Thisisnotscriptural.Ihaveheardthatweakexcusegivenmanytimestojustifyfoolishness.WeareaccountableforwhatwedowhenweareministeringintheSpirit.Goddoesnotoverruleourwills.Hedoesnotforceorcoerceus.WeareresponsibletolearnhowtoyieldtotheHolySpiritandthebodyofbelieverswhenprophesying.

Chapter12HowtoJudgeProphecy

Inthelastchapter,IpointedoutitisunbiblicaltoallowprophesyinginanassemblyofbelieversifitisnotsubmittedtoscripturaljudgmentandthediscernmentofthebodyofChrist.OnthebasisofwhatIhaveseenovertheyears,itwouldbebetternottohaveprophesyingatallthantohaveprophesyingthatisnotcheckedbyscripturalstandards.Inthischapter,IwanttopresentthevariousstandardsofjudgmentthatarepresentedtousforthispurposeintheNewTestament.

“Lettwoorthreeprophetsspeak,andlettheothersjudge[discern]”(1Corinthians14:29).Inthisverse,theword“prophets”mayrefertotheministryofaprophetortobelieverswhoexercisethegiftofprophesying.Theguidelinesthatfollowapplytobothsituations.Ibelieve“theothers”in“lettheothersjudge”referstotheotherprophetspresentintheassembly,whoarequalifiedtodiscerntheprophecy.

ProphetsAreNottoActAlone

Asignificantfactaboutthosewhoprophesyunderthenewcovenantisthattheydonotnormallyoperateontheirownasindividuals.IntheNewTestament,thewordprophetisalwaysusedintheplural,exceptforoneplace.Eventhere,thecontextindicatesmorethanoneprophet.ProphetsintheNewTestament

1. arepartofthebodyofChrist.

2. functionasmembersinthebody.

3. arerelatedtoothermembersofthebody.

ThisissomewhatincontrasttotheOldTestament,whereyoufindaprophetlikeElijah,whowasakindofruggedindividualiststandingoutagainstthebackgroundofapostasyandwickedness.TheLordhadtoshowElijahhewasnottheonlyfaithfulmanleftinIsrael.YetElijahwasactuallyfunctioningastheprincipalmouthpieceofGodatthattimetothenationofIsrael.TheNewTestamentconceptisofabodywithmanymembersalloperatingtogetherandinrelationshiptooneanother.Noonemembercanoperateeffectivelyonhisown.

Prophetsinthechurch,therefore,ministerwithingroups.Whenoneisministering,theothersareexercisingjudgment,ordiscernment.Paulsaidtwoorthreeprophetsshouldspeakatanyonemeeting—notallofthem—andlettheotherprophetsdiscernwhattheysay.

AnexampleofatypicalNewTestamentexerciseofthepropheticministrycanbeseeninActs11:27–28:“AndinthesedaysprophetscamefromJerusalemtoAntioch.Thenoneofthem,namedAgabus,stoodupandshowedbytheSpiritthattherewasgoingtobeagreatfaminethroughoutalltheworld,whichalsohappenedinthedaysofClaudiusCaesar.”WereadanotherincidentinvolvingAgabusinthelastchapter.HeprophesiedaboutwhatwouldhappentoPaulinJerusalem.Noteherethattheprophetscameinagroup:“prophetscamefromJerusalem”(Acts11:27).Agabuswasgiventheactualopportunitytominister,andhebroughtthemessageGodhadgiven,yethewasnotanindividualoperatingonhisown.

Manybelievershavegoneastraythroughexercisingapropheticministryontheirown.Ihaveseenthishappen.Inanumberofcases,youactuallyfindpeoplemoreorlessrepresentingthemselvesasthesolemouthpieceofGodtoacertainassembly,congregation,orprayergroup.Notonlyisthisincorrect,butalsothewholeattitudeistotallycontrarytothespiritandpurposeoftheNewTestament.Iknowofonedenominationinwhicheverycongregationnormallyhadasetprophetwhoappointedasetapostle.Thesetwoindividualsactuallyranthecongregation.

Again,therearenodictatorsinthebodyofChrist.Nogiftorministryisintendedtocreatesuchadictatorship.Thereisasharingtogetherofministryandofresponsibilityforthatministry.

TheNatureofJudgingProphecy

Prophecymustthereforebesubjectedtojudgment.Idonotmeanthisinthesenseofpickingtheprophecytopieces,butofdiscerningwhetheritisfromGod,whetheritistrue,andwhetheritissomethingwereallyneedtoheed.Paulbroughtoutthistruthagainin1Thessalonians5:19–21:“DonotquenchtheSpirit.Donotdespiseprophecies.Testallthings;holdfastwhatisgood.”

WearenottoquenchtheHolySpiritbyrefusingthegiftsandmanifestationsoftheHolySpirit,assomepeoplehavedone.Thisusuallyhappenswherethere

hasbeenamisuseofspiritualgifts.Forinstance,IknowachurchinBritainthathasasignonthewallinthemainauditorium,whichsays,“Nospeakingintonguesexceptinthebasement.”Speakingintongueswassomisusedandoverdonetheyjustcouldnotcopewiththeproblem,sotheybanishedittothebasement.Similarly,IknowofacongregationintheUnitedStatesthatallowsmessagesintonguesonlyonThursdays.Wemaysmileatthis,butthisisactuallythepracticeofaverylarge,prominentcongregation.Thesearenotscripturalsolutionstotheproblem,althoughtheyillustratetherehasbeenarealproblemthatneedstobeaddressed.TheanswerisnottoquenchtheSpiritbuttodiscoverscripturalguidelinesfortheorderlyuseofspiritualgiftsintheassemblyofbelievers.

Paulsaid,“Donotdespiseprophecies”(1Thessalonians5:20),sotherecouldbesituationswherepeoplewoulddespisepropheciesinageneralsense.Ihavetosayfranklythat,iftheBibledidn’tsaynottodespiseprophecies,therehavebeentimesImighthavedespisedpropheciesbecauseIhaveheardsomanyhalf-baked,uselessutterancesputforthundertheguiseofprophecy.IunderstandwhyPaulmadethatstatement.ThesolutiontotheproblemisnottodespisepropheciesingeneralortoquenchtheHolySpirit.Itisto“testallthings;holdfastwhatisgood”(v.21).DonotacceptallprophesyingwithoutquestionasbeingfromGodandbeingrelevant,true,andauthoritative.Testit,andretainwhatisgood.Whenyoueatfish,youeatthefleshanddiscardthebones.Dothesamewithprophesying.Eatthemeat,butdonotgiveyourselfindigestiontryingtoswallowthebones.

TheapostleJohnspokeabouttestingprophecyin1John4:1:“Beloved,donotbelieveeveryspirit,buttestthespirits,whethertheyareofGod;becausemanyfalseprophetshavegoneoutintotheworld.”TheGreekwordtranslated“test”inthisverseisthesameonetranslated“test”in“testallthings”from1Thessalonians5:21.Noticethatafalseprophetisonewhohasafalsespirit.Whenyoutestprophecy,youarenottestingtheprophetasanindividual,butyouaretestingthespiritthatisspeakingthroughtheprophet.Wearewarnedtherearemanyfalseprophetswhohavegoneoutintotheworldwithfalsespiritsoperatingthroughthem.

In1John4:6,Johndrewthedistinctionbetweenthe“spiritoftruth”andthe“spiritoferror.”Thereisaspiritoferror,anditwillsometimesseektoimparterrordisguisedasprophecy.Infact,Ihaveheardpeopletrytosustainfalse

doctrinebymanipulatingprophecy.Itwasveryobvioustheirwholepurposeinprophesyingwastogetyoutoswallowadoctrinetheyweretryingtoputacross.

PracticalPrinciplesforTestingProphecy

Letusnowlookatninepracticalprinciplesforjudgingprophecy.Today,ifyougotoadoctortohaveaconditiondiagnosed,hewillnotdowhattheyusedtodointheolddays.Theywouldjustcheckyourpulse,takeyourtemperature,andaskyoutostickoutyourtongue,andifitlookedpink,youwerehealthy.Instead,hewillsubjectyoutoallsortsoftestsrelatedtodifferentorgansofthebody.Then,whenhehasbeenthrougheverytest,hewillcomeupwithhistotaldiagnosisofyourcondition.Thesameapproachappliestojudgingprophecy.Youcannotacceptjustoneortwotests.Thereisawholebatteryoftests,andifyoureallywanttobesure,youshouldworkthroughthemandformyourjudgmentonlywhenyouhavebeenthroughthem.

Test#1:DoesItBuildUporCondemn?

Thefirsttestrelatestothepurposeofprophecywediscussedinthepreviouschapter.FirstCorinthians14:3says,“Buthewhoprophesiesspeaksedificationandexhortationandcomforttomen.”WheneverIhearamessagethatiscondemnatory,negative,anddestructive,IdonotacceptitasgenuineprophesyingbecauseitdoesnotmeettheparametersthathavebeensetinthisScripture.

OneSunday,IwastopreachtoacongregationinChicago,andIwasontheplatformwaitingtospeakastheyweregoingthroughthepraiseportionoftheservice.Atthebeginningofoneofthesongs,amanstoodupsomewherenearthebackandstartedtospeakinaratherharshvoicewhatheobviouslywantedustobelievewasprophecy.Themessagethathebroughthadverylittlerealmeaning.WhatIwasabletomakeofitwasageneralsenseofcondemnationandawarningofjudgmenthangingoverpeople’sheads.Isatthereontheplatformandboiledwithangerbutdidnothingaboutit.Abouttwohymnslater,themanstoodupanddidthesame.Thistime,Icouldnotsitquietlyanylonger,soIstoodupwhilehewasstillspeaking,gottothemicrophone,andsaid,“IjustwanttotellyouallthatIdonotacceptthisasagenuinemanifestationofthegiftofprophecybecausetheScripturesayshewhoprophesiesspeakstomenedification,exhortation,andcomfort.AllI’veheardinwhatourbrotherhassaid

sofarhasbeencondemnationandconfusion,whicharetheexactopposites.”

Thatcreatedsomethingofastir,asyoucanimagine.Afteralittlewhile,anotherbrotherwhoalsohadthegiftofprophecystoodupandsaid,“Iwanttooffermyopinion,andIagreewithBrotherPrince.Thiswasnotgenuineprophesying.”Thenathirdbrotherstoodupandsaidthesamething,andwehaddealtwiththesituationinascripturalway.Theothershadjudged;theyhadgiventheirunanimousverdict,andthemanwassquelched.Ithoughthewouldnevercomeback,buthecamebackthenextSundayandbehavedinamuchmorerespectfulanddecentway.

Butthatday,afterthingshadsettleddown,Isaidtothepeople,“IwanttotellyouonemainreasonwhyIdidwhatIdid.Inthefrontrows,wehavetwocompleterowsofyoungpeople[amongthemteenagersandcollegestudents].Whilethatmanwasprophesying,Iwaslookingattheirfaces,andtheirfaceswereregisteringonething:thisisphony.IjustwanttotellthoseyoungpeopleIagreewiththem;itwasphony.IhaveseenfartoomanyyoungpeopleturnedofffromthewholebusinessoftheHolySpiritandthegiftsoftheSpiritbytheireldersandso-calledbetterstryingtopretendsomethingthatiswrongisright,forthesakeofbeingdignifiedanddecentinchurch,thatIwillnotgoalongwithit.”

Generallyspeaking,IbelieveIdidtherightthinginthatsituation.Normally,thereligiousthingwouldbeeithertotrytosingthemandownwithchorusesortosayapat,“Amen.PraisetheLord,”attheendasifitwasallrightwhenitwasn’t.Idon’tbelieveGodispleasedwiththat.Ifwepermittheexerciseofprophesying,wehaveanobligationplaceduponusbyScripturetohavetheoperationofjudgingordiscerningalongwithit.Itistoodangeroustohaveprophesyingwithouttesting.Itisliketurningayoungpersonlooseinaveryfastsportscarwithoutcheckingthesteeringandthebrakes.Hemayendupinawreck.Overtheyears,Ihaveseenscoresandscoresofwrecksthroughthemisuseofprophecy.Ihaveseenhomesbrokenup,churchesdivided,andpeopleruinedfinanciallyandinotherwaysthroughthewronguseofprophecy.Prophecyisanextremelypowerfulinstrument,andifitismisused,itcanbemisusedtothedestructionofpeople.

ThereisatimewhenGoddoesrebukeandchastenHispeople.Thereisaplaceforthis,butitisneverHislastword.LetuslookattheexampleofJeremiah.TheLordcommissionedhimtobeaprophet,saying,“Iordainedyoua

prophettothenations.…IhaveputMywordsinyourmouth.See,Ihavethisdaysetyouoverthenationsandoverthekingdoms,torootoutandtopulldown,todestroyandtothrowdown,tobuildandtoplant”(Jeremiah1:5,9–10).ThereisatimeforrootingoutandpullingdownwhatGodhasnotplanted.Jesussaid,“EveryplantwhichMyheavenlyFatherhasnotplantedwillbeuprooted”(Matthew15:13).Yettheultimatepurposeisplanting.Likewise,thereisaplaceforknockingdownanddestroying,buttheultimatepurposeisbuilding.Ifweneverreachthepositive,wearenotmovingwiththeHolySpirit.HisdealingswiththepeopleofGodarealwaysgoodandpositive,withthepurposeofbuildingup.

Paulechoedthisprinciplein2Corinthians.HehadtousefairlysternlanguageincorrectingtheCorinthianchurch,andhealsohadtoasserthisownauthority,whichwasinquestion.Afterdoingso,hesaid,“ForevenifIshouldboastsomewhatmoreaboutourauthority,whichtheLordgaveusforedificationandnotforyourdestruction,Ishallnotbeashamed”(2Corinthians10:8).NoticetheauthoritygiventoPaulasanapostlewasforedification,notdestruction.Inalaterchapter,Paulusedparallellanguage:“ThereforeIwritethesethingsbeingabsent,lestbeingpresentIshouldusesharpness,accordingtotheauthoritywhichtheLordhasgivenmeforedificationandnotfordestruction”(2Corinthians13:10).

WemustbearinmindtheHolySpiritwilluseconvictionincorrectingus,butthereisagreatdifferencebetweencondemnationandconviction.Convictionisspecific.Ifyoutoldalieorstolemoney,Hewillconvictyouthatyoumustmakeamendsortakeitbackandapologize.Convictionisnevervagueorobscure;italwaysleadsyouwithsomethingspecificyouhavetodo.Condemnationwillbevague.Ifyounailoneofthedevil’saccusations,hewillcomeupwithtwomore.Ifyounailthesetwo,hehasfourmore.Wheneveryougetintotheareaofcondemnation,youareoutsidetheoperationoftheHolySpiritandyouarelettingthedevilplaywithyoulikeacatplayswithamouse.Unfortunately,itisoftenpreachersorpeoplewhoclaimtoministerwhoaredoingthispartofthedevil’sjobforhim.

Test#2:DoesItAgreewithScripture?

ThesecondtestiswhethertheprophecyagreeswithScripture.Thisscriptural

testisveryimportant.SecondTimothy3:16says,“AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness.”TheauthoritybehindallScriptureistheHolySpirit,andHewillnevercontradictHimself.Anythinggiveninprophecy,therefore,willneverbeopposedtotheletterorthespiritofScripture.PaulwroteabouttheconsistencyofGod’sWordwhenhedeclared,

DoImakemyplansinaworldlymannersothatinthesamebreathIsay,“Yes,yes”and“No,no”?ButassurelyasGodisfaithful,ourmessagetoyouisnot“Yes”and“No.”FortheSonofGod,JesusChrist,whowaspreachedamongyoubymeandSilasandTimothy,wasnot“Yes”and“No,”butinhimithasalwaysbeen“Yes.”FornomatterhowmanypromisesGodhasmade,theyare“Yes”inChrist.(2Corinthians1:17–20niv)

Inotherwords,Goddoesnotsayonethingononedayandanotherthingonanotherday.

ThesewordsfromIsaiaharealsoveryapplicableaswelookatthescripturaltestofprophecy:“Andwhentheysaytoyou,‘Seekthosewhoaremediumsandwizards[fortune-tellersorsoothsayers],whowhisperandmutter,’shouldnotapeopleseektheirGod?Shouldtheyseekthedeadonbehalfoftheliving?”(Isaiah8:19).Ifyouwantananswer,doyouneedtogoanywherebuttoGod?Ifyouwanttofindtheliving,shouldyougotothedead?Thispassagespeaksparticularlyaboutattemptedcommunionwiththedead,whichisnotanewpractice,andwhichhasalwaysbeenunderthecurseofalmightyGodfromthetimeitwasfirstmanifested.HereisGod’sanswer:“Tothelawandtothetestimony![TothewrittenwordofGod.]Iftheydonotspeakaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereisnolightinthem”(v.20).IftheydonotspeakaccordingtotheScripture,thespiritthatisinthemandspeaksthroughthemisnottheHolySpirit.TheSpiritofalltrueprophecyistheHolySpirit.

Test#3:WhatIstheProphet’sRelationshipwithChrist?

Thethirdtestistheprophet’srelationshipwithJesusChrist.John16:13–14says,“However,whenHe,theSpiritoftruth,hascome,Hewillguideyouintoalltruth;forHewillnotspeakonHisownauthority,butwhateverHehearsHewillspeak;andHewilltellyouthingstocome.”Anotherspecificcharacteristic

oftheHolySpiritisthatHealwaysglorifiestheLordJesusChrist.ItistrueHewillrevealtousthingstocome,butHewillalwaysdothisinthecontextofglorifyingJesus.Wheneveranybodycomestoyouwithanykindofrevelationornewdoctrineorprophecy,askyourself,Whatisthisperson’sattitudetotheLordJesusChrist?DoesheexaltandglorifyHim?DoeshegiveHimthepreeminencethatisduetoHimalone?

TheapostleJohnwroteinRevelation,“AndIfellathisfeettoworshiphim[theangel].Buthesaidtome,‘Seethatyoudonotdothat!Iamyourfellowservant,andofyourbrethrenwhohavethetestimonyofJesus.WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy’”(Revelation19:10).Thespiritinalltrueprophecy—fromtheveryfirstprophecygiventothelastprophecythatwilleverbegiven—centersontestifyingtoJesusChrist.AnythingthatdepartsfromtestifyingtoandexaltingJesusChristisnotgivenbytheHolySpirit.

PeoplehavevarioussubstitutesforJesusinsteadofgivingHimthesupremacyintheirlives.Somewillputahumanpersonality,teacher,orpreacheraboveHim.Otherswillgivefirstplacetoadenomination,aparticularchurch,oragroup.Ifyouevermeetagroupthatsays,“Ifyouwanttoberight,youmustjoinus,”youcanbesureofonething:whenyouhavejoinedthem,youarewrong!Anygrouphavingthatkindofspiritiswrongtobeginwith.

InColossians1:18,weread,“And[Jesus]istheheadofthebody,thechurch,whoisthebeginning,thefirstbornfromthedead,thatinallthingsHemayhavethepreeminence.”“Allthings”includesprophecy.

Test#4:DotheProphetandProphecyBearGoodFruit?

Thefourthtestofprophecyisitsfruit.Galatians5:22–23hasabeautiful,nine-foldlistofthefruitoftheSpirit:“love,joy,peace,longsuffering,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,gentleness,self-control.”Wethereforeneedtoaskthisquestion:DotheprophetandtheprophecycorrespondtothesequalitiesoftheSpirit?

InRomans14:17,wehaveaveryclearstatementofwhatthekingdomofGodandthegospelareallabout.“ForthekingdomofGodisnoteatinganddrinking,butrighteousnessandpeaceandjoyintheHolySpirit.”ThekingdomofGodis

notasetofinstitutionalrulesaboutwhatyoumusteatandnoteat,whatyoumustwearandnotwear,theplacesyoumaygoandtheplacesyoumaynotgo.Itconsistsofthreethings:righteousness,peace,andjoyintheHolySpirit.

Noticethatrighteousnesscomesfirst.Anyformofpresentationofjoyandpeacethatbypassesrighteousnessisadeception.Ihavebeenwithmanygroupsthatwantedtogethappy,claptheirhands,praisetheLord,andhaveagoodtime,butIhavelearnedthatintheend,thiscanbejustself-deception.MuchofthehappinessweseeinsomegroupsisreallynothingbutsoulishnessbecauseitisnotbasedontherequirementsofGodconcerningrighteousness.Sometimes,wetalksomuchabouttheHolySpiritweforgetHeisholy.HeistheSpiritofholiness.

IhaveencounteredspuriouspeopletryingtomakeothershappywithoutgettingthemtoliveaccordingtoGod’sWord.ThisdoesnotproducetheresultsGodhaspromised.Hisorderisrighteousness,peace,andjoyintheHolySpirit.

JesusspecificallywarnedusaboutbadfruitinMatthew7:15:“Bewareoffalseprophets,whocometoyouinsheep’sclothing,butinwardlytheyareravenouswolves.”ThesheeprepresentstheChristiandisciple.Awolfisanaturalenemyofsheepandcomestodestroythem.Whatisthepurposeofthewolfputtingonsheep’sclothing?Topassitselfoffasasheepinordertopreyonthem.Thewolfwouldnotbeasdangerousifitcameasitself,undisguised.Itisdangerouswhenitcomeswearingsheep’sclothing.Thisisthenatureofmanyfalseprophets.Theywillnottellyouwhattheyreallybelieve.TheywillcometoyouprofessingtobeChristians,professingtohavethemessageofthegospel,probablyprofessingtohaveahigherrevelationandtobringyouintoanewexperienceyouhaveneverhadbefore.

Ittakesasheepdogtodiscernthewolflurkingamongthesheep.Thesheepdogdoesnotjudgebyitssightbutbyitssenseofsmell.IntheBible,thesenseofsmellcanrepresentatypeofthediscernmentoftheHolySpirit.ThosewhoareresponsibleforcaringforGod’sflockneedtocultivatethisextrasensethatdetectsthewolfevenwhenheiswearingthenice,whitesheepskin.YetJesusrevealed,apartfromthissenseofdiscernment,anobjectivewaytotestwhetheraprophetistrueorfalse.AfterHewarnedagainstfalseprophets,Hesaid,“Youwillknowthembytheirfruits.Domengathergrapesfromthornbushesorfigsfromthistles?”(Matthew7:16).Ifeverytimeyoureachout

forfruit,youarejabbedbyasharpthorn,thendon’texpectagrape.Anddonotcalltheplantagrapevinebecauseavinedoesnotproducethistles.

Althoughthefollowingiscertainlynotanexhaustivelist,herearesomeofthemostcommonformsoffruitthatarenotthefruitoftheHolySpirit,whichweshouldlearntodiscern.Ihaveobservedoneormoreoftheseinthelivesofpeoplewhoclaimtobepreachers,evangelists,ministers,orprophetsofJesusChrist:pride,arrogance,boastfulness,exaggerationordishonesty,covetousness,financialirresponsibility,addictiveappetite,immorality,brokenmarriagevows,andbrokenhomes.Whenaguestpreachercomestotownnexttime,askyourself,Ishegoingtoskiptownwithsomebody’scarorsomebody’swife?Doeshepayhisdebtsordoeshewalkoutandleavesomebodyelsetopaythem?Therearemanyimportantquestionstobeaskedofvisitingministers.Ifyoudonotaskthem,youmaybesorrysomeday.

JesusfollowedupHiswarningsaboutfalseprophetsandfalsefruitwiththesesoberingwords:

NoteveryonewhosaystoMe,“Lord,Lord,”shallenterthekingdomofheaven,buthewhodoesthewillofMyFatherinheaven.ManywillsaytoMeinthatday,“Lord,Lord,havewenotprophesiedinYourname,castoutdemonsinYourname,anddonemanywondersinYourname?”AndthenIwilldeclaretothem,“Ineverknewyou;departfromMe,youwhopracticelawlessness!”(Matthew7:21–23)

Rememberthedifferencebetweengiftsandfruit—betweenbeinggivenagiftanddevelopingthecharacterofChristovertime.ItispossibletocastoutdemonsinthenameofJesusandbelivingwrong.Itispossibletoprophesyandbelivingwrong.Itispossibletodomiraclesandbelivingwithsomebodyelse’swife,embezzlingmoney,ortellinglies.Iknowofpeoplewhohavedoneitandaredoingit.TheauthorityisinthenameofJesusandinfaith,andGodhascommittedHimselftoactwhenanypersondoessomethinginfaithandthenameofJesus.Therefore,thefactthatapersonprophesies,preaches,castsoutdemons,andperformsmiraclesdoesnotproveheislivingright.Thereisonlyonesureevidenceapersonislivingright:heisactuallylivingright.Peoplewhodonotliverightwillnotgettoheaven.Itisthatsimple.Wehaveallowedalotofsentimentalityandlaxthinkingtoobscuretheissue.

TheapostlePeterwarnedaboutfalseteachersinhissecondepistle:

Butthese,likenaturalbrutebeastsmadetobecaughtanddestroyed,speakevilofthethingstheydonotunderstand,andwillutterlyperishintheirowncorruption,andwillreceivethewagesofunrighteousness,asthosewhocountitpleasuretocarouseinthedaytime.Theyarespotsandblemishes,carousingintheirowndeceptionswhiletheyfeastwithyou,havingeyesfullofadulteryandthatcannotceasefromsin,enticingunstablesouls.Theyhaveahearttrainedincovetouspractices,andareaccursedchildren.Theyhaveforsakentherightwayandgoneastray,followingthewayofBalaamthesonofBeor,wholovedthewagesofunrighteousness.(2Peter2:12–15)

ThesefalseteachersattendtheChristianlovefeasts,andmayeventakepartintheLord’sSupper,buttheyareuncleanandvile.Itisremarkablehowpeopleinacongregationwillswallowanykindoflie.Youwouldnotthinkpeoplecouldbelievethethingstheybelieve.Theywillbelieveanythingbutthetruth.

Petersaidthesesupposedteachershavehearts“trainedincovetouspractices”andfollow“thewayofBalaam.”Inotherwords,theyareaftermoney.ThiswasBalaam’sproblem.Wasn’tBalaamaprophet?Yes.IfyoureadNumbers23–25,IdonotthinkyouwillfindmorebeautifulpropheciesintheBiblethancamefromthelipsofBalaam.Yethisheartwasnotright.

BalaamappearsinonlythreechaptersintheOldTestament,butheisreferredtoseveraltimesintheNewTestamentasanexampleofwarning.Balak,thekingoftheMoabites,hadtoldBalaamtocurseIsrael.However,hecouldnotdoitbecausewhenheprophesied,hecouldnotspeakanythingbutthetruth.HecouldonlyspeakwhattheLordgavehimtosay.Balaamexpressedanapparentlygodlywishthatnevercametrue.Hesaid,“WhocancountthedustofJacob,ornumberone-fourthofIsrael?Letmediethedeathoftherighteous,andletmyendbelikehis!”(Numbers23:10).

Thiswasjustapiousaspiration.Balaamwasgreedy,andmoneywasmoreimportanttohimthanlivingarighteouslife.HewaskilledbythechildrenofIsrael.InthebookofJoshua,wereadaboutthechildrenofManassehwhentheymovedintotheirinheritanceeastofJordan.“ThechildrenofIsraelalsokilledwiththeswordBalaamthesonofBeor,thesoothsayer,amongthosewhowerekilledbythem”(Joshua13:22).Balaamdidnotdiethedeathoftherighteous,buthealsodidnotlivethelifeoftherighteous.Desireformoneyledhimastray.AsIwroteearlier,usingagiftforpersonalprofitisatemptationforthosewho

operateincertainrealmsofspiritualgiftsandpower.Wemustalwaystakeaprophet’sfruitandcharacterintoconsiderationwhenevaluatingaprophecyanditseffects.

Test#5:WeretheProphet’sPredictionsTrue?

Ifprophecycontainspredictionsconcerningthefuture,andthesearenotfulfilled,theprophecydidnotcomefromGod.LetuslookatapassagefromthebookofDeuteronomy.TheLordsaid,

TheprophetwhopresumestospeakawordinMyname,whichIhavenotcommandedhimtospeak,orwhospeaksinthenameofothergods,thatprophetshalldie.Andifyousayinyourheart,“HowshallweknowthewordwhichtheLordhasnotspoken?”;whenaprophetspeaksinthenameoftheLord,ifthethingdoesnothappenorcometopass,thatisthethingwhichtheLordhasnotspoken;theprophethasspokenitpresumptuously;youshallnotbeafraidofhim.(Deuteronomy18:20–22)

Apersonmaymakeapredictionthatdoesnotcometopass.TheWordofGodsaysverysimplyandpracticallythiswasnotsomethingtheLordspokebecause,iftheLordhadspokenit,itwouldhavecometopass.Wearenottobeafraidofsuchaprophet.UnderthelawofMoses,theprophetwouldhavedied;thatishowGodregardsthosewhodeceiveHispeople.

Weshouldrealizethatapersonwhoprophesiescanfallintoerrorbyoversteppingtheboundsofhisgift.Hebeginsintherightwaybutgoestoofar.Paulwrote,“Havingthengiftsdifferingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous,letususethem:ifprophecy,letusprophesyinproportionto[bythemeasureof]ourfaith”(Romans12:6).PeoplemaystartprophesyingintheSpiritandgetexcited,puffedup,enthusiastic,andgobeyondwhattheHolySpiritactuallygavethem.Ihaveknownofcasesofthis.Thepeoplewerenotouttodeceive;theywerenotfalseprophets,buttheymovedoutoftheSpiritandbackintotheflesh.

Godwarnsusaboutthis.JustbeforePaultalkedaboutprophesyinginproportiontoourfaith,hewrote,“ForIsay,throughthegracegiventome,toeveryonewhoisamongyou,nottothinkofhimselfmorehighlythanheought

tothink[don’tgetpuffedup],buttothinksoberly,asGodhasdealttoeachoneameasureoffaith”(v.3).YoucanoperateperfectlywithinthemeasureoffaithGodhasgivenyou.Yetifyougobeyondthatmeasureoffaith,youarenotoperatingintheSpirit;youareoperatinginyourowncarnalwillandpersonality.

Test#6:DoestheProphecyPromoteObedience

toGod?

Thistestisessentialbecausethefifthtestsaidiftheprophecydoesnotcometopass,wearedealingwithafalseprophet.Wemighteasilyconclude,therefore,thatifwhattheprophetsaiddoescometopass,hemustbeatrueprophet.Yetthisisnotnecessarilythecase.Evenifprophecycontainscorrectpredictionsorsupernaturalrevelations,itisnotfromGodifitseffectistopromotedisobedienceagainstGodandtheScriptures.

WearewarnedaboutthisinDeuteronomy:

Iftherearisesamongyouaprophetoradreamerofdreams,andhegivesyouasignorawonder,andthesignorthewondercomestopass,ofwhichhespoketoyou,saying,“Letusgoafterothergods”;whichyouhavenotknown;“andletusservethem,”youshallnotlistentothewordsofthatprophetorthatdreamerofdreams,fortheLordyourGodistestingyoutoknowwhetheryoulovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul.YoushallwalkaftertheLordyourGodandfearHim,andkeepHiscommandmentsandobeyHisvoice,andyoushallserveHimandholdfasttoHim.Butthatprophetorthatdreamerofdreamsshallbeputtodeath,becausehehasspokeninordertoturnyouawayfromtheLordyourGod,whobroughtyououtofthelandofEgyptandredeemedyoufromthehouseofbondage,toentice[“thrust”kjv]youfromthewayinwhichtheLordyourGodcommandedyoutowalk.Soyoushallputawaytheevilfromyourmidst.(Deuteronomy13:1–5)

Inthispassage,amangaveasupernaturalsignanditcametopass.Yethewasafalseprophet,aservantofSatan,turningGod’speopleawayfromtheirobediencetoHim.

IsawsomethinglikethisinAfrica.Inacertainvillage,twofamiliesquarreled,whichisquitecommon.Onefamilywenttothewitchdoctorandaskedhimtoputahexontheotherfamily.Aftertheypaidhimwithagoat,he

putthehexon.Hesaidonacertainnightinthevillageajackalwouldcryatmidnight.Whenthejackalcried,theyoungestchildofthatfamilywoulddie.Doyouknowwhathappened?Thejackalcried,andthebabydied.Itwasexactlyashehadsaid.Hehadmadeacorrectsupernaturalprediction.ButhewasnotaservantofGod.Eventhoughitcametrue,hewasstillaservantofSatan.

AnotherscripturalexampleofthisisfromtheministryofPaul,whenheandSilasarrivedinPhilippiforthefirsttimetopreachthegospel.Welookedatthisincidentearlier,inthechapterondiscerningsofspirits.

Nowithappened,aswewenttoprayer,thatacertainslavegirlpossessedwithaspiritofdivinationmetus,whobroughthermastersmuchprofitbyfortune-telling.ThisgirlfollowedPaulandus,andcriedout,saying,“ThesemenaretheservantsoftheMostHighGod,whoproclaimtousthewayofsalvation.”Andthisshedidformanydays.ButPaul,greatlyannoyed,turnedandsaidtothespirit,“IcommandyouinthenameofJesusChristtocomeoutofher.”Andhecameoutthatveryhour.(Acts16:16–18)

Everythingthegirlsaidwasabsolutelytrue.ShewasapparentlythefirstpersoninPhilippitofullystatewhoPaulandSilaswere.YetshewasaservantofSatan.Anevilspiritwascausinghertosaythosethings.NoticeSatan’scunninginusingthisgirl.PerhapshewantedtogetherinonthegroundfloorofthenewassemblyofbelieversthatwouldcometogetherthroughtheministryofPaulandSilas.HemayhavewantedthepeopleofPhilippitofeeltherewasnothingnewinthisgospel,thatitwasjustwhattheywereusedtowiththeirprophetessesandoracles,whichhadbeenpartofGreekcultureforninecenturies.Howsubtlethedevilis!Hedoesnotalwaystellout-and-outlies.Hewouldneverdeceivepeopleifhedid.Hetellsenoughtruthtogetyouhooked,andthenheinjectshislies.

IwanttopointoutoneotherthingintheabovepassagefromDeuteronomy13.TheKingJamesVersionusesthetermto“thrust”(v.5)themfromthewayoftheLord.Whenaprophecyisfalse,wemayfeelacertainkindofpressurethatisnotfromtheHolySpirit.Ifyoucometoaplacewhereyoufeel,“Imustdothatbecauseitwasprophesied,”donotdoit.Thatisnotthewayprophecyworks.

Ihadacallfromsomeonewhosaid,“Haveyouheardanyprophecyabout

resurrection?”WhenIaskedwhy,hesaid,“Well,somebelieversherehavealittlechildthatdiedandeverybodyisgettingprophecieshe’sgoingtoberaisedfromthedead.”“Howlongagodidhedie?”Iasked.“Oh,aboutthreedaysago.”“Whatdidhedieof?”“Wedon’tknow.”“Howoldwastheboy?”“Sixweeks.”Theyhadrefusedtonotifythecoronerforthreedays,andheaskedme,“Whatdoyouthink?”Isaid,“IfyouwanttoknowwhatIthink,Ithinkthatbabyisnotgoingtoberaisedfromthedead.ThethingIfeelaboutyouimmediatelyisakindofpressurethatisnotthepressureoftheHolySpirit.You’reallunderpressure.Takeitslowly;beverycareful.”Iheardnothingmore.Iguaranteethefirstthingtheywouldhavedoneifthebabyhadbeencalledbacktolifewouldhavebeentophoneme.ThishashappenedamongSpirit-baptizedpeoplewhowereseekingtodoGod’swillandbe“spiritual.”Ofcourse,onesympathizeswithpeoplewhohavelostalittlebaby,butthisisthetypeofpressureIamreferringto.

Ihavefeltthispressureinmyownlife.Ifyouevergetunderthatkindofpressure,putonthebrakes,getoutofthecar,andfindoutwhathasbeendrivingyoubecauseitisnottheHolySpirit.

Test#7:DoestheProphecyBringFreedomandPeace?

Paulwrotein2Corinthians3:17,“NowtheLordistheSpirit;andwheretheSpiritoftheLordis,thereisliberty.”ThefollowingScripturesteachthreethingsthatarenotproductsoftheHolySpirit:

Foryoudidnotreceivethespiritofbondageagaintofear,butyoureceivedtheSpiritofadoptionbywhomwecryout,“Abba,Father.”(Romans8:15)

Godisnottheauthorofconfusionbutofpeace.(1Corinthians14:33)

Godhasnotgivenusaspiritoffear,butofpowerandofloveandofasoundmind.(2Timothy1:7)

Bondage,confusion,andfeararenotfromtheHolySpirit.

WewereinachurchinBritainwheretherewasayoungwomanwhowasabouttwenty.Somebodyhadprophesiedthatthisyoungwomanwastomarryayoungmaninthecongregation.Shedidn’tlovehim,andshehadnodesireto

marryhimwhatsoever.Butshewasinagonybecauseshethoughtifshedidnotmarryhim,shewouldbedisobeyingGodandsomethingawfulwouldcomeinherlife.MywifeandIexplainedtoherGoddoesnotterrifyyou.Hedoesnotsendyouthespiritoffear,andHewillnotmakeyouconfused.ThisisnotthewaytheHolySpiritoperates.Wehelpedherbereleasedfromthisbondage,andherlifewasprobablysavedfromruin.

Manytimes,inchurches,particularlyinprayergroups,therewillbesomeone—quiteoftenawoman—whowilluseherpropheticabilitytocausepeopletobecomedependentonher.Shemaynotbeawareofit,butsheismakingdisciplesforherself.Thepeopleinthegroupcannotsolvetheirownproblems,andtheyhavetogorunningtoSisterSo-and-So.Thistypeofarrangementistotallyalientothegospel.IntheNewTestament,everybelieverisapriest.EverybelieverhastherightofdirectaccesstoGod.IfyoucannotheardirectlyfromGod,thereissomethingwrongwithyourspirituallife,andyouneedtocorrectit.

Test#8:DoestheProphecyHarmonizeandBringLife?

TrueprophecygivenbytheHolySpiritwillalwaysinjectfreshlifeintoameetingandharmonizewithGod’soverallpurposes.Duringameeting,theremaybetheoperationofagift,suchasprophecy,anditwillsoundverygood,veryreligious,andmayevencontainScripture,butitisnotoftheHolySpirit.Instead,itisareligiousspirit.

Thefollowingexampleconcernstheinterpretationoftongues,butthesameprincipleappliestoprophecy.Iwasteachingatabusinessmen’sconventiononthegiftsoftheSpirit,andIwasemphasizingtheresponsibilityofthepersonleadingthemeetingtotakecontrolifanythingwentwrong.Ihadjustfinishedspeakingandwasstilltheonlypersonontheplatformwhenawomangaveaverybeautiful,anointedutteranceinatongue.Wewaitedfortheinterpretation,andamanstoodupandgavewhatheobviouslywantedustobelievewastheinterpretation.ItwasallScripture,suchas“‘Itshallcometopassinthelastdays,’saithGod,‘IwillpouroutMySpirit,’”andsoforth.Icangiveyouthescripturalreferencesforeverythinghewassaying.However,itwasstaleanddead;ithadnolifeinit,anditwasoutoflinewiththewholemovingofGodinthemeeting.

Whenhefinished,Ithought,WhatdoIdonow?Ihavejustbeentellingeverybodyitismyresponsibilitytodosomething.IbelievetheLordreallygavemewisdom.Istoodupandsaidveryquietly,“AbrotherhasquotedsomeoftheScripturesthathehasmemorized.Let’saskGodfortheinterpretation.”Therewasdeadsilence,andthentheinterpretationcame.Itwasquick,powerful,andinlinewiththemeeting.Itliftedeverybody,andtherewasaspontaneousoutburstofpraise.

TheHolySpiritistheauthoroflife,notdeath.Hedoesnotdeaden.Ifsomethingisdeadening,eventhoughitmaysoundgoodandreligious,itisnottheSpiritofGodwhoisdoingit.

Test#9:IsThereaSenseofWarning?

Godhasputsomethinginsideustoenableustoknowwhatistrueandwhatisfalse.FirstJohn2:27says,“ButtheanointingwhichyouhavereceivedfromHimabidesinyou,andyoudonotneedthatanyoneteachyou;butasthesameanointingteachesyouconcerningallthings,andistrue,andisnotalie,andjustasithastaughtyou,youwillabideinHim.”TheanointingisnotexactlythesameasthebaptismintheHolySpirit.ItiswalkingintheSpiritafteryouhavebeenbaptizedintheSpirit.WhenyouarewalkingintheSpirit,thereissomethinginsideyouthatbearswitnesstothetruthandrejectswhatisfalse.

Whenyouareinameetingandgiftscomeintooperation,payattentiontotheanointinginsideyou.Somepeoplegetanactualpainintheirchestwhenthereissomethingfalse.IfyougetsuchawarningfromGod,donotjumpupandsay,“Thatmanisafalseprophet.”Youwillbeheadedfortroublebecauseitwillprobablyendinanargument.Onepersonwillsayhebelievestheoneprophesyingisrightandanotherwillsayheisnot.Thisfinaltestissubjective,whiletheothereightareobjective,andyoucannotdealwithmattersinthecongregationonthebasisofsubjectivetests.Thistestisforthepurposeofwarningyoupersonally.Whatdoyoudo?IfyouarewarnedsubjectivelybytheSpiritwithinyouthatsomethingiswrong,justsittherequietlyandbeginapplyingtheothereighttests.Ifthepersoniswrong,oneormoreoftheothertestswillshowit.

Theseninetestsforjudgingtrueprophecy,therefore,enablebelieverstooperateinthisgiftwithfreedom,protection,andthefullnessoftheHolySpirit.

Part5

UsingtheGifts

Chapter13HowtoExerciseSpiritualGifts

WeconcludeourstudyoftheninesupernaturalgiftsoftheHolySpiritbyansweringthepracticalquestion,Howcanabelieverbegintoexercisethesegiftsinascripturalway?

TheBasisofExercisingAnyGiftIsFaith

First,wemustunderstandthebasisofallserviceforGod,includingtheexerciseofthegiftsoftheHolySpirit.Thiscanbesummedupinonesimpleword:faith.Hebrews11:6says,“Butwithoutfaithitisimpossibletoplease[God],forhewhocomestoGodmustbelievethatHeis,andthatHeisarewarderofthosewhodiligentlyseekHim.”Thisisaveryclearstatementthatisoftenoverlookedbyreligiouspeople.ItdoesnotsaywithoutmoralityitisimpossibletopleaseGod;itsayswithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod.Ofcourse,Godrequiresmoralbehavior,butmoralitybyitselfdoesnotcommendustoHim.FaithistheonlybasisonwhichwecanbeacceptedbyGod.

TheScripturesayshewhocomestoGodmustbelieve—mustexercisefaith.First,hemustbelievethatGodexists.Manypeoplebelievethis,butitisnotsufficientinitself.Second,hemustbelievethatGodisarewarderofthosewhodiligentlyseekHim.Inotherwords,toapplythisversepersonally,ImustbelieveifIcometoGodandseekHimdiligentlyaccordingtoHisWord,HewillrewardmeaccordingtoHisWord.IfIdonotbelievethis,IdonothavetherightbasisonwhichtoapproachHim.

ThesameideaisstatedinRomans14:23,whichsays,“Whateverisnotfromfaithissin.”AnythingthatisnotdoneinfaithisnotacceptabletoGod.Itmaybeareligiousactivity,suchasgoingtochurchandsinginghymns,oritmayevenbeprayer,butifitisnotdoneinfaithitissinbecauseGodhassetthatonebasicrequirementfromwhichHewillnotvary.

Sincefaithissoessential,itisreasonabletoaskhowwecanreceivethefaithGodrequires.TheanswerisfoundinRomans10:17:“Sothenfaithcomesbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.”Thereisaveryencouragingthoughtinthisverse:faithcomes.Ifyoudonothavefaith,youcanobtainit.Youdonothavetodespairandsay,“It’snouse.Idon’thaveanyfaith.”

IlearnedthislessoninaverypersonalwaylyinginahospitalbedfortwelvemonthsduringWorldWarII.Isaidtomyselfagainandagain,“IknowifIhadfaith,Godwouldhealme.Butitdoesn’tseemthatIhavefaith.”Oneday,IreadabookthatcontainedthisScripturefromRomans10:17.Myspiritgraspedthestatementthatfaithcomes,anditwaslikearayofpiercinglightinthedarkness.IrealizedifIdidnothavefaith,IcouldgetitifImetthecondition.TheconditionwashearingtheWordofGod.

HearingistheintermediatestagebetweentheWordofGodandfaith.ItispossibletoreadtheBiblewithouttruly“hearing”it,justasitispossibletohearasermonandyetnotreallyhearit.FaithdoesnotcomeuntilwetrulyhearwhatGodsaysinHisWord.OnegreatobstacletohearingisthatwealreadythinkweknowwhatGodisgoingtosay,andsowedon’tlistenifHesayssomethingdifferent.Thiswasmyproblemwithhealing.WhenIreadwhattheBiblesaidabouthealing,myresponsewas,“That’stoogoodtobetrue;itcouldn’tbethatway.”GodhadtoshowmeIcouldnotreceivefaithuntilIlaiddownmyownopinions,otherpeople’sopinions,religioustraditions,anddenominationalteachingsandlistenedtowhatHewassayingtomeinHisWord.Iquietedmyspirit,clearedmymindofpreconceptionsandtraditionsandprejudices,andjustwaitedforGodtospeaktomyspirit.Thenfaithbegantocome,andIwashealed.

OneofthemostimportantthingsintheChristianlife,therefore,istocultivatetheabilitytohearwhatGodissayinginHisWord.Cultivatingtheabilitytohearisaprocess.ApersonwhodoesnottaketimeinGod’spresenceandinthepresenceofHisWordwillnotlearntohear.

Inregardtospiritualgifts,weneedtoheartheportionsofGod’sWordthatrelatetotheexerciseofthesegifts.Inthischapter,wewilllookateightsuccessivetruthsfromtheWordofGodthat—ifyouhearthem—willbuildyourfaithforreceivingandexercisingthegiftsoftheSpirit.Thefollowingtruthsaregleanedfromwhatwehavelearnedinthelasttwelvechapters.Youmaystillhavetoclearyourmindofhumantraditions,denominationalteachings,andpersonalprejudices,asIdid,andbepreparedtoletGodspeaktoyousoyoumayapplythesetruthstoyourlife.

TruthsThatBuildFaithforSpiritualGifts

Truth#1:

TheSupremePurposeoftheGiftsIstoGlorifyGod

LetusfirstconsiderthepurposeofspiritualgiftsinrelationtoGod.TheapostlePeterwrote,

Aseachonehasreceivedagift,ministerittooneanother,asgoodstewardsofthemanifold[many-sided]graceofGod.Ifanyonespeaks,lethimspeakastheoraclesofGod.Ifanyoneministers,lethimdoitaswiththeabilitywhichGodsupplies,thatinallthingsGodmaybeglorifiedthroughJesusChrist,towhombelongthegloryandthedominionforeverandever.Amen.(1Peter4:10–11)

Paraphrasingtheabove,aseachonehasreceivedagift,heshouldministerittotheothersasagoodstewardofGod’sgrace,whichismanifestedinthesegracegiftsoftheSpirit.Ministertowhatpurpose?ThesupremepurposeofthegiftsisthatGodmaybeglorifiedthroughJesusChrist.EverytimeweexercisespiritualgiftsinaccordancewiththeWordofGod,wearebringingglorytoGodthroughJesusChrist.Everytimewefailtoexerciseaspiritualgiftwhenwemighthavedoneso,wearerobbingGodofHisglory.

Truth#2:MinisteringGiftstoBelieversBringsEdification

Next,letusconsiderthepurposeofspiritualgiftsinrelationtohumanity.Wehaveseenthatthepurposeofthespiritualgiftsisedification,orthebuildingupofbelievers.Thekeywordof1Corinthians14isedify.Aseitheraverboranoun,itoccursseventimesinthechapter.Letuslookatfouroftheseoccurrences,threeofwhichwelookedatearlier.

Hewhospeaksinatongueedifieshimself,buthewhoprophesiesedifiesthechurch[theassembledcompanyofbelievers].(1Corinthians14:4)

Iwishyouallspokewithtongues,butevenmorethatyouprophesied;forhewhoprophesiesisgreaterthanhewhospeakswithtongues,unlessindeedheinterprets,thatthechurchmayreceiveedification.(v.5)

Evensoyou,sinceyouarezealousforspiritualgifts,letitbefortheedificationofthechurchthatyouseektoexcel.(v.12)

Howisitthen,brethren?Wheneveryoucometogether,eachofyouhasapsalm,hasateaching,hasatongue,hasarevelation,hasaninterpretation.Letallthingsbedoneforedification.(v.26)

OneofthemainmeansbywhichChristiansareenabledtoedifythemselvesandotherbelieversisbytheexerciseofspiritualgifts.IfwedonotexercisethegiftsoftheSpirit,wearerobbingourselvesandothersofthemeansofedification.Forexample,supposeIaminagroupofbelieversandanutteranceisgiveninanunknowntonguethatrequiresinterpretation.IfIreceivetheinterpretationbut,becauseoffearorembarrassment,Irefusetogiveit,notonlyamIrobbingmyself,butIamalsodeprivingthewholegroupofbelieversoftheblessingthatwouldhavecometothemthroughthatinterpretation.Weshouldnotbeguiltyoffailingtoexercisespiritualgiftswecouldandshouldbeexercising.

Truth#3:God’sWillIsforBelieverstoExercise

SpiritualGifts

Thethirdtruthisimpliedinthetwoprevioustruthsbutmuststillberecognizedandacknowledgedbyindividualbelievers:itisthewillofGodforbelieverstoexercisespiritualgifts.OperatinginthegiftsoftheSpiritisnotsomethingthatisconfinedtoafewgiftedindividualswhoarepreachers,missionaries,orevangelists.TheNewTestamentclearlydepictseverylocalassemblyasmadeupofbelieverswhoareabletoexercisespiritualgifts.

LetusrecallwhatPaulsaidaboutthegiftsin1Corinthians12:“ThemanifestationoftheSpiritisgiventoeachone[believer]fortheprofitofall.…ButoneandthesameSpiritworksallthesethings,distributingtoeachoneindividuallyasHewills”(vv.7,11).Theemphasisintheseversesisoneachindividualbelieverreceivingandexercisingaspiritualgiftorgiftsforuseful,profitableservice.

Truth#4:LoveandtheGiftsWorkTogether

Fourth,aswesawinchaptertwo,thereisnoconflictbetweenthefruitofloveandthegiftsoftheSpirit.MillionsofprofessingChristianshavesomehowcometobelieveloveandthegiftsareinoppositiontooneanother,asifoneexcluded

theotherandachoicehastobemadebetweenthem.ThisiscompletelycontrarytoScripture.In1Corinthians12:31,Paulsaid,“Earnestlydesirethebestgifts.AndyetIshowyouamoreexcellentway.”Abettertranslationmightbe,“AndIshowyouayetmoreexcellentway.”Notetheplacingoftheword“yet”inthesecondsentence.The“moreexcellentway”spokenofinthethirteenthchapterof1Corinthiansislove.

FirstCorinthians13:13says,“Andnowabidefaith,hope,love,thesethree;butthegreatestoftheseislove.”Somepeoplesayloveisthebestgift,butthisisincorrect.NowheredoestheNewTestamentcallloveagift.Loveisafruit.Somepeoplewilltellyouloveisthebestandonlygifttobesought,buttheyarenotonscripturalgrounds.Paulsaidwearetoearnestlydesirethebestgifts,eventhoughthereissomethinghigherthangifts,whichislove.Inacertainsense,theconditionforbeingshownthemoreexcellentwayistoearnestlydesirethebestgifts.Farfrombeinginoppositiontooneanother,oneleadstotheother.

NotethatPaulleduptothebeautifulthirteenthchapterof1Corinthians,whichdealswiththenatureofGod’slove,withthestatement,“Earnestlydesirethebestgifts.AndyetIshowyouamoreexcellentway”(1Corinthians12:31).Then,rightafterthechapteronlove,hemadethisstatement:“Pursuelove,anddesirespiritualgifts”(1Corinthians14:1,emphasisadded).Heagainaffirmedbothloveandgifts.Yet,asImentioned,somepeopleseemtoreadthestatementas“Pursueloveordesirespiritualgifts.”Paulsaidtoseeklovebyallmeansanddesirespiritualgifts,andthisisperfectlylogicalbecausethegiftsoftheHolySpiritarechannelsthroughwhichdivineloveflows.Theygohandinhand.Theyareintimatelyrelated,andyoucannotreallyseparateonefromtheother.Ifyoudonothaveanygifts,yousealoffamainchannelthroughwhichloveoperates,forlovemusthaveameansofexpression.

TotalkaboutlovebutdonothingiscontrarytoScripture.ThekindoflovePaulspokeaboutislovethatacts,lovethatministers,lovethatedifies.Ifweloveourfellowbelievers,wewillwanttoedifythem.Howdoweedifythem?Withspiritualgifts.WhydidPaulsay,in1Corinthians14:1,“…butespeciallythatyoumayprophesy”?Becausebyprophesyingweedifyourfellowbelievers.Byedifyingthemweexpressourlove.Ifwesitthereanddonothingforthem,whatisthegoodoftellingthemwelovethem?

In1Corinthians13,Paulwroteaboutloveforthirteenverses.Yetin2

Corinthians8and9,Paulwroteaboutmoneyforthirty-nineverses.Therearethreetimesasmanyversesaboutmoneythanthereareaboutlove.Doesthatmeanmoneyismoreimportantthanlove?No.Itmeansthatifwelove,oneofthethingswewilldoisuseourmoneyforGodandforthepeopleofGod.Ifwekeepspeakingaboutlove,butourmoneydoesn’tfollow,wedonothaveverymuchlove.Morethanthat,wearedeceivingourselves.ThesamethingistrueintherealmofthegiftsoftheSpirit.Ifwehavelove,wewilldesiretoexpressthislovebytheexerciseofspiritualgifts.

Truth#5:IfWeLoveGod,WeReceiveHisGifts

IfweloveGod,wewilldesiretoreceiveandexerciseHisgiftstous.Forexample,canyouimagineamothermakingabeautifulbirthdaycakeforherdaughter,spendinghoursbakingit,puttingontheicing,anddecoratingit,andthenwhenshebringsitout,thegirlsaying,“Mommy,Iloveyou,butIdon’twantyourcake”?Idon’tthinkIhaveeverheardachildtalklikethat.Itisreallyadenialoflove.Or,imagineayoungmanwhobuysabeautifuldiamondringforthewomanhelovesandwantstomarry.Whenhegivesherthering,ifshesays,“Honey,Iloveyou,butIdon’twantyourring,”itisunlikelytheywillevergetmarried.

Itisnotlovingtorejectthegiftoftheonewhomwelove.Likewise,itisnotshowingloveforGodwhenwerefuseHisgifts.Ifwethinkthisway,wearedeceivingourselves.Matthew7:11says,“Ifyouthen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewillyourFatherwhoisinheavengivegoodthingstothosewhoaskHim!”InthealmostidenticalverseinLuke11:13,insteadof“givegoodthings”thetextreads“givetheHolySpirit.”

Referringtoourearlieranalogy,imaginethelittlegirlwhosemotherhadbakedthebeautifulcakesaying,“Well,Mother,I’mnotsurethecakeyoubakedisanygood.Maybeyouputsomethinginitthatwillupsetmystomach.”Whatkindofarelationshipdoesshehavewithhermother?YetmanyChristianssaytoGod,ineffect,“ThesegiftsoftheHolySpiritthatarewrittenaboutinYourWord—Idonotreallythinktheyareofmuchuse.”Thisattitudeisalmostbeingirreverent.Somepeoplesay,“I’llhavethebaptismintheHolySpirit,evenifitmeansspeakingintongues.”IdonotwanttocriticizeanythingmyheavenlyFatherhaspreparedfrometernityformybenefit.IfIdo,Iambeingavery

waywardchild.

Letuslookatoneotherpassage.Jameswrote,“Donoterr[“bedeceived”nkjv],mybelovedbrethren”(James1:16kjv).IalwayswonderedwhyhemadethatspecificstatementaboutnoterringuntilonedayIsawhowitgoeswiththenextverse.“Everygoodgiftandeveryperfectgiftisfromabove,andcomesdownfromtheFatheroflights,withwhomthereisnovariationorshadowofturning”(v.17,emphasisadded).Godnevergivesyouanythingthatisnotperfect.Donotbeunderanymisapprehension.IfitcomesfromGod,itisgood.

IfyouarequestioningthevalueortheworthofGod’sgift,youhaveawrongpictureofGod.Jamessaidwearenottoerrorbedeceivedinthisway.God’sgiftsareeminentlytobedesired,tobesoughtafter.ThemoreweloveGod,themorewewillappreciateHisgifts.IfweturndownthegiftsthathavecostGodsodearlythebloodofHisSonshedonthecross,wearegrievingtheFather’sheart.WearegrievingtheSavior’sheart,too.

Truth#6:TheGiftsDidNotEndbutAreStillforToday

Earlier,wetalkedabouthowsomepeoplebelievethegiftsendedwiththeearlychurch.IhavenotfoundonesuggestioninallofScripturethatthegiftsweremeanttoendwiththeapostolicage.First,whendidtheapostolicageend?Iftheapostolicagelastsaslongasthereareapostles,thenasfarasIunderstandScripture,thisageisgoingtolastuntilJesusreturns.Second,Paulwrote,

IthankmyGodalwaysconcerningyouforthegraceofGodwhichwasgiventoyoubyChristJesus,thatyouwereenrichedineverythingbyHiminallutteranceandallknowledge,evenasthetestimonyofChristwasconfirmedinyou,sothatyoucomeshortinnogift,eagerlywaitingfortherevelationofourLordJesusChrist.(1Corinthians1:4–7)

Howlongarethegiftstocontinueinthechurch?UntilourLordJesusreturns.ThechurchthatiswaitingfortheLordJesusisnottobelackinginanyofthegifts.NoticewhatPaulsaidthegiftsdo:“YouwereenrichedineverythingbyHim.”Achurchwithoutgiftsisanimpoverishedchurch.Paulreferredtothevocalgiftswhenhewrote,“…enrichedin…allutterance.”Hereferredtothegiftsofrevelationwhenhesaid,“…enrichedin…allknowledge.”

“EvenasthetestimonyofChristwasconfirmedinyou.”Whenthegiftsareinoperation—whenthelamewalk,theblindsee,andgiftsofrevelationareexercised,peopleknowJesusisthere;theyknowHeisnotatheoryoraremotefigurefromthepastbutthatHeisstillaliveandisinthemidstofHischurch.ThetestimonyofChristisconfirmed.

EagerlywaitingfortherevelationofourLordJesusChrist,whowillalsoconfirmyoutotheend,thatyoumaybeblamelessinthedayofourLordJesusChrist.(1Corinthians1:7–8)

TheaboveversesemphasizethefactthatthesegiftsaretocontinueinthechurchrightuptothecomingofourLordJesusChristattheendoftheage.Asamatteroffact,ratherthansuggestingthegiftswillbewithdrawn,theNewTestamentindicatestheywillbecomeincreasinglymanifestastheagecomestoitsclose.

Anditshallcometopassinthelastdays,saysGod,thatIwillpouroutofMySpiritonallflesh;yoursonsandyourdaughtersshallprophesy,youryoungmenshallseevisions,youroldmenshalldreamdreams.AndonMymenservantsandonMymaidservantsIwillpouroutMySpiritinthosedays;andtheyshallprophesy.Iwillshowwondersinheavenaboveandsignsintheearthbeneath:bloodandfireandvaporofsmoke.Thesunshallbeturnedintodarkness,andthemoonintoblood,beforethecomingofthegreatandawesomedayoftheLord.(Acts2:17–20)

ThispassagespeaksofthedayofthecomingoftheLordJesusChristingloryandinpower.Itisclearthesupernaturalgiftsspokenabouthere—prophecy,tongues,revelation,thewholepictureofthesupernaturaloperationoftheHolySpirit—aretocontinueandbecomeincreasinglymanifestinthechurchastheagecomestoitsclose.IftheywerealreadyinthelastdayswhenPeterstoodupandspokeonthedayofPentecost,howmuchmoreareweinthelastdaysnearlytwothousandyearslater?Ifthegiftsaretobemanifestedinthechurchinthelastdays,andwebelievewearerightatthecloseofthisage,thenweshouldlookformoreandmoreofthegiftstobemanifested.Thisispreciselywhatishappening.Thegiftsarebeingrestoredinaneverincreasingmeasurealmostdailyinthedaysinwhichwearenowliving.

Thereisanotherreasonfortheincreaseoftheoperationofspiritualgiftsinthechurch.Satan’spowerisgoingtoincrease.Thecloserwecometotheendoftheage,themoreSatanisgoingtofightback,andthemoreheisgoingtoseektouseandmanifesthissupernaturalpowerthroughthosewhoarethechannelsandinstrumentsofwhatheseekstodo.Paulwrotein1Timothy4:1,“NowtheSpiritexpresslysaysthatinlattertimessomewilldepartfromthefaith,givingheedtodeceivingspiritsanddoctrinesofdemons.”Noticethereisgoingtobeanincreasingactivityofseducingreligiousspiritsanddemonsbringingfalsedoctrineswithinthechurchatthecloseofthisage.HowunreasonableitwouldbeifGodweretoallowSatantoincreasethepowerhemanifeststhroughhisservantswhiledecreasingthepowerHeoffersHispeople.

Then,inPaul’ssecondlettertoTimothy,hewrote,

Butknowthis,thatinthelastdaysperiloustimeswillcome:Formenwillbeloversofthemselves,loversofmoney,boasters,proud,blasphemers,disobedienttoparents,unthankful,unholy,unloving,unforgiving,slanderers,withoutself-control,brutal,despisersofgood,traitors,headstrong,haughty,loversofpleasureratherthanloversofGod,havingaformofgodlinessbutdenyingitspower.Andfromsuchpeopleturnaway!(2Timothy3:1–5)

Wearegoingtoseeagreatmoraldeclineallaroundusatthecloseofthisage.Someofthepeoplewhoaregoingtoexperiencethismoraldeclinearereligiouspeoplewhohaveaformofgodlinessbutdenyitspower.ThepoweroftruegodlinessisthepoweroftheHolySpirit.WearethereforewarnedagainstdenyingthepresenceandpoweroftheHolySpiritinthechurchatthecloseofthisage.

In2Timothy3:13,wearetold,withreferencetothecloseoftheage,“Butevilmenandimpostorswillgrowworseandworse,deceivingandbeingdeceived.”IntheGreek,thewordtranslated“impostors”referstomagiciansorthosewhodeliberatelycultivatesatanicpowers.HowmuchmorethenshouldChristiansbeenduedwithgreaterandgreaterpowerbytheHolySpirit?

Truth#7:TheBaptismandtheGiftsAreEssential

forMinistry

JesusdidnotallowHisownapostlestogooutandbegintominister,preach,

ortakeonanykindofserviceforHim,withoutHisbeingpresentonearth,untiltheyhadbeensupernaturallyenduedwiththepoweroftheHolySpirit.Wehaveseenthat,atthecloseofHisearthlyministry,HesaidtoHisfollowers,“Behold,IsendthePromiseofMyFatheruponyou;buttarryinthecityofJerusalemuntilyouareenduedwithpowerfromonhigh”(Luke24:49).TheyweretowaitinthecityofJerusalemuntilthepromiseoftheHolySpiritcameuponthem.

RecallthatinActs1:8,JesusgavethesamewarninginthelastwordsHespokebeforebeingtakenupintoheaven:“ButyoushallreceivepowerwhentheHolySpirithascomeuponyou;andyoushallbewitnessestoMeinJerusalem,andinallJudeaandSamaria,andtotheendoftheearth.”HeenvisionedthegospelgoingforthtotheendsoftheearthalwaysbeingpropagatedbythesupernaturalpoweroftheHolySpirit.

Truth#8:TheGospelIstoBePreachedwith

“SignsFollowing”

Godhasordainedthatthegospelshouldbepreachedwithsignsfollowing.WereadinthebookofMark,

[Jesussaid,]“Gointoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoeverycreature.…Andthesesignswillfollowthosewhobelieve:InMynametheywillcastoutdemons;theywillspeakwithnewtongues;theywilltakeupserpents;andiftheydrinkanythingdeadly,itwillbynomeanshurtthem;theywilllayhandsonthesick,andtheywillrecover.”Sothen,aftertheLordhadspokentothem,Hewasreceivedupintoheaven,andsatdownattherighthandofGod.Andtheywentoutandpreachedeverywhere,theLordworkingwiththemandconfirmingthewordthroughtheaccompanyingsigns[“signsfollowing”kjv].(Mark16:15,17–20)

ThisisGod’spattern.Wearetopreachthegospel,andHewillconfirmtheWordwithsignsfollowing.Marklistedfivesupernaturalsignsthatwillfollowthepreachingofthegospelbybelieversandtobelievers.Thispreachingwithsignsfollowingistocontinueuntileverycreaturehasheardandthegospelhasbeenpreachedtothewholeworld.Sincethishasnotyethappened,thereasonforthemanifestationofthesignshasnotyetceased.

Rememberhowthegospelandaccompanyingsignsweredemonstratedinthe

earlychurch.IntheministryofPhilipinSamaria,thesupernaturalsignsthataccompaniedhispreachingweretheattestationofhismessage.

ThenPhilipwentdowntothecityofSamariaandpreachedChristtothem.AndthemultitudeswithoneaccordheededthethingsspokenbyPhilip,hearingandseeingthemiracleswhichhedid.Foruncleanspirits,cryingwithaloudvoice,cameoutofmanywhowerepossessed;andmanywhowereparalyzedandlamewerehealed.(Acts8:5–7)

InActs28,whenPaulandhiscompanywereshipwreckedontheislandofMalta,twosupernaturalsignsarrestedtheattentionofthepagansinthatareaandopenedthemuptothepreachingofthegospel:Paul’simmunitytothedeadlysnakebiteandthehealingofPublius’fatherfromfeveranddysentery,whichalsoledtothehealingofothersontheisland.ItwasnotalotofseminarytrainingbutthesupernaturaldemonstrationofthepowerofGodthatpreparedthepeopletohearPaul’smessage.Thesamesituationexistsintheworldtoday.InRomans15:18–19,Paulsaid,

ForIwillnotdaretospeakofanyofthosethingswhichChristhasnotaccomplishedthroughme,inwordanddeed,tomaketheGentilesobedient;inmightysignsandwonders,bythepoweroftheSpiritofGod,sothatfromJerusalemandroundabouttoIllyricumIhavefullypreachedthegospelofChrist.

WhatdoesitmeantofullypreachthegospelofChrist?ItmeanssupernaturalattestationbythepoweroftheHolySpiritwithsignsandwonders.Whatistheresultofthissupernaturalattestation?ItmakestheGentilesobedient.Again,Isaythiswithaconsiderableamountofmissionaryexperience.Withoutthedemonstrationofsupernaturalsignsandwonders,yougetonlyacertainmeasureofobedience—outwardcompliancewithceremoniesandformsandrequirementsofareligioustype,suchasbaptismandchurchmembership.YetwiththesupernaturalpowerofGod,whichdemonstratespeoplearedealingwitharealandlivingGod,comesrealsubmissionofheartstoHim.Thisiswhatchangespeopleandmakesthemtruedisciples.

ThewriterofHebrewsgavethreereasonswhyweshouldattendwithgreatreverencetothegospelmessage:

Howshallweescapeifweneglectsogreatasalvation,whichatthefirst

begantobespokenbytheLord,andwasconfirmedtousbythosewhoheardHim,Godalsobearingwitnessbothwithsignsandwonders,withvariousmiracles,andgiftsoftheHolySpirit,accordingtoHisownwill?(Hebrews2:3–4)

Thegospelcommandstheseriousattentionofthehumanraceforthefollowingreasons.First,itbegantobedeclaredbytheLordJesusChristHimself.Second,itwasrecordedandhandeddownbythosewhoheardHimpersonally,bythosewhowereeyewitnesses.Third,GodbearstestimonytoHisWordwithsupernaturalsignsandgiftsoftheHolySpirit.WehaveanobligationtopresentagospelthatissupernaturallyattestedbyGodifwedemandcompleteobediencetoGodofthosetowhomwepreach.

PracticalInstructionforExercisingSpiritualGifts

Iwouldnowliketogiveyousomepracticaldirectionsformovingforwardintherealmofspiritualgifts.

GiftsAretoFunctionwithinaBodyofBelievers

First,thegiftsoftheSpiritaremeanttofunctionwithinanassemblyoflikemindedbelievers.WereadinMatthew5:15,“Nordotheylightalampandputitunderabasket,butonalampstand,anditgiveslighttoallwhoareinthehouse.”InRevelation1:20,thesevenlampstandsaredesignatedassevenchurches.Inbiblicaltimes,lampswerefilledwithoilandignited.Ifalightedlampwasgoingtodoanyrealgood,ithadtobeplacedonalampstand.Ifyouweretoputitunderavesselofsomekind,eventhoughitwaslighted,itwouldgivenoreallighttotherestofthehouse.

Proverbs20:27says,“ThespiritofamanisthelampoftheLord,searchingalltheinnerdepthsofhisheart.”ThebaptismintheHolySpiritignitesthespiritofapersonandsetsitburning.Yetthisisnotsufficient.Thatignitedlampmustthenbeputinitscorrectplaceonthelampstand,whichrepresentsthechurch,thecongregation,thebodyofChristfunctioningtogether.

Therewillbeaverydefinitelimittothemeasureinwhichyouwilltrulyoperateinspiritualgiftsifyouarenotrightlyunitedtoagroupofbelieverswhobelieveinandexercisethegifts.Youwillbefrustrated,andeventuallyyouwill

probablybequenchedandbecomelikeasmokyvesselthatoncecontainedflames.Youmustgetintofellowshipwithotherbelieverswhostandforthesametruthsandhavereceivedthesameexperiences.Then,thecombinedlightofthoseindividuallampsonthestandwillreallygivelighttoallwhoareinthehouse.AnessentialrequirementforcorrectlyfunctioninginthegiftsoftheSpiritisthereforetobeinfellowshipwithotherbelieverswhoarelikewiseexercisingthesegifts.

FindYourFunctionintheBody

Thesecondpracticalinstructionisaveryimportantpointoforder,whichtheapostlePaulbroughtout:

Foraswehavemanymembersinonebody,butallthemembersdonothavethesamefunction,sowe,beingmany,areonebodyinChrist,andindividuallymembersofoneanother.Havingthengiftsdifferingaccordingtothegracethatisgiventous,letususethem:ifprophecy,letusprophesyinproportiontoourfaith;orministry,letususeitinourministering;hewhoteaches,inteaching;hewhoexhorts,inexhortation;hewhogives,withliberality;hewholeads,withdiligence;hewhoshowsmercy,withcheerfulness.(Romans12:4–8)

Paullistedvariousgiftswemayoperatein.Yethesaidallbelieversdonothavethesamefunction.Inordertofullyexercisethegiftsyouhavebeengiven,youmustfindoutwhatyourfunctionisinthebodyofChrist.Godhasaspecificplaceforyouinthebody,afunctionforyoutofulfill.IfHehasordainedyoutobeahand,itisnogoodtryingtooperateasafootbecauseyouwillalwaysbefrustratedandwillneverreallybeeffective.

Wecanfindourfunctioninthebodythroughprayerforrevelationandwisdom,byassessingourspiritualstrengthsandtheareasinwhichwehaveadesiretoserve,andbyaskingotherbelieverstotellushowtheyalreadyseeusfunctioninginthebodyandwherewearemakingcontributions.

AnotherpointwemustrecognizeisthatourfunctioninthebodyofChristisrelatedtothefaithGodhasgivenus.TheScripturetellsusGodhasalreadygivenusameasureoffaith.(SeeRomans12:3.)IfGodintendsyoutobeahand,Hewillgiveyouthefaithneededtooperateasahand.Hewillnotgiveyouthefaithneededtooperateasafoot.Peoplewhoarealwaysstrugglingforfaithare

reallyadvertisingthefactthattheyarenotintherightplaceinthebody.Withmyphysicalbody,myhandhasnoproblemoperatingasahand.Itdoessowithoutalotofbotherorfuss;itisnotaconsciouseffort.IfIweretotrytomakemyhandactlikeafoot,however,itwouldbeaneffortallthetime.Therewouldbefrustrationandstrainbecausemyhandwasnotintendedforthat.Again,whereChristiansarestrainingandillateaseandcontinuallystrugglingforfaith,youcanbesuretheyarenotintheplaceinthebodywheretheyshouldbe.Theyarenotfulfillingtheirdivinelyappointedfunctions.

Ifyoufindyourrightfunctioninthebody,therefore,youwilldiscoverGodhasgivenyoutheproportionormeasureoffaithnecessarytodothatparticularfunction.Whenyoufindyourplace,youwillfindthefaiththatgoeswithit.OurgiftorgiftsareoftenprogressivelymanifestedinourlivesasweseektoobeyGod,throughfaith,infulfillingourfunctioninthebodyofChrist.Thesegiftscorrespondtoourfunctionandareneededtomakeuseffectiveinit.

Forinstance,ifamaniscalledtobeanevangelist,hemayreceivethegiftofhealingorthegiftofmiracles.Ifamaniscalledtobeaprophet,hemayreceivethegiftsofawordofwisdom,awordofknowledge,anddiscerningsofspirits.Ifyoudonotdiscoveryourcorrectfunction,therightgiftsmayneveroperateinyourlife.Yetifyoudodiscoveryourfunction,outofyourfaithwilldeveloptheoperationofthegiftsyouneedtofunctioneffectively.

GiftsAreDistributedaccordingtoGod’sWill

WemustalsorememberthatthedistributionofthegiftsisaccordingtothewillofGod.FirstCorinthians12:11says,“ButoneandthesameSpiritworksallthesethings,distributingtoeachoneindividuallyasHe[theHolySpirit]wills,”andHebrews2:4says,“Godalsobearingwitnessbothwithsignsandwonders,withvariousmiracles,andgiftsoftheHolySpirit,accordingtoHisownwill.”WecannotsetourwillupinoppositiontothewillofGodandsay,“Iwillhavethisorthatgift.”“ForasmanyasareledbytheSpiritofGod,thesearesonsofGod”(Romans8:14).IfwewanttoliveaschildrenofGod,wehavetocultivatebeingledbytheSpirit.ThisisabasicrequirementofallChristianliving.Itappliestotheoperationofspiritualgiftsasmuchastoanythingelse.

TheHolySpiritwillrevealthespecificgiftorgiftsHehasgiventousandmayalsodirectustoexerciseothergiftsatparticularmomentsofneed.EventhoughwehavealreadybeengivengiftsaccordingtothewillofGod,wecan

praythatthesegiftswillberevealedinourlivesandthatwewouldreceiveandmanifestallthegiftstheSpiritdesirestogiveus.

Whilesomepeoplestriveforgiftsthatarenottheirs,othersaremorecomplacentandhavetheattitudeof,“IfGodwills,Hewillgivemeagift.”Ifyouhavebeensavedforonlyashorttime,Godwilllistentothat.Butifyouhavebeensavedseveralyearsandthisisyourattitude,itisoftentheresultoflazinessbecauseattheendofthattime,youshouldknowmuchofthewillofGodasitisrevealedinHisWord.Forexample,wehaveseentherearecertaingiftsthatarerevealedintheWordofGodtobeHiswillforallbelievers.ThesearethegiftsoftonguesforprivatecommunionwithGod,andprophecy.Paulwrote,“Iwishyouallspokewithtongues,butevenmorethatyouprophesied”(1Corinthians14:5).

YoucouldsaythiswasjustPaul’sopinion.Yetshortlyafterward,hewrote,“Ifanyonethinkshimselftobeaprophetorspiritual,lethimacknowledgethatthethingswhichIwritetoyouarethecommandmentsoftheLord”(v.37).Paulwasnotwritinghispersonalopinion;hewaswritingbydivinerevelationwithdivineauthority.ThisputsspeakingwithtonguesandprophesyingwithintherevealedwillofGodforallbelievers.Wejustneedtoprayforthesegiftsandmoveintotheexerciseofthem.

Again,howmanybelieversmayprophesy?All.Howmanymayspeakwithtongues?All.ThosewhoareuncertainifitisGod’swillforthemtoreceiveaspiritualgiftcanbeassuredthatspeakingwithtonguesandprophesyingarewithinthewillofGodforallbelievers—revealedinthesupremeauthority,whichistheWordofGod.

IfYouAsk,YouWillReceive

Whenweprayforaspiritualgift,suchasprophecy—theinterpretationoftongues,orforanothergifttheSpiritispromptingustoexercise—wemustreceiveitinfaith,knowingthatGodwillgivewhatweask.Hegivesuswhatisgood,sowedonothavetobeafraidofasking.

InspeakingaboutthebaptismintheHolySpirit,Jesussaid,

SoIsaytoyou,ask,anditwillbegiventoyou;seek,andyouwillfind;

knock,anditwillbeopenedtoyou.Foreveryonewhoasksreceives,andhewhoseeksfinds,andtohimwhoknocksitwillbeopened.Ifasonasksforbreadfromanyfatheramongyou,willhegivehimastone?Orifheasksforafish,willhegivehimaserpentinsteadofafish?Orifheasksforanegg,willheofferhimascorpion?Ifyouthen,beingevil,knowhowtogivegoodgiftstoyourchildren,howmuchmorewillyourheavenlyFathergivetheHolySpirittothosewhoaskHim!(Luke11:9–13)

Aswehaveseen,intheparallelpassagefromMatthew7,Jesussaid,“HowmuchmorewillyourFatherwhoisinheavengivegoodthingstothosewhoaskHim!”(v.11).

WhilethesepassagesrefertothebaptismintheHolySpirit,theprincipletheyemphasizeappliestowhateverweaskofGod,includingindividualgiftsoftheSpirit.WedonothavetoworryaboutwhatwewillreceiveifweaskourheavenlyFatherforthegifts.JesussaidifyouaskGodforsomethinggood,willHegiveyousomethingevil?Theanswerisnever.Ifyouaskforbread,whatwillHegiveyou?Bread.Ifyouaskforanegg,whatwillHegiveyou?Anegg.Ifyouaskforafish,whatwillHegiveyou?Afish.Ifyouaskforprophecy,whatwillHegiveyou?Prophecy.ThisisthewrittenguaranteeintheWordofGodthatifyouaskforagoodthingaccordingtoGod’sWord,youwillreceivepreciselywhatyouaskfor.Aboveall,rememberifyouaskforwhatisgood,youwillneverreceivewhatisevil.

IfyouboughtawashingmachinefromSearsandtherewasawrittenwarrantywithit,youwouldnotdoubtforonemomentyoucouldgobacktoSearsandclaimthefulfillmentofthatwarranty.EveryoneofushasthatmuchmeasureoffaithinSears.IfmanybelievershadhalfasmuchfaithinGodastheyhaveinSears,theywouldbemovingintherealmofthegiftsrightnow.ItmeanstakingGodatHisWord.

YouReceiveRightWhenYouAsk

Youmaywonderwhenyouwillreceivewhatyouhaveaskedfor.Theanswerisyoureceivewhenyouask.“ThereforeIsaytoyou,whateverthingsyouaskwhenyoupray,believethatyoureceivethem,andyouwillhavethem”(Mark11:24).Whendoyoureceivethem?Whenyoupray.“Nowthisistheconfidencethatwehavein[God],thatifweaskanythingaccordingtoHiswill,Hehearsus.AndifweknowthatHehearsus,whateverweask,weknowthatwehavethe

petitionsthatwehaveaskedofHim”(1John5:14–15).

Thedevilalwayshasatomorrow.ButtheBiblesaysnowisGod’stime.“Nowistheacceptedtime;behold,nowisthedayofsalvation”(2Corinthians6:2).Ifyoulistentothedevil’stomorrow,youwillneverenterintoGod’snow.Supposeyouaskforinterpretationoftongues,andyoureceiveit.Whatdoyoudo?Yougivetheinterpretation.Ofcourse,youdosowithintheparametersofanorderlyassemblyofbelievers,aswediscussedearlier.

Youmaysay,“Ihaveneverdoneitbefore.WhatifIdon’tsaytherightthing?”Askyourself,“DidIaskfortherightthingorforthewrongthing?”Iftheansweristherightthing,thenaskyourself,“DidIbelieveIreceivedit?”Ifyoubelievedyoureceivedit,then,ifyoustepoutinfaith,therightthingwillcome.Howdoyouknow?BecauseGodpromised.Itdoesnotcomebywhatyoufeel,orbywhatsomebodyelsesays,butbecauseGod’sWorddeclaresifyouaskforwhatisright,youwillreceiveit.Allyouhavetodoafterthatisdoit.

ItisthesamewithprophecyandwithanythingyouknowtobewithintherevealedwillofGodaccordingtoHisWord.Whenyouaskforit,youreceiveit.Whenyoureceiveit,youuseit.Ifyoudonotuseit,youwillnothaveit.Thisistheorderoffaith.

SignsFollowThoseWhoGo

Thenextpracticalinstructionisthatsignsfollowthosewho“go.”Thisrelatestosteppingoutinfaithtoreceiveandexercisethegifts.Wemustnotjustunderstandthegiftsintheory.WemustdoourpartbybeingobedienttoserveGodandactivelyshareourfaithbecausethisiswaywewilloftenseethegiftsmanifestedthroughourlives.JesussaidtoHisdisciples,“Gointoalltheworldandpreachthegospeltoeverycreature”(Mark16:15,emphasisadded).AfterJesusascendedtoheaven,thedisciples“wentoutandpreachedeverywhere,theLordworkingwiththemandconfirmingthewordthroughtheaccompanyingsigns”(v.20,emphasisadded).

Believersarenottojustsitinchurch;theyaretogooutandminister.Ifyouparkyourcarinthechurchparkinglotandsittherefortherestofyourlife,howcananyonefollow?Youcanonlyfollowsomethingthatismoving.

Manytimes,peoplewanttoknowwhattheyshoulddotomanifestspiritual

gifts.Yetalltheywanttodoisstayinchurchandsinghymns.Youdonotneedanygiftsforthat.Forcenturies,peoplehavebeensittinginchurchesandneverexercisinganygifts.ManyofthegiftsoftheHolySpiritdonotoperateinatypical,institutional-typechurchservice—evenifthepeoplearebaptizedintheHolySpirit.Theyneverseegiftsofhealing,theyneverhearawordofwisdomorawordofknowledge.IhavebeeninchurcheswherepeoplehavebeenbaptizedintheSpiritfortwentyorthirtyyearsbutneveroncehaveseentheoperationofanyofthegiftsbeyondtongues,interpretation,andprophecy.

Yetinothersettings,thegiftscanthrive.Ihaveseenyoungpeopletraveltoremotepartsoftheworld,forexample,withYouthWithaMission,andbegintoevangelize.Remarkablemiraclesfollow.DidtheygotoaBibleschooltolearnhowtogetmiracles?No.Theyobeyedbygoingandministeringtoothers,andbeforetheyknewwhatwashappening,thesignsbegantobemanifestedthroughtheirlivestomeettheneedsaroundthem.

Signsfollowthosewhogo.Ifyouwantsignsfollowing,getreadyto“go”andministertoothers.

WeMustLearntoOperateintheGifts

Perhapsyouareafraidyoumaymakesomemistakesinexercisingthegifts.Youwouldnotbethefirstone.Almosteverybodystartsasabeginnerintheexerciseofspiritualgifts.Ifyouwanttobeginperfect,doyouknowwhatwillhappen?Youwillneverbeginatall.

Ifyoudomakeamistake,that’sallright.Godwillpickyouup.TheBiblesaystherighteousmanfallsseventimesbutGodpickshimupeighttimes.(SeeProverbs24:16.)Hedoesnotremainontheground;heremainsup.RememberPaul’swords,“Youcanallprophesyonebyone,thatallmaylearnandallmaybeencouraged”(1Corinthians14:31,emphasisadded).Thereissuchathingaslearningtheexerciseofspiritualgifts.Hebrews5:14tellsusmaturitycomesbyhavingoursensesexercised.Ifweneverexercise,wewillnevermature.Tolearntoexercisethegifts,youneedtobeinagroupofbelieverswholoveyou,arepatientwithyou,anddonotsuppressyoubutencourageyou.

WeMustCheckOurMotives

Finally,whenyouhavecomethisfar,double-checkyourmotives.Theright

motiveforoperatinginthespiritualgiftsisthatthechurchmaybeedified.“Evensoyou,sinceyouarezealousforspiritualgifts,letitbefortheedificationofthechurchthatyouseektoexcel”(1Corinthians14:12).

EquippedforEveryGoodWork

AsweconcludethisstudyofthegiftsoftheSpirit,Iwouldliketoencourageyou,asPaulencouragedTimothy,

Continueinthethingswhichyouhavelearnedandbeenassuredof….AllScriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.(2Timothy3:14,16–17)

ThegiftsoftheSpiritwillhelpequipyouforeverygoodwork,totheedificationofthechurchandthesalvationoftheworld.

AbouttheAuthorDerekPrince

DerekPrince(1915–2003)wasborninBangalore,India,intoaBritishmilitaryfamily.Hewaseducatedasascholarofclassicallanguages(Greek,Latin,Hebrew,andAramaic)atEtonCollegeandCambridgeUniversityinEnglandandlateratHebrewUniversity,Israel.Asastudent,hewasaphilosopherandself-proclaimedatheist.HeheldafellowshipinancientandmodernphilosophyatKing’sCollege,Cambridge.

WhileintheBritishMedicalCorpsduringWorldWarII,PrincebegantostudytheBibleasaphilosophicalwork.ConvertedthroughapowerfulencounterwithJesusChrist,hewasbaptizedintheHolySpiritafewdayslater.Thislife-changingexperiencealteredthewholecourseofhislife,whichhethereafterdevotedtostudyingandteachingtheBibleastheWordofGod.

DischargedfromthearmyinJerusalemin1945,hemarriedLydiaChristensen,founderofachildren’shomethere.Upontheirmarriage,heimmediatelybecamefathertoLydia’seightadopteddaughters—sixJewish,onePalestinianArab,andoneEnglish.Together,thefamilysawtherebirthofthestateofIsraelin1948.Inthelate1950s,thePrincesadoptedanotherdaughterwhileDerekwasservingasprincipalofacollegeinKenya.

In1963,thePrincesimmigratedtotheUnitedStatesandpastoredachurchinSeattle.StirredbythetragedyofJohnF.Kennedy’sassassination,hebegantoteachAmericanshowtointercedefortheirnation.In1973,hebecameoneofthefoundersofIntercessorsforAmerica.HisbookShapingHistorythroughPrayerandFastinghasawakenedChristiansaroundtheworldtotheirresponsibilitytoprayfortheirgovernments.ManyconsiderundergroundtranslationsofthebookasinstrumentalinthefallofcommunistregimesintheUSSR,EastGermany,andCzechoslovakia.

LydiaPrincediedin1975,andDerekmarriedRuthBaker(asinglemothertothreeadoptedchildren)in1978.Hemethissecondwife,likehisfirst,whilehewasservingtheLordinJerusalem.RuthdiedinDecember1998inJerusalem,wheretheyhadlivedsince1981.

Untilafewyearsbeforehisowndeathin2003attheageofeighty-eight,

PrincepersistedintheministryGodhadcalledhimtoashetraveledtheworld,impartingGod’srevealedtruth,prayingforthesickandafflicted,andsharinghispropheticinsightsintoworldeventsinthelightofScripture.Hewrotemorethanfiftybooks,whichhavebeentranslatedintomorethansixtylanguagesanddistributedworldwide.Hepioneeredteachingonsuchgroundbreakingthemesasgenerationalcurses,thebiblicalsignificanceofIsrael,anddemonology.

DerekPrinceMinistries,withitsinternationalheadquartersinCharlotte,NorthCarolina,continuestodistributehisteachingsandtotrainmissionaries,churchleaders,andcongregationsthroughitsworldwidebranchoffices.Prince’sradioprogram,KeystoSuccessfulLiving(nowknownasDerekPrinceLegacyRadio),beganin1979andhasbeentranslatedintomorethanadozenlanguages.EstimatesarethatDerekPrince’sclear,nondenominational,nonsectarianteachingoftheBiblehasreachedmorethanhalftheglobe.

InternationallyrecognizedasaBiblescholarandspiritualpatriarch,DerekPrinceestablishedateachingministrythatspannedsixcontinentsandmorethansixtyyears.In2002,hesaid,“Itismydesire—andIbelievetheLord’sdesire—thatthisministrycontinuethework,whichGodbeganthroughmeoversixtyyearsago,untilJesusreturns.”