Why Should We Talk About Spiritual Gifts?
During that of our "interactive" Bible talk and discussion we came from 1 Corinthians 12:1 where it says, "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers, and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed." As we look closely at this particular verse it begins by saying, "Now about the gifts of the Spirit,..." The word "now" is when the apostle Paul begins to deal with the issue of the gifts of the Spirit. There is something about the gifts of the Spirit or spiritual gifts that the apostle did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant or "uninformed." It is so easy for the Church to have such a misunderstanding of the gifts of the Spirit by which such gifts can be abused. There are many Christians especially that of the leadership of the church that thinks that they have a complete understanding of such spiritual gifts by which it causes confusion in the minds of God's people. There are some within that of evangelicalism who carelessly, but hazardously mistreat that of the gifts of the Spirit by throwing it around here and there, but, as a result, causes such spiritual injuries in the lives of God's people (2 Tim. 2:17, 18).
Why should we as God's people talk about spiritual gifts? It is so important to understand the purpose of spiritual gifts and the necessity of understanding the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1). I share with members of our congregation as well as those who are followers of "Contending for the Faith Reformed Church" worldwide that in order to understand 1 Corinthians 12-14 is to know the circumstances of what was going at the church of Corinth (1 Cor. 1). The problem with many evangelical Charismatics that they are so quick to rush into spiritual gifts without knowing the historical background of the situation at Corinth. Whenever the Church ignore that of the historical, biblical, and theological analysis in favor of subjectivism is that doctrinal errors will abound. So, it is so important for the Church to understand the historical background of what took place at the church in Corinth. What strikes me most about the church at Corinth is that there were people who came from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds by which they bring along with them such cultural baggage. Many of the Corinthians whose former life was marred and influenced by the particular culture they were raised are now saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:2-3). Even though the Corinthians were saved, but, they brought along with them such cultural baggage by which there were confusion, chaos, divisions, and carnality. The Corinthian church was a carnal church. There was such rivalry among many of the Corinthian believers (1 Cor. 1:10-17). This demonstrates what is happening within the contemporary church today. There were Charismatics who considered themselves "more" spiritual than others outside their group simply because they were known by such "charisma" or agents of performing such gifts of the Spirit. They divided the Church between the "spiritual" and not-so-spiritual when it comes to operating with such spiritual gifts. The doctrinal "crescendo" of Charismatic evangelicalism is the degree by which they possess such "spiritual" knowledge as oppose to "traditional" Christianity that possesses such "earthly" knowledge. Many Charismatics claim to have the spirit and the word; traditional Christianity possesses the letter of the law. The letter kills as many within the leadership of many Charismatic and Pentecostal movements, but the spirit gives life. In so many words it is the life-changing spirit of the Word that gives life; not the "dead" orthodoxy of "traditional" Christianity. Yet, while many Charismatics claim to have a "corner" on the truth, but, are ignorant when it comes to spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1).
Throughout this article I will begin to address the issue of spiritual gifts: that of its purpose and a necessity for the Church to understand the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1). When it comes to the issue of spiritual gifts is that the purpose of the gifts of the Spirit is to strengthen by edifying the church (Rom. 1:11; Eph. 4:11). It is edification based upon God's Word; not some "prophetic" word that comes from within a person's spirit. The Church has the written Word; not some "revealed" word, "Rehema" word, nor "spoken" word. Scripture is complete without any "additional" revelation nor revelation of the spirit (2 Pet. 1:19-21 with 2 Tim. 3:16). If when the Church "substitute" that of God's written Word for some "special" revelation has, in fact, cross over the threshold of faith into mysticism (Col. 2:18, 19). So, once again the purpose of spiritual gifts is for the edification of the church (Rom. 12:4-8).
Why is it so important to understand spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts are not to be used to glorify a person's self-glory, but for the building up of the Body of Christ. There are many professing believers who have used spiritual gifts by "dividing" the church as to the spiritual and not-so-spiritual as if they are operating with gifts of the Spirit. Whenever the church abuse that of spiritual gifts is due to their ignorance of the gifts of the Spirit. The study of spiritual gifts is very much important due to that of the nature of the gifts of the Spirit as it relates to the lives of God's people. Such spiritual gifts cannot be taken lightly nor presumptuously simply because of the fact that if it gets into the hands of the wrong people it can adversely impact the lives of people within the church today (2 Tim. 2:17-18). Instead of spiritual gifts being for the good of God's people that it can do much spiritual harm than help. It is so important as the Church deals with the issue of spiritual gifts is to know that of its biblical history as it relates to the circumstances of what took place at the church of Corinth (1 Cor. 1). Some of the excessive abuses of spiritual gifts within the Church today is the wrong interpretation and application of spiritual gifts that have been perpetuated by Charismatic charlatans who claim to have such gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 13:1-2ff). They have contrived prophecy and prophesying as to some "newer" revelations that are given to the contemporary church today. But, the truth of the matter is prophecy refers to the edification of the church; not some "novelty" of theology that goes against the clear teaching of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Such spiritual gifts are not about glorifying self nor to be pompous so as to elevate one's own self above others, but, to demonstrate love. Love is above any and every spiritual gift. Even though there are modern-day Charismatic that earnestly desires such spiritual gifts, but, it must be done out of love. True humility is proof of such true spirituality; not the false humility of Christian mystics who claim to entertain such angelic beings, but, that many of these self-proclaimed modern-day "prophets" within the professing church today also claim to have seen something when they have seen nothing. The "special" knowledge they claim to possess which they believe are "spiritual," but, it is of such fleshly knowledge (Col. 2:18, 19). The Church possesses such "true" spiritual knowledge as oppose to "Gnostics" who possess such "fleshly" knowledge (Col. 1:9, 10; 2:18, 19).
So when it comes to the issue of spiritual gifts is that its sole purpose is for the edification of the church; not through that of self-glory and vain gratification (Rom. 1:11; 1 Cor. 1:7, 14:37). We live in such spiritually deceptive times by which it is needful for the church to discern biblical truth (Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is also the Podcast Host of "Ask Darryl" which airs regularly 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.com. As an apologist, senior researcher/editor, pastor, evangelist, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy, "Little Baby."
Why is it so important to understand spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts are not to be used to glorify a person's self-glory, but for the building up of the Body of Christ. There are many professing believers who have used spiritual gifts by "dividing" the church as to the spiritual and not-so-spiritual as if they are operating with gifts of the Spirit. Whenever the church abuse that of spiritual gifts is due to their ignorance of the gifts of the Spirit. The study of spiritual gifts is very much important due to that of the nature of the gifts of the Spirit as it relates to the lives of God's people. Such spiritual gifts cannot be taken lightly nor presumptuously simply because of the fact that if it gets into the hands of the wrong people it can adversely impact the lives of people within the church today (2 Tim. 2:17-18). Instead of spiritual gifts being for the good of God's people that it can do much spiritual harm than help. It is so important as the Church deals with the issue of spiritual gifts is to know that of its biblical history as it relates to the circumstances of what took place at the church of Corinth (1 Cor. 1). Some of the excessive abuses of spiritual gifts within the Church today is the wrong interpretation and application of spiritual gifts that have been perpetuated by Charismatic charlatans who claim to have such gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 13:1-2ff). They have contrived prophecy and prophesying as to some "newer" revelations that are given to the contemporary church today. But, the truth of the matter is prophecy refers to the edification of the church; not some "novelty" of theology that goes against the clear teaching of scripture (2 Pet. 1:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:15, 16). Such spiritual gifts are not about glorifying self nor to be pompous so as to elevate one's own self above others, but, to demonstrate love. Love is above any and every spiritual gift. Even though there are modern-day Charismatic that earnestly desires such spiritual gifts, but, it must be done out of love. True humility is proof of such true spirituality; not the false humility of Christian mystics who claim to entertain such angelic beings, but, that many of these self-proclaimed modern-day "prophets" within the professing church today also claim to have seen something when they have seen nothing. The "special" knowledge they claim to possess which they believe are "spiritual," but, it is of such fleshly knowledge (Col. 2:18, 19). The Church possesses such "true" spiritual knowledge as oppose to "Gnostics" who possess such "fleshly" knowledge (Col. 1:9, 10; 2:18, 19).
So when it comes to the issue of spiritual gifts is that its sole purpose is for the edification of the church; not through that of self-glory and vain gratification (Rom. 1:11; 1 Cor. 1:7, 14:37). We live in such spiritually deceptive times by which it is needful for the church to discern biblical truth (Acts 17:11; 1 Jn. 4:1).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the best-selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" He is also the Podcast Host of "Ask Darryl" which airs regularly 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons.com. As an apologist, senior researcher/editor, pastor, evangelist, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy, "Little Baby."
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