Recently, the Holy Spirit’s movings have come into question. Some have tried to bring greater control over the spiritual gifts. That has resulted in calls for greater accountability among those moving in the gifts of the Spirit. While I believe accountability is important, I would suggest that is the wrong approach to managing the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rather than tightening our control over those who move in the gifts of the Spirit, I believe we should celebrate them. Tolerating believers who move in spiritual gifts, rather than celebrating them, causes us to have a false viewpoint of spiritual gifts and it attaches a stigma to them. That’s not the viewpoint of scripture. Scripture teaches us to “eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1, Berean Standard Bible. That’s what I’d like to talk about in today's blog.
Candidly, there are no perfect believers. Further, as holy as we might think we are, we all still struggle with sin. The truth is, imperfect believers, even those who are lavishly gifted with spiritual gifts, have flaws. Unless we approach our spiritual life and gifts of the Spirit from that perspective, it’s easy to fall into a pharisaic mentality, which many have fallen into recently. What do modern day Pharisees look like? Very much like the religious Pharisees in Jesus’s day. It’s easy to “strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” Matthew 23:24. And, candidly, there are a lot of camels stuck in a lot of people’s throats, choking on their own belief structures. When that happens, we can become “twice the child of hell”, Matthew 23:15, NLT, as the Pharisees became.
The Apostle Paul taught us to have a different attitude about spiritual gifts. He said, “eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” 1 Corinthians 14:1, Berean Standard Bible. In the Greek, it literally means “to covet” spiritual gifts. I want you to think about the most covetous person you know, now I want you to approach spiritual gifts through that Biblical lens. I want to ask you a question: Are you greedy for spiritual gifts, especially prophecy? If you’re not, then you are being disobedient to the scripture. Nearly all the teaching on spiritual gifts is erroneous for that one simple reason: the teaching doesn’t create a desire for spiritual gifts. Rather, it pursues spiritual gifts through the UnBiblical lens of caution, danger, or beware. That’s disobedience disguised as discernment.
Currently, we have many who what they’re doing is the Holy Spirit. But I question whether it’s from the Holy Spirit. Why is that?, you might ask. The noticeable absence of spiritual fruit. Contrary to the teaching of some, the spiritual gifts are meant to help us bear spiritual fruit. That’s why the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Church to earnestly desire (be greedy and covetous for) spiritual gifts. He wanted to see them bear spiritual fruit. Of all the gifts that bring forth spiritual fruit, none are as good as the gift of prophecy. That’s why the Apostle Paul focused on the gift and ministry of prophecy, especially bringing prophets into the Church.
The Apostle Paul was himself a prophet. He understood the benefits of prophecy and prophetic ministry. Silas, who is called a prophet in scripture, traveled and ministered beside the Apostle Paul in the churches. Together, they worked “strengthening the churches”, Acts 15:41, NLT, through prophecy. Yes, the Apostle Paul believed in, operated in, and practiced moving in the gifts of the Spirit. In fact, nearly everything he did was by the Spirit. The Holy Spirit chose the Apostle Paul to be an apostle. The Apostle Paul’s commission was by the Spirit. Further, the Apostle Paul was forbidden to preach the gospel in Asia; instead, he was sent by the Spirit into the region of Macedonia.
How could we think the Apostle Paul would approve of leaders “cracking down” on those moving in the gifts of the Spirit? Or quenching the Holy Spirit? No, the Apostle Paul knew who was Lord in the Church — the Holy Spirit. As Jesus is Lord of the Church, the Holy Spirit is Lord in the Church. Yet today, we have many lords seeking to control the Holy Spirit’s move in the Church. They argue, “we need to maintain order!” Yet, they despise the revealed orders of the Holy Spirit revealed in scripture: “Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Berean Literal Bible. Some might say, “Be reasonable. We have to manage the gifts of the Spirit.” According to who? Well, they might say, it’s implied by the scriptures. Where? They might say, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40. Who’s order? And did we forget the first part — Let all things (all of the gifts of the Spirit function) be done.
How can believers begin moving in the gifts of the Spirit unless we celebrate them? Like children, those we lead will follow what we do not what we say. If we don’t change our attitude regarding the gifts of the Spirit, we may miss having a generation of believers who know how to move in the gifts. The gifts of the Spirit should be celebrated by the Church. They are given to the Church to benefit everyone — “the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.” 1 Corinthians 12:7. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are ways in which the Holy Spirit can bless God’s people. Yes, the Holy Spirit cares about and desires to minister to God’s people. And that what many in Christ’s body are waiting for — the moving of the Holy Spirit.
I desire spiritual gifts. I want as much of God as I can receive…and more. That desire should be in every leader’s heart. Like King David, we should say, “take not Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11, Berean Standard Bible. Like Moses, we should say, “If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here.” Exodus 33:15, Net Bible. Yet, we seem perfectly happy to go without the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder why our world is in the shape it’s in? Or why the Church is suffering so much? Or why there’s rampant sin in the prophetic movement? Like Samson “did not know that the LORD had departed from him”, Judges 16:20, Amplified Bible, we haven’t known the Holy Spirit’s been grieved by our failure to recognize Him.
The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit can be grieved. The Holy Spirit wants to bless the Church, His Church. The Holy Spirit wants to build His Church. The Holy Spirit wants to lead the Church. The Holy Spirit is looking for yielded vessels today. He’s looking for those who will say, “Thy will be done!”, and not what many are saying today, “My will be done!” That’s right! We have an entire generation raised to have church their way. If it feels good, do it. Rather than, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5, NKJV.
God is looking to take His Church back. He will do that by His Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are and will continue to be a vital part of the Church. Whether you theologically care about it or not, God will do it His way. Why? He knows He’s God. He’s coming to take over. And it for our own good. My advice: Don’t get in His way! Get out of the way! Align with the Holy Spirit! Celebrate the moving of the Spirit! Let the Holy Spirit manifest Himself in your church, your life, your ministry, your family, and your community. Make room for the Holy Spirit! Celebrate Him! And celebrate the gifts He brings with Him. They’re great!
Let us pray!
Posts
Comments
Post a Comment