April 12, 2008
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A few additions to discerning of spirits by Pastor Don
If you recall, I mentioned that I would share extra bits of information from Friday’s discussion about the discerning of spirits that was not included in Wednesday’s Bible study to flesh out the previous studies about the discernment of spirits. I could repeat the whole study as taught on Friday, but I think that you can get that in greater detail: part one here and part two here.
But Pastor Don gave a fantastic example that helps to explain words of knowledge and words of wisdom.
If a prophet gives you a word of knowledge – you are going to get the keys to a car, you do not know which car or where. So someone else can give you a word of wisdom to pin down the search, it is a blue car.
The Word of knowledge tells you something, and the Word of wisdom tells you what to do with the Word of knowledge. We are to take the Word of knowledge and permeate it with the Word of wisdom.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
When Paul tells us that we are to desire spiritual gifts, the best gifts and then goes on to tell us that the more excellent way is love. Those gifts need to be operating in love. And Paul would not tell us that we are to desire something that we can’t attain.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
The chapter and verse numbers in the Bible were not in the original text, they were placed by man to help us to find spots in the Bible, so 1 Corinthians 13 continues where 1 Corinthians 12 ends. While we are to desire the spiritual gifts, without love they are nothing, and it does not profit us anything or God anything.
We need wisdom to discern where we are and what we are are asking for, and we need to also discern if we are walking in love. For that discernment will let us know how to use our spiritual gifts. We need to know when and how to use these gifts, and that means discernment of ourselves to ascertain if we are in the perfect will of God for our lives.
1 Corinthians 14:1-2 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
God gave spiritual gifts to all of us and that includes tongues. Praying in tongues benefits ourselves and also benefits the Body of Christ. There is a singular application as well as a corporate application. The spiritual gift of tongues has a personal application to benefit yourself, and when you are praying in tongues in your private life, you also can pray for understanding and interpretation of those tongues. Ask God, “Lord, what did I just say?” Pray for the gift of wisdom and to know what God wants us to do.
If all wisdom is available to us through God, why are we spending so much time seeking others, seeking prophets, personal words from prophets, supernatural signs and wonders? It is because we haven’t discerned ourselves first, so that we can be in a better position to know what to ask for and how to operate in it. We must understand ourselves in the natural matters before we operate in the Spiritual.
Then Pastor Don went on to explain more of James 1 to the group (See Part 1 linked above.) Pastor Don again gave the example of the person standing in the corner afraid to enter into the group, and he added a few things. He said that we have to discern what words were spoken to us that hold us back. What made us that way? We were designed to release these gifts in our lives, but we cannot release these until we deal with the ingrained word in our lives. We want to replace the ingrained word that does not line up with the truth of God with the Word that is the truth of God. (Heather’s note, Pastor Don often reminds us that we cannot think two thoughts simultaneously. So when the false thoughts and ideas come up, then we have to replace them with God’s word and truth.)
Praying that these extra tidbits help you to more fully comprehend what Pastor Don is sharing.
Heather
Comments (10)
Any chance you could give me a couple of good sermon links on The Kingdom of God?
@wisdomfromme - Pastor Don taught a few lessons on the Kingdom of God, here is the link for the first one, then they follow in date order: http://www.xanga.com/wondering04/533229576/kingdom-principles-by-pastor-don-moore.html
@Evangelist_Guy - I have to say that I am praying for Andy, and care very much. But I think that it might be important for you to let your son know that God never would get glory from putting sickness on a person or having them remain sick, a life giving God would not find pleasure or glory in that. Satan is the one who brings sickness, disease and death, and it is satan that is doing this. God will get the glory as Andy recovers and successfully faces these trials, for God is there with Andy. As he walks through the trials the way he is with such faith and hope, God will get glory, but it is not God’s heart that Andy have to suffer that way. God is so much greater than any sickness and disease that we have, and I pray that He continues His healing touch on Andy. And I pray that Andy remains strong in faith, and that he blesses you and your family as you all walk through this together.
Heather
hey heather, thanks again for posting these bible studies, though i still don’t see why pastor don keeps implying that the gift of tongues is for everyone. is this biblically backed?
@albinogummiebear -
Here are some excerpts from Pastor Don’s Discipleship manual that might help with tongues. (pp 183-187) I think this shows the biblical backing. Please read the scriptures with an open mind and pray and ask God about tongues. He will answer. Heather:
“God is Spirit and does the supernatural: therefore we must also learn the spirit things by getting out of the natural.”
“We must understand that in Acts, Chapter 2, when the people are speaking, it is then that the Spirit gives utterance. Unfortunately many people have the wrong idea. They somehow think that the Holy Spirit will overpower them and force them to speak by speaking through them. Yet in Acts 2:4 we see that the Word says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” so we see that the Holy Spirit assists with the words and adds spiritual communications, but that the person is doing the speaking. Most people read that passage as, “the Spirit takes the people over and He (the Holy Spirit) is speaking.” Once people see that they speak and the Holy Spirit comes alongside and helps them, then only yielded-ness is needed.
Now, once all questions have been answered and biases addressed, they will know:
*I do the speaking and the Holy Spirit will help me once I begin.
*I build up my spirit supernaturally by speaking in Tongues.
*It seems silly and makes no sense, but speaking to a God I can’t see makes no sense either–but both Tongues and speaking to an invisible God are in the Bible.
*I will supernaturally get a blessing and open up the door to the deeper things of God.
*I will have a greater sense of God within myself.
Now, if that’s not enough reasons, then Paul the apostle, and all the other apostles did it (spoke in Tongues) and what power they had! So I must need it is well.
“Remember, a prayer language is for all – for everyone, while a gift of Tongues with interpretation is a type of prophesy and is a spiritual gift, like discerning of spirits, Words of Wisdom, Words of Knowledge and working of miracles. It is only for some, at special times. (See 1 Cor. 12:5-11)
Here are some verses to explore.
Acts 1:4-8, note verses 13-15, 120 or more men and women present (not just the twelve.)
Acts 2:1-21 and 38, 39 which shows the gift of the Holy Spirit, is for those afar off, namely us.
Acts 6:3, seek men full of the Holy Spirit – a condition to be desired and maintained, yielding great power for laymen.
Acts 7:48-51 We are not to resist the Holy Spirit even if our fathers may have.
Acts 8:15-19 Simon had to see a physical manifestation in order to know that people received the Holy Spirit. Simon had to hear and see something very different from the ordinary mode of praise. Tongues and other manifestations occurred at the laying on of hands and prayer to receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:17-18 Saul, who becomes Paul, received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and then arose to be water baptized. (Note, he ‘arose’ in order to get water baptized.) How do we know Paul spoke in Tongues? 1 Cor. 14:18 tells us, “I thank God I speak with tongues more than all of you.”
Acts 10:44-48 Cornelius, his relatives and friends (note–they are not apostles, nor are they Jews) pray, and the Holy Spirit shows up; they also spoke with Tongues in the presence of other Jewish brethren that also spoke with Tongues since the Day of Pentecost. This event is about 10 years after Pentecost and is for all believers.
Acts 11:15-18 The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, infilling and evidence with Tongues is for all who believe on the Lord Jesus, “Who was I that I could withstand God” said Peter. Peter felt that to say who could and who couldn’t speak in Tongues as evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit was to play God. God has granted this to all along with repentance of sin to receive eternal life.
Acts 19:3-6 belief and water baptism opens the door to receiving the Holy Spirit. In this passage, these “disciples” were water baptized, yet Paul says they are entitled to more under the New Covenant. Of, if only the whole church would open its eyes and hearts and be yielded, as these disciples were, to receive and not debate. Here they receive through the laying on of hands.
1 Corinthians 2:10-14 spiritual things make no sense to man’s mind.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 there are gifts, ministries, activities and manifestations of all three as the Holy Spirit wills for our profit, individually and collectively
1 Corinthians 14:2-4 Tongues in prayer and praise is for the individual not the group. We are speaking mysteries to God. Supernaturally, we get edified (built up spiritually).
1 Corinthians 14:14 my spirit prays, intellect does not benefit. Verse 15 I do it anyway, I even sing in Tongues Verse 18 Paul talked and sang in Tongues all the time Verse 39 desire to edify (build up) everyone but don’t stop anyone (yourself included) from using tongues properly.
Jude 1:19-20 “These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”
So the questions left are are you ready to receive? Will you open your mouth and begin to speak as the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you more to say to Him? What’s the point of contact? A command, anointing with oil or water laying on of hands?
That being said, Tongues can be spoken in error. Tongues are spoken first, than an interpretation is given. Believers, to impress other saints and sinners, often use Tongues for display, forgetting that the gift is given by the Spirit for the churches’ benefit and needs to be interpreted except when used as a prayer language. A loud chorus of Tongue prayers or praying in Tongues aloud in church can confuse and frighten nonbelievers and saints unlearned in this area (1 Cor 14:23)
“A prayer language is for all saints and is an evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Signs, wonders, power, and a holy walk are also evidences of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We should pray in Tongues quietly edifying ourselves in the assembly, at work, in the car or anywhere that loud Tongues would cause confusion. In the absence of unbelievers or unlearned people, prayer in Tongues may be loud or quite as we feel led.
Love is the goal.
Heather, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom for Andy! We have been fighting the battle against Satan on the spiritual front hard, and claiming this and related promises from the Lord. God bless! ~ Pete
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
Thank you for your prayers, yes feeling better physically, lot of stuff happening here that well is needing dealt with
Debbie was the coach for the B Team. They finished in 4th place! The kids did well and got some good experience for their next challenge, national quizzing in July in Nampa, ID.
Thanks for your comments….Blessings to you….Mike
@Evangelist_Guy - Amen, I will agree in prayer with you along those lines.
Heather
Hi Heather,
Just one to stop by and say thank you for all the prayers while we were off line. The computer is working once again its not at 100% yet but its getting there.
Love ya, Darlena