Gifts of the Spirit

[perrero]

Many Christians approach the Scriptures this way

Actually the majority of Christian do because it has been established from the earliest times that the whole canon of scripture, in its entirety, is a love letter from God to anyone who choose to embrace it.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

You are the first individual that I've heard, who interprets scripture in such a fashion. And seriously, it is wrong. Your way of interpretation or acceptance of scripture is selective, discriminatory and even convenient. It is subject to your whims and dismissable when it may rub you the wrong way.

Do you believe one must repent of their sins before they can be saved? Probably not, because all scriptures concerning repentance were spoken to the people of New Testament times or Old Testament, certainly not directly to you. Whether to the Ephesians, or Sardis, or the general populace, repentance is certainly not for you as this concept (Your word) is a matter of history and spoken to others. Maybe you do believe in repentance, that is good, you selected that concept well. However it is not a concept, it is a command.

I hope you see where I'm going? You cannot pick and choose your scriptures at your convenience. Every iota of His word is truth and relevant one way or another to anyone who chooses to submit to it.

Even Paul does this, he says to his readers that the things that happened in the OT were for our "Understanding". He doesn't say the things in the OT were written to us (Paul and his readers), he says they were written for our (Paul and his readers) understanding. Likewise, I read the NT like it was written for my understanding but not to me. That may not seem like that big of a deal, but it plays a role in how we understand the Scriptures. Let me explain. If I understand Paul words as written to me, then I have to believe that the gifts he speaks of have not ended because he says to desire Spiritual gifts. However, if I understand Paul's words as pertaining to the Corinthians, I can see where He tells "Them" to desire Spiritual gifts and yet also tells them the gifts would end. Therefore his words, 'Desire Spiritual gifts' may not apply to me. If the gifts have ended then those words of Paul "don't" pertain to me, if the gifts haven't ended then those words of Paul "do" apply to me.

The problem with this statement is that the words of scripture are not Paul's words to the Corinthians, they are GOD'S words to the Corinthians and they are GOD'S words for you and me. The Bible is GOD's infallible word given to His people as wisdom, knowledge and a Lamp unto our feet. It is our roadmap for life. It is certainly not a conglomeration of stories and letters where we get to choose what fits our situation at a particular time.

Regarding Ephesians 4 it is my understanding that the Greek grammar doesn't allow for the interpretation of offices, ie. pastor teacher, prophet, evangelists etc. Rather, Paul is saying that Christ literally gave some men as pastor teachers, prophets, evangelists, etc.

These gifts are referenced in 1Cor. (12:5) and translated as administrations or ministries. The Greek word is "Diakonia" which Strongs suggest as translation:
1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others

2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men

a) of the office of Moses

b.)of the office of the apostles and its administration

c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.

3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities

4) the office of the deacon in the church

5) the service of those who prepare and present food

Jesus is the King of a Kingdom (not a democracy) and as such He rules over His subjects in compassionate leadership and righteous judgment. And just as God places authorities in this world to whom we are called to submit to, so does Jesus delegate His authority to the 5 ministries of Ephesians 4. Now maybe we are arguing semantics, I don't know, but these individuals are called specifically by Him to perform in the sevenfold areas as previously listed.

My suggestion is instead of trying reason out Scripture with your own understanding, as this seems a popular word in your statement above, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word in all its glory to you. It is a Word that feeds and produces life even when we do not comprehend it.

I trust I wasn't too harsh on you.

God Bless.

 

[Duckybill]

I walk in a number of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have for over thirty years.

Which gifts?

In my opinion studding the bible is one big waste of time.

HUH???

 

[Thankful 1]

Which gifts?




HUH???

The first gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to me was the gift of knowledge.



Next gift was the gift of Tongues. At times I am given the gift of interpreting the gift of Tongues.



The gift of healing along with the gift of prophesies. I am not sure it is a gift given to me, but miracles happen when I am in danger of physical harm.



The only gift that I am aware of at all times is the gift of tongues. It seems that the other gifts happen when the occasion calls for it.



My statement about the bible is that one can’t find God by studding the written Word of God. Only God can teach one about God.



People study the bible and come to so many different understandings. The written Word has been twisted to mean just what any person wants it to mean. People twist the Word to say Jesus is not God; there is no Satan, or Hell. They twist it to say sin all you want you are going to heaven no matter what, if you just believe.



People believe they are scriptural no matter what they believe.



The only way to come to know God is to have God teach and guide him or her.

 

[Duckybill]

The first gift of the Holy Spirit that was given to me was the gift of knowledge. Next gift was the gift of Tongues. At times I am given the gift of interpreting the gift of Tongues. The gift of healing along with the gift of prophesies. I am not sure it is a gift given to me, but miracles happen when I am in danger of physical harm. The only gift that I am aware of at all times is the gift of tongues. It seems that the other gifts happen when the occasion calls for it. My statement about the bible is that one can’t find God by studding the written Word of God. Only God can teach one about God. People study the bible and come to so many different understandings. The written Word has been twisted to mean just what any person wants it to mean. People twist the Word to say Jesus is not God; there is no Satan, or Hell. They twist it to say sin all you want you are going to heaven no matter what, if you just believe. People believe they are scriptural no matter what they believe. The only way to come to know God is to have God teach and guide him or her.

Thanks for clarifying. I would be interested to hear more about the gifts you have. Can you be more descriptive?

 

[martinlawrencescott]

It is kind of hard to escape this topic without personal experience. I would be lying if I entered this study without a bias.

Part of testimony:

At age 10 I gave my heart to the Lord at the altar of the church I was going to. Moments later that same night a guy came and talked to me about what happened. He laid his hand on me and told me to speak whatever came out. Out came a script that sounds kind of like some African language. I was overjoyed and wanted to get baptized because I felt at that point I understood what it meant. I also started taking communion with my family after that night.

I was zealous in middle school for the things of God and I wanted to start a Bible club. I felt alone in my walk with God, and I wanted someone to teach me or a friend to study with me to help me figure out what I believe. That didn't happen, and in the 7th and 8th grade I started to suffer from chronic mental depression. My grades suffered, and my self esteem was shot low. I dived into myself and stopped communicating. Some people thought I was a mute.

My mom identified my problem; it was hereditary, and due to her experience, she had me go see a psychiatrist. I went on a medication called Zoloft. I'm not sure the medication was beneficial. I started playing volleyball in high school and loved the sport. Despite my physical activeness, my metabolism, due to the medication, started to slow down. My heart could no longer handle sports. I had to settle with my secondary hobby, videogames.

I developed a complacent, sedentary lifestyle while in high school, the main point of which was survival. Due to the lack of intimacy I experienced and lonliness I felt, I fell in bondage to pornography, and videogames was how I received mental stimulus and social gratification. I hated myself because I couldn't meet the standard I placed over myself. I felt like I was the worst, because I knew God, but I was still doing these things I knew didn't please him.

I was pretty determined that as long as I had free will I wouldn't be able to please God, if my relationship with God had any dependency on me. I figured it would save everyone a lot of pain and suffering to end myself. I didn't want to cause anyone any pain, and I wanted to stop being a failure to God. I knew I couldn't trust myself in my current state and that I was of little benefit to anyone. I considered a lot of things, but eventually I mixed up a ton of my depression medication and a lot of whatever else was in the cabinet at the time and mixed it into some fruit juice. I didn't want anything painful, I just wanted out of it all.

I drank as much as I could and curled up in my bed. What I prayed was, "I just want to go to heaven. I'm sorry God. I'm so tired. I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to be with you. I'm sorry God. I'm so tired. Please forgive me." And I eventually fell asleep.

A few hours later into the night I woke up and threw up everything on the carpet. My mom came in and helped clean up the mess. I kept what I did a secret and from that day on I stopped taking the medication and lied about not taking it. It wasn't until half a year later I told my mom why I threw up that night and about the medication.

My life after that wasn't drastically changed until later that year. In Sunday morning church while I was at the altar and praying to God, He ministered to my mind, and my depression left. That day I heard God clearer than I had ever heard him before say, "You are going to be a speaker". Everyone noticed the change in my disposition after that day. Over the next year and a half or so I became involved in church activities, and eventually there wasn't any part of the ministry at that church I wasn't involved in. I was in the process of restarting a young adult group which had been discontinued due to lack of leadership. But doors started to close one at a time. It seems like all my attempts at ministry were postponed and I became afraid and fell back into complacency, videogames (something God convicted me I shouldn't do anymore) and pornography. I stopped doing everything period, and later on I found out a lot of bad things were going on in the church, and the rest of my family stopped attending that congregation.

My mom could see I was struggling and she heard about a missions youth program. I entered the program and had a good half year to hear God speak into my situation. I received a calling to Colombia in South America. I feel called to one day go back to Colombia (where we had out outreach) with the language and a trade. Over these years of God ministering to me, I lost all the weight I had gained while on the medication (about 50 lbs). I also started practicing the gift God gave me to write songs, and I started practicing guitar.

I wasn't quite done with my past, though. I couldn't get past the fact that there was still no mentor in my life to teach me how to live this life. I thought everything was still so dependent on me and my abilities and capabilities. But in the school I learned how God can take the place of all those inspirations I thought were missing. Where my father was a shadow, God is my father and can fulfill that part of my life. Where I needed intimacy, God could be both my friend and lover. I felt like I couldn't serve God as Lord, but he taught me that by the Holy Spirit he would teach me and lead me into all truth, and give me everything I need to point people in the right direction.

It took me about three more years to come to terms with these truths. I was so afraid to go home where I thought all my baggage was. I went back to the same bondage as I was in before I left home for the missions school. I had to accept God's place in these areas of my life that were empty.

A year or so later, I was waiting on God to let me be the worship leader at the church I started to attend back home. I knew I couldn't because I was so stupid to go back into bondage.

The next day I was going to tell my Pastor that I couldn't accept the position of worship leader. That very night, though, at a service we had a motivational spirit led speaker. At the end, people came up who needed prayer. I went up. The speaker placed his hands on one person (bam) they fell to the ground. 2nd person (bam) same thing. I told God "I don't need to fall down, you know what I need." The speaker placed his hand on me and I think he was a little surprised I didn't fall down, but that isn't what I needed. The speaker gave me these three words, "Ha, ha, ha." My insides trembled, and my heart broke.

I accepted the position of worship leader the next day. I rely on the joy of the Lord every day for my strength. I have seen God restore so many of the things I had seen the enemy steal from me, including lost promises, my joy and peace, and my heart to one day be a husband and father, my future, and my voice.

The Holy Spirit is the only mentor I require, and in fact I am now jealous over His position in that area of my life. God has given me a lot of promises, some spoken over me by others, but the greatest ones he spoke straight to my heart. The ministries of father, husband, trash picker-upperer, and physician were desires he placed on my heart. My calling to speak, he spoke to my heart, and this has been seen through the music he has me write, and I am able to exhort friends in many of the areas I was weak.

I have seen a lot of giftings used in my lifetime, and I have used what God has given me and it has both blessed me and blessed others. If I were to guess specifically the gifts that are dominant in my life right now, they would be a mix of exhortation, wisdom, mercy, tongues, prophecy, and maybe discernment of spirits. Sometimes I get what God is saying or doing in a place in the form of a picture, that has been an encouragement to whomever it is given to. Tongues I use to build myself up in the Lord throughout the day. Only once have I declared them publicly in a service, however there was an interpretation someone gave about it after. I assume the interpretation was for someone else specifically because a lady cried after it was given. Wisdom I think is my ability to convey the revelation God gives me from His word. Exhortation I feel has come in the form to relate truth beneficially and in an encouraging way over people's lives, thus far through song. Mercy as I have seen it in my life is the gift to listen to people convey their hearts, without judging them, many times without saying anything at all before or after, and that brings them healing. God will sometimes bring me to people who just need to share their hearts.

I go to a school that doesn't believe in many gifts of the spirit. When I am there, I felt convicted not to speak in tongues aloud or in my heart. I am under the authority of the leadership placed over me, and I am subject to God. God isn't going to ask me to use my giftings in rebellion against the leadership He has placed over me. God has, however, placed me in a location where he can develop my giftings and calling. The gifts are meant to assist the body of Christ in our collective maturity in Christ. Any gifts used out of disobedience or in rebellion against authority would be doing the exact opposite. That is why love is so important, and Christ's standard of love is that by which we do all things.

He'll work all that past stuff together for His good, and I have already seen the proof of that in my life.

 

[Thankful 1]

Thanks for clarifying. I would be interested to hear more about the gifts you have. Can you be more descriptive?

I would be glad to share what Jesus has given me. First I need to explain that what I am going to share was just given to me, and I was not part of any group that practiced Charismatic gifts. When I was given most of the gifts it was a total surprise to me.



The first time the gift of knowledge was given to me was when my wife was having a very hard emotional time, because of having a daughter who was born with Downs Syndrome. I prayed for her, and then words started coming out of my mouth that did not come from my mind. Words of comfort, and words explaining things that I had no knowledge of, such knowledge as a doctorate in psychology would have. At the time I had no idea what was happening. The next morning I turned on the Television and there were two doctors in psychology discussing the very subject that I had shared with my wife, and using the very same words.



At this time in my walk with God, Jesus was asking me to be a minister. I was a Catholic, and to me a minister was a Catholic priest. I was married with two children and did not understand how I could be a minister, so I would say yes, but instead of asking Jesus what I was to do, I decided he just wanted me to do more of what I was already doing. This went on for two years, and during these two years Jesus performed a number of miracles. This all happened over thirty years ago, and I can’t remember much of those miracles. I do remember Jesus fixing my car so I could use it when I could no longer afford to have it fixed.



The first time the gift of healing was given to us, my wife and me, was when our third child was born blind. We prayed and the child was healed. That is when I said yes to Jesus’ call to his ministry, but not before I asked him to give me the gift of Tongues. I wanted a sign that it was truly Jesus calling me into a ministry. I was given the gift of tongues that night.



The gift of prophecy was the ministry in which God called me. I had no clue as to what being a prophet was, and did not even know I was one for a year or so into the ministry. The first evidence of my being a prophet was when Jesus told me a time was coming soon when man would suffer more then he has ever suffered. I was to give a word, and leave. Out of that word a community would grow. He wanted a place of safety for his people.



It became more apparent that I was a prophet, when Jesus sent me to a Christian Community and the head of the community said he knew we were coming, again my wife and me, that God told him he was sending prophets to give him a word. He told us he knew we were on the community property, way before anyone could see us. He also said that there was the whitest dove that he has ever seen circling their community property for the last three days.



I then noticed that when talking to people I would be told of their faults. This I did not understand, but later is came to me that was one of the gifts of a prophet.



By the way I just remembered another gift that I have been given, and that is the gift of discernment. This gift lets me know if the person with whom I am talking is of God or not. One time a person went out of his way to be helpful to me when I was in need of much financial help. But losing peace when I was with him, at the time I did not know about the gift of discernment, and was not too aware of how the Holy Spirit warned me, so my losing peace made me approach my would be friend with what was happening. Asking him to come and pray with my wife and me. He came and we prayed. When we finished praying Jesus spoke to us tell my would be friend that he did not know him, and if he would lay down, and we were never told what he had to lay down, but our would be friend knew, that he could still come to him. When Jesus stopped talking, my would be friend became so angry that it looked as if fire was coming out of his eyes. He spoke very forcibly, saying if you only knew how many people I have fooled.



My gift of interpreting Tongues is one that is only given to me when I need to know.

Before my wife died, she would get a tongue and get the interpretation and I would get a tongue and she would get the interpretation. She would want me to confirm her interpretation, but I would draw a blank. This made her angry, with me. She seemed to think I was holding back. I am now quite sure that Jesus was telling her that he would soon come to get her. Any way she sure prepared for her death.



Miracles will take too long to explain. But my car was once picked up and moved over, while I was doing fifty miles an hour or so, this was to save me for colliding with another auto.



Over the years I have become aware of my ability to love, more and more. This is a gift I believe, given to those who draw close to God. I personally don’t see love as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Love is something I pray for every day. Love was not given to me as my other gifts were, but was something that I learned how to do, and be.

 

[Butch5]

Actually the majority of Christian do because it has been established from the earliest times that the whole canon of scripture, in its entirety, is a love letter from God to anyone who choose to embrace it.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

You are the first individual that I've heard, who interprets scripture in such a fashion. And seriously, it is wrong.

I’m not the only one, I showed that the apostle Paul did the same thing, are you saying he is wrong also?
Romans 15:1-4 ( KJV )
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Notice Paul’s words, ‘those things were written “FOR” our learning’. He “Didn’t” say Moses tells “US” look to the bronze serpent. He looks at what was written understands what happened and applies the concept to his readers.
Since this tread is about the gifts, let’s look at 1 Corinthians. Christians say Paul tells us to desire the gifts. Well, Paul also said that they were puffed up, they were full of pride. Does that also apply to all Christians? I mean if we’re going to be consistent don’t we need to apply the words equally?
In one book Paul tells Timothy to bring his cloak and the parchments, does that apply to all Christians?
You see my friend, to understand the Scriptures we have to understand what was being said to the intended audience. How did the Corinthians understand Paul’s? When we know how they understood his words then we can know what he meant.

Your way of interpretation or acceptance of scripture is selective, discriminatory and even convenient. It is subject to your whims and dismissable when it may rub you the wrong way.

Umm, I don’t know where you get that. Isn’t your method that is subjective? The method I use determines what Paul meant to the people he was writing to, not what “I think” it means to me.

Do you believe one must repent of their sins before they can be saved? Probably not, because all scriptures concerning repentance were spoken to the people of New Testament times or Old Testament, certainly not directly to you. Whether to the Ephesians, or Sardis, or the general populace, repentance is certainly not for you as this concept (Your word) is a matter of history and spoken to others. Maybe you do believe in repentance, that is good, you selected that concept well. However it is not a concept, it is a command.

Do you understand what I said? It doesn’t appear to me that you do. Just because something is not written “TO” me doesn’t necessitate that affect me. If I go to the store and buy a manual explaining how to repair an engine I can learn how to repair and engine. The book “Wasn’t” written to me however I can benefit from it. Likewise, Peter didn’t speak those words to me, however, because he was apostle of Christ and explained to “THEM” how to be saved, I know that is I do the same I too can be saved.

I hope you see where I'm going? You cannot pick and choose your scriptures at your convenience. Every iota of His word is truth and relevant one way or another to anyone who chooses to submit to it.

My friend, I don’t pick and choose. You see it is through this method that and a study of the Ante-Nicene church that I have come to understand what the Scriptures mean.
Now if you want to see who picks and chooses I can present you with some scenarios that would put your beliefs on the line and then we could see if you pick and choose.

The problem with this statement is that the words of scripture are not Paul's words to the Corinthians, they are GOD'S words to the Corinthians and they are GOD'S words for you and me. The Bible is GOD's infallible word given to His people as wisdom, knowledge and a Lamp unto our feet. It is our roadmap for life. It is certainly not a conglomeration of stories and letters where we get to choose what fits our situation at a particular time.

How does any of this address what I said? You said there is a problem with my statement, yet I have approached the Scriptures just as Paul did. Is it your contention that Paul is incorrect also? If so, then how can you consider his words Scripture?

These gifts are referenced in 1Cor. (12:5) and translated as administrations or ministries. The Greek word is "Diakonia" which Strongs suggest as translation:
1) service, ministering, esp. of those who execute the commands of others

2) of those who by the command of God proclaim and promote religion among men

a) of the office of Moses

b.)of the office of the apostles and its administration

c) of the office of prophets, evangelists, elders etc.

3) the ministration of those who render to others the offices of Christian affection esp. those who help meet need by either collecting or distributing of charities

4) the office of the deacon in the church

5) the service of those who prepare and present food

Didn’t I say Ephesians 4, yet your telling me what is meant in 1 Corinthians. I said it was my understanding that Ephesians 4 did not allow the interpretation of those gifts as offices, I didn’t say anything about 1 Corinthians.

Jesus is the King of a Kingdom (not a democracy) and as such He rules over His subjects in compassionate leadership and righteous judgment. And just as God places authorities in this world to whom we are called to submit to, so does Jesus delegate His authority to the 5 ministries of Ephesians 4. Now maybe we are arguing semantics, I don't know, but these individuals are called specifically by Him to perform in the sevenfold areas as previously listed.

How exactly are you tying the administrations to the manifestations of the Spirit?

My suggestion is instead of trying reason out Scripture with your own understanding, as this seems a popular word in your statement above, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the Word in all its glory to you. It is a Word that feeds and produces life even when we do not comprehend it.

That’s why the mass of Christians don’t understand the word. They don’t apply reason. Since they don’t apply reason they wind up doing just what you are complaining about, they give their own meanings to Scripture. Hey John, what does this verse mean to you? It doesn’t matter what that verse means to John, what matter is what was the Apostle Paul saying when he wrote that verse. Not applying reason is the reason that there are over 19,000 different sects and denominations in the protestant faith alone. No, my friend, it is the application of reason that the Spirit uses to give understanding. If we were not to apply reason and the Spirit was just going to give us the meaning then there only be “ONE” church, we would all agree and there would be “NO” denominations because the Spirit doesn’t tell one person Paul meant this in 1 Cor 12:1 and tell the next guy Paul meant something else and to the third guy something completely different. The Spirit only speak truth, yet Christians have multiple means and understanding for the same passages. Surely you’re not suggesting the Spirit tells the Calvinist that he was chosen before the foundation of the world and the Armininan that he wasn’t and must choose whether or not to follow Christ, are you?

Matthew 22:37 ( KJV )
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

I trust I wasn't too harsh on you.

Not at all.

 

[Duckybill]

I would be glad to share what Jesus has given me. First I need to explain that what I am going to share was just given to me, and I was not part of any group that practiced Charismatic gifts. When I was given most of the gifts it was a total surprise to me.



The first time the gift of knowledge was given to me was when my wife was having a very hard emotional time, because of having a daughter who was born with Downs Syndrome. I prayed for her, and then words started coming out of my mouth that did not come from my mind. Words of comfort, and words explaining things that I had no knowledge of, such knowledge as a doctorate in psychology would have. At the time I had no idea what was happening. The next morning I turned on the Television and there were two doctors in psychology discussing the very subject that I had shared with my wife, and using the very same words.



At this time in my walk with God, Jesus was asking me to be a minister. I was a Catholic, and to me a minister was a Catholic priest. I was married with two children and did not understand how I could be a minister, so I would say yes, but instead of asking Jesus what I was to do, I decided he just wanted me to do more of what I was already doing. This went on for two years, and during these two years Jesus performed a number of miracles. This all happened over thirty years ago, and I can’t remember much of those miracles. I do remember Jesus fixing my car so I could use it when I could no longer afford to have it fixed.



The first time the gift of healing was given to us, my wife and me, was when our third child was born blind. We prayed and the child was healed. That is when I said yes to Jesus’ call to his ministry, but not before I asked him to give me the gift of Tongues. I wanted a sign that it was truly Jesus calling me into a ministry. I was given the gift of tongues that night.



The gift of prophecy was the ministry in which God called me. I had no clue as to what being a prophet was, and did not even know I was one for a year or so into the ministry. The first evidence of my being a prophet was when Jesus told me a time was coming soon when man would suffer more then he has ever suffered. I was to give a word, and leave. Out of that word a community would grow. He wanted a place of safety for his people.



It became more apparent that I was a prophet, when Jesus sent me to a Christian Community and the head of the community said he knew we were coming, again my wife and me, that God told him he was sending prophets to give him a word. He told us he knew we were on the community property, way before anyone could see us. He also said that there was the whitest dove that he has ever seen circling their community property for the last three days.



I then noticed that when talking to people I would be told of their faults. This I did not understand, but later is came to me that was one of the gifts of a prophet.



By the way I just remembered another gift that I have been given, and that is the gift of discernment. This gift lets me know if the person with whom I am talking is of God or not. One time a person went out of his way to be helpful to me when I was in need of much financial help. But losing peace when I was with him, at the time I did not know about the gift of discernment, and was not too aware of how the Holy Spirit warned me, so my losing peace made me approach my would be friend with what was happening. Asking him to come and pray with my wife and me. He came and we prayed. When we finished praying Jesus spoke to us tell my would be friend that he did not know him, and if he would lay down, and we were never told what he had to lay down, but our would be friend knew, that he could still come to him. When Jesus stopped talking, my would be friend became so angry that it looked as if fire was coming out of his eyes. He spoke very forcibly, saying if you only knew how many people I have fooled.



My gift of interpreting Tongues is one that is only given to me when I need to know.

Before my wife died, she would get a tongue and get the interpretation and I would get a tongue and she would get the interpretation. She would want me to confirm her interpretation, but I would draw a blank. This made her angry, with me. She seemed to think I was holding back. I am now quite sure that Jesus was telling her that he would soon come to get her. Any way she sure prepared for her death.



Miracles will take too long to explain. But my car was once picked up and moved over, while I was doing fifty miles an hour or so, this was to save me for colliding with another auto.



Over the years I have become aware of my ability to love, more and more. This is a gift I believe, given to those who draw close to God. I personally don’t see love as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Love is something I pray for every day. Love was not given to me as my other gifts were, but was something that I learned how to do, and be.

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

 

[perrero]

I’m not the only one, I showed that the apostle Paul did the same thing, are you saying he is wrong also?
Romans 15:1-4 ( KJV )
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Notice Paul’s words, ‘those things were written “FOR” our learning’. He “Didn’t” say Moses tells “US” look to the bronze serpent. He looks at what was written understands what happened and applies the concept to his readers.
Since this tread is about the gifts, let’s look at 1 Corinthians. Christians say Paul tells us to desire the gifts. Well, Paul also said that they were puffed up, they were full of pride. Does that also apply to all Christians? I mean if we’re going to be consistent don’t we need to apply the words equally?
In one book Paul tells Timothy to bring his cloak and the parchments, does that apply to all Christians?
You see my friend, to understand the Scriptures we have to understand what was being said to the intended audience. How did the Corinthians understand Paul’s? When we know how they understood his words then we can know what he meant.

Umm, I don’t know where you get that. Isn’t your method that is subjective? The method I use determines what Paul meant to the people he was writing to, not what “I think” it means to me.


Do you understand what I said? It doesn’t appear to me that you do. Just because something is not written “TO” me doesn’t necessitate that affect me. If I go to the store and buy a manual explaining how to repair an engine I can learn how to repair and engine. The book “Wasn’t” written to me however I can benefit from it. Likewise, Peter didn’t speak those words to me, however, because he was apostle of Christ and explained to “THEM” how to be saved, I know that is I do the same I too can be saved.

I can see that we might be going around in circles with this one. I surely do not believe that God asks us to "Check our brains at the door" when it comes to reading or studying His Word. ("Come and let us reason together, though your sins are as scarlet...: He says - Isaiah(1:18)) I do however believe that, not only is the Bible a compilation of 66 books coming from different backgrounds, times of history and spoken to different audiences, as you say, it is also a complete work of revelation of the Son Jesus, that applies to ME personaly and in its entirety.
Now some portions of scripture are not as plain as others and become often subject of interpretation which is why, as you state we end up with the overwhelming amount of denominations that exist today. This is definitely where the Spirit comes to help in understanding what He Himself put there through the anointed writings of His servants. (Moses, David, prophets, Apostles, etc,) Only He knows truly the mind of God and His message to us and yet men have cleaverly twisted His Word to their own way for one reason or another.
I agree that when Paul says to the Corinthians that they are proud it does not necessarily mean that I am proud, nevertheless the Holy SPirit can use that very verse to pinpoint some area of pride in me. I guess the difference is that when I read His Word, initialy I do not try to understand what Paul was saying to the Corinthians, I try to hear what God is saying to me through that passage.

My friend, I don’t pick and choose. You see it is through this method that and a study of the Ante-Nicene church that I have come to understand what the Scriptures mean.
Now if you want to see who picks and chooses I can present you with some scenarios that would put your beliefs on the line and then we could see if you pick and choose.

This is not a challenge but I assure you that their are a few beliefs of mine that would probably have you standing on your head.

Didn’t I say Ephesians 4, yet your telling me what is meant in 1 Corinthians. I said it was my understanding that Ephesians 4 did not allow the interpretation of those gifts as offices, I didn’t say anything about 1 Corinthians.
How exactly are you tying the administrations to the manifestations of the Spirit?

Verses 4 - 5- 6 of Corinthians 12 are 3 verses that God personaly showed me (not trying to boast, just fact) that placed all the Gifts in the context of the Trinity.
Verse. 4 Speaks of the Gifts (Manifestations - see verse 7)) of the Spirit.
Verse 5 Speaks of the Administrations of the Lord (the Son) referenced in Ephesians 4
Verse 6 Speaks of the Operations of God (The Father), referenced in Romans 12, who clearly works them "all in all" as He is no respector of persons. God,
however, is respector of Character.
So you can see how the the Gifts of Ephesians 4, which really are Gifts to the Church or the Body and more clearly identified in verse 5 as Administrations or Ministries, depending on the translation.

Hope this helps.

 

[perrero]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.

I enjoyed very much hearing about your experiences, I thought them to be quite uplifting.

May I caution you however in some things.

The Gift of Prophecy in 1Cor. 12 is a gift that is given at a specific time for a specific need and is usualy exercised in the context of the Body of Christ as opposed to personal words for individuals. Not saying in the least that God can't do this, as was evidenced with your prayer with your wife. However this type of prophetic untterance is usually not the norm.
Without getting into detail I encouraged you to get the book form John Bevere, entitled "Thus saith the Lord". It is the best book I have read on this subject, and trust me I've read literaly over a hundred books on this subject and that of the Gifts. Have been studying the Gifts for over 10 years now, off and on, and that book, which I only picked up recently, gives a superlative exegesis of prophecy in scripture.
The Prophets goal is not to point out faults, although in most circumstances this is part of the job, but the goal of the prophet is always to turn the hearts of people towards God. This is done with great finesse but done with ease when lead by the Spirit.
Ex. When Samuel approched King David, he did not storm into the throne room, point his finger and spill the beans God told him. He reverently approached him, as David was God's chosen authority at the time, Rom. 13, and simply told him a story that graceously revealed to him his sin.

I have been called to be a teacher of His Word. Like you, God shows me or reveals to me many TRUTHS. Many times I have gone with that truth and wielded it on people just like a two-edged sword and many times have caused damage, to my shame. God showed me that when I do that I am no different than Peter, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane pulled his sword and chopped the ear of the priest's servant. The Word is a sword and has the ability to do that, but when we do do that, we end up hurting and offending people and all of a sudden they can't hear the Word because of it. Truth must always be bathe in Love.
Ex. Jesus said to the adulterous woman --- my paraphrase "These guys have a right to stone you to death, according to the law. (Truth) But they forget that they are also tared with the same brush and stand themselves just as guilty in other ways. (Love demonstrated to the Pharisees) Neither do I condemn you (Love demonstrated to the woman) but go and sin no more. (Truth for the woman)

Whether a Prophet, a Teacher, a Pastor, etc, we have been called to handle the Truth of God's Word and this must always be done in Love and for the 7 reasons posted earlier.
1 - For the perfecting of the saints,
2 - for the work of the ministry,
3 - for the edifying of the body of Christ
4 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
5 - and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
6 - unto a perfect man,
7 - unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ


You also mentioned the "Gift of Discernment".
I caution my bible student that it is not the Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning of Spirit". Now I realize that this may have been just a slip of the keyboard for you, nevertheless it is just a caution.
I know many who say they have the Gift of Discernment and in actuality it's more so the gift of meddling. However in your story it sounds Bang on. You were given that ability to discern a different spirit than the Holy Spirit that you know, Who always brings peace. This was confirmed in God giving you a bit of Knowledge and Wisdom in his situation.

Your example was very good, you approached your would be friend with the Truth of his condition but left him with the Love or grace that if he gave up or layed down what he was doing God would be able to change him. Wonderful story.

Isn't it great, walking in the Spirit and having Him direct our path that way?

Bless you,

 

[Thankful 1]

I enjoyed very much hearing about your experiences, I thought them to be quite uplifting.

May I caution you however in some things.

The Gift of Prophecy in 1Cor. 12 is a gift that is given at a specific time for a specific need and is usualy exercised in the context of the Body of Christ as opposed to personal words for individuals. Not saying in the least that God can't do this, as was evidenced with your prayer with your wife. However this type of prophetic untterance is usually not the norm.
Without getting into detail I encouraged you to get the book form John Bevere, entitled "Thus saith the Lord". It is the best book I have read on this subject, and trust me I've read literaly over a hundred books on this subject and that of the Gifts. Have been studying the Gifts for over 10 years now, off and on, and that book, which I only picked up recently, gives a superlative exegesis of prophecy in scripture.
The Prophets goal is not to point out faults, although in most circumstances this is part of the job, but the goal of the prophet is always to turn the hearts of people towards God. This is done with great finesse but done with ease when lead by the Spirit.
Ex. When Samuel approched King David, he did not storm into the throne room, point his finger and spill the beans God told him. He reverently approached him, as David was God's chosen authority at the time, Rom. 13, and simply told him a story that graceously revealed to him his sin.

I have been called to be a teacher of His Word. Like you, God shows me or reveals to me many TRUTHS. Many times I have gone with that truth and wielded it on people just like a two-edged sword and many times have caused damage, to my shame. God showed me that when I do that I am no different than Peter, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane pulled his sword and chopped the ear of the priest's servant. The Word is a sword and has the ability to do that, but when we do do that, we end up hurting and offending people and all of a sudden they can't hear the Word because of it. Truth must always be bathe in Love.
Ex. Jesus said to the adulterous woman --- my paraphrase "These guys have a right to stone you to death, according to the law. (Truth) But they forget that they are also tared with the same brush and stand themselves just as guilty in other ways. (Love demonstrated to the Pharisees) Neither do I condemn you (Love demonstrated to the woman) but go and sin no more. (Truth for the woman)

Whether a Prophet, a Teacher, a Pastor, etc, we have been called to handle the Truth of God's Word and this must always be done in Love and for the 7 reasons posted earlier.
1 - For the perfecting of the saints,
2 - for the work of the ministry,
3 - for the edifying of the body of Christ
4 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
5 - and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
6 - unto a perfect man,
7 - unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ


You also mentioned the "Gift of Discernment".
I caution my bible student that it is not the Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning of Spirit". Now I realize that this may have been just a slip of the keyboard for you, nevertheless it is just a caution.
I know many who say they have the Gift of Discernment and in actuality it's more so the gift of meddling. However in your story it sounds Bang on. You were given that ability to discern a different spirit than the Holy Spirit that you know, Who always brings peace. This was confirmed in God giving you a bit of Knowledge and Wisdom in his situation.

Your example was very good, you approached your would be friend with the Truth of his condition but left him with the Love or grace that if he gave up or layed down what he was doing God would be able to change him. Wonderful story.

Isn't it great, walking in the Spirit and having Him direct our path that way?

Bless you,

Iam going to share something with you and it may truly upset you, but Jesus toldme to not read about him, that he would teach me about him.



IfI ever hear some one talk about God I ask Jesus if it is right or wrong. I just asked Jesus if you were right, and hesaid no. I asked him what was right,and he said a prophet’s job is to do what he is told by God to do.



Ihave shared some of what Jesus has had me do for over the last thirty years,and Jesus has been my teacher for all of those thirty years. My sharing was nota teaching. I also don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about what Ishare. Neither you nor anyone else ismy judge. My job is just to give aword. Jesus never told me why I am togive a word other then that a community would grow out of that word, and hewanted a place of safety for his people.



(1Corinthians 2:15-16) “A spiritual man, on theother hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in notto be judged by other men. Asscripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?



Ican share what Jesus has taught me, but that does not mean he would have anyoneelse do as I have been told to do.



Youshould see that being taught by Jesus that I would never listen to what any manmight think is right or wrong, unless Jesus personally told me that person wasright.



Whywould anyone who has Jesus for a teacher and guide ever take instructions fromanyone else?



Icome on hard, because it is so wrong that people keep listening to what mansays about God. Man has gotten themessage of God so wrong, that Satan has to be jumping with joy.



You say thatit is the “Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning ofSpirit".”



You can saywhat you would like to believe, but when a person says something and the HolySpirit warns me, I ask him what it was that was wrong, and I am told. Some times I am told just that the person isevil. I never share this with anyoneunless Jesus tells me to do so. Nowto me that is a gift of discernment. The Holy Spirit gives me discernment, of if what a person says or maybe, is of God. That isdiscernment.

the quality ofbeing able to graspand comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning

2

: an act of perceiving or discerningsomething

I enjoyed very much hearing about your experiences, I thought them to be quite uplifting.

May I caution you however in some things.

The Gift of Prophecy in 1Cor. 12 is a gift that is given at a specific time for a specific need and is usualy exercised in the context of the Body of Christ as opposed to personal words for individuals. Not saying in the least that God can't do this, as was evidenced with your prayer with your wife. However this type of prophetic untterance is usually not the norm.
Without getting into detail I encouraged you to get the book form John Bevere, entitled "Thus saith the Lord". It is the best book I have read on this subject, and trust me I've read literaly over a hundred books on this subject and that of the Gifts. Have been studying the Gifts for over 10 years now, off and on, and that book, which I only picked up recently, gives a superlative exegesis of prophecy in scripture.
The Prophets goal is not to point out faults, although in most circumstances this is part of the job, but the goal of the prophet is always to turn the hearts of people towards God. This is done with great finesse but done with ease when lead by the Spirit.
Ex. When Samuel approched King David, he did not storm into the throne room, point his finger and spill the beans God told him. He reverently approached him, as David was God's chosen authority at the time, Rom. 13, and simply told him a story that graceously revealed to him his sin.

I have been called to be a teacher of His Word. Like you, God shows me or reveals to me many TRUTHS. Many times I have gone with that truth and wielded it on people just like a two-edged sword and many times have caused damage, to my shame. God showed me that when I do that I am no different than Peter, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane pulled his sword and chopped the ear of the priest's servant. The Word is a sword and has the ability to do that, but when we do do that, we end up hurting and offending people and all of a sudden they can't hear the Word because of it. Truth must always be bathe in Love.
Ex. Jesus said to the adulterous woman --- my paraphrase "These guys have a right to stone you to death, according to the law. (Truth) But they forget that they are also tared with the same brush and stand themselves just as guilty in other ways. (Love demonstrated to the Pharisees) Neither do I condemn you (Love demonstrated to the woman) but go and sin no more. (Truth for the woman)

Whether a Prophet, a Teacher, a Pastor, etc, we have been called to handle the Truth of God's Word and this must always be done in Love and for the 7 reasons posted earlier.
1 - For the perfecting of the saints,
2 - for the work of the ministry,
3 - for the edifying of the body of Christ
4 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
5 - and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
6 - unto a perfect man,
7 - unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ


You also mentioned the "Gift of Discernment".
I caution my bible student that it is not the Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning of Spirit". Now I realize that this may have been just a slip of the keyboard for you, nevertheless it is just a caution.
I know many who say they have the Gift of Discernment and in actuality it's more so the gift of meddling. However in your story it sounds Bang on. You were given that ability to discern a different spirit than the Holy Spirit that you know, Who always brings peace. This was confirmed in God giving you a bit of Knowledge and Wisdom in his situation.

Your example was very good, you approached your would be friend with the Truth of his condition but left him with the Love or grace that if he gave up or layed down what he was doing God would be able to change him. Wonderful story.

Isn't it great, walking in the Spirit and having Him direct our path that way?

Bless you,

Iam going to share something with you and it may truly upset you, but Jesus toldme to not read about him, that he would teach me about him.



IfI ever hear some one talk about God I ask Jesus if it is right or wrong. I just asked Jesus if you were right, and hesaid no. I asked him what was right,and he said a prophet’s job is to do what he is told by God to do.



Ihave shared some of what Jesus has had me do for over the last thirty years,and Jesus has been my teacher for all of those thirty years. My sharing was nota teaching. I also don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about what Ishare. Neither you nor anyone else ismy judge. My job is just to give aword. Jesus never told me why I am togive a word other then that a community would grow out of that word, and hewanted a place of safety for his people.



(1Corinthians 2:15-16) “A spiritual man, on theother hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in notto be judged by other men. Asscripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?



Ican share what Jesus has taught me, but that does not mean he would have anyoneelse do as I have been told to do.



Youshould see that being taught by Jesus that I would never listen to what any manmight think is right or wrong, unless Jesus personally told me that person wasright.



Whywould anyone who has Jesus for a teacher and guide ever take instructions fromanyone else?



Icome on hard, because it is so wrong that people keep listening to what mansays about God. Man has gotten themessage of God so wrong, that Satan has to be jumping with joy.



You say thatit is the “Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning ofSpirit".”



You can saywhat you would like to believe, but when a person says something and the HolySpirit warns me, I ask him what it was that was wrong, and I am told. Some times I am told just that the person isevil. I never share this with anyoneunless Jesus tells me to do so. Nowto me that is a gift of discernment. The Holy Spirit gives me discernment, of if what a person says or maybe, is of God. That isdiscernment.

the quality ofbeing able to graspand comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning

2

: an act of perceiving or discerningsomething

I enjoyed very much hearing about your experiences, I thought them to be quite uplifting.

May I caution you however in some things.

The Gift of Prophecy in 1Cor. 12 is a gift that is given at a specific time for a specific need and is usualy exercised in the context of the Body of Christ as opposed to personal words for individuals. Not saying in the least that God can't do this, as was evidenced with your prayer with your wife. However this type of prophetic untterance is usually not the norm.
Without getting into detail I encouraged you to get the book form John Bevere, entitled "Thus saith the Lord". It is the best book I have read on this subject, and trust me I've read literaly over a hundred books on this subject and that of the Gifts. Have been studying the Gifts for over 10 years now, off and on, and that book, which I only picked up recently, gives a superlative exegesis of prophecy in scripture.
The Prophets goal is not to point out faults, although in most circumstances this is part of the job, but the goal of the prophet is always to turn the hearts of people towards God. This is done with great finesse but done with ease when lead by the Spirit.
Ex. When Samuel approched King David, he did not storm into the throne room, point his finger and spill the beans God told him. He reverently approached him, as David was God's chosen authority at the time, Rom. 13, and simply told him a story that graceously revealed to him his sin.

I have been called to be a teacher of His Word. Like you, God shows me or reveals to me many TRUTHS. Many times I have gone with that truth and wielded it on people just like a two-edged sword and many times have caused damage, to my shame. God showed me that when I do that I am no different than Peter, who, in the Garden of Gethsemane pulled his sword and chopped the ear of the priest's servant. The Word is a sword and has the ability to do that, but when we do do that, we end up hurting and offending people and all of a sudden they can't hear the Word because of it. Truth must always be bathe in Love.
Ex. Jesus said to the adulterous woman --- my paraphrase "These guys have a right to stone you to death, according to the law. (Truth) But they forget that they are also tared with the same brush and stand themselves just as guilty in other ways. (Love demonstrated to the Pharisees) Neither do I condemn you (Love demonstrated to the woman) but go and sin no more. (Truth for the woman)

Whether a Prophet, a Teacher, a Pastor, etc, we have been called to handle the Truth of God's Word and this must always be done in Love and for the 7 reasons posted earlier.
1 - For the perfecting of the saints,
2 - for the work of the ministry,
3 - for the edifying of the body of Christ
4 - Till we all come in the unity of the faith,
5 - and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
6 - unto a perfect man,
7 - unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ


You also mentioned the "Gift of Discernment".
I caution my bible student that it is not the Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning of Spirit". Now I realize that this may have been just a slip of the keyboard for you, nevertheless it is just a caution.
I know many who say they have the Gift of Discernment and in actuality it's more so the gift of meddling. However in your story it sounds Bang on. You were given that ability to discern a different spirit than the Holy Spirit that you know, Who always brings peace. This was confirmed in God giving you a bit of Knowledge and Wisdom in his situation.

Your example was very good, you approached your would be friend with the Truth of his condition but left him with the Love or grace that if he gave up or layed down what he was doing God would be able to change him. Wonderful story.

Isn't it great, walking in the Spirit and having Him direct our path that way?

Bless you,

Iam going to share something with you and it may truly upset you, but Jesus toldme to not read about him, that he would teach me about him.



IfI ever hear some one talk about God I ask Jesus if it is right or wrong. I just asked Jesus if you were right, and hesaid no. I asked him what was right,and he said a prophet’s job is to do what he is told by God to do.



Ihave shared some of what Jesus has had me do for over the last thirty years,and Jesus has been my teacher for all of those thirty years. My sharing was nota teaching. I also don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about what Ishare. Neither you nor anyone else ismy judge. My job is just to give aword. Jesus never told me why I am togive a word other then that a community would grow out of that word, and hewanted a place of safety for his people.



(1Corinthians 2:15-16) “A spiritual man, on theother hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in notto be judged by other men. Asscripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?



Ican share what Jesus has taught me, but that does not mean he would have anyoneelse do as I have been told to do.



Youshould see that being taught by Jesus that I would never listen to what any manmight think is right or wrong, unless Jesus personally told me that person wasright.



Whywould anyone who has Jesus for a teacher and guide ever take instructions fromanyone else?



Icome on hard, because it is so wrong that people keep listening to what mansays about God. Man has gotten themessage of God so wrong, that Satan has to be jumping with joy.



You say thatit is the “Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning ofSpirit".”



You can saywhat you would like to believe, but when a person says something and the HolySpirit warns me, I ask him what it was that was wrong, and I am told. Some times I am told just that the person isevil. I never share this with anyoneunless Jesus tells me to do so. Nowto me that is a gift of discernment. The Holy Spirit gives me discernment, of if what a person says or maybe, is of God. That isdiscernment.

the quality ofbeing able to graspand comprehend what is obscure: skill in discerning

2

: an act of perceiving or discerningsomething

 

[martinlawrencescott]

The gifts main purpose is to build one another up in the love of Christ. I don't know if the gifts are defined as to how they should each be specifically used, except tongues and interpretation of tongues it gives some guidelines. We are given some examples of how the gifts were used, but it seems like each one is personal and unique in how it fits in each calling and ministry each person has. We each have a unique "gift mix", is how I've heard it put.

Thanks for your testimony Thankful. I personally feel like God has called me to study and figure out what I believe. It has been humbling going through scripture, testing different methods other people have used to study from literal reasoning, inductive study, applying one verse or idea to many others, etc. I have discovered that I am completely reliant on the spirit to understand any truth of God, and I can't open the Bible and command its truths into my understanding. God has been good to me, though. There is one truth and I believe if we keep seeking Jesus (The Way, The Truth, and The Life) he is faithful to reveal himself in His purposes and in His timing.

There are controversial issues that have split the body of Christ for too long. I would like to understand some of this. I think the body of Christ right now is like the concubine at the end of the book of judges. After her abuse, she was cut in pieces and delivered to the tribes. Her abuse and division was sent out as a sign, and it brought the nation back together to purge those who caused her to be the way she is. If the body is reunited by spirit in love, we can discern who has rejected love and God's truth. God can put us back together as the person of Christ we were meant to be, united in mind, body (work), and spirit.

Maybe you can pray and hear if this statement rings true in your spirit.

 

[perrero]

Iam going to share something with you and it may truly upset you, but Jesus toldme to not read about him, that he would teach me about him.

So I must conclude that you do not read the New Testament. This would give me great insight into your ?? Chistianity ??

IfI ever hear some one talk about God I ask Jesus if it is right or wrong. I just asked Jesus if you were right, and hesaid no. I asked him what was right,and he said a prophet’s job is to do what he is told by God to do.

Yes, an obedient prophet would do what God asked him to do which was mostly to speak to the people or whom ever he was sent to. Prophet, which means "to proclaim", was just that the proclaimer of God's message.

Ihave shared some of what Jesus has had me do for over the last thirty years,and Jesus has been my teacher for all of those thirty years. My sharing was nota teaching. I also don’t care what you or anyone else thinks about what Ishare. Neither you nor anyone else ismy judge. My job is just to give aword. Jesus never told me why I am togive a word other then that a community would grow out of that word, and hewanted a place of safety for his people.

Your arrogance is duly noted.

You say that it is not the “Gift of Discernment" but the "Gift of Discerning ofSpirit".”

Yes, the Word of God in 1Corinthians (12:10) does say "Discerning of Spirits", but then you would have to read that to know.

You can say what you would like to believe, but when a person says something and the HolySpirit warns me, I ask him what it was that was wrong, and I am told. Some times I am told just that the person isevil. I never share this with anyoneunless Jesus tells me to do so. Now to me that is a gift of discernment. The Holy Spirit gives me discernment, of if what a person says or maybe, is of God. That isdiscernment.

What I believe is what the Word says: "Discerning of Spirits" To you it may be discernment but the Word says otherwise.
Spirits come in all forms, evil spirits, familiar spirits, human spirits even a non teachable spirit (attitude) like yours.
For one who hears so much from Jesus, I am surprised He has not taught you humility.

And by the way it is the Spirit that speaks not Jesus.
Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and He sent the Comforter (Paraclet) to guide us in all things. John (14:26) (15:26)

Don't bother to reply, your spirit is offensive and I don't need Holy Spirit to discern that.

 

[Thankful 1]

So I must conclude that you do not read the New Testament. This would give me great insight into your ?? Chistianity ??

[/b][/b]

Yes, an obedient prophet would do what God asked him to do which was mostly to speak to the people or whom ever he was sent to. Prophet, which means "to proclaim", was just that the proclaimer of God's message.



Your arrogance is duly noted.[/b]

[/b]

Yes, the Word of God in 1Corinthians (12:10) does say "Discerning of Spirits", but then you would have to read that to know.


[/b]

What I believe is what the Word says: "Discerning of Spirits" To you it may be discernment but the Word says otherwise.
Spirits come in all forms, evil spirits, familiar spirits, human spirits even a non teachable spirit (attitude) like yours.
For one who hears so much from Jesus, I am surprised He has not taught you humility.

And by the way it is the Spirit that speaks not Jesus.
Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and He sent the Comforter (Paraclet) to guide us in all things. John (14:26) (15:26)

Don't bother to reply, your spirit is offensive and I don't need Holy Spirit to discern that.

Yes I read the bible every day, and Jesus/Holy Spirit teaches my understanding ofthe written Word to me. Why is it that if one does not understand the writtenWord of God the way you do that he or she does not read the written Word?



Discernmentof the Spirits: You seen to believe that means only Satan, and his helpers are the spirits the Word is talking about. You do understand that people are/have spirits also?



I am arrogant am I? Well I quoted scripture and it says a spiritual person can’t be judged by any one. You say I don’t read the Word, and you ignore the Word.



Am I arrogant in your opinion because I don’t accept man’s teachings about God? If that is so then you should read more ofthe written Word of God.



(1John 2:27) “But you have not lost the anointing that he gave you, and you do not need anyone to teach you, the anointing he gave teaches you everything; youare anointed with truth, not a lie, and as it has taught you, so you must stay in him.”



(1Corinthians 2:15-16) “A spiritual man, on theother hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in not to be judged by other men. Asscripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?



You have an opinion and it seems that anyone disagreeing with that opinion is arrogant.

 

[Duckybill]

Iam going to share something with you and it may truly upset you, but Jesus toldme to not read about him, that he would teach me about him.

Jesus wouldn't tell you to NOT read the Bible. Satan surely would though.

Yes I read the bible every day, and Jesus/Holy Spirit teaches my understanding ofthe written Word to me. Why is it that if one does not understand the writtenWord of God the way you do that he or she does not read the written Word?

Jesus told you not to read about Him, but you read the Bible every day???

 

[Thankful 1]

Jesus wouldn't tell you to NOT read the Bible. Satan surely would though.



Jesus told you not to read about Him, but you read the Bible every day???

Wow! Now people believe I don’t read the bible? Jesus told me thirty years ago to get more into his written Word. Jesus has personally sat next to me and had me open the bible to teach me.



Jesus told me not to read about him that he would teach me about him, and this was to a question that I had asked him. I asked Jesus what seminary to attend. Jesus was telling me not to go to a seminary. Jesus did not want me to read what man has to say about him.





I read the bible every day, and listen to audio version while I drive.



Jesus told me he is God, and he told me the bible was his written Word.



I do not study the bible; I let Jesus/Holy Spirit teach me what he wants me to know.

 

[Duckybill]

Wow! Now people believe I don’t read the bible? Jesus told me thirty years ago to get more into his written Word. Jesus has personally sat next to me and had me open the bible to teach me.

Jesus told me not to read about him that he would teach me about him, and this was to a question that I had asked him. I asked Jesus what seminary to attend. Jesus was telling me not to go to a seminary. Jesus did not want me to read what man has to say about him.

I read the bible every day, and listen to audio version while I drive.

Jesus told me he is God, and he told me the bible was his written Word.

I do not study the bible; I let Jesus/Holy Spirit teach me what he wants me to know.

I was simply asking for clarification. But again I ask, how do you know it is Jesus and not Satan who is talking to you and teaching you? I don't think you have answered that question.

 

[Thankful 1]

I was simply asking for clarification. But again I ask, how do you know it is Jesus and not Satan who is talking to you and teaching you? I don't think you have answered that question.

I know it is Jesus teaching me by the fruits that have been produced. Also Jesus said he would call his own out by name, and they would follow no other. Jesus has called me by name, and he has told me he is God. Also Jesus has had me walk in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus healed my blind daughter; I don’t believe Satan can do that.



Jesus has given me the grace to live a sinless life for over the last thirty some years. Satan would not want anyone to live sinless. Jesus has given me the grace to live the whole Word of God.



I am telling you this, because you need some evidence that it is Jesus I follow, but I knew it was Jesus the night I said yes to his calling into his ministry. Also when Jesus asked me to give my life to him, and the Holy Spirit let me know I would lose everything I owned if I did, and I did lose everything. From that day on I lived trusting in Jesus every day. That all happened thirty some years ago, and I still am trusting in Jesus for everything.

 

[martinlawrencescott]

I know it is Jesus teaching me by the fruits that have been produced. Also Jesus said he would call his own out by name, and they would follow no other. Jesus has called me by name, and he has told me he is God. Also Jesus has had me walk in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Jesus healed my blind daughter; I don’t believe Satan can do that.



Jesus has given me the grace to live a sinless life for over the last thirty some years. Satan would not want anyone to live sinless. Jesus has given me the grace to live the whole Word of God.



I am telling you this, because you need some evidence that it is Jesus I follow, but I knew it was Jesus the night I said yes to his calling into his ministry. Also when Jesus asked me to give my life to him, and the Holy Spirit let me know I would lose everything I owned if I did, and I did lose everything. From that day on I lived trusting in Jesus every day. That all happened thirty some years ago, and I still am trusting in Jesus for everything.

I think there is more misunderstanding of your testimony than anything. You don't study the word according to one definition, but we would consider your Holy Spirit led discovery a form of study (to some another form of interpretation). It has taken me a while to figure out what you mean by "teaching of man".

I guess the only question I have that I think would help us understand your point better, is: Do you believe that by the Holy Spirit's control, a teacher under the anointing of the spirit and while practicing the gifts placed in him, can accurately teach the word of God?

 

[Thankful 1]

I think there is more misunderstanding of your testimony than anything. You don't study the word according to one definition, but we would consider your Holy Spirit led discovery a form of study (to some another form of interpretation). It has taken me a while to figure out what you mean by "teaching of man".

I guess the only question I have that I think would help us understand your point better, is: Do you believe that by the Holy Spirit's control, a teacher under the anointing of the spirit and while practicing the gifts placed in him, can accurately teach the word of God?

I believe that there are those given the gift of teaching the Word of God. I do not believe that after a person receives the Holy Spirit, and is walking in the Spirit of God can be taught by anyone else but God to come to know God.



A Spirit filled teacher can teach one to accept Jesus as his or her savior, but after that person is baptized in the Spirit of God, he or she can only be truly taught by God.



(1 Corinthians 2:10-16) “These are the very things that God has revealed to us through the Spirit, for the Spirit reaches the depts. Of everything, even the depths of God. After all, the depths of a man can only be known by his own spirit, not by any other man, and in the same way the depths of God can only be known by the Spirit of God. Now instead of the spirit of the world, we have received the Spirit that comes from God, to teach us to understand the gifts that he has given us. Therefore we teach, not in the way in which philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually. A spiritual man, on the other hand, is able to judge the value of everything and his own value in not to be judged by other men. As scripture says;’ who can know the mind of the Lord, so who can teach him?’ But we are those who have the mind of Christ.”