During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The gifts of the Holy Spirit (4)/ Her main scriptures were taken from the Books 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; John 4:46-54; and Jer 17:14

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – INTRODUCTION

These gifts are special supernatural abilities given by God, the Holy Spirit. They are royal family gifts. By using them we resemble Jesus and God, our Father. They are a witness that our salvation is supernatural. These abilities are not natural. The Christian is not born with them. They are not gained thru the study of the Bible or education in general. A pastor or an elder can pray and lay hands on a believer who desires gifts. But no man can give these gifts. They manifest the atmosphere of heaven on earth. These are Grace-Gifts. In Greek, the word ‘gifts’ is ‘charismata’. The word ‘charis’ means Grace. These gifts are not rewards for labor and are not merited. They are free gifts from King Grace! The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. He gives them according to His will and depending on the need in the local church. God can give them to baby Christians or to the mature ones! The gifts give glory to God! They increase the unity of the Body and the manifestation of miracles.

THE GIFTS OF HEALINGS

“To another gifts of healings by the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:9).

Healing is a great subject in the Bible. Healing was part of the ministry of Jesus. His disciples also healed sick people. The gifts of healings are powers given by the Holy Spirit to heal any form of sicknesses, spiritual, mental, or physical, acute, or chronic, without using any visible means. Healing is defined as restoration back to health of one who was sick. Restoration is a return to the former, normal, original state of health. It also means restitution, bringing back something (health) that was stolen or lost. Sickness is going astray. Health is coming back to the God given state of wellbeing. This is what God says: “Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured; And all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; Those who plunder you shall become plunder, and all who prey upon you I will make a prey. For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her” (Jer 30:16, 17). A good verse about recovery of lost health is found in the story of David. The Amalekites have stolen his wives and all his goods. He prayed to God and God answered him: “So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all” (1 Sam 30:8). Many who are sick are too lazy to pray and pursue the devil, to recover their health. They settle for second best. They accept sickness as part of their ‘portion’ in the land of the living. Let us do like David!

Healing through this gift happens without the use of medicines or surgery. The believer who prays for the healing of another does not need to know the name of the sickness, prognosis, or what type of treatment should be used. The Bible does not explain the meaning of this gift. It is difficult to explain. This gift appears only in 1 Corinthians 12. It is the only gift that appears in plural. It seems that there is a gift for each sickness. Some say that the gift was only temporary and now, it does not manifest. Others say it continues to manifest. Jesus healed people miraculously. He gave the power to His disciples to do the same, in His name. Even after the death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven of Jesus, miraculous healings continued to manifest. The gift of healing is not the same as the gift of working miracles, which is greater and wider in scope. Physical healing was a sign of the authority of Jesus and of His compassion. It is a form of advert to attract people to Jesus and to the Gospel. God’s miraculous healing is the only healing that is total, painless, free of charge, without any complications and brings all the Glory to God! Healing happens thru faith in Christ alone. This faith may be supplied by the sick man, by the believer who prays, or it is a combination of both. This gift is not given to become rich or famous. The gift of healing is given by God, the Holy Spirit, who is sovereign. It is given to heal the poor and weak brethren, to strengthen them, to increase the unity of the Body. The Holy Spirit is sovereign in the distribution and manifestation of this gift. The believer cannot control the gift. He must be led by the Holy Spirit to know when the gift will manifest. For example, Naaman was healed of leprosy by the prophet Elisha. But the same prophet could not heal his own servant Gehazi from leprosy (2 Kings 5). The Apostle Paul healed many people but could not immediately heal his friend, Trophimus, whom he left behind sick (Ac 19:11, 12; 2 Tim 4:20).

When it comes to the exercise of this gift, someone who has medical experience has no superiority over others. For example, Luke, the theologian also called ‘the beloved physician’ (Col 4:14), has no advantage over Peter, an illiterate fisherman. The source of the healing is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord Jesus Christ, and thru the Holy Spirit. The only method for healing is speaking the Word and prayer! God alone takes all the glory for the healing! For example, both Paul and Luke arrived on the Island of Malta, after the shipwreck. It was Paul who healed some sick people over there. It was not Dr. Luke (Ac 28:8, 9). The exercise of this gift should not make us look down on medical science, and the medical personnel who have helped people greatly over the centuries. It is true that all healing comes from God. But it is good to know that medical science is the world’s way of healing. But God’s way of healing is though miracles, by exercising the Gift of Healing. The medical treatment of sicknesses done by doctors or nurses, using medicines or surgery, is not recommended in the Bible. The Word of God does not recognize modern medical treatment. In heaven there is no sickness. Therefore, there are no doctors, nurses, or hospitals! Selah!

For healing, there are only two ways the Bible recommends that we should us: 1-THIS GIFT OF HEALING and 2-PRAYER OF FAITH!

We obey God’s Word by praying for this gift or by praying for the sick, by laying of hands, and by anointing with oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (Jam 5:14-16). As you can see, James does not tell them to look for a brother who has the gift of healing. He tells them to go to the leaders of their own local church The leaders are spiritually mature brethren. They will pray with faith and God will heal the sick person.

Prayer: “Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; Save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise” (Jer 17:14)

JEHOVAH RAPHA

This incident in the wilderness reveals for the first time that God is the Healer of His people. He introduces Himself and Jehovah Rapha, God the Healer. “Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So, he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exo 15:22-26). After God’s people celebrated the crossing of the Red Sea, just three days later, in the wilderness of Shur, they started complaining because they saw no water to drink. They found a pool of water, but it was bitter. The people complained but Moses prayed to God. Prayer is always the key to move on. God tells Moses to cut down a tree planted by the Bitter waters. Please observe that the solution is not far. It is ‘planted’ in the problem. Once Moses cut down the tree and threw into the bitter water of sin, the water became ‘sweet’. The word ‘tree’ also means ‘carpenter’. This is a picture of the Cross of Christ. At the Cross, there is salvation and healing. God tested them to see if they obey Him or not. Obedience to His Word prevents sickness and leads to many blessings. When you are sick, pray for a fresh revelation of God’s Word.

Years later, when he got sick, King Asa failed the test of Jehovah Rapha. “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa developed a disease in his feet. His disease was severe, yet even in his illness he did not seek the LORD, but [relied only on] the physicians. So, Asa slept with his fathers [in death], dying in the forty-first year of his reign” (2 Chr 16:12, 13). In this story, King Asa, developed a sickness in his feet. He did not seek God during his sicknesses. He put all his trust in the physicians. Lesson: n all situations, even when we suffer or we are sick, we should seek God’s face through His Word. Godly wisdom is found during times of trials. Then the healing may come. To trust man is a curse (Jer 17:5). During your sickness, if you trust only the doctors, they will take the glory for your healing. But if you trust God alone, then God will take the glory!

JESUS’ COMMAND: PREACH THE GOSPEL AND HEAL THE SICK!

“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece. “Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Lk 9:1-6).

Jesus gave His disciples ‘power’ to preach, heal and deliver. In Greek, the word ‘power’ means delegated authority, privilege, freedom, or mastery. It means that Jesus expects His disciples to study how to be successful in ministry. This does not mean to attend a regular Bible school, or medical school. It is a lifestyle, a walk of faith led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. You may start as a spiritual ‘apprentice’, but with time, faithfully applying the Biblical principles, you become a master in the field of faith. Jesus trusts you with His authority over sin and sickness. Jesus promised to pay for all expenses concerning your ministry. The healing must be purely by prayer of faith or through the gift of healing. It applies to all types of ‘sickness or disease’, anything that troubles or weakens the body or the mind. If any man or family rejects the ministry of preaching or healing, it will be a sin against that one. God will call those to account.

Healing the sick, together with teaching and preaching the Gospel is part of the believers’ responsibility. “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Mt 9:35-38). Compassion for the weak and sick is the basic motive of the healing ministry of Jesus. We believers are laborers in His field. We need the same compassion to be like Jesus. Compassion means to be emotionally moved with pity, to feel the pain of another. The word ‘weary’ means to be troubled, frustrated, harassed, or annoyed. The word ‘scattered’ means to be harassed by enemies, to faint from fear, or to shake. Sheep that have gone astray, are under attack by wolves or by sickness. These sheep cannot defend themselves. Their only helper is their Shepherd. That Shepherd is Jesus. We the believers are shepherds under the Great Shepherd. We need compassion, love, and faith to help God’s flock. Pray that more believers take their responsibility seriously and help others.  

PEOPLE’S REACTION TO MIRACULOUS HEALINGS REVEALS THEIR HEARTS

People reacted to the miraculous healings in two ways: some were amazed and gave glory to God. Others gave glory to the devil. The Pharisees attributed the power of Jesus to the devil (Matt 12:22-24). After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Pharisees wanted to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (Jn 12:9). Paul and Barnabas healed a lame man at Lystra. The people around thought that they were gods. They wanted to worship them. When Paul discouraged them saying that they are only men like them, they beat them and almost killed them (Acts 14).

PETER HAD THE GIFT OF HEALING

Peter had the gift of healing. He healed the lame man who was asking for money, Aeneas, and brought Dorcas back to life. This gift helped him in his ministry as an evangelist. “Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (Ac 3:6, 7). “Peter found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So, all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord… 40 But Peter put them all out and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord” (Ac 9:33-35; 40-42). Praise the Lord!

THE CROSS IS THE PRICE FOR SALVATION AND HEALING

There is a price to pay for divine healing. The price was paid at the Cross. Jesus died and rose again for me, for the salvation of my soul and for the healing of my body. The devil hates that you should know the truth. Healing removes suffering and destroys the works of the devil. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Ac 10:38). “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 Jn 3:8). What are some of the works of the devil? He steals the Word from men’s heart (Matt 13:19); he teaches men to kill and to lie because he is a murderer and a liar (Jn 8:44).  He blinds the minds of people to the truth of the Gospel. He keeps them ignorant to the power of God’s Word to save, heal, and deliver. The devil is the agent of doubt, fear, and unbelief. He blinds men’s minds to the truth (2Cor 4:3, 4). Because of the devil’s works, people become wicked, liars, deceiving one another, spiritually blind and insensitive. They hate God and humanity. What do we do? Take the whole armor of God and do spiritual warfare. As disciples, we pray for the healing of men’s souls, minds, and bodies. The devil will fight back protecting his prisoners. But in the name of Jesus, our victory is sure! Praise the Lord!

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3Jn 1:2-4)

Apostle John wishes the beloved believers good health and prosperity, spiritual and physical. In Greek, the word ‘health’ means sound body, without any corruption (no viruses or parasites). God can allow sickness to discipline us when we are unfaithful to Him. But sound health is better. We need a strong body to do God’s Work. The word ‘prosperity’ means to find help along the way to succeed in business. Knowing God’s Word which is truth, is the sure way to live a good life in this world, to prosper in body, soul, spirit, and business affairs. Selah!  

HEALING IS A SIGN OF FAITH IN JESUS, AND CONFIRMS THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS AND HIS WORD  

*Healing the sick is a sign of faith in Jesus; a sign that you preach the right Gospel, and that you are a co-worker with Jesus in ministry! Jesus said: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen” (Mk16:15-20). Apostle Paul confirms that wherever he went, he preached the Gospel, and miracles followed his ministry (Rom 15:18, 19).

*In the early church, the believers prayed for boldness to preach God’s Word and for miracles to follow their preaching. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Ac 4:29-31). This request was necessary to confirm their ministries and increase their confidence as servants of God.

*Healing of the body confirms the authority of Jesus as The Savior. Jesus forgives sins, to save men. He also heals their bodies. There was a sick man who was paralyzed. The religious rulers opposed Jesus. Then He said: “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men” (Matt 9:4-8).

*Healing confirms the Gospel. It is one of God’s methods to prove that Jesus died and rose again for sinners. “But you denied the Holy One and the Just and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all” (Ac 3:14-16).

*True faith in Jesus should be in His Word and also in His works (healings). “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him” (Jn 10:37, 38).

*Healings and miracles were signs done by Jesus to attract people to Him, to listen to His Words. “A great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased” (Jn 6:1, 2).

*Healings are performed so that God is glorified. “Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:12).

HEALING AND THE WORD PLANTED IN THE HEART

Healing in the Bible is always connected with God’s Word and prayer! The more you study the Person of Jesus (The Living Word), the more your faith in His healing increases. This faith is thru the Holy Spirit, and thru faith in the written Word of God! “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions” (Ps 107:20). God sends His Word as an injection from heaven! You must receive the injection so that you are healed! This is an unfailing spiritual law: the more you feed on the Word, the more your faith in healing will rise. “The seed is the word of God” (Lk 8:11). For the seed to grow and become fruitful, the seed must be planted in the heart. “Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet 1:23). God uses His Word that is thought or preached to bring salvation, healing, or deliverance. The Word of God is living, incorruptible, indestructible, and immortal. It brings eternal life. The Word abides forever. The word ‘abides’ means to stay in a spot, waiting for you to believe it. The heart is the field. The seed must be watered with prayer. It will grow. It will produce salvation, healing, deliverance, and other miracles.

God’s Word must be planted in the middle of the heart and kept there for it to manifest the healing. It works on all organs. It becomes health to the whole body. “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (PV 4:20-23). To give attention and to incline your ear mean the same thing: to stretch out your head to listen to something important. Do not let God’s Word depart from you. Be careful not to lose it. Watch it because it is a light guiding you through the darkness of sickness. It is your responsibility to keep the Word ‘in the midst of your heart’. The word ‘keep’ means to protect, to surround with a hedge, to attend to. It is your responsibility to protect the Word of God in your heart. Who can steal God’s Word from your heart? The devil. Read the Parable of the Sower (Lk 8:11-15). The devil steals the word from hearts that are not deep, not spiritual. They hear the Word but make no effort to retain of understand what they have heard. So, the Word does not penetrate the heart. The demons love to steal the Word away. If there is no deep root, the Word cannot grow. If there are weeds of anxious care, love of money and pleasures of life, the Word also cannot grow. The only fertile ground/heart where the Word stays and grows is a noble and a good heart. In this good heart, the Word grows and multiples.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (PV 4:23). The heart/field is to be kept with all diligence. It is your responsibility to protect your heart from strangers and from Word killing weeds. Out of the heart proceed the issues, the rivers of life. The heart is like a pump, like a fountain. Like the natural heart pumps blood into the arteries of the body, so the spiritual heart. The unconverted heart is the seat of sin. The spiritual heart is the seat of the Word of God. “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Lk 6:45). Speak life!

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye (envy), blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mk 7:21, 22). The word ‘defile’ means to become unclean, and incapable to worship God. A defiled heart is a sick heart and speaks sickness to others. Faith in Jesus cleanses, heals, and opens the heart. “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (Jn 7:38). Faith cleanses the heart and opens the rivers of life to flow to others. This is therefore the path of blessings and healing: Receive God’s Word! Keep and guard it in your heart. Confess the Word by faith! Pray over it! Repent of every known sin. The heart will become cleaner, and the Word will grow. Healing of the body and soul will be the result.  

BY HIS STRIPES, WE ARE HEALED

“Surely, He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way” (Is 53:4-6). “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matt 8:16, 17). “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Pet 2:24, 25)

On of the greatest verses about healing in taken from the Book of Isaiah 53:5. “By His stripes, we are healed!” With the eyes of faith, the prophet Isaiah saw Jesus crucified. Please observe that all the words are in the past. Salvation and healing are works that have already been fulfilled. On the Cross, Jesus purchased both the salvation of our souls and the healing of our bodies. We must have faith in both. The salvation of the soul is a greater miracle because it is immediate, personal, and eternal. The healing of the body is less important because it is temporal.  Sin still dwells in the body and sin leads to sickness and death. Peter says that Jesus died and by His stripes we are healed so that we too die to sin and live sanctified lives. The healing is not for its own sake. It is to help with our sanctification. The final healing of the body will manifest when Christ comes back the second time and resurrect our bodies, to be like His Body, spiritual and eternal. On the Cross, Jesus ‘took our infirmities’. It means He received our moral and physical weaknesses. He ‘bore our sicknesses’. He ‘carried away’ our sicknesses.  It is the same verb saying ‘He bore our sins’. ‘By whose stripes, you were healed’. The word ‘stripe’ means wounds or bruising done by scourging.  The word ‘grief’ is anxiety. The word ‘sorrow’ is anguish. He borne and He carried means to be pregnant with grief and sorrow.

“Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified” (Matt 27:26-31)

This is a glimpse of the suffering of Jesus just before He was crucified and died. You can see the wickedness of men, taking advantage of their victim. The soldiers did not have to add their mockery. They did not have to spit on Jesus or strike His head with the reed. But they did that. This revelation is the root of your faith in the healing of your body. Jesus paid for the salvation of your soul with His blood shed on the Cross. But for the healing of your body, Jesus suffered terrible pain, mentally and physically. You must feel His pain to be able to believe in your healing. Selah!

Jesus was beaten and wounded so that we can be healed. He was wounded by the crown of thorns, by the nails in His hands and feet and by the spear of the Romans soldier. The death of Christ upon the Cross was a painful, shameful death. It is His pain that is the source of our healing. That chastisement was for our peace. In Hebrew, shalom, means peace, prosperity, health and wealth, friends, and favor. Jesus suffered on the Cross for our healing, peace, and prosperity. He shed His Blood and died for our salvation! What a Savior!    

THE BRONZE SERPENT

“They journeyed from Mount Hor… to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. Therefore, the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So, Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived” (Num 21:4-9).

The international sign for doctors, medicine and hospitals is a snake on a rod. It is taken from this story in Numbers 21. God leads the people on a longer, circular path. They just discover that now, the Promised Land is behind them. They became angry with God’s leading. The word ‘discouraged’ means impatient, or restless. They expected to enter the Promised Land faster. The people started complained against God and Moses. God became angry and He sent poisonous serpents to bite them. Many died. The people repented. Moses prays for them. God gives His prescription: He commands Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten by a serpent and looks to that bronze serpent shall live.  The vision of Christ crucified brings healing and life!

The people got addicted to complaining. God warns them many times, but they still continued. In the past, they grumbled against the manna, God’s bread from heaven. They said: “Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (Nu 11:4-6).

Some Egyptians followed God’s people thru their exodus. It was these unbelievers among them that started complaining against the Manna. It is known all over the world that poor unbelievers cannot endure the lack of their favorite food. They miss their Egyptian’ vegetables. They claim that they have lost their appetites for food because of looking at this Manna. They have no faith in God’s Word!

Question: Where do you look? What do your eyes see? If you see God’s Word, then you shall be healed and you shall live!

God judges their sin. Moses prays for them. Then God shows mercy. At the Cross, you see God’s holiness and love combined. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life“ (Jn 3:14-16). Jesus is the One lifted on the Cross. The sinner needs to look with faith to Christ. Then he will be saved and healed.

Lessons: God is holy, and God hates sin.  Complaining and grumbling are serious sins. Be careful not to become impatient with God’s leading you thru life, especially when trials seem longer than you expected. Be sensitive to the temptation of grumbling. Pray against it! God answers the prayer of an intercessor. We should always pray. God gives Moses the wisdom that leads to healing. There is no natural connection between the bite of the snake and the bronze snake. The only connection is faith in the God who kills and makes alive. The Look of faith unto Jesus is life and healing! This was God’s treatment prescription. It was easy. Just look! It was the same for all, the rich and the poor. The same applied for the bad cases and for the mild cases. It was free of charge. If any man bitten by the snake refused to apply God’s treatment, he will die. If he refused to look at the bronze snake and only look at his wounds, or pay doctors to cure him, that one would die. The Gospel is the only cure for all sinners. Its power is immediate and eternal. Jesus is the only Way to life! Look and Live!

FAITH HEALERS

There are many false brethren who claim to heal by the power of God. These are not even saved. Most are found in the Philippines and Brazil. They claim to perform surgery with bare hands. Many are deceived by these charlatans. Then there are others, who may be saved but they have very few fruits of the Spirit. Their moral character is weak. They are called ‘faith healers’. They claim that the only gift they have is to heal people from physical sickness.  In the early church, the gift of healing was working to attract people to the preaching of the Gospel. There is nothing like healing for healing’ sake. The following are some of the famous American faith healers: Alexander John Dowie, Jack Coe, A. A. Allen, and William Branham. These all had many followers and claimed thousands of healings. They became rich and famous through this gift.  They became proud and died untimely deaths. Most churches that used to sponsor these massive tent crusades got tired of the religious entertainment and the price to pay for the flashy lifestyle of these healers. But these sad stories do not cancel the fact that God gives the gift of healings to believers.

THE HEALING OF THE NOBLEMAN’S SON (Jn 4:46-54)

Jesus started His public ministry. The first miracle sign was done at Cana of Galilee where He changed water into wine. He did this sign to reveal His glory. His disciples put their faith in Him (Jn 2:11). This is the story: Jesus goes to Samaria. He does not perform miracles there, but the people believed His Words. He comes back to Cana of Galilee. A Jewish noble man who was living at Capernaum has a need. His son is sick almost to death. He has a high fever. He hears of Jesus that He performs miracles. At this time, Jesus has only performed the miracle of water turned to wine at Cana. But the nobleman believes that Jesus can also heal his son. He immediately travels from Capernaum to Cana to meet Jesus. This distance is about 20 miles. This is the first time we see someone seeking Jesus for a miracle of healing. It is also the first time that we see the direct connection between faith and healing. There were some Jews gathered there when the nobleman came. Jesus said to them: “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe”. Jesus was comparing them with the foreigners, the Samaritans, who believed His Word alone, without waiting for any signs of confirmation. “For Jews request a sign” (1 Cor 1:22). A sign is a supernatural event that points to something else. Wonder is a miracle. Jesus was confronting the Jews that their lust for miracles is a proof of their lack of faith in Him. The nobleman called Jesus ‘Sir’. This is true humility. He wanted Jesus to ‘come down’ to his house to heal his son. His faith was real but small. Compare his faith with the great faith of the Centurion and of the Syrophoenician woman, who were both foreigners. Jesus told the nobleman that his son will live. This time, he ‘believed the word Jesus spoke to him’. Having only the word in his heart, he went back to Capernaum. Arriving home, he discovered that his son was healed at that very hour when Jesus said: ‘your son lives’.

IN CONCLUSION…

Jesus cares for the needy humanity. At Cana, Jesus did miracles to bless families. He made wine for a wedding. He healed a man’s son. He brought joy to families! This nobleman hears of Jesus and travels 40 miles to receive his miracle. He received the Word that produced the healing. Faith has feet. Faith seeks Jesus and His healing. That word was enough! Jesus appreciates faith. It is not the miracle that produces faith. It is the faith that produces miracles. Jesus is always sensitive to the faith of the people who desire miracles. If their faith is small, He will increase it. If their faith is big, but not focused, He will help them to adjust it. Jesus could not perform miracles where pride and unbelief were predominant. “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt 13:58). If faith is small but it is focused on Jesus, it will work miracles. If the faith is big, but its focus is outside Jesus, it will not work miracles. The object of faith is extremely important! It is more important than its size. Faith in God’s Word is enough for the miracle to happen! The nobleman had faith. He was not in a hurry to run back home. He arrived home to Capernaum the next day at 7 pm. It seems that he slept in Cana before going home. His son was healed. This healing has three effects: the physical healing of the son; the spiritual healing of the father and the third effect is that his household now all believe in Jesus. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb 11:6). Jesus rewards faith and rebukes unbelief! Religion is a hindrance to faith.

This is a reminder, man’s soul is more important than his body. Even if he is healed from sickness, even if he comes back from the dead like Lazarus, he will still become old and die. But salvation of the soul is eternal. Even death cannot destroy that. Sin is the real problem. Sickness is only a symptom. It is clear that the Bible gives priority to the spiritual problems of man. Jesus healed a man who was paralyzed for 38 years. Later, Jesus found him and said to him: “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (Jn 5:14). Jesus said that something worse than sickness can happen to an unrepentant sinner. Selah!

We are commanded not to be discouraged by the breaking down of the body. We focus on eternal things which are eternal. “Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:16-18).

When sick, repent of any known sin. Then pray for healing. If you are still sick, then call your leaders in the church (James 5). We are not told to look and call the faith healers who are traveling from place to place to heal. We are told to call the leaders of the local church we attend. These leaders will pray with faith and anoint with oil if it is possible. Then God will heal the sick person. Worship the Lord!

During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The gifts of the Holy Spirit (3)/ Her main scriptures were taken from the Books 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 13:1-13; 14:1-25; Genesis 40.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – INTRODUCTION

These gifts are special supernatural abilities given by God, the Holy Spirit. They are royal family gifts. By using them we resemble Jesus and God, our Father. They are a witness that our salvation is supernatural. These abilities are not natural. The Christian is not born with them. They are not gained thru the study of the Bible or education in general. A pastor or an elder can pray and lay hands on a believer who desires gifts. But no man can give these gifts. They manifest the atmosphere of heaven on earth. These are Grace-Gifts. In Greek, the word ‘gifts’ is ‘charismata’. The word ‘charis’ means Grace. These gifts are not rewards for labor and are not merited. They are free gifts from King Grace! The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. He gives them according to His will and depending on the need in the local church. God can give them to baby Christians or to the mature ones! The gifts give glory to God! They increase the unity of the Body and the manifestation of miracles.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – 1 Corinthians 12 (continued…)

*Each believer has at least one gift of the Holy Spirit. It is his responsibility to identify it and use it for God’s glory and for the good of the Body. Once you receive God’s gift, God expects you to use it. You need to increase your skill in using it. The more is given; the more is expected. “To whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Lk 12:48). The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not luxury, nor decorations. They are tools, weapons, and powers from God to be used in ministry! If you receive a gift from God and you are not using it, God will call you to account. God will not withdraw that gift. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for God does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call]” (Rom 11:29. AMP). Take responsibility for your gift!

*The spiritual gifts are to be desired and prayed for. When you see a need in the church, and you desire to help, pray that God will give you His gift so that you don’t use your natural resources, but God’s power. All gifts are not the same in value and visibility. But God is one! And the Body is one! Do not be angry, envious or despise another’ gifts. Be grateful to God for what you have received and use that gift! To refuse to use what you have, and coveting what you do not have, that is sin! All believers, no matter your gifts, must care for one another! Selah!

*The greatest gift of all is the Agape Love of God. Love is a gift, a fruit, and a way of life. It is the basis for all success in ministry when using any other gift! “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 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” (1 Cor 12: 31; 13:1-3). Without the gift of love, no other gift works well. “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1 Cor 14:1).

*The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for the strengthening and the unity of the Body of Christ. The manifestation of the gifts produces miracles. It is a pity that many believers are ignorant, and many churches quarrel over these gifts. Many churches have divided because of disagreement about the role of these gifts, especially the gift of tongues. We are to desire the greater gifts so that the whole church will benefit, and not only ourselves. Pray with faith. If God gives to you the gift you asked, thank Him! If not, still thank Him! God is sovereign!

THE GIFT OF TONGUES

“to another different kinds of tongues…” (1 Cor 12:19)

The gift of tongues is defined as supernatural utterance of the Holy Spirit in a language that is unknown to the speaker.

*The gift of tongues is similar to the gift of prophecy, but it is spoken in a language not learned by the speaker, and not understood by his mind. Most of the time, even the hearers do not understand the tongues, except somebody with the gift of interpretation of tongues interprets the message. The devil does not understand the message spoken in tongues, but God understands it. After a session of speaking in tongues, the believer feels like he has prayed through! He feels stronger spiritually.

*Speaking in tongues, like all other gifts of the Holy Spirit, is supernatural. It is a miracle. It is not a miracle of revelation of the Word but a vocal miracle. It is a miracle of prayer and worship. If interpreted, it is a prophetic word to the church.

*All people who do not believe in miracles hate this gift and mock it.

*The gift of tongues and the sister gift of interpretation of tongues are the least of all gifts. This is because it helps only the speakers and not the whole Body. They are more common than all other gifts. They are vocal gifts. They cannot be hidden. They are evident to all in the church.

*This gift is most misunderstood by many people. Christians have separated into denominations based on their understanding of this gift.

*The devil has attacked the gift of prophecy and tongues more than all other gifts.

*Like with prophecy, God takes control of the mouth of the believer and speaks thru him. The mind is passive. The mind does not understand what the mouth is saying. But the human spirit is edified and comforted.

*Jesus confirmed the gift of speaking in tongues. He said that it is a sign of faith in Him. Unbelief and hardness of heart are stumbling blocks to any gift including speaking in tongues. “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mk 16:14-18).

*Tongues is a Worship/prayer language. We must worship God in Spirit and in Truth.  Tongues are like drinking wine. On the Day of Pentecost, the people thought that the worshippers were drunk with wine. Baptism with the Holy Spirit has a similar effect. It makes people joyful and strong. “But the vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?” (Jdg 9:13).

*Generally, speaking in tongues should be limited to personal worship language at home or in groups of friends where all understand this gift. 

*God does not force anyone to pray in tongues. Like with any gift, you need to seek it, to desire it. The Holy Spirit brings it to your heart and your mouth, but you need to welcome it and use your mouth to speak it out.

*Tongues are a special intimate communication between the believer’s spirit and God. Praying in tongues edifies the believer!

“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. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself” (1 Cor 14:2-4)

Salvation is a miracle. Often, the believer finds it hard to pray. He is in love with Jesus, but he cannot find the right words to express his love in prayer or in worship. It is this holy frustration that brings him to the place where he is filled with the Holy Spirit. The first filling is called ‘the baptism with the Holy Spirit’. Suddenly, the fountain of the deep floods his soul. He feels strong, one with His Lover. At that time, the usual words in a known tongue were just useless to express newfound love. Speaking in tongues is a natural way of expressing the deep love within. All men become romantic poets when baptized with the Holy Spirit. “Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me” (Ps 42:7). Tongues, therefore, are the vocal expression, mysteries spoken by a heart deeply in love with Jesus.

Like the gift of prophecy edifies the church, speaking in tongues edifies the individual believer. The word edifies’ means to build a strong house. Tongues work like an injection of strength in situation of trials that weaken the spirit of man. The strength is a sign that God is pleased when we make time to pray in tongues, to God who alone understands our hearts.

*Apostle Paul prayed in tongues more often than other people. This is not surprising for he suffered more than many others. This is his testimony of Grace actively working in his spirit during trials. “He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:8-10). This mighty mysterious exchange happens when you pray in tongues. The power of resurrection changes the picture and the weak becomes strong. Praying in tongues is like a river suddenly springing out in the desert. “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals, and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise” (Is 43:19-21). This is God’s promise to do the impossible, to make rivers in the desert, so that the animals will be happy and praise Him. Praying in tongues has the same effect. It feels like a thirsty dying man who drinks water. He suddenly feels strength coming into his body. He knows that he will not die but live and declare the works of the Lord!

*Do not ignore the power of tongues to edify the believer. You can edify the church through preaching, teaching, and prophesying. But you have to learn to edify yourself, thru the study of God’s word, and praying in tongues.  For example, David knew how to strengthen himself in the Lord. “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (1 Sam 30:6). In Hebrew, the word ‘strengthen’ means to bind himself to the Lord, to restrain and conquer his fears and weaknesses; until he become strong by God’s power. It means that David found courage in weakness and encouraged himself. This is the work of Grace found in Christ alone. Praying in tongues strengthens the believer.

*Some people say that God sent the tongues so that we can use them to evangelize the unbelievers. They say that at Pentecost, Peter and the other believers spoke in tongues and the people understood what was spoken. But in the History of the church, tongues have not been used to preach the Gospel to foreigners. Peter himself, after speaking in tongues, preached his first sermon in Aramaic, the language most Jews spoke at that time. He did not preach Christ in tongues. The believers declared in “tongues the wonderful works of God”. In other words, they were worshipping God in tongues. This attracted the attention of people and they gathered to see this new behavior. But when Peter preached to them, he preached in Aramaic. 

*Tongues are like prophecy but spoken in an unknown tongue. Its origin is not in the human will. It is not a human choice. “Prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet 1:21). The believers praying in tongues did not say what they like. Tongues are a gift of God the Holy Spirit. Its origin is heaven. Men speak as ‘moved’ by the Holy Spirit. In Greek, the word ‘moved’ means to carry along, to lead, or to bear. Prophecy and tongues come from the Holy Spirit who moves on. They are a sign that the believer is making spiritual progress that is evident to all.

*Tongues are a sign to the unbelievers. The unbeliever is shocked to hear a man speaks like a baby, in a language that is mysterious and strange. The unbeliever may mock the believer, but he cannot avoid feeling that this is God working in the believer. It surely attracts attention to the unbeliever like the burning bush attracted Moses to go closer, until God spoke from the fire.

*For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Cor 14:14, 15).

When you pray in tongues, your spirit prays but your mind, your understanding is passive. It is ‘unfruitful’. You cannot pray in the Spirit except you pray in tongues. You must pray or worship in both ways: with your mind and with your spirit. Each form of prayer has its own function. Praying and singing only in a known tongue will limit your expression. Praying and singing only in tongues is also not spiritually healthy. You must combine these two for the best effects to you and to others. 

*Singing spiritual songs in your heart is done mostly in tongues. ”Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph 5:18-21). When you are filled with the Holy Spirit your heart and speech changes. You speak and sing spiritual songs. You become extremely grateful to God. You become humble and submitting to others.

*Praying in tongues is also called praying in the Spirit. “Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom 8:26, 27). The Holy Spirit helps us because we are weak and do not know what to pray about. These groanings of the Holy Spirit in the believer who prays are almost always expressed as tongues.

One of the curses of disobedience is to be conquered by a nation whose speech you do not understand. That is why to an unbeliever, tongues remind him of war, of the killing of the elderly, and the children; tongues are a spiritual sign of poverty and failure. “The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you” (Deut 28:49-51). To an unbeliever tongues remind him of exile, suffering, and poverty.

When used in public, in the church, The gift of tongues should be regulated. It has the same value as the gift of prophecy. It truly edifies and strengthens the church. But tongues must be interpreted. If there is no one with a gift of interpretation of tongues, the believer who speaks in tongues should keep silent. But when used in your private worship with God, tongues do not need an interpretation.

“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues” (1 Cor 14:39). We are commanded to preach the Word. We are encouraged to desire to prophesy. But with tongues, we are not to forbid them. Many speak in tongues during the time they got baptized with the Holy Spirit. After that, they stop speaking in tongues. Many feel shy about tongues in public. Some have mocked them, and they have been hurt. But we are commanded not to forbid, hinder, or prevent speaking in tongues. Tongues require self-control. If the conditions are fulfilled, praying in tongues is good. Everything must be done in order and peace must reign in the assembly.

TONGUES ARE A SIGN OF BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit most believers manifest that holy experience with the gift of tongues. It is the only gift that proves the baptism of the Holy Spirit Note that not all believers manifest the baptism of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues. In the early church, any believer who spoke in tongues, all knew that he has received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It should be the same now, but the devil has corrupted this beautiful gift and there are many false brethren who speak in false tongues. The following are some examples of baptism of the Holy Spirit manifested as speaking in tongues:

At Pentecost, the believers spoke with new tongues and people laughed at them saying, ‘what could this mean’?

“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance… And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? …  Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine” (Ac 2:1-12)

About ten years later, when Peter went to the house of Cornelius, the new Gentile converts, received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues and magnify, praising God. “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God” (Ac 10:44-46). Tongues are a worship language used to ‘magnify God’. The words ‘to magnify God’ means to enlarge, to increase, to extol or make God great. This was a great audible miracle because these people were Gentiles. They did not know the Old Testament psalms. But suddenly, they were openly praising Jehovah God with tongues and with words of exalted praise.

When Paul went to visit the brethren at Ephesus, he prayed for them and laid his hands on them to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. They spoke in tongues, and they prophesied (in a known tongue). “Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So, they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So, they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied” (Ac 19:1-6)

*The scripture about tongues that Paul quotes in 1 Corinthians 14:21 is taken from the book of Isaiah. “For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” and, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear” (Is 28:11, 12). God says that the people of Israel have rejected the ‘refreshing’ message of His prophets. For doing that, God sent them into exile where they will hear orders given into an unknown speech, which is the Babylonian language. They do not understand the foreign language of their conquerors. They suffer punishment through people who speak ‘in tongues’. Paul compares God’s judgment of His people and their painful exile to Babylon, to speaking in tongues. Each time an unbeliever hears a believer praying in tongues, he will not think of heavenly things. He will think of God’s judgment, like living in a land where he is a foreigner among foreigners. Symbolically, to an unbeliever, tongues is the language of a man without God, without family or friends. He will panic and reject the tongues. Only a believer will appreciate and receive the gift of tongues of the Holy Spirit.

THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

“… to another the interpretation of tongues…” (1 Cor 12:10).

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to understand a language that you have not learned.

Some people know more than one language. They can translate from English to French, for example. That is not the gift of interpretation of tongues. This gift is not a translation from one known language to another. It is not a gift of translation word for word. It is a gift of interpretation of tongues. Speaking in tongues is a miracle. The interpretation of tongues is also a miracle. Both are utterances coming from the Holy Spirit and using the mouth of the speakers. Their minds are passive. These gifts are connected but they come separately. Not every tongue has an interpretation. The gift of interpretation of tongues is necessary only when the believer speaks in tongues in a church, or in a prayer meeting. The purpose is so that the church is edified. Praying privately in tongues does not need interpretation. The individual believer is edified even if he does not understand what he is saying.  

*In Greek, the word ‘interpretation’ also means ‘explanation’. An interpretation is a declaration of the meaning of something. It means to clarify something that is hidden. It is not a word for word translation. The interpreter has more freedom to use his own words to describe the meaning of the message in tongues. He can even interpret it through proverbs, poems, or songs. Tongues is like instrumental music. Interpretation is adding words to the music. Together, the instruments and the voices make a beautiful worship song.     

*To Interpret tongues is to explain mysteries. Tongues are received from God. They are a ‘vertical’ divine gift. No man understands the conversation in tongues between the believer and his God. The interpreter of tongues must also be a believer who has access to God’s presence. He receives the interpretation from the author of tongues. Then he can tell people what God speaks thru the message in tongues. 

*Tongues and interpretation are twins. They can live separately but they work better together. They are divine gifts of the Holy Spirit. They bring the atmosphere of heaven down to earth. They should not be despised or ignored. They should be desired and prayed for. It is our duty and responsibility to pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. These gifts are not for fame or fortune. We are not to become selfish with our gifts. They edify the church and prepare the way for revival. We should not be shy in speaking out, through tongues, interpretation of tongues, or prophecy. “6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Tim 1:6,7). In Greek, the word ‘stir up’ means to rekindle a fire that is dying down. God gave the fire! It is our duty to keep it burning stronger!

*God conceals and God reveals. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter… God is praised for being mysterious; rulers are praised for explaining mysteries” (PV 25:2; NKJ, CEV). In Hebrew, the word ‘glory’ is ‘kabod’. It means the heaviness, and the splendor of God. God is all powerful and mysterious. Man cannot totally know God. To whom God reveals a little from His riches of glory, that man becomes a royal priest in Christ. Men discover that they are too little in the presence of God. They need to humble themselves because they are totally depended on God. This humility is the result of God’s hiding Himself. Overfamiliarity with God is sin. His mysterious power and grace increase God’s glory. That is why we worship Elohim, God. The kings ‘search out matters, understand and explain mysteries so that they rule over men with wisdom and justice. Men are happy when their rulers fear God, are wise, faithful, and protect them from enemies. The wisdom and the discerning of the good kings increase their honor. This honor is God’s gift to them and to the people under them.   

No man can know God without God’s help and revelation. “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deut 29:29). God hides Himself by His glory. No man can see God and live. The prophet exclaimed: “Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior!” (Is 45:15). God cannot be discovered by man, no matter how intelligent man is. “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom 11:33).

*Some people ask, if God sends a message in tongues to the church, and another interprets it, the result is the same as a prophesy. Why does God not just give a gift of prophecy to one believer? That will simplify the matter. First, I am not God. I do not know why God decided to give these different gifts. But my personal opinion is to speak a prophetic word in public requires greater faith and more courage. God warned His prophets not to draw back from prophesying exactly what He is saying. By giving the same message in tongues, the speaker does not know the gravity of the message. And the interpreter may ‘blame’ the speaker for the ‘strong word’. In this way, God can warn, discipline, and say any difficult word even thru immature believers who are shy to speak in public. God’s wisdom is unsearchable! To Him be all the glory!   

HOW DOES THE DEVIL ATTACK THE GIFT OF TONGUES AND INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES?

There are various ways in which Satan works. Generally, he attacks believers when he thinks it will be to his advantage. This includes the time after a great spiritual experience, or right before someone is going to begin a new spiritual venture. He also attacks when believers are weak and vulnerable, either physically and/or mentally. Satan also likes to attack believers when they are alone. The devil attacks the gift of tongues through ignorance or confusion of their value and power. The devil also gives a counterfeit gift of tongues to his agents. If a believer imitates that fake gift, he may speak in tongues, but his tongues do not edify anyone. This is a practical test, if after a session of praying in tongues you do not feel stronger, then it was fake tongues. Just religious drama!  Remember this: true tongues always strengthen you spiritually!

The devil attacks the believers with selfishness and pride. The believer speaks in tongues to attract attention from others. Remember that these gifts are from God, given to strengthen and edify all the believers in a local church. These gifts are not a reward for labor, they are gifts of grace. These gifts do not prove that God has approved your ministry. They are not given to make money or fame. They are gifts given to God’s servants! We are to serve God and the Body of Christ with our gifts. Reject ignorance, confusion, pride, doubt, and selfish ambition! Watch and pray! God will help us stay humble, faithful, and useful to Him!  

MY TESTIMONY

I was saved in March 1986, and Spirit filled a month later. Because I did not attend a church and did not know the Bible, I had no idea that there are gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have not heard of tongues until about 5 years later. I did not understand the gift. I thought that I did not need it. Slowly, the Holy Spirit helped me to see its value. I prayed for it. It did not come immediately. I had to cooperate with the prayer request and truly desire it in my heart. I also needed to surrender my mouth and tongue to God and have faith that He will take control and use it. I did that. Then tongues came. I did not understand what I said, but I felt good, happy, and spiritually stronger. I now pray in tongues and in English about 50-50. When I feel like praying, when the push to pray comes on me, but I do not know what to pray for, I pray in tongues. I continue to pray until I feel the burden has left me. If I did not have the access to the gift of tongues, I will feel very uncomfortable and frustrated, like a man who is constipated (sorry for the example, but as a medical doctor, it is the best I have). Each time I pray in tongues, I forget people and I feel closer to God. It is not a show for men to see and admire. It is an intimate language of love between Jesus and me. I love it! To God be all the glory!

THE CURSE OF BABEL (Genesis 11)

When God made Adam and Eve, He gave them a heavenly language. Even after they had to leave the Garden of Eden, Adam carried with him the language God gave to him. This was the only language humanity used until the Tower of Babel. At that time, men wanted to gather in an unholy unity to rebel against God. The fact that they spoke only one language helped them to gather together. The heavenly language God gave Adam became the source of man’s strength to fight against God. God came down to see what men were doing. He did not destroy the tower. God destroyed the language that kept them together. Men started speaking many languages and could not understand one another again. There are about 7000 languages in the world today. These many languages separate men from one another. At Pentecost, with the birth of the Church, God restored the heavenly language He gave to Adam. That language is the gift of speaking in tongues. This gift unites the believers. God can trust His children with His heavenly language once more. Believers now understand one another in the Spirit. Tongues, therefore, are a blessing to the church, the reversal of the curse of Babel. Praise the Lord!

JOSEPH THE INTERPRETER (Genesis 40)

“And they said to him, “We each have had a dream, and there is no interpreter of it.” So, Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me, please” (Gen 40:8).

Joseph was a dreamer and an interpreter of dreams. These gifts are similar with the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues. 

Read Genesis 40. We find Joseph in prison. He interprets the dreams of two royal servants. This chapter about dream interpretation seems long. We feel like we do not need it. But God appears here in the center of the chapter. It gives us a glimpse of a true believer living in hard times, but faithful to God and to God’s gift to him. The last time Joseph interpreted dreams it ended in painful rejection and hatred from his brothers. Will Joseph talk about dreams again? Yes! Joseph has forgiven his brothers. He believes that he has a responsibility to stir his prophetic gift of interpreting dreams to men.

Joseph was a gifted man. He was also a faithful man. God gave him dreams and the gift to interpret dreams. As a young man, Joseph had two dreams in which his family was bowing to him. His brothers hated him because their father Jacob loved him more. They also hated him for his dreams and for the interpretation of his dreams. They sold him to Egypt as a slave. He was innocent of Potiphar’s wife’s accusations, but he was put in prison. The prison officer saw that Joseph was gifted in administration and put him in charge of the welfare of the king’s prisoners. Two of Pharoah’s personal servants, the baker, and the cup bearer, offended their master and were thrown into prison. These two men were not ordinary servants. They were high rank personal servants to Pharoah. They each had a dream. They were worried that in prison there was none who could interpret dreams. Interpretation of dreams was the unique work of the magicians at the royal court. Only the king could use them for his personal spiritual needs. But Joseph, a prisoner like them, interpreted their dreams accurately. In three days, both their heads ‘were lifted up’. The cup bearer was reinstated back to his position. The baker was hung and died. happened as Joseph said.

Two years later, Pharaoh had two dreams and no magician could interpret them. The cup bearer remembers Joseph and recommends him to Pharoah. Joseph’s gift of interpretation brings him before the king. He was faithful to stir his gift even when forgotten by men. Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharoah and gave advice how to protect Egypt from the coming famine. None was wiser or more discerning than Joseph. Pharoah promoted him to be the Prime Minister of Egypt. Thru his wisdom, faithfulness to Jehovah God, and to application of his spiritual gifts, Joseph saves Egypt from destruction and his family from death.

Lesson from Joseph: Joseph helped the cup bearer when he was in trouble. But the cup bearer forgot Joseph. Ingratitude is sin. Be humble, and faithful to God! Never forget ‘God factor’. God speaks to men thru His Word, thru dreams, prophesies, or tongues. God gives men the gift of interpretation of dreams, prophesies, or tongues. Joseph was a man of faith and noble character. His gift of interpretation of dreams may seem like a small gift but it brought him before great men. Joseph told them that only Jehovah God can speak and interpret dreams to men. None in Pharoah’s palace could claim such a thing. These gifts are not for sale. But using them faithfully God will open the door for your promotion. Joseph’s gifts could not be used by him. Joseph sees the future of these two men. It is clear to him. But he cannot see his own future. For 13 years Joseph waited in slavery and imprisonment. The man of God knows only what God wants to reveal not what he wants to know! Even when the interpretation is good or bad, Joseph is a faithful interpreter. Lesson: be faithful to God’s Word and vision for your life. Stir the gift that is in you. In God’s time, the gift will make room for you to meet your destiny helper. “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (PV 18:16).

The test of obscurity: lessons: God is with you and will not forsake you. Even when men forget you, God will not forget you! How is God showing mercy to Joseph? Potiphar put Joseph in the special side of the prison where the king’s prisoners were. There are times when it seems that we are forgotten by God and man. But God does not forget. True success is not a matter of where you are. True success is a matter if God is with you. God’s blessing is not always connected with pleasant circumstances. You must pass the test of obscurity. All people that God used in the Bible have learned to pass this test. Look at Moses, David, Apostle Paul, and others. Jesus lived in obscurity for 30 years before He started His public ministry. Serve God without self-pity. God blesses us with times of obscurity. The character is prepared in the desert. Serve God always. Be faithful to God to the end! Your hope must be in God alone! God’s Word tests us in obscurity! Your labor for God is never in vain!

“He sent a man before them— Joseph—who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him, The ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions, To bind his princes at his pleasure, and teach his elders wisdom” (Ps 105:17-22).

Worship the Lord!

During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The gifts of the Holy Spirit (2)/ Discerning of spirits and prophecy. Her main scriptures were taken from the Books 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 13:1-13; 14:1-25; Matthew 15:21-28

I HAVE ETERNAL LIFE

“This is what He promised us, even eternal life”(1Jn2:25).

Eternal life is more than life without end. It is more a quality of life than quantity. It is a new type of life, found in Christ alone! As a Christian, I experience it now, even before I go to heaven. It is taking each moment to do God’s will and not mine. Each day is an opportunity to pray and ask God: ‘What is Your plan for today, my Lord?’ Once He tells me, I obey it. New adventures manifest that are beyond my imagination. Each event, good or bad, be sickness or meeting people, become doors to the Spiritual realm that bubbles with life, light, peace and joy. Miracles become as ‘normal’ as my daily bread.   

In the past, as I do my will, life becomes boring and tiresome. But now, as I obey God’s word every moment, He reveals to me new ways of progress, peace, and prosperity I never dreamed about. My life becomes a sweet powerful spiritually romantic adventure with Jesus as my Lord. It is indeed much more than I can ever think or desire on my own. Eternal life is an overcoming victorious and all satisfying life because it is the life of God. This is a fact none can deny: because in Christ I have eternal life, I can never be a loser. I am an eternal winner. I never need a ‘plan B’. This eternal life is a wonderful promise to all His children. Money cannot buy it and man cannot give or take it away from you. If I forget any another thing, I can never forget this: I am a Child of God! I have eternal life! In Christ alone! To God be all the glory!

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – INTRODUCTION

These gifts are special supernatural abilities given by God, the Holy Spirit. They are royal family gifts. By using them we resemble Jesus and God, our Father. They are a witness that our salvation is supernatural. These abilities are not natural. The Christian is not born with them. They are not gained thru the study of the Bible or education in general. A pastor or an elder can pray and lay hands on a believer who desires gifts. But no man can give these gifts. They manifest the atmosphere of heaven on earth. These are Grace-Gifts. In Greek, the word ‘gifts’ is ‘charismata’. The word ‘charis’ means Grace. These gifts are not rewards for labor and are not merited. They are free gifts from King Grace! The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. He gives them according to His will and depending on the need in the local church. God can give them to baby Christians or to the mature ones! The gifts give glory to God! They increase the unity of the Body and the manifestation of miracles.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – 1 Corinthians 12 (continued…)

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all… But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor12:4-7; 11).

There are different gifts, ministries, and activities in the church. In Greek, the word ‘ministries’ is ‘diakonion’, from which the word ‘deacon’ comes. It means a helper, a servant waiting to serve his master at the table. The word ‘activities’ comes from ‘energy’. It means that there are many ways of working in the church to produce an effect. The common denominator is The Holy Spirit, who is the source of all these gifts. 

*These gifts ‘manifest’ openly for the good of all the members in the Body of Christ. The word ‘manifest’ is like a light shining in the darkness. Once the light shines, people see and everybody in the church rejoices. The gifts are not for the profit of only one person. They are not given to make the recipient rich or famous. They are for the benefit of all people in the church. No one should be envious of other people’s gifts. The Holy Spirit knows best who to give to and what particular gift to give, all for the common good and for God’s glory!

*The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. The word ‘sovereign’ means to have the highest power and to be independent of others. Man can pray for the gifts, but The Holy Spirit gives these ‘as He wills’. You see that the Holy Spirit is a Person and not just an influence! Selah!

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:13). The Holy Spirit is One. The Body of Christ is One! But there are many ‘members and many gifts’ in the Body! Even with so much diversity, there is no confusion or division in the Body. The Holy Spirit is the only common Unifier. All the members of the Body need one another for the Body to function well. Some members seem ‘weak’, less honorable, or unpresentable. God gives them special covering and help. Others are stronger and more presentable. They do not need special attention. But all the members are flexible and care for one another. This cooperation between all the members is the explanation why the Body is one! If one part suffers, all others suffer. If one part is honored, all others rejoice and congratulate that one. This unity of the Spirit is supernatural and extremely powerful!

*A common mistake about the gifts is that they represent God’s approval upon the people who have received them. This is not true!

*Finally, the devil cannot counterfeit the fruit of the Spirit, but he can fake some of the gifts. There are false prophets and false miracle workers. The devil loves the gift of prophecy, miracles, and the gift of tongues in particular. Be careful! Look for the fruits and not only for the gifts!

*This is a reminder that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural. Be careful not to ignore them or reduce their power to the natural level!

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

“… to another discerning of spirits…” (1 Cor 12:10).

The gift of ‘discerning the spirits’ is the supernatural ability to know the spiritual source behind prophecies, teachings, preaching, and miracles. The word ‘discerning’ means ‘to pass judgment’ like a judge in his court room. This gift has a smaller manifestation than the Word of Knowledge and the Word of Wisdom. Through this gift, the believer suddenly knows what spirit is behind that preacher, that teacher, that prophet, or that miracle worker. It is not just a form of ‘common sense’, or a natural ‘discerning’ of a situation. It is the ability to know that the person speaks by the Holy Spirit or by evil spirits. The gift is totally supernatural. This gift removes the mask that covers the person. The believer knows and sees the spirit motivating the speaker. It is not a natural gift of fault-finding. It is not discerning the character, attitude, or what a person is thinking. For example, it is not observing that a person is greedy or selfish. It is discerning the spirit behind the person. Only God can reveal such a spirit.

The purpose for this gift is to give power to see the spirit behind the person and to make the right decisions based on truth. It is useful in prayer and deliverance. The discerning of spirits does not immediately result in deliverance. You need to be led by the Holy Spirit to do that. The gifts of prophecy, tongues and interpretation of tongues have a human component. They are under the control of the believer. But the gifts of the word of knowledge, wisdom and discernment are totally independent of the believer. They come suddenly as The Holy Spirit gives them in His sovereign will. Once you see and you know God’s revealed truth, you are free from deception, and you win the battle!

Some sicknesses are natural. Others are demonic, especially mental afflictions. Jesus applied this gift especially when dealing with evil spirits:

Ex. “He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matt 10:1).

Ex. A woman is delivered from a spirit of infirmity: “And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God” (Lk 13:11-13)

This gift is necessary to know how to pray, or how to relate to people. For example, a pastor may look good outwardly, but behind the good presentation, there may be an evil spirit of religion. We are too easily deceived by appearances. To know that truth, you need to test the spirits because they are not all from God. To test the spirits, you need time. The gift of discernment of spirits reveals the truth in an instant. Never forget this: the devil is God’s enemy. He uses his agents of darkness to perform miracles. Many are deceived by that. “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (2 Thess 2:9, 10). Loving God’s Word, which is truth, is the sure protection against the devil’s agents who perform fake miracles to bring you into bondage.  

There are three kinds of ‘spirits’: There is God the Holy Spirit, there are many evil spirits, also called demons, and there are the human spirits. Man has three parts: the body, the soul (his personality) and his spirit. When he becomes saved, the Holy Spirit activates, quickens his human spirit which is neutral in nature. The human spirit can be influenced by the Holy Spirit or by evil spirits. The gift of discernment of spirits gives the believer the power to see what spirit is behind the human spirit: God or demons. Once you see the truth, your relationship with that person changes immediately.

In the story of King Ahab and King Jehoshaphat alliance for war, prophet Micaiah displays the gift of discerning spirits. God opens his eyes to see that the false prophets of Ahab speak by the power of a lying spirit. “Then Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right hand and His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?’ So, one spoke in this manner, and another spoke in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.’ The Lord said to him, ‘In what way?’ So he said, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him and also prevail; go out and do so.’ Therefore look! The Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you” (2 Chr 18:18-22). His prophecy based on the gift of discerning the spirits proved to be true. The gift of discernment gave The Prophet Micaiah boldness to stand and not be intimidated by the royal court false prophets. King Ahab rejected Micaiah’s gift of discernment. He went to war and died the next day.

There are people who are involved in witchcraft. They claim to see spirits behind events or people. Such information is from the devil who is a liar. Reject that! What the witches claim to see, is false information. The gift of discernment of spirits is the real gift that reveals the truth. Selah!

EXAMPLES OF THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

*Apostle Paul went to minister to Sergius Paulus, the governor of the island of Paphos. He has an assistant called Bar-Jesus or Elymas. Through the gift of discerning of spirits, Paul suddenly knows that this man is a sorcerer. Elymas withstood Paul, preventing him preaching to the governor. Then Paul withstood Elymas and placed a temporary blindness on him. This miracle helped the governor believe that Paul is a true man of God! “When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord” (Ac 13:6-12). Here you see Apostle Paul manifesting the gift of discerning the spirits and the gift of miracles. The blindness that came upon Elymas was a miracle performed by Paul. Its purpose was to slow down Elymas in his wicked work of deceiving the governor about salvation in Christ.

*By the same gift of discernment of spirits Paul identifies a (python) spirit of divination in a girl at Philippi. Paul confronts and rejects the demon. The girl became free. “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities” (Ac 16:16-19).

In both these stories, the gift of discernment of spirits prepares the way for the Gospel to be preached.

WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS EVIL SPIRITS?

Totally avoid occult practices. Do not go to places where they invoke evil spirits. For example, do not read the daily horoscopes in the newspapers. They claim to tell your destiny based on the movement of the planets and the stars. This information is not just useless. It is evil and dangerous.  Also, do not attend the so called ‘prophetic’ meetings where the name of Jesus is not honored. Do not listen to people who tell you that they can read your future. Do not go to shrines or ‘native doctors.’ Do not be curious about sin. Test the spirits before you trust men with your soul. Study the Word of God and apply it in your life daily. Fast and pray if you are confused. God will reveal the truth to you! Trust God alone! There is freedom and power in the name of Jesus!

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY

“… to another prophecy… “ (1 Cor 12:10).

Prophecy is a divinely inspired and anointed utterance, in a known tongue. It is a gift given by the Holy Spirit. It is totally supernatural. It comes with heaven’s authority. It changes lives. The way a blind man receives sight, prophecy is a miracle. The effect is as powerful.

In Greek, the word ‘prophecy’ is prophēteia. It means the gift of communicating revealed truth with authority. It also means prediction, which is a statement about the future. In Greek, prophecy means ‘to speak for another’. In other words, when you prophesy you speak for God. Your mouth becomes God’s mouth. For a moment in time, you are God’s spokesman. In Hebrew, the word ‘prophecy’ is ‘naba’. It means to speak or sing under the influence of a spirit. The true prophets spoke under the influence of the Holy Spirit. The false prophets spoke by evil spirits. The word ‘naba’ describes a fountain of water that bubbles up from the earth. It also means to go down, to let drop thick honey or rain from the clouds. The third meaning of the Hebrew word for prophecy is to lift up banners with mysterious words on them. As you can see, prophecy is a speech from God, words that go up, or go down, passing thru a human vessel. The word ‘prophecy’ appears 22 times in these 4 chapters (1 Corinthians 11 to 14). From among the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the word ‘prophecy’ appears more often than all. This is to tell us the importance of this gift and why we are told to desire it.   

Out of all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the devil loves to attack prophecy. The attack comes in many forms. The most common is ignorance. Many Christians are ‘ignorant’ of the value, power and need for prophecy in the church. This ignorance is often a spell from evil spirits. The devil also attacks by producing false prophets. He gives a counterfeit prophetic gift to his agents. These entertain people with stories about the present or the future. These preach false doctrines. They do not honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Many believe them. Later, they discover that they have been deceived. This deception ends in bitterness and regret. The result is that from that time on, they reject all prophecies, even the true ones.

We are commanded not to despise prophesies. To despise it means to reject, ignore, or regard prophecy with contempt. Prophecy seems a useless or a bad thing. It is our duty to test all spirits and to differentiate the true from the false. The true prophecies should be received with thanksgiving as a gift from God. The false prophecies should be rejected. Being careless with prophesies quenches the Holy Spirit. This is a serious sin. The Holy Spirit will stop moving in a church. Ministry is affected. The supernatural signs and wonders cease in the assembly. No more miracles. That is a sad and dangerous situation in any church. “Do not quench [subdue or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good” (1 Thess 5:19-21; AMP).

A false prophet may enter into a trance to be able to prophesy. This trance can be ignited by smoking marijuana or taking some drugs. During the trance, the prophet is only partly conscious of his environment. False prophets are entertaining but extremely dangerous. They cause disorder and confusion in the church. It is not so with the gift of the Holy Spirit. When a believer exercises the prophetic gift of the Holy Spirit, that action does not take over his will or his personality. He prophesies and he remains himself. He can stop the prophetic speech at will. True prophesies unite the brethren in the bond of peace. “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Cor 14:32, 33).

There is a difference between the office of a Prophet and the gift of prophecy given by the Holy Spirit. Any believer can receive prophetic words to give to the church. But not every believer who prophesies is a prophet. There are many believers who prophesy but there are few prophets. In the Old Testament, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, these were true prophets.  In the New Testament, a prophet is a gift given by the Resurrected Christ to the Church (Eph 4:11). But the gift of prophecy is given to the believer. A prophet prophesies more often and more accurately than a believer who has the gift of prophecy. His words affect cities and nations. In the church, especially during prayer meetings, ‘all may prophesy’. But not all are prophets. “For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged” (1 Cor 14:31).

The office of a prophet is second only to that of an apostle. It is intimately connected with the person. But the gift of prophecy is only a tool in the hands of any believer. Many believers who have received the gift of prophecy became proud, selfish, and ambitious. They expect honor from others thinking that they are prophets and leaders in the church. This attitude will always bring trouble at last.  

PROPHECY AND PREACHING

This is another error: many people say that prophesy and preaching the Word are the same. They are not. Preaching is the result of preparing a sermon. The mind and the emotions of the preacher are involved. “Preaching is communicating truth though personality” (Philips Brooks). The preacher follows a pattern he has prepared in his mind. Preaching is done with the power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. But it is not the same as prophecy. The gift of prophecy may interrupt the preaching of a sermon, but it is separate from it. As the preacher goes on preaching his sermon, suddenly, the congregation has this impression that God is speaking directly to them. The preacher feels a sense of God carrying him and his words. The prophecy is not part of the sermon he has prepared. Suddenly, the wind of the Holy Spirit starts to blow, and His fire starts to burn. A sermon that seems boring, suddenly, it becomes fresh and exciting. The congregation feels the presence of the Holy Spirit and they are revived. Prophecy is always supernatural. The command is to preach the Word, not to prophesy. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). We are not commanded to prophesy. That is the gift of the Holy Spirit and can come anytime as God wills it.

Like the rest of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, prophecy is a grace gift. Grace is given only to the humble (Jam 4:6). The more you humble yourself, the more you become available to receive this gift. Prophecy is connected with the faith of the believer. Faith regulates the level of prophecy. To prophesy above the level of your faith is sin. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith” (Rom 12:6). Doubt is a sin. It brings guilt upon the one who prophesies outside the boundaries of his faith. “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).

THE THREE MAJOR BENEFITS OF PROPHECY IN THE CHURCH (1 Cor 14:1-5) – BUILD, STIR AND CHEER UP

The gift of prophecy has three major benefits in the church. It is given for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the people in the church.

*Edification means to build a strong house. The gift of prophecy builds the church, by giving strength to grow spiritually in the unity of the Spirit.

*Exhortation means to stir up, to encourage the brethren in the church. This word is similar to the office of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter!

*Comfort means to cheer up, to bring joy in the time of trouble.  

In other words, the gift of prophecy from the Holy Spirit is given to build, to stir and to cheer the church. Amen!

A prophecy is a sign and a gift given to all people in the church, but especially to believers. Thru prophecy, the believer is encouraged that God is in the midst of the church. The unbeliever is convicted of sin and repents and worship God saying, ‘God is truly among you!’ (1 Cor 14:21-25).

On the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came down and formed the church, the gift of prophesy was given to many, both men and women. Peter preached his first sermon. He quoted Prophet Joel’s prediction.  “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy” (Ac 2:17-18).

It is possible that you have heard prophetic words in the past. What did you do with them? It takes faith and boldness both to prophesy and to believe prophecy. May we desire to speak for God, so that the church will be strong, stirred and encouraged! Praise the Lord!

A GENTILE SHOWS HER FAITH (Matt 15:21-28)

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matt 15:21-28)

This story of this mother looking for help, for healing of her daughter, is one of the sweetest in the Bible. She was from Canaan, a descendant of the people Israel met in the Promise Land. She was from an accursed race. She was to be killed by Israel. But against all odds, she survived. She is a mother. Possibly, now a widow. Her daughter is severely possessed by an unclean spirit. That means the girl is totally useless, physically, and mentally. The girl was ‘a psychiatric’ case. Even today, there is no medical cure for such an infirmity. The girl needed deliverance. The only Person who can deliver her is Jesus. This woman hears about Jesus. We know that Jesus ministered to people from Tyre and Sidon (Mk 3:8). It is possible that others told her that Jesus is the Savior. He has the power to heal and deliver. She sees Jesus as her last and only hope to help her and her daughter. They both need help. If the daughter is healed, the mother will be free from anxiety and depression. Jesus wanted to rest in someone’s house, close to the region of Tyre and Sidon. These were pagan cities. These are ports in today Lebanon, along the Mediterranean Sea. Queen Jezebel was also from Sidon (1 Kg 16:31).

This woman comes to Jesus knowing that she has nothing to impress Jesus with. She also knew that she has nothing to lose. She is asking for mercy.  She comes crying for help and falls at His feet. She honors Jesus and calls Him, Lord. She also calls Him by His prophetic Jewish Messianic name: Son of David. She is a Gentile woman but, in her heart, she is like a Jewish woman. Through her cries she disturbs everyone. The disciples get angry and urged Jesus to send her away. They do not care for the pain of a pagan mother.  Initially, Jesus keeps silent. The woman does not take that as rejection. She continues with her cries. Then Jesus tells her that she is not in the area of His ministry. The Jews call the Gentiles ‘dogs’. She does not take offence at that. She continues to worship Him and pleading for help. She accepts the negative word ‘dogs’ and answers Jesus that even the dogs need to eat something. Because of this answer of faith, Jesus heals her daughter. How did Jesus heal the daughter who was far away? Just by His will and power. The woman believed Jesus, went home, and found the daughter healed from that hour, ‘lying quietly on the bed’ (Mk 5:30). Glory!

What are the lessons for us?

The woman came to Jesus knowing that He is merciful and all powerful. She totally believed that. She walked to Jesus asking for help. She knew the principle of common grace, that God blesses even His enemies. She was a humble woman. She knew that she is an enemy to Jehovah. She had nothing to offer to Jesus. Like Rahab in Jericho, she came as an enemy who had faith in the conqueror. She knew the Word of God. She believed that Jesus is the Great High Priest who is merciful (to sinners like her) and faithful to God (Heb 2:7). She decided to obey the invitation that was given to God’s children. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). She needed help in her time of need. The word ‘help’ describes the action of frapping a ship. During storms, the sea men go under using chains to tie the ship so it will not scatter. At the throne of mercy and grace we find the merciful Great High Priest who is able to gather the broken pieces of our heart and make us whole. This woman needed the mercy offered by the merciful Great High Priest, Jesus. Mercy is kindness offered to an enemy when he falls into your power. She got that. She got mercy. Her daughter’s healing was a product of mercy.

God rewards the prayer of faith, humility, and perseverance. God rewards prayer made in an attitude of worship. God rewards an attitude of holy ‘boldness’ in prayer (Heb 10:35).  

Lesson: Do not be offended by Jesus! When Jesus called this woman ‘dog’ she ‘barked’ in agreement. She did not argue with Jesus. She believed that He must be right even if He insults her. This is great faith! Do not draw back. Have faith! Even if men reject you, Jesus will help you. He cares for people who suffer. It is wisdom to overlook an offence. “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (PV 19:11; NIV). This woman ignored the offence because she loved her daughter and wanted her healed. Jesus said: “Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me” (Matt 11:6). In Greek, the word ‘offended’ is ‘skandalon’ from which ‘scandal’ comes from. The word means a stumbling block, the reason you fall into sin and backslide. The Jews were offended by Jesus; by His birth without a father, by His lack of formal religious education, by His simple appearance in public, by the company of people that followed Him, whom they called ‘sinners’, by His doctrines, especially claiming that God is His Father. They hated His Grace, by which He forgave sinners. They hated it when he said that only by His Blood they can be saved. The disciples of John the Baptist were offended also because Jesus did not fast like their master. Even today, many Christians are offended by Jesus during times of pain and persecutions. They are offended when Jesus keeps quiet and does not answer their prayers. Jesus says that you are blessed, happy, if no matter the trials in life, you abide in Him and His words abide in you.

It is only two times that Jesus recommends people of Great faith and both of them are not Jews. One is this woman and the second is the Centurion whose servant Jesus healed (Matt 8:10). This Gentile woman teaches us that staying with Jesus, even when you do not understand His words or His ways, is still the best place in the universe! That place at His feet, is the place of answered prayers and miracles. May we find the strength to abide in Him always! Worship the Lord!

During the Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The gifts of the Holy Spirit (1)/ Wisdom and Knowledge. Her main scriptures were taken from the Books 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; 2 Kings 5:1-27

WE ARE FOR SIGNS AND WONDERS

We shall study the gifts of the Holy Spirit as a point of contact for more miracles in our midst. To God be all the glory!

“Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel From the Lord of hosts, who dwells in Mount Zion” (Is 8:18). In Hebrew, the word ‘sign’ is a flag, a monument. The word ‘wonders’ is a miracle. Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, the Captain of the heavenly army, is the Father of these supernatural children. God’s children are courageous and strong soldiers, just as their Father. They are supernatural miraculous children. Zion is a place of worship. The children are all worshippers, and they make visible progress!

 “For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying: “I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly, I will sing praise to You.” And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me” (Heb 2:10-13). Jesus Christ is Jehovah Sabaoth. He is the Captain of our salvation. As God He is already perfect. But as Man, He was made ‘perfect through suffering’. Our Savior and Captain has suffered on earth and died on the Cross, to gain complete authority as Man, to lead us to glory! Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins. Salvation is a relationship with God. It is becoming one with Jesus. In suffering, in sanctification, in praises, and in faith, we are one with Christ and share in His glory!

God told Moses to use his rod as a point of contact of miracles. “The LORD said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders (miracles) which I have put in your hand, but I will harden his heart and make him stubborn so that he will not let the people go” (Ex 4:21). Doubt sees just a wooden rod. Faith sees the miracle power in it. Doubt uses the rod only to lean on it. Faith uses the rod to separate the Red Sea. Doubt sees just a hand. Faith sees the miracle in that hand. What do you see?

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4). When we become saved, we are not just sinners that have been forgiven. We have been adopted by God. We become truly children of God. We receive the same divine nature as our heavenly Father. The relationship is as real as the earthly relationship of parents and children. But the difference is that our relationship with God is eternal. God’s divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, and His precious promises, so that we may become partakers of His divine nature. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are heavenly miraculous powers given to us so that we resemble our Savior even more!   

“Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn 3:1, 2). In other words, ‘like Father, like son’. We are supernatural in nature. God has given us gifts so that we are like Him. We are the gifted children of the Eternal, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient God!

“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Heb 2:1-4). We are commanded to meditate upon this ‘great salvation’ paid for by the Son of God with His Blood. The miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit bear witness to this wonderful salvation!

As Jesus was baptized in Jordan, the Holy Spirit came on Him like a visible Dove. He gave Him all the supernatural gifts needed for ministry. Before the Baptism, when He was working as a carpenter in Nazareth, Jesus did not need the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But now, as His public ministry started, He needed them and He used them in full force. The Pharisees became jealous on Him not because of His theology, but because of the supernatural wisdom and power He displayed. “When He had come to His own country (Nazareth), He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?” (Matt 13:54). It was the gifts of the Holy Spirit that attracted the people. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Ac 10:38). Everything Jesus did was thru the Holy Spirit and His gifts.

THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12)

*These gifts are special supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit, so that we resemble God, our Father. They are a witness that our salvation is supernatural. These abilities are not natural. The Christian is not born with them. They are not gained thru the study of the Bible or education in general. A pastor or an elder can pray and lay hands on a believer who desires gifts. But no man can give these gifts. They are always gifts from heaven. They manifest the atmosphere of heaven on earth.

*The gifts of the Holy Spirit are Grace-Gifts. In Greek, the word ‘gifts’ is ‘charismata’. The word ‘charis’ means Grace. Therefore, these gifts are not rewards for labor; are not merited. They are free gifts from King Grace! God can give them to baby Christians or to the mature ones!

*The Holy Spirit is sovereign in distributing these gifts. He gives them according to His will and depending on the need in the local church.

*We are commanded not to be ignorant about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To be ignorant means to lack knowledge or awareness of something that is relevant. Ignorance is never a virtue to boast about! An ignorant man does not know something that he should know. He lacks knowledge that is useful. Other words similar to ‘ignorant’ are to be dumb, foolish, or illiterate.  The opposite of being ignorant means to be educated, experienced, smart, well-informed, or brilliant. Why this warning? It is because many Christians are ignorant about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. They don’t know what these gifts are or their value. They think that they do not need them. Many believers do not properly understand their power in serving God. Paul says that in the past, the Corinthians were led by ‘dumb idols’. The word ‘dumb’ means to be mute, speechless, or ignorant. The religious unbelievers were ‘carried away’, led into error by these mute idols. It gives the picture of a young man, seduced by a beautiful but foolish woman. He is led by his eyes. He walks in the flesh and not in the spirit. The young man is ignorant of the dangerous path he has entered. This is the ‘walk’ of all unbelievers. But the believers, “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). Faith comes by hearing God’s word. We should be led by the voice of the Holy Spirit that comes thru the reading, preaching, and teaching of God’s Word. Spiritually speaking, the ears are more valuable than the eyes. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17).

*The gifts of the Holy Spirit do not remove from the basic knowledge of Christianity. The gifts are addition and not subtraction to your Christian life. No one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Paul warns the believers that some things are basic to true faith. They should not be confused by vocal gifts. The Holy Spirit came to earth to glorify Jesus. He can never make anyone insult the name of Jesus. Before He died, Jesus said this: “He (The Holy Spirit) will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (Jn 16:14). No man can believe in his heart and confess with his mouth that Jesus is his Savior and Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit. One of the Ten Commandments is not to take God’s name in vain. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the LORD will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power]” (Ex 20:7; AMP). In Hebrew, the word ‘vain’ means to call God’s name jokingly, and without the due respect for His Person. No matter how great a prophet is, or how much he speaks in tongues, anyone who disrespects the Lord Jesus Christ, is of the devil. This warning is necessary because the gifts can be so attractive that people forget the basics. Doctrine matters! Gifts are an addition to preaching and teaching good doctrine! Selah!

*These gifts are from God, the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they do not come with sorrow or regret. “The blessing of the LORD brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God]” (PV 10:22; AMP). In Hebrew, the word ‘sorrow’ means hard labor without profit; this is the work of a slave who works without seeing any progress in life. These gifts are not for unbelievers. They are royal gifts for God’s children. These are always profitable to the members of the Body of Christ, and to the recipient of the gift. These gifts connect you with important people. It opens the door for you to meet people who will help, favor you, and become your friends. ”A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men” (PV18:16). “Many will seek the favor of a generous and noble man, And everyone is a friend to him who gives gifts” (PV 19:6; AMP). You become a blessing to many in your generation!

*The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given only to the members of the Body of Christ. Everything God does has a purpose, and it will not fail. That means Christ wants us to have and use these gifts for two basic reasons: for unity and miracles working in His Body. These gifts are different. But they do not divide the Body. They in fact unite the Body. These gifts are profitable to all the believers in the Body. Christ needs us to use them so that the supernatural will manifest in the church. Being ignorant of the gifts of the Holy Spirit limits the manifestation of miracles!

*The fruits of the Holy Spirit are common to all. The Christians have different levels of maturity, but the fruits are the same to all. Because the fruits depend on our paying the price for spiritual growth, in a way, the fruits are not supernatural. But the Gifts are always supernatural.

*Some believers say that once you are born again and Spirit filled, you do not need gifts. They do not press on to receive and function in these gifts. That is a mistake. It grieves the Holy Spirit, and it hurts the Body. The supernatural element is missing in the local church. Even if the pastor preaches the right doctrines, the lack of the supernatural presence of God is damaging to the Body. Because of mistakes in the past, and some extremes behaviors, many pastors fear the manifestation of these gifts. They quench the Holy Spirit thru their fear and ignorance!

*The gifts of the Holy Spirit manifest greatly during seasons of revival!

*See these gifts as the eyes of Jesus, and the hands of Jesus. By using these gifts, you see what Jesus saw when He was on earth. You touch the way Jesus touched the needy and the sick. The power that flowed thru Jesus 2000 years ago, is now available thru the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Gifts always come with supernatural power. They are not just human talents. God gives His power thru the gifts so that heaven will come down to earth. You say that you don’t need these gifts? In other words, you say that you don’t need eyes. You are still alive, but you are blind. Is that the life you want?

*When Peter healed the lame man at the beautiful gate, he was conscious of having the gift of healing. He was confident that this gift was more valuable than silver and gold. Why? Because money is from the earth, but the gift of healing is from heaven. “And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength” (Ac 3:4-7). This gift of the Holy Spirit is what Peter calls ‘what I have’.

*Eagerly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit so that you bless the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:31; 14:1). The words ‘eagerly desire’ mean passion in pursuing these gifts. If you believe in God, then you believe in miracles. If you believe in miracles, then you believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit!

*There are three basic lists of gifts of God. We find them in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 14:1-25; in Ephesians 4:11-16; and in Romans 12:3-8. These lists are not exclusive. The Holy Spirit is very creative in giving gifts that help the Body of Christ!

NINE GIFTS IN 1 CORINTHIANS 12

1-GIFTS OF REVELATION AND INSPIRATION (VOCAL GIFTS)

*Word of wisdom *Word of knowledge  *Discerning of spirits  *Prophecy  *Tongues *Interpretation of tongues

2-GIFTS OF POWER (ACTION GIFTS)

*Gifts of healings  *Working of miracles *Faith

FIVE GIFTS IN EPHESIANS 4 (Eph 4:11-16)

*Apostles *Prophets  *Evangelists  *Pastors *Teachers

SEVEN GIFTS IN ROMANS 12 (Rom 12:4-8)

*Prophecy  *Ministry (serving) -deacons  *Teaching *Exhortation  *Giving money *Leadership  *Showing mercy

THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit” (1 Cor 12:7, 8).

Knowledge is generally defined as knowing facts and truths, in a particular field, acquired through education and experience. The ‘Word of Knowledge’ is different. It is a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit by which the Omniscient God reveals a truth to you directly from heaven. This knowledge is not general. It is a revelation of knowledge that applies to a particular situation. God knows and sees all things. God tells you something about a person or a situation. You do not acquire this revelation thru your wisdom, the study of the Bible or prayer. Like a flash in the dark night, this word comes to you. Light shines in the darkness and suddenly, you know the truth. For example, you know where a man is, or what is in his heart. This gift is useful in making the right decisions in life, in ministry, and during prayers.

EXAMPLES OF THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

*Elisha tells the King about the positions of the Syrian army. When the Syrian king became angry, one of his servants said to him: “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom” (2 Kings 6:12).

*John the Baptist said about Jesus: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29).

*Peter suddenly knew who Christ was. “He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 16:15-17)

*Peter knew what Ananias and Saphira did in secret. “Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Ac 5:3, 4).

*While on the Island of Patmos, John received word of knowledge about the churches in Asia Minor. He then wrote it in the Book of Revelation.

Because the word of knowledge is from God, using it in ministry humbles you. You give God all the glory for using this knowledge!

THE WORD OF WISDOM

Wisdom is generally defined as the ability to apply knowledge and experience to make the right decisions. The Word of Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is the ability to use divine knowledge to make correct decisions according to God’s will. Therefore, the word of Knowledge and the word of Wisdom are connected. Supernatural wisdom is not an increased natural wisdom. It is a separate gift given by the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, you know something, and you also know how to practically apply that knowledge for the glory of God, and for the common good. The Word of wisdom is given by God who is all-wise. The Word of Knowledge shows past events. The Word of Wisdom shows future events. The Word of Wisdom gives the believer a glimpse of the future, of the plan and purpose of God for that future.  Both gifts are divine and miraculous.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Rom 11:33-36).

God’s wisdom is deep, rich, and unsearchable. The word ‘deep’ means profound, mysterious. It is not found on the surface of things. It takes great effort and sacrifice to dig the hills to find gold. The casual seekers, the mockers of divine things, can never find God’s wisdom. This wisdom is rich. The word means abundant wealth and prosperity. Men look for money. But God invites us to appreciate His wisdom and to desire it. God’s wisdom is richer than gold. His wisdom is ‘unsearchable’. His ways are ‘past finding out’. God’s wisdom cannot be found by man thru exploration or education. His wisdom has no limit. Only God can give a Word of Wisdom, by His grace, to whom He wants.

“Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure” (Is 46:9, 10).

God knows everything. His knowledge is perfect, the eternal truth. When God judges a matter, He never makes mistakes. He applies the truth in the way that it will give Him all the glory! God’s wisdom never fails because He is the only One who knows the end from the beginning. For example, when Jesus called His 12 disciples, one among them was a traitor. Even from the beginning, Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. God’s wisdom is connected with God’s sovereign will, and His everlasting purpose for His creation. It manifests clearly in the calling of His elect.

EXAMPLES OF THE WORD OF WISDOM

*The Word of Wisdom is given to warn about future danger. Noah was warned about future judgment with water. He had faith in this word. He built the ark that saved his family. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Heb 11:7)

*The word of wisdom came to Lot through angels. He believed it. His sons-in-law did not. They were mockers. They perished in the fire (Gen 19)

*Joseph interpreted the dreams for Pharaoh. He gave him a word of wisdom about the future. He told him what to do, to avoid tragedy. Joseph says to Pharaoh: “And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine” (Gen 41:32-36). Through this word of wisdom, Joseph became the prime minister. He saved Egypt, himself and also his family.

*All the prophets received warnings and words of wisdom about the future of the nation (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel etc)

*Paul was going on the sea to Rome. He warned the captain of the ship not to go at that time. His word of wisdom was ignored. Then there was a great storm. They all lost hope. An angel of God comes to Paul with a second word of wisdom: “After long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore, take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island” (Ac 27:21-26). This time, the captain obeyed Paul. Just as Paul said, the ship was destroyed but all were saved on the Island of Malta. Ignoring a Word of wisdom has consequences. Obeying it ends in safety and victory.

WASH AND BE CLEAN – THE HEALING OF NAAMAN (2 Kings 5).

Naaman was a great Syrian general. Tradition says that he was the one who drew an arrow at random that killed King Ahab (1 Kg 22:34). Hamman became famous in Syria. He was as famous as Joseph and Egypt or David in Israel. His name means ‘pleasant to look at’. Probably Naaman was a handsome man. But he has leprosy. It is like saying that this is a beautiful wife but she is a prostitute. Leprosy was a terrible deadly disease. It disfigured the handsome Naaman. Soon, he had to stop leading the armies. It ended into a slow and painful death. There was no cure for it. During a war with Israel, he had captured a Jewish girl who became his wife’s maid. She told him to go and meet the prophet Elisha who would heal him from this incurable and terrible disease. The Syrian King gave him a letter of introduction to the King of Israel. Naaman went to the King of Israel but was openly refused. No king can heal leprosy! Then Naaman went to the house of Elisha with all his chariots and great entourage. He was waiting at the door when Elisha sent him a word of wisdom! Elisha did not come out to greet him. The prophet’s word should be enough for Naaman. The prophet sent a message thru Gehazi that Naaman should go to the Jordan River and deep himself seven times. Then he will be healed. This is a Word of Wisdom. Naaman was angry that Elisha did not come out to greet him and to do some religious acts. He had his own ideas of what a prophet should do. His ideas were taken from idols. Now, he has to learn that Jehovah and His prophets are different. He could lead an army, but he could not control Elisha. To be healed, he had to humble himself. He obeyed Elisha and he was healed. Elisha refuses payment for this miracle. Gehazi, who is Elisha’s servant, coveted the money and ran after Naaman. He lied to him. Naaman gave him money and some expensive garments. Elisha, through a Word of Knowledge, confronts Gehazi about his sin. He and his family became leprous.

As you can see, there are at least three gifts of the Holy Spirit manifesting. Elisha is a prophet. He receives a word of wisdom for Naaman and a word of knowledge for Gehazi. God told Elisha that Naaman shall be healed in the future if he obeys this word. Because it applies to a future action, it is a Word of Wisdom. In Gehazi’s case, God gave Elisha a word of knowledge about an event that has happened already. The purpose of these two words is to give miraculous power to Elisha, to deal with both situations instantly, and according to God’s will. He healed a foreigner who had faith and he judged a Jew who did not have faith. This is a picture of the church of God. In Christ, there is no Jew, no Gentile. We are all one, saved by Grace and through Faith. Both gifts manifested by Elisha show the power of God in action. After being healed, Naaman said: “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel” (2Kings 5:15). What impressed Naaman was not just his healing but the power of God’s Word spoken by Elisha. Naaman was not only healed physically, but he became saved too. He promised that he “will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord” (2 Kg 5:17). The prophet’s word and the healing gives glory to God!

These are some lessons:

*The slave Jewish girl was not bitter with her situation. She advised her master who has captured her how he can be healed. She had faith that God will use Elisha the prophet to perform a miracle. Her faith was proven to be true.

*The King of Israel behaves as a man without faith. He gets angry when he sees Naaman’s need. He does not even think of Elisha the prophet.

*Naaman is proud and rich. He comes with money and gifts. When Elisha did not come out to greet him, he got very angry. His pride and anger almost destroyed his chance of receiving his miracle. The clean rivers of Syria stand for human wisdom. The muddy waters of Jordan stand for God’s power. This is the foolishness of the Gospel. He who believes, shall be saved, and healed! Selah!

*Naaman’s servant was humble and wise. He convinced his master to have faith in the word of wisdom from the mouth of Elisha!

*Elisha has no money and no titles. But Elisha has the power of God! That is all that matters!

*This is a proof that God is a God of miracles. Naaman repented of unbelief, pride, and anger. Naaman finally believed. Then he was healed.

*Elisha refused payment from Naaman. He wanted to prove to Naaman that salvation is by Grace, not by works or money. A servant of God should be careful when to receive and when not to receive gifts from people. Selah!

*Gehazi’s greed cost him his health. He received the leprosy that departed from Naaman. His sin affected his descendants. If Gehazi wants Naaman’s money, then he should want his leprosy too. This was divine justice. By asking for money, Gehazi grieved the Holy Spirit and injured Elisha’s testimony as a man of God. Elisha could not heal Gehazi. God always punishes greed and lying. Gehazi lost his health, his testimony, and his ministry. He joined the rank of Ahithophel, Judas, Ananias and Saphira.

*There are two miracles performed by Elisha: one is divine judgment and the other is divine mercy! This is a great contrast between the servant of pagan Naaman (who had faith in God’s Word) and Gehazi, Elisha’s servant (who sold his birthright for money).

*God takes all the glory for the conversion and healing of Naaman and also for the punishment of Gehazi!

*Jesus uses this story to preach about faith. He tells the Jews that a foreigner like Naaman had faith but the Jews who had leprosy did not have faith to be healed. “And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian” (Lk 4:27). The Jews got angry at this word and drove Jesus away from Nazareth. It is possible that Jesus never went back to Nazareth. After living with them for 30 years, they still did not believe in Him. Faith is not a product of familiarity. It is the gift of God.

“Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper” (2 Chr 20:20).

Believe (confirm, support) in Jehovah Elohim, and you shall be established (upheld, confirmed, stand still). Believe in His prophets and you shall prosper (be successful, you will win the victory, you push forward, make progress in life)

Naaman was proud. It was hard for him to trust Jehovah’s prophet. Elisha was probably living in a simple house. He may not have been a wealthy man. But with all his money, fame, and status, Naaman could not find a cure for his leprosy. His boss, the Syrian king could not help him. The king of Israel could not help him too. When the rich and famous, could not help Naaman, it was hard to believe that a poor, simple man like Elisha can help. But trusting in God’s prophets is the key to breakthrough and progress in life!   

Naaman had to experience the withering power of the Holy Spirit. “All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Is 40:6-8). This is the experience of all the saints. Once the Holy Spirit starts the work of convicting of sin, the pride of the flesh starts to ‘fade’. It is an extremely painful experience. Like the wind, the breath of Jehovah blows upon the flesh and its pride-flower falls. The Word of God ‘stands’ forever. The word ‘withers’ means to be disgraced, ashamed, confused and disappointed. The pride of life cannot endure the Wind and Fire of the Holy Spirit. It must bow! But in the midst of this fading glory, one thing stands unshakable: it is the eternal Word of God! Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity! God is no respecter of persons (Ac 10:34).

Generally, God uses people that seem foolish to the men of the world. The message they preach, the Gospel of Christ Crucified and resurrected in seen as foolishness to the world. The worldly wise ask themselves: how can a carpenter who died naked on a cross 2000 years ago be able to save my soul today? Or be able to heal my incurable sickness? They do not see the truth about Jesus. Their wisdom acquired through education and philosophy has failed them. God has destroyed their wisdom and exalted the wisdom of the humble believers in Christ. Why? To humble the proud, so that they shall not glory (boast) in God’s presence!

With all his wealth and fame, Naaman did the right thing. He took the road a sinner must take to make peace with God! First, he did not hide his leprosy. Everyone knew he is leprous. His wife, his household servants, his king, his soldiers and servants under him, they all knew that this man is sick unto death. At that time, leprosy did not have a cure. Leprosy was not just a headache or a toothache. It was like a sin unto death. It was a slow and painful death. Soon, Naaman could not be a soldier again. Leprosy was like sin; it had no human cure. Only God could heal him. But which God? Naaman decided to find that God. He openly came to Elisha. It was not at night like Nicodemus. It was in the day with all people to see. Naaman was not ashamed to seek God for salvation and healing!

God was working in Naaman’s life, but he did not know then. He allowed the leprosy to afflict his body. God shut down any form of help from the wise and the rich. Until Naaman arrived at the end of himself, until he humbled himself, he could find no solution to his problem. God humbled him. He saw his need as a sinner. The Holy Spirit convicted him of sin. Leprosy is a symbol of sin. For as long as Naaman stood proud, in defiance against God, he could not find peace or healing. “God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble” (Jam 4:6). Humbled, he went to Jordan River and dipped in its muddy waters 7 times. Seven is the number of Perfection. It was not the water that healed him. It was the God of Elisha who spoke the Word of wisdom. He got healed, body, soul, and spirit. The guilt and shame of leprosy left him instantly. He has a new mind of peace with God! Here we see that God helps those who cannot help themselves! Naaman had to bow to Jehovah, to the God of the country he has conquered with his army. He could conquer the people, but he could not conquer their God. Naaman had to bow not only to Jehovah God, but also to Jehovah’s prophet, Elisha. Once he humbled himself, the healing was instant! He then openly praises Jehovah God! May his story humble us too! Come to Jesus! Receive His total salvation! Be born again! Be healed! In Jesus’ name! Worship the Lord!