1 Cor. 12:8-10
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Why are the Manifestation Gifts so important?
I mean, we have the motivational gifts… we’ve got the ministry working…what’s so important about the Manifestation Gifts?
The Church has skirted the challenge of today:
By referring the Alcoholic to AA
…. The emotionally distraught to psychiatrists
… the family domestic disputes to psychologists
… the uncontrollable teenager to juvenile court
... the mentally unbalanced to an asylum
When all the while… CHRIST has commissioned us, the Church, His body… to have the answer, and the answer is: Jesus Christ!!!!
So the reason the Manifestation gifts are vitally important is because they will enable us to bring the ANSWER.
They are OUR Weapons of Warfare!!!
2 Cor. 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Memorize this: the Gifts of the Spirit to the believer are what the stone was to David when he slew Goliath.
They are what the jawbone of an ass was to Samson when he slew 1,000 men.
The modern church seeking to win the world from slavery and bondage of the devil without these instruments of God’s power is like trying to defeat a modern army barehanded, without weapons.
Mt 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Zec 4:6 ….Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Gifts are broken down in 3 categories:
A. Power to Know: (to reveal, or information)
Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Discerning of Spirits
B. Power to Act: (to do, action)
Faith, Healings, Miracles
C. Power to Speak: (to utter or vocal)
Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Prophecy
A. Power to Know:
1. Word of Wisdom
Definition: It is a wise and supernatural utterance spoken through the operation of the Holy Ghost.
It applies the Prophetic Revelation of God’s Word or the Holy Ghost’s wisdom to a specific situation or problem.
Wisdom is often needed to determine the correct application of the truths of the Scripture, and the most effective manner of applying them to this generation.
2. Word of Knowledge-
Definition: The immediate supernatural awareness about people, circumstances, or facts in existence which cannot be seen, heard, or revealed naturally.
3. Discerning of the Spirits-
Definition: a spiritual gift that supernaturally enables a Christian believer to distinguish between holy and unholy spirits through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This gift is thought to be especially necessary in instances when individuals may need to be delivered or healed of demonic oppression.
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Now this verse is not talking about having the Gift of Discernment.
“try the spirits” TEST them… the test was… those who say that Christ did not come in the flesh, (incarnation) were not of God.
So the TEST had to do with their doctrine preached.
Said all that to say this: YOU don’t have
To have the gift of Discernment to know
Whether a preacher is of God or not.
You can simply tell it by what they preach
Or don’t preach.
HOWEVER…. More and more, we’re going to have to have the Discernment of the Spirit in this last day.
WHY? Because there is less and less distinction between the world and the church!!!!
(See Gifts of the Spirit Part 4 for contination of this subject)
