THE SIN OF FORBIDDING THE GIFTS
It is a sad reality that the God instituted gifts of the Holy Spirit are forbidden in Churches today. This is not only wrong but SIN.
Major : It is SIN to VIOLATE the WORD OF GOD.
Minor : Forbidding the gifts of the Holy Spirit VIOLATE the WORD OF GOD.
Conclusion: Therefore forbidding the gifts of the Holy Spirit is SIN.
\tIt is a sad reality in churches today that the gifts of the Holy Spirit rarely operate. There are many excuses and reasons why people hinder the gifts from being practiced today. In spite of all their reasons it is the believer’s responsibility to earnestly desire spiritual gifts and to reverence God’s Holy Word by being doers of the word and not hearers only.
\tBiblical order is one of the most important elements when dealing with spiritual gifts. Many times leaders lack in exercising proper biblical correction when things are done disorderly; this often leads to disastrous problems in the Church. Some have based their whole doctrinal stance on a bad experience rather than what Scripture teaches. They will bring to their remembrance a situation done out of order, and somehow come to the conclusion that all the God instituted gifts in the Church should be forbidden. Although this seems like the simple solution, is this what Scripture teaches to do? In 1Cor. 14:40 Paul writes, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” So, Paul is saying let all things, (referring back to the spiritual gifts) be done, yet when your in the process of letting it be done make sure it is done in a orderly manner. He did not want them to throw the whole issue out, but rather wanted them to be men in their understanding by dealing with their situations.
Some teach the gifts should only be done at home. This teaching was also formulated because of disorderly conduct in the Church. The problem with this thinking is that the gifts are approved in Scripture to operate in the Church. This type of logic is wrong, “It was done wrong in the Church; therefore, do it somewhere else.” Yet correct logic says, “It was done wrong in the Church; therefore, correct it and do it right.”
Some leaders just do not want to deal with the gifts at all. One of the reasons why leaders do not want to deal with the gifts is simply because of their own ignorance. In 1Cor. 14 it speaks about two particular groups: the unbeliever and the unlearned. It is possible to be a believer, and yet still be ignorant of the gifts. In fact in 1Cor. 12:1 Paul writes, “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not want you ignorant.” It’s the leader’s responsibility to earnestly study all the Scripture.
A fast growing view in some Churches is the concept of an after glow. The after glow is when they have a Church service and then directly following the service they let the gift believers stay after and pray while the rest of the Church leaves. In this concept they really do not seem to have unity within the Church. They seem to have certain parts of the body separated from the whole group. There are no scriptural examples of this concept being done in the Church.
Another major reason why leaders have forbidden the gifts has to do with fear. Fear prevents leaders from correcting errors in the church. Correcting errors can be
offensive to the one being corrected. It also can at times be intimidating to the leader who many times has to discern the operations of the Spirit versus the operations of the flesh. Sometimes when the gifts are in operation in the Church, it opens the door for all kinds of wackos to show up. Yet, when the counterfeit shows up it is so important that the genuine gifts of God operate the more. So, when dealing with the misuse or abuse of the gifts, the only right way to deal with it is according to Scripture.
I thank you, for this well written article on gifts. The Holy Ghost only works through His gifts in the church. He does not work though the flesh. If gifts are missing power is missing too. His gifts do glorfty Jesus and not man. The only way Jesus will be glorified is through His Gifts. Satan brings fear of gifts to the church to keep it powerless. thanks again
I recently read about a man that had some prayer cloth in the mail. The letter told him to take the cloth rub it on his forehead put it under his pillow and if he had some sick relatives wipe them with it. Then he was told to send it back in a green envelope. (Paraphrase)
I read another article about a man who wore a nice suit drove in a limo and had ten body guards……
Then you have those who say watch this video to see how evil they are…..
For some reason people feel as long as they put this first it gives them an OK to speak evil.
These are just big smoke screens, put all this junk aside and let’s see what SCRIPTURE TEACHES.
Does God change his mind about the gifts? In Rom.11: 29 it says, “The gifts and callings of God are without repentance.” God does not change his mind about his gifts and his callings. There is not the slightest inference that gifts would cease at the end of the apostolic age (Guy Duffield ). Many of those who forbid spiritual gifts teach that when Paul writes, “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away” (1Cor 13:10), he was talking about the complete compiling of Scripture. Wallace comments on this verse in the following way:
Although there can be no objection grammatically (for the adj. would naturally be neuter if it referred to a thing, even if the inferred noun were feminine, such as graphe), it is difficult to see such a notion in this passage, for this view presupposes that (1) both Paul and the Corinthians knew that he was writing scripture, and (2) the apostle foresaw the completion of the NT before the Lord’s return. A more likely view is that “the perfect” refers to the coming of Christ. (Daniel B. Wallace 295)
According to the Scripture there is no evidence that the gifts would cease during the Church age.
Lastly,
Some groups do not think the gifts are important today. They will make comments like, “I just want the greatest gift of love not anything else.” Although their comments sound super spiritual, they do not even understand the least of the gifts and some how always want to claim to have the greatest.” It is a known fact that Scripture teaches that Christians need to have balanced lives. I have personally been exposed to Church groups that tend to focus on one part of the Bible: it is all about worship, it is all about the word, it is all about the gifts, and these extremes go on and on. All that I am trying to say is that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are one necessary part in maintaining a balanced Christian walk.
Some say since the majority of Christian Churches do not practice the gifts, it is an indication that they do not have to allow the gifts. The problem with this thinking is that Christians should not base their obedience to God’s Word on a statistic but rather on what Scripture teaches.\t
Some have claimed because there is not much Scripture written about the gifts it is not important. First of all, the amount written in Scripture does not mean one part is more important that the other. If this were true than the virgin birth would not have much value, but to the contrary it is one of the foundational beliefs of the Church.
\tThe gifts of the Holy Spirit should be practiced regularly today because of the
simple fact Christ instituted them. The gifts are not only for the recipients’ benefit but to
edify others. “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1Pet.4:10). “For I long to see
you, that I may impart some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established” (Rom.1:11).
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1Cor12:7).
Is it sinful to forbid the gifts today? It is sin to violate Scripture. Forbidding the gifts violate Scripture. Therefore it is sin to forbid the gifts. When Paul is dealing with the order of the gifts in 1Cor.14 he goes on to say in verse 37, “If any think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write you are the commandments of the Lord.” Just after Paul claims that his writings are the commandments of Lord, he writes two verses later, “Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not the speaking with tongues” (1Cor.14:37). Paul also writes, “Despise not prophesyings” (1Thess. 5:20). So, when despising true prophetic ministry or forbidding Spirit led tongues you are not just coming against man but rather violating the Lord’s commandments. Scripture also says in 1Thess.5:19, “Quench not the Spirit.” Benjamin Keach writes the following:
If this be so, take heed you do not quench the Word or the Spirit of God; which you may be said to do: 1. By abating of the Spirit’s heat in its operations, or by diminishing of lessening the graces and good motions thereof, when the Spirit loses the vigour of his operations, as when zeal decays, convictions wear off, and affection die; this is like slaking the heat, and lessening the burn. (Keach)
\tLastly, when dealing with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is very critical that believers rest all final authority upon what Scripture says. When people lean upon their own understanding, they often find themselves on the path of error. Although their intentions may be genuine they can still find themselves in sinful thinking. For wrong theology is sin (Fick 4). Teach, preach and practice what Scripture says and forbid only when Scripture forbids. Where Scripture is silent remain silent. As obedient servants of Christ, earnestly desire Spiritual gifts.
FORBIDDING GIFTS = SIN
I guess you just want some feedback?
THIS IS BIBLE DOCTRINE.
IF YOU AGREE GREAT.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE PROVE YOUR BELIEF BY THE BIBLE!!
The gifts are without repentance. In other words, you can flow in the gifts and be preaching error, living in adultery, etc. Your heart doesn't have to be right with God to expel devils and heal the sick in Jesus' Name. When we put such emphasis on the imperativity of "Gifts! Gifts! Gifts!" we float into dangerous waters and reveal something of an immaturity we have in the understanding of the things of God. A superficiality. Everybody seems to harp on and on about the gifts. Are they ceased? Should we forbid them? But you don't hear much equal passion when it comes to developing and displaying and thirsting after the unflashy, undazzling [i]fruit
But Jesus said you'd know them by their fruit, and not their gifts. Friend, I say this with complete reverence - I could really care less about the gifts (and this is coming from a Pentecostal), if solid fruit hasn't first been established in the life of the believer. I've seen zealous "newborns" in Christ go after the gifts with an inordinate enthusiasm, argue whether or not they should be in operation, only to fade away in a year or so because they never had an appetite to sprout a root for fruit.
My experience has been instead to go after holiness and righteousness and purity and godly obedience and true Christian humility, self-denial and loving submission to the voice of God and those he has placed in authority over you. This is first and foremost! Oh, soaking oneself in the Word of God is the utmost priority over everything else in the Christian walk, I believe. From here we get power, wisdom, humility, daily inner-man renewal. If we do not take heed to these things first, we can flow in the gifts (forbidden or not) in the wrong spirit. This must take priority over the quest for gifts and whether we should forbid them or not. When your heart is right with God and you are operating in a spirit of charity, and you earnestly ask God, the gifts will supernaturally manifest when needed and the question of forbidding or not will no longer be a question. The Holy Spirit will bear witness, and people will either accept or reject. The people's division over whom to attribute miracles was the same in the time of Christ walking the earth, and things haven't really changed. But, as you seem to have put forth as law, is it a blanket sin to forbid the gifts? Well, I don't believe in all cases.
If I knew that a certain man was living in sin without repentance and moving in the gifts in a congregation I had a pastorate over, I would forbid his ministry in a heartbeat. I wouldn't want an unrepentant fornicator laying hands on a dear sheep God has entrusted to my care and prophesying something over him or her.
Because nobody moves in [i]unforbidden
Brother Paul
Paulwest,
I just wanted to simply present a biblically based view on the gifts. If you want to talk about fruits wait for me and I’ll post a paper on the fruits. All that I did was present a logical paper on the gifts. I’m sorry if I offended you, I’m new to this site and I thought it would nice for someone to see a logical paper on the subject instead of, “I CAN FEEL IT!! GLORY!! GLORY!!”
I am a preacher, and my message is Jesus Christ and him crucified, the blood of Jesus and the old rugged cross of Calvary. I have never preached the gifts in over ten years of preaching, I PREACH JESUS. Don’t get me twisted.
I’m sorry if I offended you
Ah, you haven't offended me, brother!
The point is, gifts often get blown out of proportion. I wanted to lay down some sobriety here. Nothing at all personal against you or your ministry.
Welcome, by the way! This site is a blessing.
Brother Paul
Enid,
I was not going to say anything but, what are you trying to say??
Enid Quote, “I guess, don’t know, just guessing, that most want to be fed the word of God, instead of being fed up.
Are you trying to say my writings are garbage??
I write one article because I thought that’s what you do on this site and it seems like your trying to insult me.
If you want devotional what are you doing in doctrine??
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
In other words, you can flow in the gifts and be preaching error, living in adultery, etc.
Your heart doesn't have to be right with God to expel devils and heal the sick in Jesus' Name.
Acts 19:13-16 13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. When scripture deals with the name of Jesus, it just doesn’t mean to say his name. This is more of a Hebraic term for in the character/quality of (IN JESUS NAME)
When you say imperativity on just gifts your wrong our imperativite emphasis is on the BIBLE, BIBLE, BIBLE and we float into living waters that reveal something of maturity and understanding of God. A lot of people harp on issues when they are looking for truth.
It is true you might not see people earnestly desiring fruits. Fruits simply come by abiding in the vine. The fruits may seem unflashy to you, but to us the fruits stand out, because we are called to be fruit inspecters. This paper is not just targeting babes.
You talk about babes or you have to do this first..ect When Paul deals with the gifts and it's order he is trying to move them beyond baby stages.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Are you saying it is in your heart to offend people.
Some people just have to have the last word.
The gifts are without repentance dosen’t mean live a life of sin but rather God does not change his mind about instituting the gifts.
You're right, friend. My exegesis of Rom. 11:29 was not accurate. I did some research and found that "without repentance" has nothing to do with the minister, but with God who gives the gifts. When I saw this verse I had always thought of men like A.A. Allen who moved in the gifts while living in unrepentant sin. I've even heard Leonard Ravenhill make mention of it in this context. And, admittedly, if you read it in [i]that
Your heart doesn't have to be right with God to expel devils and heal the sick in Jesus' Name.
I stand by [i]this
In order to heal the sick and cast out devils in Jesus' Name, I propose that [i]gifts[i]false
Friend, all I am saying is you need to be careful. An over-exuberance concerning gifts [i]does
Can I take your silence in that matter as an agreement?
Brother Paul
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." - Mt 7:20-21 (kjv) ;-)
I know people who operate in the "gifts" and they live like arrogant devils. Thank the Lord that we'll be known by fruit and not gifts. All the talk and emphasis on "gifts" is partly the reason why the church is such an embarrassing circus today. I really hate threads like this. All they are designed to do is stir up controversy and generate strife.
Fruit. Forbidding the gifts equates to sin, you say? What about forbidding fruit in lieu of gifts? Pentecostal churchs all throughout the USA last Sunday did not forbid the gifts the Spirit - be it tongues, prophesy, healing, etc. yet all throughout the week and up to now I venture to say those same people are consistently forbidding the fruit of the Spirit from manifesting in their lives.
Do you know why? It's not flashy. Like Dr. Tozer said, fruit doesn't strut. Gifts strut. There's no "oohing" and "ahhing" when fruit blooms in the believer's life. It's too costly, too painful, too self-denying.
I say forget about gifts and seek God's humility. You'll never find a humble and lowly man or woman going on and on about gifts. Christians usually start making neddlesome issues about gifts when something else is deeply lacking in their walks. I'm sorry if this sounds personal - I don't know you - but it seems you are looking to provoke a debate on this forum of just this kind.
Brother Paul
This discussion is locked.
