09/08/2024
Unfortunately, some can even misuse their gifts in a public setting to control others. suppose you are in a lively gospel meeting. Everyone is rejoicing and shouting and praising God. All of a sudden someone raises his hands and yells, " Thus saith the Lord." He then delivers a supposed prophecy.
I want to believe the bible as explain details in 1 Corinthians 14 for a detailed study of the proper functioning of the gift of the Spirit in public gatherings.
In every gospel meeting there are all sorts of people present, and each one operates from a different level of spiritual maturity. we must learn to mature ourselves in the Spirit and hear the voice of the LORD accurately. We must not accept an operation of the Spirit just because the majority of the people seem to be ecstatic about it. Do not follow the mood of the people; follow the move of the HOLY SPIRIT.
If you have ever realize whenever a person gives a prophecy, everyone in the meeting screams, "Yes!" But your spirit says, "No!" If you are not strong in the spirit, you may be swayed by such hyper-flesh moves and prophecies.
Now listen to this!
why would the majority accept such a prophecy as from the Lord? One of the reasons is that some have been mesmerized by spiritual gifts instead of being influenced by godly character. Some people become so awed by an exciting display that they do not stop to discern what is true and what is false. They do not realize that Jesus taught that we will know the servants of God by their fruits, not by their gifts. Matthew 7:20.
please take note. I am not discounting the gifts of God in any way, for they are priceless to the body of Christ. However, we must mature in the realm of the spirit. We must understand the character of God so we can know when the gifts are in true operation.
lastly...
One of the attributes of the HOLY SPIRIT is that He will always exalt JESUS not another human being.