The Gifts Are Not Perfect

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

The Gifts are not perfect.

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The gifts are not always perfect in manifestation, because they are manifested through an imperfect channel: men and women. The Spirit of God flows through us as water flows through a pipe. Sometimes as the Spirit of God flows through us something from our own personality gets mixed in with the divine flow. (After all, God uses personalities.).

God doesn't put a premium on ignorance or education, but He has to use the vessel as it is. I have seen the anointing of the Spirit of God upon one who is educated, cultured, and refined, and I was greatly blessed. On the other hand, I have heard interpretations of messages which included such words as "hain't," "ain't," "you'uns," and "we'uns." Those giving the interpretations could not go beyond their capacity. They used the best vocabulary they had. It was the Spirit of God in manifestation, but it was not a perfect manifestation.

A minister tells that in one of his services the interpretation of a message in tongues was: "My little children, don't be scared. But if you are scared, I don't blame you, because sometimes I get scared myself." Although this was not a manifestation of the Spirit of God, it does not mean that the dear one who gave it was not a Christian. 

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It does not even mean that she wasn't filled with the Holy Spirit, She wanted God to use her, but she was just speaking out of her own mind. Many times we let such manifestations scare a lot of good people off instead of giving people the right teaching. We need the operation of the gifts in our congregations. We need  everything God has provided, but we need to follow God's instructions for the proper use of these gifts so that "all things be done unto edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26).

Some excuse their spiritual excesses by saying, "I couldn't help that. The Holy Spirit made me do it." They blame the Holy Spirit for their being out of order. But the Holy Spirit, through Paul, has given us instructions so we know how to be in order.

Although we may be inspired to speak—we may have a message in tongues and interpretation, or even a word of prophecy—it is not always wise to jump up at any time. If our inspiration comes at an inopportune moment when it would not be edifying, then we should hold our peace. At the right time we can give what we have.

Many times when attending fellowship meetings and camp meetings where I was not the speaker, I could have spoken with tongues but didn't. The leaders of the meetings were men who knew God, who were filled with the Spirit, and they could give the message themselves. There was no need of my butting in from out in the congregation. In a large gathering if someone speaks in tongues or prophesies from the congregation, few hear it. If it comes from the platform, however, everyone hears it, and it is edifying.

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The inspirational and the revelation gifts are a product of both God and man. It isn't all God and it isn't all man. This is where many have missed the blessing of being filled with the Spirit. They could have spoken in tongues many years ago.

Some have said to me, "If I had known that I had a part to play in it, I could have talked in tongues 25 years ago. I had an urge to say something that wasn't English, but I thought if I spoke that out, it would just be me doing it. I have been waiting for the Holy Spirit to talk with tongues all these years."

However, He doesn't really talk with tongues. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that the Holy Spirit ever talked with tongues. Instead, we read that the Holy Spirit gives you utterance, and you do the talking. That is what happened on the Day of Pentecost: "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and [they] began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4). He gave them the utterance; they did the talking.

After hearing this preached, some people have asked me, “Why didn't someone tell me? I have been afraid to talk in tongues—afraid it would just be the flesh.” But when you talk in tongues, it will be you in the flesh. God said He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Everyone who ever talked with tongues was in the flesh, but he was inspired by the Spirit.

- Kenneth E Hagin ( The Gift Of Prophecy )

The same thing is true with the inspirational and revelation gifts of God. They are a product of both man and God.

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William James Roop

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

Brother Roop teaches the Bible

Three Types Of Tongues

Hello everyone.  Praise the Lord!

Here is an article by an unknown author that I wanted to share.

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES, BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES IN THESE.

1). Tongues as a sign to unbelievers (no interpreter) 

1 Corinthians 14:22, Acts 2:1-18- Language is unknown to the speaker but known to the hearer.

This is where a person hearing a tongue from someone in his own language, understands it, but the speaker doesn't understand and doesn’t speak this language at all. 

Every Christian can experience this through receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and as the Holy Spirit wills through you.

2). Tongues for personal prayer language (private use)

1 Corinthians 14:2, 14:4, 14:23 - Language is unknown to the speaker and unknown to the hearer, but the speaker can pray for private interpretation (see 1 Corinthians 14:13-15) It edifies and strengthens the speaker without interpretation. Also with private interpretation this gift also edifies one's understanding.

There are tongues for deep intercessional groaning that words cannot express Romans 8:26.

The language is unknown to the speaker and unknown to the hearer. When this type of tongues comes upon a person it comes with tremendous power to bring breakthrough or spiritual birthing of things. Galatians 4:19 This is the same as private prayer language but a deeper part of the personal prayer language but with an anointing.

Another type are war tongues anointed by the Holy Spirit to pray intensely and break demonic strongholds and attacks. 1 Corinthians 12:10.

Blessing your food 1 Corinthians 14:16. Singing in tongues (singing in the Spirit), but this is private prayer language but can be interpreted (see 1 Corinthians 14:15)

Every Christian can have a personal prayer language (speak in tongues) through receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17-18, Acts 2:38.

3). Gift of different kinds of Tongues, Ministerial Tongues (with interpretation, public use) 

1 Corinthians 12:10, 1 Corinthians 14:5- Language is unknown to the speaker and unknown to the hearer, but interpretation is given to the speaker or another standing by so that all that hear can understand and are edified. The speaker is able to speak different kinds of tongues as the Holy Spirit wills and gives the utterance. Also, it is a ministry gift and interpretation. The gift of different kinds of tongues can also be used privately and for intercession as the Holy Spirit wills to give the utterance. Not every Christian can have this gift of different kinds of tongues but can earnestly desire and ask God for it (1 Corinthians 12:31). Edited. Shared.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is still for today.

Mark 16:17-18 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; (18) 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.”

1 Corinthians 13:7-12

7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8.) Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9) For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10) But when that which is perfect (Jesus) has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11) When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12) For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

 

Which is the part that will be done away?

Verse 8-9 prophecies, tongues, knowledge, we know in part and prophesy in part.

When will it be done away?

Verse 10 But when that which is perfect (Jesus) has come, then that which is in part will be done away. Has Jesus come back yet? No. Verse 12 we are not looking at Jesus face to face yet. So prophecies, tongues, knowledge, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not done away with yet.

Verse 12 When we will “know as we are known” then we will not need those things.

Verse 8 Do we know anything today? Yes, we have knowledge today, so knowledge hasn’t ceased yet either.

Acts 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

 

1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 12:30  Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Only Christians can have these gifts as the Holy Spirit wills and non Christians can not.

Not every Christian can have all of the gifts of the Spirit in their life but as the Holy Spirit wills.

 

1 Corinthians 14:5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied. 

(Paul desires all Christians to speak in tongues and can ask God for it).

 

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all.

 

Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,(Build up your self by praying in tongues).

 

1 Corinthians 14:2 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.

 

1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue (edifies himself), but he who prophesies edifies the church. (Ministering to oneself, to God, and to others by speaking in tongues).

 

1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

 

1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (Do not forbid speaking with tongues).

 

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

People do not understand the blessing they are missing and by rejecting what God earnestly wants us to have.

Many will not understand the deeper truths of the Bible without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many want more of God and His presence. They desire God speaking to them and showing them things. This all comes with the experience of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that God still provides today and desires it for you. If you will just meet the conditions in the Bible and believe what the Bible says about it and ask God for it (Luke 11:13) you can have this experience.

God's promises are to be received and asked for in prayer by faith. Believe you received your answer when you pray. Do not doubt, believe what the promises of God say (Mark 11:23-24).

 

Some think if God wants me to be able to speak in tongues or any gifts of the Holy Spirit, then He will give it to me if He wants me to have it.

So, if we can say something like this, then why not be consistent and wait for God to give you salvation if He wants you to be saved? So, if you can believe God’s word about salvation and you take that, why not be consistent and believe God for the rest of His word and promises? He promised “to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him for it” Luke 11:13, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:1-7, Luke 11:9-13, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:38-39, Mark 11:23-24, Acts 10:44-48, Mark 16:17-18. Study these scriptures. Do not base your belief on wrong teaching saying that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased. They have not ceased, they are still for today. Do not grieve and quench the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19.

Do not stand on judgment day to answer why you opposed these promises God has given us.

 

Revelation 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;.

 

1 Corinthians 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

I pray this blesses you.

William James Roop

Hospice Care and Dying

The Trucking Tango

Brother Roop teaches the Bible

Books by William Roop