Hijacked?

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NASB

But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another  various  kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

As I enter the area of manifestations of the spirit, I want to open our minds to look at all the verses with new thought and reason.  I know that we have opposition on both sides. On one side we have those who reject any manifestations in the church and on the other side we have those who have abused God’s great gift to the church.  Then we have all those in between, who offer their own versions of spiritual manifestations.  This all leads to much confusion on the subject.  Then there are today’s pragmatic charismatic leaders and what I will call spirit filled churches (this includes all the various kinds of charismatic, Pentecostal churches).

Many of today's charismatic leaders and churches have taught and operated in an un-balanced manifestation of holy spirit. Many of their services operate in a frenzy of uncontrollable emotion.  Then those who reject the manifestations fight and often reject those who do believe in the manifestations, many times making fun of them. A large part of spirit filled churches thrive on spirit manifestations, right or wrong they encourage people to operate in what they call spiritual gifts. Even if the person really has no ideal what they are doing.  

Then there are groups and ministries who make you feel there is a greater glory given them to be exclusive in their gifts.  In many of these groups they call the manifestations, prophetic gifts. I have even seen some of them send out groups to other churches to operate in the manifestations, often with disastrous results. When someone questions what these groups are doing they are often made to feel like only that group knows how the holy spirit operates. 

Then there are those churches that seem to have the same people over and over operate in the manifestations often with ensuing problems. These people seem to be held in a higher esteem, ending in a prideful, puffed up person. I have seen people act as if they are more spiritual just because the holy spirit has manifested in them.  We are told just because it works a few times we are to excuse all the other times they are wrong.  There have been a great number of times some charismatic leaders are wrong, but condemn anyone who questions them. 

If I can say this as gentle as I can, today it seems this wonderful gift God has given to the church has been hijacked by a few spiritual radicals. How did this happen, when this gift was given to the whole church, every believer, as God's spirit would choose to work in each person as he wills? Hijacked? Yes I feel it has been hijacked from the whole body of Christ. The whole has lost out on a wonderful part of God's spirit gift given to the church on that great day of Pentecost, by a small few. 

A great many spirit filled church has left a bad taste in the mouths of those who struggle with this gift.   Then on the other side there is equally a great many who fight against it, even teaching that is not from God. Now, I know I may not be somebody great, but where does mere men get the ideal that they know more about God and how He works than anyone else, giving them the right to pass judgments.  Let's look at something else Paul wrote to the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 AMP

But the natural, non spiritual man does not accept  or  welcome  or  admit into his heart the gifts  and  teachings  and  revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned  and  estimated  and  appreciated.  But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern  or  appraise  or  get an insight into him].  For who has known  or  understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide  and  instruct Him  and  give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah)  and  do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

1 Corinthians 3:1 NASB

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.

I think Paul makes it clear what the differences are between people who are spiritual or natural. I love how the Amplified version reads in this text. Those who reject spiritual things are natural and can not appreciate God's gift to the church.  Then notice what makes one spiritual.  A person, who investigates, examines and thinks with his mind asking questions. This is one who seeks the truths of God.

Now, in no way do I even feel like I am some kind of expert. Yet, if someone would let the spirit of God guide them and look at the scripture with sound thinking, how can they miss the simple truths about God's wonderful gift.  It is because of the many religious leaders who have rejected God's wonderful gift, that many of the radical abusers have had free reign. It is because of the lack of good sound reasonable teaching of the masses, the select few have run away with the gifts, and manifestations. What is wonderful and intended to be  a blessing to whole body of Christ, has been hijacked by a many spirit filled church, charismatic leader and uniformed Christian.

The gifts and manifestations were given to the whole church and I sincerely believe God wants everyone to benefit from them. God wants His spirit to manifest in every believer in many ways.  The gifts and manifestations are tools for growth, healing, ministry, and spreading the gospel message. I do not think they were given for us to hold anyone in awe, or for ministry to gain wealth. They were not given for us to huddle together and make each other feel good all over. Let's take back what belongs to us and learn how to trust in God's spirit and gifts. Let's see God's church grow in power and spiritual strength, rightly operating in the gifts and manifestations.

I truly believe there are people who truly love God and let God's gifts and manifestations operate in them and try with wisdom to properly represent God.  Due to the dark cloud of bad reputation given to manifestations and those who operate in them, it is very difficult to encourage others to allow the gifts and manifestations to operate.

Jesus, in John 14-16 promised the church that the spirit would be given and be a part of every believer. This gift showed up on the day of Pentecost and right away showed manifestations for all to see. This put the gospel message at the forefront of all of society and helped those early Christians grow and the church spread the message.

It has been over the centuries, that what God intended for the church has been lost and a few have hijacked what belongs to every believer. God's spirit chooses how it works in each person to bring results in the believer as well as the church. As we look at the manifestations, let's let God show us the way, and revel new insight to age old truths.