Gifts Of The Holy Spirit That Little Noterity

 So Samuel said:

Has the LORD as great delights

in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice 

of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better 

than sacrifice,

and to heed than the

fat of rams.

1Samuel 15:22

     Many Israelites believed that all that was necessary to receive God's forgiveness was to sacrifice to Him; but this is not what God desired for all that the sacrifices should have done is reveal their sinfulness and were to be done in obedience to Him. Their worship became convuluted as they focused on themselves rather than upon Him. When it was pointed out to them that their rituals were not pleasing to God they rebelled and argued and defended their actions. John the Baptist pointed this fact out to the Pharisees who had placed a heavy yoke upon the people of Israel: "But when He saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come" (Matthew 3:7)? John's open rebuke would give cause for his beheading, but he was willing to speak the truth and if you did not like it, well that was your problem; he did what was necessary in order to preach the truth of God. This is so true today as people have their sacrifice that is all theirs, it is all about them, and while give some similarity of obedience, all they are doing is obeying their feelings and not obeying God. There is a major focus on sign gifts and the other gifts are lessened in importance and seldom spoken of and given little credence. All gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be done in true obedience to Him and are for the benefit of the Church. What is the Church? or, Who is the Church? It is true called out people from this world who have been given the free gift of faith and the benefit of those God given gifts are for the benefit of those called out from the world into the life of obedience to God. 

    The Holy Spirit gives special gifts that are necessary for the Church and the promulgation of the Gospel but He has given us the command or the unction to test all things for there are many false teachers who were or are now associated with the Church: beware: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1John 4:1). The Holy Spirit gives to the Church and to some this gift of Discernment of Spirits (1Corinthians 12:10). The Greek word for discernment is: diakrisis:  a distinguishing, discerning, judging; therefore it is to have the ability to determine what a person is teaching as to whether or not it is truthful. This was very important in the days of Paul with many false teachings were being taught as truth such as Gnosticism, Nicolaitans, Donatism, Docetism, and more, so God, before His word was available in written form as is the Bible, gave to men this special gift of the Holy Spirit. It is still necessary today for many have gone out from the Church and claim that they have the truth when in fact they do not. Some even attach the name of Jesus Christ to their religion: "The Latter Day Saints of Jesus Christ" or Mormons, are one such example. Men who have this gift are often seen as uncanny because they have this ability to discern what is being taught. We should not be shocked that some would distort the truth as Paul wrote to Timothy: "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times come will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1Timothy 4:1). Peter apparently had this gift of discernment of spirits when Ananias and Sapphira who who nothing more than hypocrites and died because of their hypocrisy and when Simon the magician offered to buy the gifts of the Holy Spirit and was rebuked and then turnout to be a counterfeit and taught a false Christianity. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "Test all things; hold fast what is good" (1Thessalonians 5:21). 
     Scripture teaches us that anything that calls themselves religious or has the name of Christ upon their teachings should be examined by both those who have this gift of Discernment of Spirits and by us as believers for we are to be ready to give a defense of our faith: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1Peter 3:15). Strive to become sound in your faith, in your witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, learn to love God and then you will not only be able to love yourself, you will be able to love others. This love will give you the desire to know the truth and to follow the truth even if it costs you all that you have, that others will not understand and accuse you falsely, you will be a Christian of truth. Paul admonishes: "Finally, brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). 

Therefore He says:
     "Awake, you who sleep,
arise from the dead,
     and Christ will give 
you light."
                     Ephesians 5:14

May The Grace Of Our Lord Be With You 


Richard L. Crumb