The Spirit Part 5
Discerning of Spirits, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues
Have you ever met someone who could almost sense what you were thinking? Some people have this gift of perception, almost like mind-reading! Wouldn't it
be useful to read between the line spiritually? Tell if something is from God?
Thankfully the bible teaches us that it is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
to another discerning of spirits,
1.
Natural Parallel – discernment - God given (as
are all natural gifts)
a.
Discern: to perceive by sight or some other
sense, or by intellect;
b.
to see, distinguish mentally
c.
Good or bad, motives, situational dynamics -
read people.
2.
Spiritual gift: The supernatural ability to
identify spiritual deception, false doctrine, false teaching, evil motives.
a.
Includes the ability to identify whether
something is from the Holy Spirit, or demonic spirit.
Why this gift is important (I say that about every gift!)
3.
In Matt 10 Jesus made an interesting statement
that we should become "wise as serpents and harmless as doves"
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of
wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Matt 10:16
a.
Given that the first phrase in that statement
sets a context of the believer being surrounded by danger,
b.
we can infer that Jesus is encouraging us to be aware
of our surroundings, and be able to identify anything that might cause us harm.
4.
Couple that with the statement Paul made in Eph
6 "we wrestle not against flesh and blood... "
For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12
a.
we can begin to see how having a gift of
spiritual discernment would be a very important ability for the believer.
b.
Our enemies are spiritual – evil - but their
only weapon is deception, so we need a way to discern deception.
5.
And I further believe this gift is even more
important as we approach the end of this age, because spiritual deception will
be the hallmark of these last days.
a.
Why do I say that? Look at the Olivet
Discourse, when the disciples asked Jesus to reveal the sign of His return.
Jesus didn't give one sign, but several.
(3) Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the
disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be?
And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
(4-5) And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed
that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the
Christ,’ and will deceive many.
(11) Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive
many.
(23) Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets
will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the
elect. Matt 24:3-5, 11, 23-24
6.
At the top of the list, he warns the disciples
of deception, and follows it up with warnings of false prophets, false christs,
false miracles, and the warning not to be deceived
a.
That’s why scripture warns us to test:
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. 1 John 4:1
7.
Last week we talked about some Natural tests: word
of God, character of God, nature of God
a.
This gift is an additional tool, a Supernatural
gift: The Holy Spirit will give a spiritual knowing to identify spiritual
deception.
b.
That is because of the way Satan works...
How Satan works... (His bag of tricks, deceptive strategies:
Deceive, divide, discourage)
# 1 Satan deceives with a false, tempting message:
And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You
shall not eat of every tree of the garden’? And the woman said to the serpent,
“We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree
which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor
shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not
surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be
opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:1-5
# 2 Satan can appear as an angel of light
For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of
light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to
their works.
2 Cor 11:14-15
2 Cor 11:14-15
#3 Sometimes people who seem to be saying the right thing
are really speaking for Satan
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples
that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief
priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter
took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this
shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me,
Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God,
but the things of men.” Matt 16:21-23
#4 Satan will attempt to infiltrate the church with false
teachers
But there were also false prophets among the people,
even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in
destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on
themselves swift destruction. 2 Peter 2:1
#5 Satan can work deceiving miracles
(Jesus warning in Matt 24)
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth,
and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all
the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and
those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was
healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from
heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the
earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast...
Rev 13:11-14
8.
Given these deceptive strategies are employed by
our enemy, we can see how the gift of discerning of spirits is an important
gift in the church, as it helps us identify what is and isn't from the Lord.
Examples in scripture
9.
When Paul and Silas were in Philippi, a servant
girl followed them around declaring “These men are the servants of the Most
High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:18)
a.
What she was saying was true, but it wasn’t from
God. Paul discerned the source, by the Holy Spirit, and his response:
But Paul, greatly annoyed,
turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to
come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. Acts 16:19
Does Satan do that kind of thing today? Absolutely!
10. Mormonism
- did an angel appear to Joseph Smith and tell him "another gospel?"
Something appeared to him, but it wasn't from God!
11. Emerging
Church - sounds hip and cool (post-modernism, deconstruct), everything is about
a “conversation” - Praxis-oriented lifestyles, Post-evangelical thought, the
“Emergent stream…”
a.
The intent is to break Christians away from
sound doctrine, seeking to “re-evaluate” the bible, Jesus, doctrine, etc.
b.
One of its chief proponents, Brian McLaren is a
convincing writer, but the things that he writes are wrong!
c.
He claims to be a Christian, but he's totally
deceived!
12. Not
always a doctrine, the enemy can plant a person to cause problems
a.
Several years ago a person in our church came to
me with a accusation - it wasn't just a story, it was a lie from the enemy!
13. It
is apparent that we need the gift of spiritual discernment in the church today!
Do you have this gift?
14. Desire
for the gift
Pursue love, and desire
spiritual gifts... 1 Cor 14:1
15. Natural
gift of discernment - God will often use our natural gifts, once redeemed to
Christ, in a supernatural way.
16. Sensitivity
to the spiritual realm - both to the Holy Spirit, and the demonic.
17. Confirmation
- people or situations that you felt a discernment about were later confirmed
by facts.
What it looks like
18. How
does it come? Do you know the feeling you get when something is wrong?
a.
It will be a strong feeling in your spirit, a
strong compulsion
Tongues
to another different kinds of
tongues
19. OK,
now we’re at the controversial one! Thankfully we have clear teaching from
God’s word (1 Cor 14.)
glóssa (gloce-sah') tongue, used of flowing speech;
(figuratively) speaking, natural, or inspired by God,
20. Language:
an agreement between parties, where it is agreed that certain sounds
represent certain objects or ideas. (Nations, dialects, some make up their own
language!)
a.
Obvious natural parallel - language
21. Paul
delineates two types of “tongues”:
Though I speak with the
tongues of men and of angels... 1 Cor 13:1
22. Gift
of tongues: A language given by the Holy Spirit, whereby the believer can
communicate with God beyond the limits of natural knowledge and understanding.
What is the purpose (1 Cor 14)?
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 (v2)
23. This
is pretty clear: Tongues is communication between the believer and God.
a.
To anyone who hears it, they don’t understand -
perhaps not even the one speaking:
For if I pray in a tongue,
my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. (vs14)
24. What's
being spoken does have meaning, but the meaning may not be understood by man.
Speaking mysteries.
a.
So the gift of tongues can be prayer to God by
the Holy Spirit, and even though we don’t understand what’s being prayed, God
does.
25. Why
would this be needed? Because the Spirit is able to search out the deep things
of God
For the Spirit searches all
things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man
except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things
of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Cor 2:10-11
a.
It enables the believer to pray in such a way
that is above our natural ability to pray.
26. Another
purpose is to praise God:
God is Spirit, and those who
worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:24
...I will sing with the
spirit, 1 Cor 12:14
a.
So there can be a praise and worship aspect - as
an example...
Acts 2
(v4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
(v11-13) —we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of
God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
“Whatever could this mean?” Others
mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” Acts 2:4, 11-13
27. On
the day of Pentecost, when the disciples “began to speak with other tongues, as
the Spirit gave them utterance.”
a.
They weren’t preaching to the crowd, they were
praising God:
“we hear them speaking in our own tongues the
wonderful works of God…” Acts 2:11
b.
In this instance, we could say SOME of what was
being spoken by the spirit was understood by the crowd.
c.
It might have been an actual language, or God
could have supernaturally caused them to understand.
28. It
also seems that some of what was being spoken was not understood, as some
people derided them saying they were drunk.
a.
Paul noted:
(v2) 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.
29. They
may have been praising God in a unique language given by God, but it sounded
like gibberish to the people who heard it.
a.
Think about it: Many of the songs we sing
are simple and repetitive; so the repetition of simple phrases, unintelligible
to human bystanders, would have sounded like gibberish.
Misconceptions
30. The
gift ceased with after the
first century, or after the bible was completed.
a.
We dealt with that last week.
31. If
you are truly saved, you will
speak in tongues: The scripture reads “to ANOTHER different kinds of tongues,”
meaning not everyone will have the gift of tongues.
a.
Paul stated “I wish you all spoke with tongues,“
(v5) so apparently not all of the Corinthian believers spoke in tongues.
32. If
you have been truly filled
with the Holy Spirit, you will speak in tongues
a.
In some cases, yes, but not all cases:
b.
Going through the accounts in Acts when
believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, in some instances the believers DID
speak in tongues at the receiving of the Spirit, others DID NOT
33. Some
just think its weird! (nothing given by God is weird!)
34. These
misconceptions are partly why some have overemphasized the gift of tongues, and
even faked it, in order to prove to themselves and others that they really are
truly saved or filled with the Holy Spirit.
An important gift
35. Tongues
have an important place in the devotional life of the believer,
(v14-15) For if I pray in a
tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the
conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the
understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the
understanding.
36. Praying
to and praising God in your native language, as well as in your prayer
language.
a.
It is an enhancement to our relationship with
God.
37. However,
the gift has a smaller place
in the corporate setting of the church, especially in “public” meetings.
(v6) But now, brethren, if I
come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to
you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
(v9) ...unless you utter by
the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For
you will be speaking into the air.
(v18-19) I thank my God I
speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak
five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand
words in a tongue.
38. Paul
is giving clear instruction - In the public meeting, preaching and teaching
with understanding are better...
a.
Speaking with understanding, and not having to
have every phrase interpreted!
39. But
Paul also notes that tongues should not be forbidden in a church meeting,
however they are better suited for individual communication with God
(v39-40)...do not forbid to
speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.
Do you have this gift (raise hands)?
(v5) I wish you all spoke
with tongues...
40. Many
don’t want the gift, for years I didn’t see the need of it,
41. But
say you did desire it, what then?
a.
Ask your Father!
b.
Google - kinds of “ways” that you can speak in
tongues, including “just open your mouth and let it fly, something is bound to
happen...” (I’m not in that camp!)
42. My
experience: I do occasionally speak in tongues (you’ve never heard me, because
I follow Paul’s counsel!)
a.
During times of prayer, usually when I am
praying about deep or confusing things,
b.
My prayer language will come forth - I don’t try
and make it happen, words just start coming that I don’t understand.
c.
But in my spirit I sense that deep spiritual
things are happening, and I trust the Spirit of God is searching the deep
things of God on my behalf.
43. Now,
if a tongue IS used in a public setting, there should always be an interpretation:
The gift of the interpretation of tongues:
...to another the interpretation
of tongues 1 Cor 12:10
44. This
gift of interpretation is an interworking gift of tongues that allows the gift
of tongues to be of benefit for those other than the speaker,
a.
It allows them to be able to hear and agree with
the tongue-speaker’s words to God.
(v13)Therefore let him who
speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
(v16-17) Otherwise, if you
bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say
“Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? For
you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
45. In
other words, if someone DOES speak in an unknown tongue in a group setting,
a.
they should also pray for an interpretation, so
that the others can at least say “Amen” or agree with what is being lifted up
to God.
The Final Word:
(v18) I thank my God I speak with tongues more than
you all;
46. Make
no mistake, Paul was positive about the gift of tongues, because he recognized
the value of it in his own life.
a.
That would be why Paul wished that we all spoke
in tongues!
b.
He understood that the gift of a prayer language
allowed him to unburden his soul before God in a way that went beyond his human
language and intellect.
c.
He could pray, praise, and intercede beyond his
ability to understand and articulate.
d.
He simply wanted every Christian to know this
same blessing!
47. Close: The reason and purpose that the Lord gives
these gifts by the Holy Spirit is to strengthen and build up the church,
a.
So that we are fully prepared to not only foil
the deceptive strategies of our enemy the devil,
b.
But to carry out the mission He has given us –
to impact the world with the good news of the gospel message of Christ!
Copyright © 2013 Clay Ritter. This data file is the sole property of Clay Ritter. It may be copied in its entirety or in part for personal use, or teaching, freely without charge. Please include a citation to this website. This data file may not be copied in part, edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or other products offered for sale, without the written permission of Clay Ritter. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to Pastor Clay Ritter, c/o Calvary Chapel of Wilmington, 2831 Carolina Beach Rd, Wilmington NC, 28412, or via email to office@calvaryofwilmington.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment