Lena Wms Student @Christ Gospel Church, S.S.Teacher, Observer

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, first allow me to say that I believe that God can and does use anyone He chooses to present to us the Light of His Son to us. Eph 5:13.

God's gifts and His calling are given without repentance. Rom 11:29. 

Matt 18:7 also speaks of offenses and woe to the man through whom they come (paraphrased). 

The scriptures make it very clear God uses man, allegories or creation (a donkey, a giant fish, a rooster) to present Light to man. I never read where Balaam' s donkey ever spoke again. I'm pretty sure that rooster crowed every morning after Peter heard it. Jesus used many allegories to bring men to the Light. 

We just don't want to accept the Light in the form and fashion it comes in. Our boss turning red and pointing us out because we've been late 4 out of 5 days is just him picking on us. No, that is Light coming to us. God's word instructs us to be good stewards in all that we do, including being on time for work. 

I have heard the best sermons preached by drunk men... remember the gifts of God and His calling are without repentance. Whatever they choose to do with it is their business....Yet, if God is speaking to my heart through them, I need to listen. 

As far as someone praying for me, speaking in tongues, who is not living a separated Christian life, I personally have an issue with this. Two reasons. 
1Tim 5:22: "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partake of other men's sins: keep thyself pure."

I can stand back and listen to a drunk preach, even have God speak to my heart with their words. But I have not allowed their sin to touch me. They have not "prayed" for me. 

2 Cor 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 

If someone is speaking in tongues and wants to pray for me... I want to know their life... Satan transforms himself as light. I want no part of that. 

However, if someone I know, has a true Christian life wants to pray for me speaking in tongues... please do so, for it is the Heavenly Language that confuses the enemy! 

Be Blessed, 
Lena

August 13 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Since the function of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ, and to build up His body (the church), I would say that the gifts or powers mentioned in the question, which the Bible specifically describes as being given or bestowed by the Holy Spirit, would not be granted to an individual who had not already placed his or her faith in Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

Such an individual may have natural talents or skills. He or she may even have supernatural abilities, but (if so) such powers would not be obtained from the Holy Spirit, but from ungodly sources (as was the case with Simon Magus, for example (Acts 8:9-24), or with Pharaoh's magicians in the Old Testament (Exodus 7:11,22; 8:7)). 

If an unsaved individual seeks to receive or obtain the specific gifts of the Holy Spirit, that should serve as an inducement for the individual to come to Christ in genuine repentance and faith, so that he or she might then be indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

August 13 2018 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report