Spiritual Gifts Abuses

by Pam Clark

There is no question that we are in a spiritual war, if you read and know the Word of God. Many who don't read the Scriptures are intuitive enough to figure out that there is a war going on between good and evil. The problem is that many who know this do not have a reference point for good and evil. As Christians, we have the Word of God, the Holy Bible.

I believe that the way God looks at it is that He designed this world, He gave life, and He imparted His Words to humanity for humanity to take care of itself with those words, and we have failed to do our part in many instances. Thus, His people perish without knowledge. The knowledge is in the earth; there are just not enough passing out the true information and doing their part. And as humanity created in the image of God, each with "a gift of faith" for faith, we will be held accountable at the end of our days for what we did and did not do.

You have heard it--we cry out to God about deplorable conditions and say WHY? And He replies, "Because you are not doing anything about it!" We ARE our brother's keeper.

In the military, one way that loyalty and teamwork is promoted, is that beginning in bootcamp, if one fails, the whole team pays for it. And of course, all share in the successes as well. And we can see that in societies and countries, as well.

Some will seek to control groups and societies, but there is a Kingdom going on that man cannot control, as the King of this Kingdom is JESUS! It's an unshakable, unbreakable, immovable, and everlasting Kingdom with a sure, tried and tested Foundation Stone. This is what makes God interesting. Between the devil and mankind, He has a lot of challenges, but this God always comes out on top.

Man comes up with other agendas, namely his own; Satan comes up with lies and counterfeits to deceive about Truth. To follow God, we must know His Words and pray for the spirit of discernment. We must make sure that the voice that we hear is really His.

Since we are in a spiritual war, it only makes sense that the enemy is going to use his spiritual weapons. A stupid Christian is one who ignores these spiritual giftings from God that enables him or her to succeed and overcome! The gifts of the Spirit, be it ministry callings or giftings, are not optional, they are most necessary in the survival of Life.

You have heard it said that some are so "heavenly" minded that they are no earthly good. Maybe you have seen some like that. I've been there myself. I was "soooo spiritual" but had NO common sense and then one day I asked God for it and He gave it! I have to say that much of it was a miracle, at least for me, but it was in the Proverbs that I saw I could ask for it and so I did. God had pity on one who really needed it! Praise His Name!

But we all really need it! The Kingdom was meant to be practical. Emotions are great and often emotions can motivate us to do things that we need to do. But as Christians, we are to serve society (people), not live off of them. God must be our Source. How can we lay our life down for one we depend upon? We can't!

Jesus declared that He is the Resurrection and the Life. How we must depend on that if we are going to face eternal issues, and we all do. One day, if not raptured, we will die and in life, we will also face the issues of someone else dying in our lives. Not only is death an issue, but life gives us hard times. "Some days are diamonds and some days are stones," as the John Denver song goes. Some, even us or those we love and care about, are in desperate situations. We need God and His powers and strengths to face these times. We are in a spiritual war!

The thief (or Satan who is being referred to here), Jesus says, comes to kill, to steal and to destroy. Jesus came to overcome and destroy the works of the devil. But He came as an enabler. Oh how we want a deliverer, but the method of the moment is in the enabling power. The Kingdom is within us. It is Christ IN YOU, the HOPE of glory! So that obviously means there is some personal interaction with Him that must take place to be enabled and transformed to overcome.

It seems hard, doesn't it, but yet you know it's true as obviously much has happened in your life already to get you to this point. And this is where I want to go to with spiritual abuses in the camp. As I have just said, often humans have selfish agendas, agendas that cater to their flesh. And then there is the enemy of God who seeks to ultimately steal your eternal life and that of others. (And your eternal life in God is good!)

The key to eternal life, unlocks the keys to this physical life as we know it, and causes us to succeed in it. Any great breakthrough in this life came because somewhere, even if not overtly evident, there was a Spiritual key that unlocked the door. There are many issues I could address here, but the one I really want to focus on in this article is that of spiritual gift abuses.

We know that Jesus said it was the love of money that is the root of all evil. He did not say that money was evil--because money is neither good or bad in itself. It's a power medium; it can be used for good or evil. In the book of Ezekiel (28:4-7) God addressed the fallen arch-angel Lucifer over this: "By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: 'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god [or God], I am going to bring foreigners against you...' " (NIV)

It would be safe to say that anything that can be used as a power can be abused. It can be a position of authority and trust, it can be finances, it can be a knowledge, or someone having knowledge or an access to something you need (or think you do) but do not, it can be charisma, abilities, powers of influence, and strengths over weaknesses.

When it comes to the spiritual gifts, all these things apply. Some people have the gift of revelation. This can be in the form of prophesying or spiritual visitations, special "orders" and words, visits to Heaven or even visitations from Jesus and/or angels. This gift of revelation is just as important to the Body as the gift of hospitality, or giving or administrations. But it can also be misused.

Jesus said that your faith in HIM is the most important thing you have. He even said, "Blessed are you who have not seen and yet believe." Sometimes people's gifts of revelation (or it could be another power gifting) can cause your eyes to get off of Jesus and His will and onto the gift carrier and their will.

When these giftings are advanced, be it a ministry position or spiritual power, you are dealing with strong spiritual forces. When you encounter controversies or have problems with this, you really need to see these conflicting encounters as God's way and desire of keeping you pure. It can be difficult!

Inside of each of us are the sinful desires of "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life." This is where we all get snared! It began in the Garden and is still what we must overcome by faith, not by faith in ourselves, but by our faith IN GOD. Just as the serpent tempted Eve who in turn convinced Adam of the same deceit, the same cause, choice and effect is still with us today, and we have no hope except in God through His Son Jesus.

It's not a blind faith but an active faith, because "faith without works is dead" -- in other words, without corresponding works, it is not faith! Choosing certain things and acting upon those things is what PROVES that you do have faith! James 2:26 says: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (NKJV) That is strong!

Sometimes our choices must be hard choices. Sometimes our faith means we have to deny ourselves certain things. At other times, it means we must take on certain things. Often we must really wrestle with issues and present them before the Word of God to get our correct direction. Here also is where the gift of prophecy has been abused by the seeker, as well as sometimes the prophets, in that the control issue is given to the prophet and both become wrong in the eyes of God. The one seeking gives up their faith by giving up their self control and responsibility and becomes dead in the eyes of God by their lack of faith! (Remember a fruit of the Holy Spirit is self control! Galatians 5:23)

The prophets who direct the lives of others (versus the difference of pointing direction and giving Godly advice) and the one who has the "inside" word that you "cannot" or "could not" possibly have are those who steal the flock from God Himself and they will answer accordingly. This must not be confused with the authority that God has given His equipping ministers. (See Ephesians 4:11-16, the job description of the New Testament called out minister.)

The question is one of choice. Do you have the choice of a free life? In an oppressive society, people do not have choices. There must be administrations and order to any congregational group. These administrations are called the government of that group. They are necessary! But as Christians in Christian groups or settings, you should have the ability and freedom to connect with the Body as you see proper and appropriate for your life.

There is an insurrection spirit or usurping spirit that will not apply itself to the order at hand and by this cause disruptions, and yet we also know that there are times for civil disobedience when traditions have locked out the ways and freedoms of God. This must be carefully assessed in the hearts and minds of the individuals. And this is also where the spiritual gifts come into play in that God's giftings will enable and overpower the enemy's "giftings" (or enablements) in people so that the common good can take place.

The Apostle Paul had to deal with the issues of sectarianism also, that "party spirit" or spirit of division. It was "civil disobedience" for him to open the door of God (Jesus the Messiah) to the Gentiles, but when that was refused, he took his spiritual liberties and walked in the spirit of freedom and truth, thus laying a more sure and pure foundation. For God is for the whole world, in wanting them to be saved and come to the true knowledge of Him. It is the truth that makes us free. Obedience to oppression will not make you free!

Also the Scripture teaches that only "a Remnant will be saved." These are the ones who please and obey Him. Only God can judge this as He sees the hearts of all men and we cannot. Not everyone in this life applies themselves to the One who created them.

There are many areas I could go into in discussing these issues. I am sure you have thought of many yourself while reading this. Life in Jesus should set your soul free - to do good, to feel good about yourself, and to live a Godly lifestyle. You should feel good about yourself because Jesus died to set you free! But truth in God is not just about feelings but reality. It may "feel good" to do something wrong, but the end result will be negative. But it can be great to feel good because being free in Jesus can enable you to do great works for God and benefit others.

It is important to know that emotions follow thoughts, and thoughts follow words. I heard Creflo Dollar explain the other day that if you tell a lie, your mind cannot help but believe it, for if you confess it the power of your mind works to create it, and thus a spirit of confusion will enter because the lie counteracts the truth. What we think and believe and say is very important. We are not creators by our words, but we are co-creators by them. When we agree with the will of God, His Kingdom is expanded and our lives are enriched, because the Kingdom of God is within us.

We can rule and reign with Him, but never apart from Him. (Not and survive! Lucifer is our example of that!) If our God concept is evil, then we will have fear and disrespect and a sense of foreboding and mistrust; but if our concept of God is good and right, we will discover love, joy, peace and truth, and walk in the overcoming power of life, even the power of life over death in every area.

Be free in Him. He whom the Son of God sets free is free indeed. His truth will make you free, and HE will keep you free. You must apply yourself, but it's great life in Him. God bless you!!!