Biblical tests for distinguishing genuine spiritual gifts from counterfeit manifestations.
Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Why spiritual gifts need evaluation
Fear-based theology
Abuses abound today with spiritual gifts, just as they did with the Corinthians. It is legitimate to question some manifestations that people have passed off as genuine. It is not legitimate to reject extraordinary spiritual gifts on those grounds. Doing that is fear-based theology. The fears are…
• Fear of falling into the extremism of some movements.
• Fear of losing control of oneself or allowing disorder in meetings is a common concern.
• Fear of unbiblical teaching that may come through supposed spiritual manifestations.
We dispel these fears when we apply biblical criteria for distinguishing the genuine from the counterfeit. Once these principles are rooted in our minds, we are free to earnestly desire the spiritual gifts and enjoy a new sense of security in evaluating spiritual manifestations. Following are four criteria for assessing the legitimacy of any supposed spiritual phenomena.
Who does it glorify?
Christ-centered ministry
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. … He will glorify me. John 16:13-14
God gave the Holy Spirit to glorify Jesus Christ. His mission is to bring attention to Christ, not to himself. If another person, doctrine, or movement, or even a “gift” itself, is getting more glory than Christ, then something is wrong. If Christ alone is glorified, then we can safely assume the manifestation is from God.
What does it produce?
Fruit and edification
Beware of false prophets… You will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15, 16
Let all things be done for building up. 1 Corinthians 14:26
The perfecting and sanctifying of his people is God’s goal in the church. Does it lead to that? Or does it produce disorder? Does it result in a deeper understanding of sound doctrine? Or does it introduce doubtful and confusing questions? Is the teaching scripturally sound?
Does it follow biblical order?
Order in worship
But all things should be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
Paul lays down rules to maintain order in the use of spiritual gifts. Are these rules respected?
Is it in submission to biblical authority?
Church leadership and accountability
…let the others weigh what is said. 1 Corinthians 14:29
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Hebrews 13:17
Does the person manifesting a supposed spiritual gift show a willingness to submit to evaluation and correction? Or do they insinuate they are above evaluation on the grounds that their supposed gift came from the Holy Spirit? This latter attitude is spiritual pride and deserves rebuke.
Summary
Once biblical criteria are established, fear-based theology is discarded. This frees us to be proactive in the pursuit of spiritual gifts, as Scripture commands. We can evaluate any spiritual manifestation with a greater sense of confidence. This allows us to exalt Christ even more.
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How to Develop Your Spiritual Gifts in Ministry
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