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1 Corinthians 12 1:1-; 4-11, especially verse 10, “distinguishing between spirits” or
prophets
The Christian community prospers also by the gifts of the Spirit, as He gives and directs,
for the “common good”(v7): The fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit edify or should benefit the body as well as us personally. He is the conductor and we are the varied instrumentalist of His orchestra( 1 Corinthians 12:11; 12-30)
In today’s post-modern(modern focused on rationalism and science) perspective the
focus is on the personal, subjective point of view rather than science and facts. There is a back to the future type of movement in religion returning our interests to Biblical experiences through the prophetic and the importance of personal mysticism.
There is a revival of openness and experience of spiritual gifts especially the prophetic
with a lessening of caution. While Paul reminds his people in Ephesians 6:10-18 the concurrent reality that there are “principalities” and “powers” that do the bidding of Satan and mimic gifts like the prophetic. Therefore we need the Spirit’s gift of being able to distinguish between Spirit’s (or prophets) because the true and the false sound and look very much alike but their messages and demeanor are different.
Paul’s suggestion is not to avoid the charismatic worship and giftings but to discern and
distinguish what looks alike but is really from a different source and purpose. For example 12:1-3 is not an illustration of what happens in Corinthian services at times (“Jesus be cursed” versus “Jesus is Lord”) rather what should happen in charismatic worship should elevate and bring glory to Jesus Christ and build up the body. Not to be a curse to Christ and His body, so to speak: The end result is like saying “Jesus be cursed”. The prophetic either builds up or divides depending on the truth of the message and the attitude of the person exercising the gift.
Paul in chapter 14 welcomes both the exercise of the prophetic, note in 14:29 it’s
analysis: Paul limits the amount of prophetic messages in a service, to “two or three”... “while others should weigh carefully what is said”, and how it’s said: read also 1 John 4:1-3. Therefore some suggestions on how to evaluate are:
A) By the clear teachings of Scripture does the prophet encourage repentance (14:25)
glorifies Jesus as Lord and builds up the church. Compare these messages to the
creeds embedded in scripture. And don’t be afraid to ask questions: humbly and
respectful of course.