Weapons of Our Warfare: Spiritual Gifts

[Aquila]

I heard a teacher expound upon how the nine Spiritual Gifts of the Spirit are essentialy to dynamic spiritual warefare. The gifts were defined as follows:

•The Word of Knowledge - Supernatural impartation of knowledge the believer could not have possibly known otherwise.

•The Word of Wisdom - Supernatural impartation of advice concerning a certain situation or problem being faced that goes beyond the believer's own wisdom.
•The Gift of Prophecy - The supernatural impartation of a direct word from God.

•The Gift of Faith - The supernatural impartation of increased faith to overcome a given circumstance that would ordinarily crush the faith of most.

•The Gifts of Healings - The supernatural impartation of healing power affecting the body, soul, or spirit.

•The Working of Miracles - The supernatural demonstration of answered prayers, spiritual deliverances (casting out devils), and divine protection.

•The Discerning of Spirits - The supernatural impartation of the ability to discern the motive and or disposition of a human spirit or spirit being.

•Different Kinds of Tongues - The supernatural impartation of a prayer language, xenoglossia, initial evidence of the Holy Ghost, and/or message from God when coupled with interpretation.

•The Interpretation of Tongues - The ability to interpret the gift of tongues to deliver a prophetic message straight from God.

Would you agree with the above definitions???

These gifts counter the so called "psychic gifts" and various powers attributed to witchcraft bringing glory to GOD and to advance the Kingdom.

[Aquila]

Additional doctrines are to be appropriated when engaging in spiritual warfare... I'll be sharing these momentarily.

[Aquila]

In Ephesians we read...

Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Here our equipment is... Jesus Himself. Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote, "...clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 13:12-14)

Jesus states:

"I am the vine; you are the branches," said Jesus. "If a man abides in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Now... let's look at the whole armor of God in this light...

•Truth - Right doctrine concerning who Jesus is (John 14:6) .
•Righteousness - Imputed Righteousness of Christ, not our own (Rom. 3:23-24).
•Sandals of the Gospel of PEACE - Assurance and inner peace born of Christ's power to save (Eph. 2:14-15).
•Faith - Reckoning the truths of God as effecacious realities, living by faith (Gal. 2:20).
•Salvation - Assurance of our own salvation in Christ (Acts 4:12).
•Word of God - Right practice in accordance to Christ, who is the Word (John 1:14).

These spiritual realities found in Christ protect and arm us against all the enemy's devices.

[Aquila]

If we allow the Spiritual Gifts to flow, standing on these truths, we have absolute victory.

[Michael The Disciple]

Gifts of the spirit are manifestations of his favor. The Greek word for gift is a form of the same word for "grace". Im amazed we dont hear much about the gifts anymore. In the 70's gifts were in abundance especially prophetic gifts.

I have experienced prophetic gifts many times over the years and I know others who have. The gifts/manifestations of the Spirit are very important to our lives.

•Truth - Right doctrine concerning who Jesus is (John 14:6) .

While who Jesus is is essential I dont think Paul limits the definition of truth like this. Im sure when he speaks of "truth" he refers to his whole body of teaching not just who Jesus is.

Righteousness - Imputed Righteousness of Christ, not our own (Rom. 3:23-24).

Altho there is imputed righteousness why should we assume he was limiting righteousness to that? If one does not live a righteous lifestyle (empowered by the Spirit) he is not counted righteous by God.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Gifts of the spirit are manifestations of his favor. The Greek word for gift is a form of the same word for "grace". Im amazed we dont hear much about the gifts anymore. In the 70's gifts were in abundance especially prophetic gifts.

I have experienced prophetic gifts many times over the years and I know others who have. The gifts/manifestations of the Spirit are very important to our lives.

Amen. I'd like to see a revival of spiritual gifs.

While who Jesus is is essential I dont think Paul limits the definition of truth like this. Im sure when he speaks of "truth" he refers to his whole body of teaching not just who Jesus is.

That would make sense too.

Altho there is imputed righteousness why should we assume he was limiting righteousness to that? If one does not live a righteous lifestyle (empowered by the Spirit) he is not counted righteous by God.

Here's where I'm coming from on this... and it's not meant as a criticism...

In all honesty... I've yet to see a single person who was truly "righteous". They might live by a code of ethics that they have drawn from the Bible... but they often have nasty attidudes, pride, are hiding personal struggles with sin, etc. In short... we're all pretty much alike... we all have good days and bad days... we all have victories... and we all have days in which we hit our knees and confess our sins. It's just some are more open about their human weaknesses than others.

Now, let's tie all of this into spiritual warfare...

If we approach the enemy in spiritual warfare standing in our own righteousness... we'll be eaten alive. The enemy laughs. While those around us might see us as these highy moral and righteous people... the enemy has often spied on us when we were living below our calling. The enemy will snarl and say, "You have no moral authority to rebuke me or cast me out you snivelling hairless monkey. Who are you anyway???" However, if through FAITH we embrace the eternally sinless righeousness of Christ Jesus Himself that is imputed to us through the Holy Spirit's presence in our inner man... we have all the authority and power of Jesus Christ Himself... because we are living as extensions of Him and conduits of His power (living as branches of the Vine). Thus in the realm of spiritual warfare the imputed righteousness of Christ absolutely essential. We are not battling the enemy... He who is within us is battling the enemy through us. Therefore... we must stand in all that He is by faith.

Now, I'm not saying this to discourage personal sanctification. We all should be seeking greater degrees of sanctification in our spiritual walks. We all should be seeking greater ways to image Christ to a lost and dying world. What I'm saying is that this effort takes place under the unbrella of imputed righteousness and that it is imputed righteousness that the enemy cannot condemn.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Amen. I'd like to see a revival of spiritual gifs.





That would make sense too.



Here's where I'm coming from on this... and it's not meant as a criticism.

In all honesty... I've yet to see a single person who was truly "righteous". They might live by a code of ethics that they have drawn from the Bible... but they often have nasty attidudes, pride, are hiding personal struggles with sin, etc. In short... we're all pretty much alike... we all have good days and bad days... we all have victories... and we all have days in which we hit our knees and confess our sins. It's just some are more open about their human weaknesses than others.

Now, let's tie all of this into spiritual warfare...

If we approach the enemy in spiritual warfare standing in our own righteousness... we'll be eaten alive. The enemy laughs. While those around us might see us as these highy moral and righteous people... the enemy has often spied on us when we were living below our calling. The enemy will snarl and say, "You have no moral authority to rebuke me or cast me out you snivelling hairless monkey..." However, if through FAITH we embrace the eternally sinless righeousness of Christ Jesus Himself that is imputed to us through the Holy Spirit's presence in our inner man... we have all the authority and power of Jesus Christ Himself... because we are living as extensions of Him and conduits of His power (living as branches of the Vine). Thus in the realm of spiritual warfare the imputed righteousness of Christ absolutely essential. We are not battling the enemy... He who is within us is battling the enemy through us. Therefore... we must stand in all that He is by faith.

This is true. Nonetheless without a lifestyle of righteousness to back what we believe about Christs work the enemy will cut right through us.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:

This is part of the whole armor.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

This is true. Nonetheless without a lifestyle of righteousness to back what we believe about Christs work the enemy will cut right through us.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:

This is part of the whole armor.

I don't entirely disagree. However, I think we see extremes in the Apostolic movement. Here's the passage in it's entirety...

I John 3:4-10 (ESV)
4 Everyone w4-ho makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Notice that this is about habitual sin and rebellion. And notice that this states that no one born of God (born again) makes a practice of sinning, because "God's seed" abides in him. Here's the Strong's on that word "seed"...

4690 // sperma // sperma // sper'-mah //

from 4687 ; TDNT - 7:536,1065; n n

AV - seed 43, issue 1; 44

1) from which a plant germinates
1a) the seed i.e. the grain or kernel which contains within itself
the germ of the future plants
1a1) of the grains or kernels sown
1b) metaph. a seed i.e. a residue, or a few survivors reserved as
the germ of the next generation (just as seed is kept from the
harvest for the sowing)
2) the semen virile
2a) the product of this semen, seed, children, offspring, progeny
2b) family, tribe, posterity
2c) whatever possesses vital force or life giving power
2c1) of divine energy of the Holy Spirit operating within the
soul by which we are regenerated

This goes back to what I've shared before. When we receive the Holy Ghost, the very Spirit of God resides in our spirit man, our inner being, our spirits. The mind still needs renewal... the body still needs to be glorified. It's our spirit that is regenerated through spiritual union with God's own Spirit. And because of this... when we sin... we feel guilt, shame, remorse, conviction, etc. because our actions were NOT in alignment with our inner nature. Thus, this "seed" of God residing in our spirits brings conviction, that if heeded, will cause us not to be able to continue in sin... because it brings shame, emotional discomfort, emotional unrest.

Now... if we refuse to heed these convictions from the Spirit within... we can find ourselves facing the judgment of God. The ultimate fate could be... being cut off from God entirely.

John 15:5-6 (ESV)
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

We must continually seek to abide in Christ, through faith, allowing Christ's own life, power, and righteousness to flow through us as the very life and vitality of the vine flows through it's branches. If we cut that flow off through continual sin and rebellion... we can loose our peace, our blessing, and ultimately... our salvation.

[Michael The Disciple]

If such teaching on righteousness is the truth asopposed to one actually being called to OBEY the commandments of Jesus, it would seem the gifts would be FLOWING in the Evangelical Protestant Movement that great monument to the "finished work" type teaching.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

If such teaching on righteousness is the truth asopposed to one actually being called to OBEY the commandments of Jesus, it would seem the gifts would be FLOWING in the Evangelical Protestant Movement that great monument to the "finished work" type teaching.

Ummm... who said we didn't have to obey the commandments of Jesus?