Testing Your Spiritual Gifts:

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Aquila

In a way, your position neutralizes the Christian from becoming spiritual adept in dealing with spiritual matters of warfare and gifting, while disarming them with fear of being guilty of "witchcraft repackaged". I see this as being more dangerous than daring to use one's gifts.

No, I'm not saying 'be afraid of being used by God'. The entire concept of 'using your spiritual gifts' however is an unbiblical emphasis that opens the door for all sorts of deceptions.

The 'gifts' are operations of the Spirit, as HE decides, when and where. We are to earnestly desire to be used by God, but especially to prophesy, but still keeping in mind these are operations of the Spirit. The gifts operate when we are in the Holy Ghost. Too many people have tried to reduce the gifts of the Spirit of God to a set of formulas that can be 'taught', or even go so far as to think they can be used 'at will'.

The best chance of being used is to be in the Holy Ghost, and that requires prayer, and dedication. A lot of people unfortunately take the lead from charismatic 'word of faith' techings which stem from E. W. Kenyon... which is repackaged witchcraft, plain and simple.

I'd like to bring something to mind. The Pharisees once confronted Jesus saying,

Matthew 12:24-30
English Standard Version (ESV)
24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Stand with Jesus. Learn how to navigate and operate in the spirit. Then confront the enemy when facing the things we can't see.

It is interesting the Bible does not contain any 'study guides' or 'preferred techniques for finding and using your spiritual gifts', is it not?

Just be careful. I recommend 'The Spiritual Man' by Watchman Nee as a good primer on the subject. Although I disagree with many of his theories, he does have some very good things to say about the psychology of being hoodwinked by false and lying spirits.

Avoid passivity.