Hi guys. I have to admit I am one of the ones who would feel riled when I heard someone speak against the gifts. To me it was the equivalent of someone coming into the room and speaking against Jesus, God, etc. Kind of like how the room gets upset when atheists come in and start attacking. Now that I've been in CC a while I've come to accept that the topic will come up and that people will speak against it. I've changed my attitude toward it and have a more loving and understanding attitude toward those who speak against it. Make fun of it, etc. Like those who have not come to know Christ, there are those who have not come to know the fullness of Christ and/or have stopped seeking anything further of Christ because, perhaps, they believe they already have all there is of Him.
As we all know, satan has a counterfeit for everything. That saying has almost become cliche, but it is so true. I have seen things on TV that I'm not entirely sure about. I have seen and heard things from christians that they have experienced that I'm not entirely sure about. There have been times that I've felt the Spirit strongly and, in those times, I am able to feel sure that what I've just seen is of the Spirit. I hesitate to make any judgment on anything if what I just saw/heard about also took place in the Bible or is prophesied in the Bible. When people are truly seeking God and living for Christ, I do not put a limitation on what Christ may do in their lives. I'm sure we can all agree that God knows no limitations. So, I don't look at them askance or judge them. I definitely do not want to put myself into the position of speaking against Christ or His power and glory, and in judging others I may be doing just that, albeit unwittingly. I think people become offended when someone speaks against something they are experiencing because in telling them they are NOT experiencing it is, quite literally, calling them a liar. So, given that, if I see or hear something I feel uncomfortable with or unsure about, I go my own way and do not judge it when it is happening to those who are calling on Jesus' name and living for Christ. If it is of darkness the darkness will be brought to light. I, instead, focus on my personal relationship with Christ and seek the fullness of His glory and keep my heart open to His fullness. I pray and ask for His fullness and leave the rest entirely up to Him. Just because someone else is experiencing something does not mean that I will experience it and does not mean they aren't experiencing it. I just know that if I find a, 'level,' where I think I know it all and have experienced it all then I am putting a limitation on Christ and I do not want to find myself in that position. God is an Almighty Power that we cannot begin to fathom so I truly believe there are no limitations.
For what it is worth, I ask everyone to search inside themselves and ask if they are putting a limitation on Christ. Have you truly reached a level in Christ where there is nothing more that He can offer you? If someone else is experiencing something that you aren't, are you truly willing to speak against it knowing that you may very well be sitting there speaking against Christ Himself? If it does not line up with the Bible and does not line up with love and living for Christ then, yes, we use discernment. If it does line up with the Bible and a person who is obviously dedicated to Christ and living for and following Him is experiencing it....I think we should be exceptionally wary of speaking a word against them lest we speak a word against our Savior.
Love you guys. I hope this will at least give food for thought and I pray it will help, if only in some tiny minuscule way, lead toward more unity and acceptance of others.
