Gifts given in the spirit?

[pinebeach]

I've kinda been wondering whether to say this or not, but here goes.

I have had the experience of believing a false word over me and wondering when God would fulfill that word but of course it was not God to begin with. A very good lesson about testing everything.

However, I have known some people who hang on a 'word' and in the meantime, do nothing whatsoever waiting for God to do something. I knew one woman who actually married someone because several people had a 'word' for her from God telling her to marry him.

Did she love him? no. He was a beast and he badly physically abused her and used her. She did leave him and I counselled her and assured her that the people who had a word, were themselves deceived and bad actors and she was not disobeying God by leaving. In the end, she did meet and marry someone with whom she was very happy.

I know someone else who thought they were going to have some huge ministry....like Benny Hinn they said. (which was a red flag to start with) and she ruined her family, lied about her daughter who had only tried to disuade her and ruined the realtionship between her daughter and her son with lies. She treated her husband very badly. Well, when none of that giant ministry happened, she decided God told her she was going to remarry someone (husband had died) who abused alcohol, was living with another woman and they were going to have a 'ministry'. Yeah that happened.

I could go on with no story having a good ending. So my final word would be hang onto these 'words' loosely and do not pursue them trying to make them happen. Grow close to Christ, study the Bible, renew your mind and lead a meaningful life.

I'm not addressing this to the op; I think it's good advice for everyone.

 

[Urielllla]

WW, what an inspiring story.

I was saved while I was in the Australian Navy. The last couple of years of my career were shore based. There was something of a revival while I was there - it started before I arrived. The core group was basically very new believers saved during the revival. We had a pastor very much involved but there was also a Navy guy who was in effect the leader. We ministered together in informal meetings. He decided to leave the Navy. One evening, he said that God was passing the mantle onto me as Elijah had passed it to Elisha. I felt something on my shoulders.

Sounds good, but in reality nothing really came of it. I was posted to a new location, much to my disgust. I was enjoying where I was. So what was going on?

We have to be very careful with manifestations that seem to be spiritual. Satan can produce signs and wonders. He is liar, deceiver and destroyer.

If there is real fear involved, I have to doubt that it was God. Fear has been called Satan's calling card.

I was going home from night school one night. I was youth leader at my church. I had this strong impression that I should visit a young widow on the way home. It was around 10.30 pm. I was unwilling. I remembered the verse about refraining from the appearance of evil. I said to God that I'd rather not. He made it clear that I was to go. However, there was no fear at all.

I went there, wondering what I was doing. The woman opened the door and began the thank God. Not what I was expecting. She had prayed that God would send someone to pray for her daughter, born 3 months premature and who was way behind in development. I prayed for the child. She began to change from that time on. A few months later, she had caught up with her development, the young woman was engaged (not to me!) and I was much relieved.

I try to keep an open mind and my discernment sharp. There is a great deal of deception. But I do not want to dismiss the true miracles of God.

 

[Urielllla]

I've kinda been wondering whether to say this or not, but here goes.

I have had the experience of believing a false word over me and wondering when God would fulfill that word but of course it was not God to begin with. A very good lesson about testing everything.

However, I have known some people who hang on a 'word' and in the meantime, do nothing whatsoever waiting for God to do something. I knew one woman who actually married someone because several people had a 'word' for her from God telling her to marry him.

Did she love him? no. He was a beast and he badly physically abused her and used her. She did leave him and I counselled her and assured her that the people who had a word, were themselves deceived and bad actors and she was not disobeying God by leaving. In the end, she did meet and marry someone with whom she was very happy.

I know someone else who thought they were going to have some huge ministry....like Benny Hinn they said. (which was a red flag to start with) and she ruined her family, lied about her daughter who had only tried to disuade her and ruined the realtionship between her daughter and her son with lies. She treated her husband very badly. Well, when none of that giant ministry happened, she decided God told her she was going to remarry someone (husband had died) who abused alcohol, was living with another woman and they were going to have a 'ministry'. Yeah that happened.

I could go on with no story having a good ending. So my final word would be hang onto these 'words' loosely and do not pursue them trying to make them happen. Grow close to Christ, study the Bible, renew your mind and lead a meaningful life.

I'm not addressing this to the op; I think it's good advice for everyon

I've kinda been wondering whether to say this or not, but here goes.

I have had the experience of believing a false word over me and wondering when God would fulfill that word but of course it was not God to begin with. A very good lesson about testing everything.

However, I have known some people who hang on a 'word' and in the meantime, do nothing whatsoever waiting for God to do something. I knew one woman who actually married someone because several people had a 'word' for her from God telling her to marry him.

Did she love him? no. He was a beast and he badly physically abused her and used her. She did leave him and I counselled her and assured her that the people who had a word, were themselves deceived and bad actors and she was not disobeying God by leaving. In the end, she did meet and marry someone with whom she was very happy.

I know someone else who thought they were going to have some huge ministry....like Benny Hinn they said. (which was a red flag to start with) and she ruined her family, lied about her daughter who had only tried to disuade her and ruined the realtionship between her daughter and her son with lies. She treated her husband very badly. Well, when none of that giant ministry happened, she decided God told her she was going to remarry someone (husband had died) who abused alcohol, was living with another woman and they were going to have a 'ministry'. Yeah that happened.

I could go on with no story having a good ending. So my final word would be hang onto these 'words' loosely and do not pursue them trying to make them happen. Grow close to Christ, study the Bible, renew your mind and lead a meaningful life.

I'm not addressing this to the op; I think it's good advice for everyone.

I think what you're trying to say is know God for yourself. Don't just hang unto 'prophecies' primarily and let them guide your life without you receiving a confirmation from God. Infact, prophecies should be a confirmation of things you already know. And most importantly, test every prophecy with the word of God. The Holy Spirit would never contradict the written word of God.
If someone says a 'beast' is your husband, when the word of God says to not be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever, you should know that prophecy is false.

Note that if someone's husband is still alive, and abuses her, she can walk away from the marriage, but she is not to remarry while the husband lives.

 

[pinebeach]

I think what you're trying to say is know God for yourself. Don't just hang unto 'prophecies' primarily and let them guide your life without you receiving a confirmation from God. Infact, prophecies should be a confirmation of things you already know. And most importantly, test every prophecy with the word of God. The Holy Spirit would never contradict the written word of God.
If someone says a 'beast' is your husband, when the word of God says to not be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever, you should know that prophecy is false.

Note that if someone's husband is still alive, and abuses her, she can walk away from the marriage, but she is not to remarry while the husband lives.

I pretty much agree with what you wrote except regarding marriage but that is a topic for another thread

 

[Lozzie]

I've experienced that same fear of God when I was reluctant to do what He had told me. And when He became very emphatic, "This is what you are to do, and you will do it!" there was no room left to say "no".

I've experienced various encounters with God that were sometimes mysterious, sometimes incomprehensible. I've also experience spiritual deception, getting tangled up by if for a year's time. One thing I've learned is that where the word of God is there is power, and other voices do not have His power that performs His purpose.

Personally when these things happen that we don't understand, I prefer to set it aside and not draw any conclusions until such a time as that I know God is revealing it to me.

Much love!

That's great advice.

 

[Lozzie]

I've kinda been wondering whether to say this or not, but here goes.

I have had the experience of believing a false word over me and wondering when God would fulfill that word but of course it was not God to begin with. A very good lesson about testing everything.

However, I have known some people who hang on a 'word' and in the meantime, do nothing whatsoever waiting for God to do something. I knew one woman who actually married someone because several people had a 'word' for her from God telling her to marry him.

Did she love him? no. He was a beast and he badly physically abused her and used her. She did leave him and I counselled her and assured her that the people who had a word, were themselves deceived and bad actors and she was not disobeying God by leaving. In the end, she did meet and marry someone with whom she was very happy.

I know someone else who thought they were going to have some huge ministry....like Benny Hinn they said. (which was a red flag to start with) and she ruined her family, lied about her daughter who had only tried to disuade her and ruined the realtionship between her daughter and her son with lies. She treated her husband very badly. Well, when none of that giant ministry happened, she decided God told her she was going to remarry someone (husband had died) who abused alcohol, was living with another woman and they were going to have a 'ministry'. Yeah that happened.

I could go on with no story having a good ending. So my final word would be hang onto these 'words' loosely and do not pursue them trying to make them happen. Grow close to Christ, study the Bible, renew your mind and lead a meaningful life.

I'm not addressing this to the op; I think it's good advice for everyone.

I hear what you are saying, everything needs to be tested. I've definitely had people try to speak things over me that were questionable at best. The particular instance I mentioned was not that. God has given me words for people more times than I can count over the years. The church in general is not great at times in teaching what one is supposed to do with these words for others or even ourselves. A few key practices I have learned to incorporate over the years are the following.

1) Does this align with the scripture and the character of God?
2) Does this align with Love and Peace for betterment of the individual?
3) Does this word uplift and encourage the body of Christ as the gifts of the Spirit are intended to?
4) Have I sought guidance from God on how I am to move forward with this word and his divine timing?
5) Is this word simply God giving awareness to a situation in order to uplift this person in prayer with greater accuracy?
6) Have I asked God about how, why and when to share this word?
7) Is my personal opinion, assessment or circumstances influencing what I believe God is saying?
8) Can I bring this word forward in humility knowing I am not a perfect vessel to carry His word or speak it out?
9) Is this a word that I can take before trusted leaders or peers to pray for confirmation?
10) Will this word do harm or cause someone to stumble or go astray.

Personally speaking and this may not be for everyone. Sometimes when God gives me a word for someone it is in a Spirit of encouragement. If it comes from within like the Holy Spirit within us wanting to encourage someone it is safe because the Bible constantly tells us to encourage each other. Sometimes God will ask you to do or say something for someone that makes you uncomfortable, for me it is usually accompanied with my heart beating out of my chest and a sense of anxiety. This can be God testing your obedience which can be uncomfortable but necessary in Him developing your ability to hear Him and act in obedience. Step out in both confidence and humility. Confidence in your obedience to God and humility in knowing that you are not God but merely a vessel He can use when you are walking in submission to his will. Do everything in Love. You may get something wrong, you may deliver it in the wrong way, you may deliver it at the wrong time. Seek His will and act in Love and you will be blessed either way as you seek His will and learn to trust yourself with what He is trusting you to carry.

 

[Blade]

Maybe this is like yours.. I give this one time.. our Church would to to other Churches and sing and pray for the people. We were at this Church and after the morning service I went for a walk alone and said "lord I know you called me but I don't know to what". That Sunday night we sing and then go out pray for the people. I notice Roy.. was not praying for someone but someone had his hands on Roy praying for him. I thought.. ooh if I go over there maybe he'll pray for me. I go over and he takes his hands off Roy and puts them on me and says "My son I have called you but you do not know to what.. you have great faith....." so forth so on. I didn't need to know if that was really God but I still asked my Pastor if that mans word could be trusted and he said yes.

What gets me about yours is this "This is the moment when she yelled at me "ADAM, TAKE THIS!!!" She was terrified when God raised his voice and she finally complied in terror.". In 65y I have never once experienced anything like this from the lord. Verse comes to mind "where the spirit of the lord is peace/freedom. " its like praying with someone and in the spirit and saw something being wide awake.. all these people had there hands up.. it was all black people were outlined with white. It went down to this perfectly round stage.. anyway the other person I was with saw the same exact thing. So called this grandmother that prayed 4 hours a day so much power of GOD she said "when ever God shows me something it never goes down and never has black in it"

To this day 49Y later never had black in them or went down. Had gray as in we were (a few young people) praying and I saw this square green grass.. so green just flowing back and forth and then these huge gray stones show up. Gray never black. See when I had saw that open vision.. we were both believers.. loved Jesus praying in the spirit so.. how could I see something like that and not be of GOD? I had moved out of my house.. asked my mom if I could I was 17. My girl friends parents said I could stay with them.. my Dad was.. very very mean. The 1st week of moving in ... I was leaving School and this car stops in the middle of the street "are you so and so" yes? "the lord says run home". That grand mother that only had a bible study that had no clue that had happened told me "Danny the lord told me I was to tell you to run home". See I was disobeying GOD.. I didn't listen to Him.. I did what I wanted. So I at that time open the door to the enemy to show me things that were not of God. Make sense.

Its one reason when I pray .. or praying for someone I make sure I repent and mean it.. so there is nothing between me and GOD. Anyway... as for the call on your life.. ooh AMEN! HE will open all the doors.. no fear not worry no doubt.. trust Him..

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

Okay first off I am going to make it very clear that I am of sound mind. I have not been indoctrinated into any particular denominational belief system that would create some sort of spiritual delusion. I have been involved in too many churches/ ministries from all around the world to count. My perspective is very broad but it is Jesus that is the foundation of my faith.
Now that I have that out of the way, I will just say I am a pretty regular guy in a lot of ways. I run a woodworking business, go to the gym, go to church, lead worship, have friends and family that I care for.

Maybe 10-15 years ago I was at a conference with my ex-wife and some friends from our church. This was not a pentecostal gathering, just a bunch of mostly non denominational christians meeting to seek God in a powerful way through prayer and worship.

At one point during worship we were instructed to break off into groups, seek God and pray for each other. My group was maybe 5-6 people I knew from church. One couple were from a more traditional mennonite background to give context. At one point in prayer this woman yells at me "ADAM, TAKE THIS!!!" Her hands were outstretched towards me, palms facing upward she was burdened by the weight of what was in her arms and she was visibly distraught and weeping. Physically I could see nothing in her arms. I reached out my hands to her and she placed what she was holding in my arms, I saw nothing physically but I could physically feel the weight of the object in my hands. As I was holding it I asked "What is this?" Nobody seemed to really know what was going on or could tell me what was happening. People made guesses at what it could be but nothing really explained it. Eventually over time the weight lessened and I put my arms down not really knowing the meaning of it all. Speaking to the woman who had never experienced like this before she told me her side of what happened. " While we were in prayer I had my hands out and God put something in my arms and told me to give it to you. She said" No God, I want to give it to my husband!" Once again God told her "Give it to Adam!" Again she resisted saying she wanted to give it to her husband who was standing beside her. She then said" God yelled at her to "GIVE IT TO ADAM!!!" This is the moment when she yelled at me "ADAM, TAKE THIS!!!" She was terrified when God raised his voice and she finally complied in terror.

I've thought about this often over the years thinking, "I wonder what that was all about?!" I do know that God has a call on my life, to be honest I'm still unpacking what that looks like but I just thought I would share this story and see if anyone else has encountered something similar. I have seen, felt God do amazing things in my life and the life of others around me. God has blessed me with the gift of Discernment of Spirits which has been interesting at times. Still curious about this one event though. I'm sure it will all make sense in His timing.

If you have any insight or similar experiences I would love to hear about it. Don't be shy I am not easily offended.

God bless.

It's interesting that you have Discernment of spirits.

I have that gift too.
It has been very practical in certain situations.

As for your particular experience, I don't know what purpose God would have in handing you a heavy weight from another woman who claimed He spoke audibly to her.
Every one of the rare occasions that He spoke audibly in the New testament He clearly expressed a very important purpose.
Could it possibly have been a manifestation from another spirit through that woman?

 

[Lozzie]

Given the circumstances and who was in the group I am going to say extremely unlikely. This was during a very powerful time of worship and prayer, I felt no discomfort in what was happening, the presence of God was thick in the space and a close friend who was a very gifted intercessor who worked from Billy Graham for years was also in our group, this guy picks up on everything that isn't in the right spirit. I felt very safe with what was happening in that space and also am very sensitive and cautious when it comes to gifts and manifestations of the Spirit.

I agree with the practical applications of that gift, still learning and growing in understanding it. It was funny when I was talking to one of my mentors who is very wise in these things. He started asking some pretty direct questions. I told him that in the 20 year history of my contracting business I had only been taken for $1000 dollars one time with a very stubborn immigrant who refused to not get a deal at the end. He responded with, that's not normal. I explained it typically took me about 30 seconds to know what kind of person I was dealing with. If I sensed something was off with the client I just flat out refused to work for them.

 

[Edify]

Many have experienced things they believe to be "spiritual". What do we look for to determine if it's God or not?
1. When God calls you to a ministry He will usually deal with you first. Then later He will confirm it through someone else.
If God was going to tell you about marrying someone, shouldn't He tell you first?!? If you don't believe it then someone will confirm it.
Never believe something a stranger tells you in church!
God always has PURPOSE for His callings, not some kind of sudden feeling! He may suddenly warn you about someone not right, or someone in need. If you don't see God's purpose in it, DO NOTHING until He clarifies it.

 

[Lozzie]

Many have experienced things they believe to be "spiritual". What do we look for to determine if it's God or not?
1. When God calls you to a ministry He will usually deal with you first. Then later He will confirm it through someone else.
If God was going to tell you about marrying someone, shouldn't He tell you first?!? If you don't believe it then someone will confirm it.
Never believe something a stranger tells you in church!
God always has PURPOSE for His callings, not some kind of sudden feeling! He may suddenly warn you about someone not right, or someone in need. If you don't see God's purpose in it, DO NOTHING until He clarifies it.

This very good and I believe it is biblically accurate. The anointing often comes long before the title or position.