Chapter 7: The Ninefold Gifts, Part 2

IN THIS LESSON, you will discover:

• The gift of prophecy.

• The distinguishings of spirits.

• Kinds of tongues.

• Interpretation of tongues.



AS A RESULT, you will be able to:

• Judge prophecy according to biblical standards.

• Distinguish between human, demonic, and angelic spirits.

• Differentiate between tongues and the gift of tongues.
• Understand the supramental dimension of the gift of interpretation.

Reading: Renewal Theology 2, pp. 380-88.

Key Scripture: “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy” (1 Cor. 14:1).

The gift of prophecy falls sixth in the list of the ninefold manifestation in 1 Corinthians 12. As the Key Scripture indicates, prophecy is considered an especially important gift. Its distinctive value lies in the fact that of all the spiritual gifts prophecy has the greatest potential to build up the church. As Paul put it: “Everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort….He who prophesies edifies the church” (1 Cor. 14:3-4). Through prophecy the Holy Spirit fulfills His role as the paracletos — the comforter and advisor. Out of the mouth of the person prophesying flows divine consolation, fortifying exhortation, and stirring admonition. The gift of prophecy is one way in which Christ fulfills His promise to be with us “always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

Prophecy is an immediate communication from God in human language. It is a “speaking for” God in which God’s Spirit provides the content. As such, it is a miracle in the form of speech. One who prophesies may speak in the first person or in the third person. He or she may phrase the message in King James English: “Thus saith the Lord…,” or in a less formal manner: “Tonight I feel the Lord saying…” The words may be spoken haltingly, or even with incorrect grammatical expressions. All of these concerns are inconsequential; whatever the form of true prophecy, its origin is the will of the Spirit and the mind of God. The message given by the prophet is unplanned and spontaneous, for it is not a product of human conceptualization. It takes great courage to manifest this gift, for one speaking under the anointing of the Spirit does not know in advance what he or she is going to say.

Prophecy is popularly equated with prediction. Although those who prophesy may at times predict the future, prophecy primarily involves speaking a word from God for a particular situation. It is a “forthtelling” rather than a “foretelling.” Prophecy helps us understand ourselves, our choices, and our circumstances in light of God’s opinion. Prophecy is a word of direction sent to guide us, a word of consolation sent to lift us, and a word of assurance that roots us securely in God’s loving, providential care.

Paul was adamant about the importance of prophecy. He commanded: “Do not treat prophecies with contempt” (1 Thess. 5:20). Yet he was also aware that human and even demonic influences can adulterate or mimic true prophecy. He warned: “Test everything” (v. 21). Below are five criteria for testing or judging prophecy:

True prophecy expresses the mind and heart of Christ.

Prophecy genuinely given by the Spirit of Christ reflects His infinite love and purity. Some communications “channeled” by New Age spiritists contain messages alleged to be from Christ Himself. The spiritual hollowness and self-centeredness of many of these communications, along with their subtle inducements to immorality, show that their true source is other than God.

True prophecy is harmonious with Scripture.

Since the same Spirit is the source of both Scripture and prophecy, true prophecy never contradicts or adds to Scripture. True prophecy is also delivered in an orderly way, in harmony with the nature of the “God…of peace” (1 Cor. 14:33). It never interrupts preaching or teaching. And it does not follow that the louder a prophetic message is, the truer it is.

True prophecy builds up the community.

The primary purpose of prophecy is edification. Prophecy that is judgmental or vindictive should immediately be suspect. Though prophecy may admonish at times, it does so in such a way that its ultimate aim — restoration and forgiveness — is always in view.

True prophecy finds consent in the hearts and minds of the spiritual community.

The gathered spiritual community experiences a consensus of feeling regarding the “rightness” or “wrongness” of a prophecy. The church through the Holy Spirit is qualified to judge prophecy.

True prophecy glorifies God, not man.

Prophecy that is self-congratulatory and elevates the speaker rather than God is clearly not from God. Also, prophecy that is repetitious and empty of meaning is likely to be rooted in human egotism.

Dr. Williams notes that the biblical injunction to “weigh” prophecy also means that we should examine closely the meaning and import of each prophetic utterance. For whom is the prophecy intended? What is the central significance of its message? What responses are called for? In many churches where prophecy occurs, too little time and attention is given to thinking through such questions. We must listen to God when He speaks!

Further Study: Review the scriptures under “Prophet, G. Prophets in the New Testament church,” NIVTSB, p. 135.

Life Application: Think of contemporary figures who are considered “prophets.” Do they truly function as prophets? Do they prophesy in the biblical sense? Test their prophecies using the guidelines above. What should you do if a prophet fails these tests?

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. All Spirit-filled believers may prophesy. [380]

2. True or False. A person who has the gift of prophecy holds the office of a prophet. [381]

3. Prophetic revelation is subordinate to what God has revealed in ______________________. [382]

4. Prophecy has been called a “miracle in the form of ___________.” [383]

5. One who prophesies speaks for “edification, ________________, and consolation.” [383]

6. Prophecy is basically (“foretelling,” “forthtelling”). [384]

7. Prophecy is primarily for (believers, unbelievers). [384]

8. Prophecy is to be judged by (other prophets, assembled believers). [385n.]

9. We prophesy according to the proportion of our _____________. [387]

10. True or False. There is no correct form for prophecy. [387]

Reading: Renewal Theology 2, pp. 388-94.

Key Scripture: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).

Most Christians have experienced meeting someone for the first time, and in some inexplicable way “knowing” that they were Christians also. When it was illegal in Communist countries for Christians to congregate, this ability was quite useful and was often highly developed! Through this common experience we glimpse in a small way the kind of power imparted by the Holy Spirit in the gift of distinguishings of spirits.

The gift of distinguishings of spirits is another plural gift. Not only is each instance of discernment a fresh charisma, but the objects of discernment — spirits — are of differing kinds. This gift allows the believer, through the Holy Spirit, to pierce through the outward appearance of persons and events, and perceive their inner spiritual nature or significance. The three main arenas in which the gift of distinguishings of spirits operates is in relation to human spirits, demonic spirits, and angelic spirits.

Human Spirits

Jesus, who performed His miracles as a Spirit-empowered man, is shown in the Gospels repeatedly utilizing the gift of distinguishings of spirits. John tells us that Jesus “knew what was in a man” (John 2:25). Jesus used His unerring insight into the inner motivations of people to minister to them, to encourage them, to convict them, and to rebuke them when necessary. His gentle probing of the woman from Samaria, His character-building estimates of Peter and Nathanael, and His stinging attacks on the scribes and Pharisees were orchestrated according to His sure knowledge of the character of their hearts.

The longer we walk with God, the more familiar we become with the “flavor” of the things of God. Hebrews 5:14 tells us that we should train ourselves to “distinguish good from evil.” But natural, intellectual facility in this area is not sufficient when dealing with complex spiritual realities. When judging prophecy, for example, it is necessary not only to discern the meaning of the words of the prophet, but also to discern the spirit of the prophet. This may be why distinguishings of spirits follows prophecy in Paul’s list of the spiritual gifts.

Distinguishings of spirits is a versatile gift with many applications. Through the illumination of this gift, we can know if unforgiveness or bitterness is keeping someone from receiving healing. We can also discern if the Holy Spirit desires to release a spiritual gift in someone and encourage them to appropriate this gift. Through a vision given by the Spirit, we can know if a person is burdened by anxiety or despondency and minister to their need. Or we can sense the peace and joy in their spirits and rejoice with them.

Demonic Spirits

We can say, by way of analogy, that spiritual discernment is for spirit beings what sense perception is for physical beings. It is certain that demonic beings quickly discerned Jesus’ true spiritual identity (Mark 1:23-24)! The Son of God was not invisible to demonic spirits, nor were they invisible to Him.

Jesus performed many healings directly. But in about twenty-five percent of His healings, He discerned that the root cause of the illness was demonic. In these cases, Jesus effected healing through exorcism. The gift of distinguishings of spirits remains indispensable for deciding whether an illness or emotional problem is caused by demonic possession or oppression.

The gift of distinguishings of spirits is also a gift that enables believers to detect and guard against the operations of the enemy. Scripture testifies that Satan is capable of performing dramatic wonders and miraculous healings. Wherever the Holy Spirit is at work, Satan also is at work, even in the midst of the church (Acts 8:14-24; 2 Cor. 11:13-14). Satan delights in spreading false doctrine and can counterfeit all the spiritual gifts, including distinguishings of spirits. In this regard, it should be noted that the gift of discernings of spirits is not an ability to recognize the spirits of the dead, as some teach.

Angels

Angels are ministering spirits and messengers sent from God to aid and protect us. There are many passages in Scripture where the veil between the physical and the spiritual world is lifted, and we are allowed to observe the activity of these divine intermediaries. Dr. Williams tells us that the climactic experience of the distinguishings of spirits is a sense of the presence of these marvelous beings. It must be glorious indeed to see, even in a partial way, the faces of those who see the face of the Father (Matt. 18:10).

Further Study: Review the scriptures under “Spirit, C. Spirit beings,” p. 160 and read the Topical Note “Angel,” p. 1367 in the NIVTSB; also read “Angel,” NIDB, pp. 46-47.

Life Application: Have you ever discerned the presence of angels or demons? In what situation(s) did this occur? How did you use this insight given by the Holy Spirit — for prayer? For deliverance? For comfort and assurance? For ministry? What were the results of discernings of spirits in these instances?

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. The gift of discernings of spirits allows us to have greater discernment in every area of life. [388-89]

2. The gift of discernings of spirits allows us insight into the actions of human, demonic, and __________________ spirits. [389]

3. We discern the truth concerning other spirits by the illumination of the _____________________________. [389]

4. True or False. The gift of discernings of spirits is a “problem-solving” gift. [390]

5. Using this gift, Jesus saw which diseases were caused by ___________ and which were not. [391]

6. The gift of discernings of spirits is helpful in judging _______________ utterance. [391]

7. True or False. The gift of discernings of spirits is a gift of exorcism. [391]

8. True or False. All supernatural manifestations come from God. [393]

9. Satan is (able, unable) to perform counterfeit miracles in the church. [393]

10. In Hebrews, angels are called “____________________ spirits.” [393]

Reading: Renewal Theology 2, pp. 394-402.

Key Scripture: “To another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues” (1 Cor. 12:10).

The gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues are often called “twin gifts.” Like the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge, they function together. In fact, we might even call tongues and interpretation “Siamese twin gifts,” for one cannot function without the other. Interpretation always properly follows a manifestation of the gift of tongues.

We studied the phenomenon of tongues earlier and identified it as an evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence, which every Spirit-filled believer can discover and experience. But not everyone who speaks in tongues devotionally has the gift of tongues. Unlike tongues for personal use, the gift of tongues is a public manifestation of the Holy Spirit given to some for the purpose of ministry.

When Paul asked, “Do all speak in tongues?” (1 Cor. 12:30), the Greek construction clearly indicates that the expected answer is “no.” Many claim that this verse implies that not all need to speak in tongues devotionally. But this was not Paul’s intent, as his statements elsewhere show (14:5). He was saying that just as not all have the ministry gifts of healings or miracles, not all have the ministry gifts of tongues and interpretation. It is crucial that we, like Paul, differentiate between devotional tongues, which are to be a normal part of the Spirit-filled life, and the ministry-oriented gift of tongues. We need each type of manifestation of the Spirit if both individuals and the spiritual community are to receive God’s intended blessings.

Earlier in this chapter we learned that the gift of prophecy functions as a special channel through which the church receives edification, exhortation, and consolation directly from God. The gifts of tongues and interpretation work in a similar way, though they are meant to relay different blessings.

Tongues and interpretation are especially effective in bringing forth transcendental praise. As two or three speak with tongues during worship, a mysterious sense of God’s presence is communicated to the fellowship. When the content of interpretation uncovers something of the hidden riches of God, or reveals the Spirit interceding for us, we get the sense that we are standing at the shoreline of a vast, unseen world of spiritual activity. We are engulfed in mystery and transported into a realm of awe.

For this reason, Paul called tongues a sign to unbelievers. Tongues and interpretation are, without question, strange and uncanny phenomena. Unbelievers who witness them may conclude that Christians are crazy. Or they may sense that unearthly forces are at work and become curious. The effect of singing in the Spirit upon unbelievers is particularly dramatic. The spontaneous harmonic interweaving of charismatic vocalization seems to be orchestrated by an invisible conductor.

The gift of tongues has an ongoing place in the ministry of the church. According to 1 Corinthians 14:26, we should expect divine communication to be given through tongues whenever we gather to worship. A genuine manifestation of the gift of tongues is not an outburst of emotionalism or the result of psychological aberration. Messages in tongues are speech and have content. Indeed, they are the Spirit’s own self-expression.

We should guard against exaggerating the importance of tongues or any other spiritual gift, lest we repeat the mistake of the Corinthians and focus on the gifts rather than the Giver. Yet we should recognize that God has chosen to endow us with spiritual gifts for important reasons. Spiritual gifts act as lenses through which the power and reality of God become focused in our midst. By their manifestation the Spirit is able to minister both to us and through us.

Further Study: Review the scriptures under “Language, B. Language barriers begun at Babel; C. Language barriers removed,” NIVTSB, pp. 98-99.

Life Application: Violet Kitely’s manifestation of tongues was, as she admits, an exception to the general rule. Yet the supernatural power of her utterance was apparent both to the thief who fled and to the minister who later was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Are you, like that minister, guilty of harboring an attitude contrary to Paul’s command: “Do not forbid speaking in tongues” (1 Cor. 14:39)? Note Dr. William’s emphasis that “each one has” (not “may have”) a manifestation of the Spirit’s power when assembling together (RT, p. 400). Are you being faithful in appropriating, using, and encouraging the use of spiritual gifts according to this standard?


Key Concepts:

1. The gifts of tongues and interpretation appear at the end of Paul’s list because they were (the last gifts given, the least of the gifts). [395]

2. The gift of interpretation is a (mental, extramental, supramental) gift. [395-96]

3. True or False. “Kinds of tongues” means that believers have the ability to speak in a variety of languages. [396]

4. The correct context for the gift of tongues is the gathered _____________. [397]

5. True or False. According to Paul, all believers may speak in tongues devotionally. [397]

6. It is urgent that we discriminate between devotional tongues and tongues used for ________________. [398]

7. The primary content of tongues is transcendent ______________. [398]

8. Speaking in tongues is a sign for (believers, unbelievers). [399]

9. True or False. Paul forbade the Corinthians to speak in tongues. [401]

10. Only (three, five) speakers should speak in tongues during community worship. [402]

Reading: Renewal Theology 2, pp. 402-9.

Key Scripture: “For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says” (1 Cor. 14:13).

Key Word: Supramental.

The gift of interpretation does not confer broad or general interpretive abilities upon its user. A person with this gift does not gain an aptitude for interpreting dreams or Scripture. The gift of interpretation is given specifically to enable someone to interpret messages given by the Spirit in tongues. Note that the interpreter does not gain the ability to understand the unknown tongue of the tongues speaker. The syllables of the spiritual utterance remain as incomprehensible to the interpreter as they are to the speaker or other hearers.

The process of interpretation consists of the Spirit making known the meaning of the tongue directly to the mind of the interpreter in a supramental fashion. As this occurs, the interpreter speaks the message forth to the assembly. As with prophecy, the speaker does not know in advance what the message will be. He or she discovers its meaning, along with the rest of the assembly, while speaking.

Since no knowledge of languages is involved in the interpretation of tongues, the message given by the interpreter is not a literal translation. Because there is no word-for-word equivalency between the tongue and the interpretation, its length may vary from that of the spiritual utterance. This accounts for the fact that interpretations generally run longer than messages given in tongues.

We have learned that tongues are never merely ecstatic outbursts. They are always messages spoken by the Spirit, and have intelligible content. For this reason, the gift of interpretation is critically important. Without it, the counsel and comfort spoken by the Spirit remain hidden and ineffective. Through the gift of interpretation mysteries of the Spirit are revealed, revelation occurs, and individuals and the church are greatly edified. The gifts of tongues and interpretation, when they function together properly, are ranked by Paul as equal to the most valuable of all spiritual gifts — prophecy (1 Cor. 14:5).
Summary

As we close our study of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it is important to reemphasize that we need all the gifts of the Spirit today! There has been widespread misunderstanding about the nature of the gifts in the church. This has lead some to jettison the gifts completely and others to overemphasize their use and distort their meaning. Hopefully, this study has cleared away any misconceptions you may have had about the gifts. But once you have learned to understand and appreciate spiritual gifts in their proper biblical context, it is time to seek expectantly to manifest them. Prepare to become a channel of the Spirit’s power, and then step out in faith and allow the Spirit to take control. Only when we risk everything, and trust in God’s sufficiency can we receive God’s fullness. When the gifts of the Spirit become fully operational in the church, we will see the glory of God in a new way, and experience His highest blessing as we bless others through His power and grace.

Life Application: Have you ever attempted to interpret an utterance in tongues? Paul says that we “should pray” to interpret and that “everyone has…an interpretation” (1 Cor. 14:13, 26). The next time that a message in tongues is given, ask God to give you the interpretation so that you might please Him and edify others.

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. The gift of interpretation allows the believer to understand foreign languages. [402]

2. True or False. An interpretation may be shorter or longer than the spoken message in tongues. [403]

3. True or False. Tongues spoken simply as an offering of praise need not be interpreted. [404]

4. Through interpretation, a (translation, message) may be given. [405]

5. Tongues plus interpretation differs from prophecy in their ___________. [406]

6. Tongues are basically for praise, uttering mysteries in the Spirit and offering ___________________________. [406]

7. One who speaks in tongues (should, should not) pray to interpret. [406]

8. True or False. If there is no one present to interpret, the person with the gift of tongues should remain silent. [407]

9. The problem in the Corinthian church was ______________________ tongues. [408]

10. Interpreted tongues and prophecy are (equal, unequal) in value. [408]