- THE POTENTIAL IGNORANCE
- 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
- Consider the words spiritual gifts.
- “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Ro. 12:6-8
- Notice the exact words of Paul: “Concerning spiritual gifts … I would not have you ignorant.”
- “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Ti. 2:15).
- “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Ti. 3:16).
- THE PREVIOUS IDOLATRY
- 1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
- THE PROFESSION THAT WAS FALSE
- 1 Corinthians 12:3a Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
- There is the danger of speaking false messages.
- Making a statement or proclaiming a message that is not the truth of God and His Word.
- “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Ep. 4:25).
- “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment” (Pr. 12:19).
- “The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity” (Mal. 2:6).
- Either becoming or sitting under a person who counterfeits the gifts of God’s Spirit, whether he be a self-proclaimed minister or lay leader in the church.
- “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” (1 Jn. 4:1–3).
- “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily [quietly, secretly] shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Pe. 2:1).
- Making a statement or proclaiming a message that is not the truth of God and His Word.
- There is the danger of speaking the truth apart from the Holy Spirit.
- 1 Corinthians 12:3b Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
- “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Co. 2:12–13).
- “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 Jn. 2:27).
- Conclusion:
- Does the message confirm Biblical truth about Jesus?
- Does the messenger live a life that points to Jesus?