Spiritual Gifts

[~~ angelique ~~]

I have a question on spiritual gifts. Can God use a person where they are or must they wait until some point in the future where they are "deemed" fit for use? I am so confused about this.

Some say you have to be fit for use. But, I don't understand why the spirit of God couldn't use someone right where they are. To me, so state that someone has to be "deemed fit" is to put the Spirit of God in a box.

Thanks for your kind responses.

[Hunterpoet]

I'm sure there are any number of people who might regard me as unfit for use. However, I know G-d has used me for His purpose on more than one occasion. This I believe is in response to my prayer long ago that He use me as He saw fit to Glorifiy His name.

[nebula]

Of course the Lord uses us right where we are! Why would anyone think otherwise?

We have to be found faithful in our here-and now before we can be trusted to be sent out. Or how is one to be found "deemed fit for use" if they haven't done anything?

On the flip side, I wouldn't send a brand new Christian to Bible college to become a pastor. But if the person believes that calling to be on his life, I'd want him to be working in the church in some way to help build him up and work towards that direction. (Better to work with the people before getting stuffed with formal theology.)

But any new Chrisitan can do evangelistic work (sharing Christ with others, leading others to Christ), pray and intercede, etc. If the Lord has bestowed a spiritual gift (tongues, interpetation of tongues, healing, word of knowledge, etc.) on someone, then obviously the Lord trusts them with it.

Make sense?

[Guest]

God

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:27

Can Do

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

Trust In Him

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

[OneLight]

There seems to be confusion to the original question.

I have a question on spiritual gifts. Can God use a person where they are or must they wait until some point in the future where they are "deemed" fit for use? I am so confused about this.

Spiritual gifts, given to believers by the Holy Spirit, is told to us in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. They are:

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Gifts of the Spirit are different from the ministries that He gives to each of us. This is seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

And further more in verses 27 & 28:

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

God gives us our gifts and ministries. He will not use us until He is ready. Saying that, I also believe that there are some who claim to have certain gifts, but are using the counterfeit gifts from Satan to accomplish Satan's plan of confusion and division. To me, these people are doing so because of pride and arrogance, thinking that they are doing Gods will by believing a lie that they are truly gifted. So sly are Satan's lies.

Then there are those who do not wait for the Lord. They step out in their own flesh and use what God has given them before their time. This also will cause confusion and division. These are those who are immature, a novice in their walk, causing them to fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

We are to wait until He "deems" us fit for service and not place our own understanding above His will.

The Gifts, when properly used, are to profit all, as stated in verse 7. In order for this to be accomplished, one must be mature in their walk, which would mean that God knows their heart and their heart is Gods, not half Gods and half their own. To me, this is what ~angelique~ means by being "deemed" fit. Furthermore, this is Gods choice, not mans. It is He who "deems" who is fit and who is not.

In His Love,

OneLight

[Xan]

Angelique, I can tell by your posts God has been using you and your fresh perspective on faith in the short time you have been saved. Though we first must sit with God before we can walk before men, I also believe we can and should do both at the same time. If you sit with Him, you can know Him, and you will better be able to know His leading in all things including showing His love and His face to others. Also, you may not realize it, but you have a wonderful way of gently admonishing those of us who tend to become hyper-religious and remind us of who God really is.

[~~ angelique ~~]

There seems to be confusion to the original question.

I have a question on spiritual gifts. Can God use a person where they are or must they wait until some point in the future where they are "deemed" fit for use? I am so confused about this.

Spiritual gifts, given to believers by the Holy Spirit, is told to us in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11. They are:

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

The Gifts of the Spirit are different from the ministries that He gives to each of us. This is seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

And further more in verses 27 & 28:

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

God gives us our gifts and ministries. He will not use us until He is ready. Saying that, I also believe that there are some who claim to have certain gifts, but are using the counterfeit gifts from Satan to accomplish Satan's plan of confusion and division. To me, these people are doing so because of pride and arrogance, thinking that they are doing Gods will by believing a lie that they are truly gifted. So sly are Satan's lies.

Then there are those who do not wait for the Lord. They step out in their own flesh and use what God has given them before their time. This also will cause confusion and division. These are those who are immature, a novice in their walk, causing them to fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

We are to wait until He "deems" us fit for service and not place our own understanding above His will.

The Gifts, when properly used, are to profit all, as stated in verse 7. In order for this to be accomplished, one must be mature in their walk, which would mean that God knows their heart and their heart is Gods, not half Gods and half their own. To me, this is what ~angelique~ means by being "deemed" fit. Furthermore, this is Gods choice, not mans. It is He who "deems" who is fit and who is not.

In His Love,

OneLight

Actually, I kind of meant it how it sounded. When the Holy Spirit comes into someone, can't God use them right then and there? For instance, the above quoted verse on various tongues. When I received the baptism of the spirit, the pastor was praying in tongues, and immediately I understand what he was praying although he didn't know. God didn't wait. Am I mature? No freaking way; however, I was able to interpret what was said anyway.

So, I don't understand the "deemed fit" idea. God spoke through Balaam's donkey, was the donkey "fit"? No; however, the donkey was available. I guess I am wondering where the limitations are coming from God or man's ideas of what God said.

It's in my head that God will use whomever is available for him. Even in the parable of the seed. Good ground (where the seen of God is growing), there are different levels of fruit grown. To me that means that there are different maturity levels but at each level fruit and gifts can be exhibited.

From what I've read, the disciples were used way before they were ready. Then there was the women at the well. She had an encounter with Jesus then went and evangelized the whole town telling them to meet Jesus.

:24:

[Trusting Jesus]

God will always use a willing person. In fact, the enthusiasm of a soul who has just accepted Christ is wonderful. There is a growth and a depth that should begin to happen, then God will use you in different ways. It is a little like starting a new job. You get hired and right away you begin learning the job -- but you are also being used right off the bat. As you learn more about the job your duties expand and you are able to do more as well as teach others.

As far a spiritual gifts, I remember a Bible teacher I like saying that when he was young he wanted the gift of healing. He prayed for it and tried to get the gift on his own, but it wasn't until he was older that God began to use him to heal. He realized that if he had been younger when he was given this gift he would not have been responsible with it -- using this gift only for people he liked and not always when God urged him to use it. Not everyone is like that, but God will knows when we are ready to move forward in our walk with Him.

God is using you, Angelique. You are learning, asking questions, and growing. Study as much of God's Word as you can and pray for His guidance.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[nebula]

Actually, I kind of meant it how it sounded. When the Holy Spirit comes into someone, can't God use them right then and there? For instance, the above quoted verse on various tongues. When I received the baptism of the spirit, the pastor was praying in tongues, and immediately I understand what he was praying although he didn't know. God didn't wait. Am I mature? No freaking way; however, I was able to interpret what was said anyway.

That's why I mentioned if the Lord has given you the gift, then He means for you to use it.

Hopefully you will have someone "older and wiser" in the faith who can help guide you. But He doesn't give you a light to hide under a bush, nor a sum of money for it to be buried (and yes, I'm referencing the words of Jesus here ).

[EricH]

Every believer is given at least one spiritual gift at the moment of salvation. The only thing that interferes with our use of the gift is when we "quench the Spirit"