Spiritual Gifts

[~~ angelique ~~]

So, I don't understand the "deemed fit" idea.

I don't understand it either.

Where did you come up with that concept?

Who told you this?

I came up with this concept because one of the church experience I had (the one I keep referring to that has wounded me so) the church leadership chose people who they "deemed fit." I personally watched as those who had more money or could benefit the church through some association or were close friends of those in leadership were the ONLY ones who "were deemed fit."

When I questioned this, I was told to follow the leadership even if they were wrong; that I had no right to question them; and pretty much raked over the coals for having a brain. The pastor actually told me that "God could never use me" as well as "God couldn't help me."

So, I have a valid reason for asking this question. They had the idea that the people were to follow the leaders as the leaders followed God and that to question them was to question God. I was told this point blank - to my face - when I met with this pastor to discuss this issue.

Does that help everyone to understand where this question comes from?

[Guest man]

So, I don't understand the "deemed fit" idea.

I don't understand it either.

Where did you come up with that concept?

Who told you this?

I came up with this concept because one of the church experience I had (the one I keep referring to that has wounded me so) the church leadership chose people who they "deemed fit." I personally watched as those who had more money or could benefit the church through some association or were close friends of those in leadership were the ONLY ones who "were deemed fit."

When I questioned this, I was told to follow the leadership even if they were wrong; that I had no right to question them; and pretty much raked over the coals for having a brain. The pastor actually told me that "God could never use me" as well as "God couldn't help me."

So, I have a valid reason for asking this question. They had the idea that the people were to follow the leaders as the leaders followed God and that to question them was to question God. I was told this point blank - to my face - when I met with this pastor to discuss this issue.

Does that help everyone to understand where this question comes from?

You no longer attend that church.................right?

You can put this issue to rest because it doesn't exist.

Christ said, "If the blind lead the blind, they will both fall into the ditch".

Those church leaders are blind.

If someone tells you to follow someone even if they're wrong, you walk away and don't look back.

You were "deemed fit" the instant you were called.

I hope this sheads some light on the matter.

[nebula]

When I questioned this, I was told to follow the leadership even if they were wrong; that I had no right to question them; and pretty much raked over the coals for having a brain. The pastor actually told me that "God could never use me" as well as "God couldn't help me."

So, I have a valid reason for asking this question. They had the idea that the people were to follow the leaders as the leaders followed God and that to question them was to question God. I was told this point blank - to my face - when I met with this pastor to discuss this issue.

In the event of manipulation tactics - run, do not walk, to the nearest exit!

This is a sure sign of a cult. (Yes, even Christian churches can turn into cults. Satan loves to trip up and snare leadership into become cult-like leaders. Thus , the need to guard against PRIDE.)

Angelique - Although I would agree that some positions require the person to have grown in the faith and proved themselves faithful over time (Scriptures mention this for elders and deacons, for example), the qualities this "church" seemed to be advocating are definitely the wrong ones! The fact that they spurred you rather than answered your question only proves that they were wrong.

Does this help?

[Hunterpoet]

So, I don't understand the "deemed fit" idea.

I don't understand it either.

Where did you come up with that concept?

Who told you this?

I came up with this concept because one of the church experience I had (the one I keep referring to that has wounded me so) the church leadership chose people who they "deemed fit." I personally watched as those who had more money or could benefit the church through some association or were close friends of those in leadership were the ONLY ones who "were deemed fit."

When I questioned this, I was told to follow the leadership even if they were wrong; that I had no right to question them; and pretty much raked over the coals for having a brain. The pastor actually told me that "God could never use me" as well as "God couldn't help me."

So, I have a valid reason for asking this question. They had the idea that the people were to follow the leaders as the leaders followed God and that to question them was to question God. I was told this point blank - to my face - when I met with this pastor to discuss this issue.

Does that help everyone to understand where this question comes from?

Dear Angelique,

I hope by now, after reading the responses, you understand that what they did was wrong.

However, you did ask if G-d could use someone where they were or if they had to be deemed fit. Of course now I understand that you were referring to the church leadership concering fitness.

I hope you understand that G-d can use anyone at anytime and there are plenty of examples.

The story you tell is very significant. If nothing else it is a testimony for all Christians to be well read and have a close personal relationship with G-d.

[LadyRaven]

So, I don't understand the "deemed fit" idea.

I don't understand it either.

Where did you come up with that concept?

Who told you this?

Major Snippage

Does that help everyone to understand where this question comes from?

Yes I do. And much like the concept that there is a discernment among all believers that we can work on, and then a gift of discernment that is beyond that...God uses you now, where you are and as you mature, He uses you even more, or perhaps I should say in more intense places and different situations.

Right now the Lord is using you with the questions you ask. Later He will use you to answer questions. You might have the gift of discerning spirits, you might have some other gift. It will be as your measure of faith, as your faith grows so will your gift. It will be small now and grow as you walk in faith. However, if we wait until we are 'fit' then we will wait forever, nothing would get done this side of glory as we are all human and 100% fallible.

[~~ angelique ~~]

When I questioned this, I was told to follow the leadership even if they were wrong; that I had no right to question them; and pretty much raked over the coals for having a brain. The pastor actually told me that "God could never use me" as well as "God couldn't help me."

So, I have a valid reason for asking this question. They had the idea that the people were to follow the leaders as the leaders followed God and that to question them was to question God. I was told this point blank - to my face - when I met with this pastor to discuss this issue.

In the event of manipulation tactics - run, do not walk, to the nearest exit!

This is a sure sign of a cult. (Yes, even Christian churches can turn into cults. Satan loves to trip up and snare leadership into become cult-like leaders. Thus , the need to guard against PRIDE.)

Angelique - Although I would agree that some positions require the person to have grown in the faith and proved themselves faithful over time (Scriptures mention this for elders and deacons, for example), the qualities this "church" seemed to be advocating are definitely the wrong ones! The fact that they spurred you rather than answered your question only proves that they were wrong.

Does this help?

Yeah, it does.

[nebula]

[irishcowboy]

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.

I will answer this in the simplest way i know.....

The Holy Spirit is the one that decides who gets which gift at which time and for how long. and the Holy Spirit will use those that are willing to be used... AT ANY STAGE OF ONES CHRISTIAN WALK...... a new believer may be used more often (at times) then an old believer..... why? dont really know, God does though, it could be that the New Believer is seeking more and deeper then the older believer, maybe that new is more on fire then the old, and the fire has not been quenched as of yet.... some of us old believers have allowed ourselves to become so stagnent that we are starting to stink and we are trying to get others to fit in the mold we want them to be in..... GOD WILL USE YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE AT SO THAT YOU CAN GROW STRONGER IN HIM.....

I have seen church fellowships that will actually have some one go around and say whether or not they are of God...... tongues, interpretation, prophecy, even with a word of knowledge or wisdom, and they will call it discernment, and you will find that only a select few in that congregation will be allowed to share a word, and others will not..... they will not judge the message, but the person delivering it. I have heard a message given in prophecy (in one particular case) and every word lined up with the Word of God, and this person was told flat out that they were not of God, and to shut up. the message was at an appropriate time as well. needless to say, several people did get up and leave.

this is one reason we are to continuously study the Word of God, hide it in our hearts...deep in our hearts, so when something that is said or done by some one or some organization that does not line up with Gods Word, you will know it......

if a preacher says You do not need to follow along, or look it up, be very leary of them, and DO LOOK IT UP AND FOLLOW ALONG.... ensure what the preacher is saying IS THE WORD OF GOD, and not something that is totally wacky.....

search out the scriptures, study to find yourself approved....

mike

mike

[HAZARD]

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.

:noidea:

Thanks for your kind responses.

God can and will use a good person in any way He sees fit as long as that person agrees and allows themselves to be used.

A Gift is just that. When God gives a gift He never takes it back.

So, are the gifts permanent or temporary?

They are always permanent if they are real gifts, as given to any person. There are no doctrins of a temporary gift or calling from God mentioned in Scripture. God, when He see's it proper to give gifts or to call a person to some particular work in life, does not change His mind regarding the giving of the gifts. When a person who has been given a particular gift backslides, God will cease to use the person, but if and when the person comes back to God his original gifts and calling are there to be exercised through him again. Although we wood be foolish in saying that when God spoke through the ass that the dumb animal had recieved a permament gift to speak. God just used the animal.

Can a gift be aboused?

Scripture shows that they can be abused. Solomon, while in a backslidden state used the gift of wisdom and knowledge to further his own rebellion against God (Eccl. 1:12-18; 2:4-11). The wisdom and knowledge God gave Solomon became part of his natural ability, and he continued to use them while backslidden. Any knowledge that a man learns by Divine revelation, or by experience, or by being taught, he can still use whether saved or not, because it becomes part of his mental knowledge and wisdom.

Moses misused his gift of miricals, and therefore, for smiting the rock instead of speaking to the rock as God instructed him, he was forbidden to enter Canaan (Num. 20:7-13; Deut. 32:48-52). Paul taught that one may have the gifts of the spirit, and still not love, and they would profit nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

"Though I may speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity [Divine Love], I am become as a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And although I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all myusteries, and all knowledge; and although I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

Paul further corrected many abuses of the gifts of the spirit in local churches as is clear in (1 Cor. 14:1-40).

[~~ 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.

That is the idea.

:24: What?