David Diga Hernandez - The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

So let’s go to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, as this will be the main portion of Scripture from which we will glean truths. However, before we read this portion of Scripture, I want to talk to you a little bit about what spiritual gifts are. Spiritual gifts are the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit through you. It’s the Holy Spirit giving you certain abilities, certain powers, so to speak, that enable you to help other believers and to bring the church to a greater place in God’s glory. Now, let’s go to 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and begin by reading verse number 1, where the Bible says, «Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special abilities the Spirit gives us, I don’t want you to misunderstand this. You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshiping speechless idols. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.» There was an ancient saying that meant to «live like a Corinthian,» which referred to a lifestyle of partying and self-indulgence. The Corinthian culture was very pagan, and the world knew it. The Corinthians were known around the world for their ungodly lifestyle; they worshipped multiple gods, including Aphrodite, Asclepius, and Poseidon. They had a plethora of gods that they worshipped. This is the pagan culture that the Apostle Paul is writing to—former pagans who are now Christians in Corinth. Paul did not want the Corinthians to confuse the power of the Holy Spirit with pagan power; this is why he writes, «I don’t want you to misunderstand these things.» He emphasizes, «You know that when you were still pagans, you were led astray and swept along in worshipping speechless idols.» He wants to ensure the Corinthians do not confuse the power of the Holy Spirit with their former pagan power; he seeks to draw a clear distinction between pagan power and the power of the Holy Spirit. In verse 3, he states, «So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.»

Too often, we criticize one another, especially as believers. We criticize styles, methodologies, and our disagreements over minor issues of doctrine. However, Paul is saying that we can know someone is of the Spirit of God not by their methodology. Remember, the Corinthians might confuse pagan power for the Holy Spirit’s power, as the enemy constantly tries to counterfeit what God’s power accomplishes. Paul gives us a clear distinction: the message of the one operating in this power—the message of the believer, the message of the spirit-filled person, the message of the one operating in true spiritual gifts—will always focus on Jesus. It will always highlight Christ’s lordship. Christ-centered ministries never stray into demonic areas. This does not mean someone cannot go off-track once they lose that focus, but those who stay focused on Christ remain on track. He emphasizes that this is how you know where the power is coming from: the message they preach. If their heart, their existence, is all for the preaching of the gospel, pointing to Jesus in everything they do, then it’s very likely they are indeed a spirit-filled ministry. If the church understood this, there would be greater levels of unity. You can’t judge someone based on their methodology.

I have been in some church services where all they did was prophesy and pray for the sick, with no mention of Jesus. That is borderline witchcraft; I call it «Mattox sorcery,» where they demonstrate power but never preach about the person. That is a very dangerous thing to do. You want to ensure that whenever you’re demonstrating the gifts, you are building the body of Christ and pointing to Jesus as you do so. This is what the Bible says in Matthew 7:21–23: «Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord, Lord, ' will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.'» That Scripture is sobering and provides balance to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 3. On one hand, you must ensure they’re preaching Jesus, but on the other hand, just because someone is preaching Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean they are truly from the Holy Spirit. You have to examine the fruit. The Bible gives us several tools for discerning these things, but certainly, Paul emphasizes that the message of Christ must ground us and that the point of these spiritual gifts is to point to Jesus.

Jesus said we will know people by their fruits, not their gifts. Not everyone who demonstrates power is demonic, and not everyone who demonstrates power is of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we cannot judge solely based on gifts; we have to look at their message and lifestyle. Now, let’s continue to read 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 4: «There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same…»