1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 - “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 

1 Corinthians 14:29 - “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should test what is said.”

TESTING THE GIFTS – The New Testament says that we should test all prophecies in the church – and this is true whether the prophecy comes as a verbal revelation, a vision, or a dream.  Unfortunately, very few Pentecostal or Charismatic churches today test any prophecies.  They accept everything people say, even though many so-called “prophets” today mix up their own imaginations with true divine revelations.  In the true Work of the Holy Spirit, we must develop a consistent practice of testing the spiritual gifts.  The Bible commands this and the Spirit requires it.  If we allow false prophecies into the church alongside true words from the Spirit, then the Holy Spirit will stop speaking in that place completely, leaving us to our own imaginations.  This happens even with seemingly “harmless” false prophecies that promise people prosperity or victory over their problems. 

continue

1 Corinthians 12:7-10 - “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom . . . to another distinguishing between spirits...”

“Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.”
- 1 Corinthians 14:29

“Do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to the good.”
- 1 Thessalonians5:20-21

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a very important characteristic of the Work of the Lord.  Many wonderful experiences and blessings have come to us through the gifts.  Even so, it is very important to be able to discern between what is from the Lord and what is not from the Lord, lest we have unnecessary disappointments.  The importance of the gifts in our churches necessitates that we are careful about avoiding abuses or false gifts.

continue