Of all the churches mentioned in the New Testament, the Corinthian church seems to have been the most spiritually gifted church. They were well endowed with the move of the Spirit of God. This was one exciting church.

There were, however, many abuses of the gifts in this group. Paul’s writing is to correct these abuses and explain the proper use of spiritual gifts. Thus, this book is or utmost importance to Pentecostal believers.

The word ‘gifts’ is not actually in the text, but was added for clarification. Following the text through, it is clear that Paul is talking about the manifestations or endowments of the spirit in the services of the Corinthian church – and of all churches to follow.

It is very important that the church does not act in ignorance concerning these gifts. Much instruction is needed in order to prevent abuses.

Notice the directness with which Paul addresses these believers.

What he is saying is, "Hey, remember how flaky you were before you got saved? You used to worship dumb idols. You were easily led into idolatry and all kinds of foolishness. Well, you’re still being led into foolishness. It’s time to grow up and get wise. Don’t be gullible and easily led astray. Not everybody who claims to be spiritual is. Not everybody who claims to be exercising gifts of the Spirit is. There are some guidelines. Be wise."

There were apparently some in the church who were prophesying and laying on hands and giving supposed words of wisdom and knowledge who were not exactly of God. It is vital that we judge all prophetic utterances and that we screen those who are supposedly exercising spiritual gifts in the church. Some utterances are more out of the human spirit than of the Spirit of God.

Now, I know we are told not to judge one another, but in this we are to judge.

• If someone insinuates that Jesus is anything less than what the Bible claims He is, they are not of God. They are false. (One of the chief confessions of Muslims is that God does not have a son.)
• Certainly a person can say the words ‘Jesus is Lord’ and not be sincere, but the key is, are they living it? Jesus said, "Not every who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter heaven, but hose who do the will of God". Watch the life. Not that everyone who exercises a spiritual gift has to be perfect, but you can tell by the consistency of a person’s life where they are coming from.
• 1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. When there is a prophetic utterance, listen closely. If it is God, you’d better remember what He said. If it’s not, you need to discern that. I would like to see more use of the gifts in our assembly. Please open up and let God use you. But don’t be embarrassed if you miss and we tell you that you missed.
• Also, it is important that we know those who are exercising the gifts. At times we have had visitors come in and give a word. We have to be cautious because we don’t know that person’s life. I examine those utterances closely. Recently a person new to our congregation received a word from the Lord in the service, but since they were new to us they were not sure how to respond. So they wrote it down and brought to me. I believe that was wise. God does all things decently and in order. He is not the author of confusion.
• Some people have the idea that something must be of the Spirit if you don’t know where it came from or where it’s going. That’s not always true. Not everything that claims to be spiritual is. Not everything that claims to be of God is.

There is another matter we need to address here. There are those people who will come into church on Sunday and prophesy so on target that you know it’s God – they will lay hands on the sick and they will be healed – they will operate in the power of God and you can bear witness that the Spirit of God is using them. But then on Monday night they are in the bar, or using drugs, or cursing their spouse, or gossiping.

The amazing thing is that God uses them. The tragic thing is that they bring a reproach to His name by the way they live – especially when people know they profess Christianity. And another tragedy is the judgment of God they will face for the bad witness they gave by their actions.

You see, there are gifts of the Spirit, and there are fruits of the Spirit. The two must be balanced in your life to be most effective. Fruits without the gifts make you a nice guy. Not much power but real nice. Gifts without the fruits bring a reproach on God. The power of God may be on you, but nobody wants to be around you otherwise.

It is up to you to develop the fruits and seek God’s anointing for the gifts. The fruits are of the Spirit, but the individual must grow in these, and that is a deliberate thing.

You may feel that someone else’s gift or position is more important or more glamorous than yours. But it is the same Spirit that gives all the gifts. There is but one Holy Spirit. If He is on you, it doesn’t matter what gift you are operating, you have the Spirit of God, and everything He does is useful and important. Everything He does is for the good of the whole church.

None should feel more valuable or less valuable than another. All are equally important. Whether you speak prophecy or lay hands on the sick or simply pray in tongues, you are as valuable as any other servant of God.

In the Corinthian church, and in many churches today, it has been a competitive thing. "My gift is better than yours." "Did you see what I did – oh no, what God did through me?"

There is one spirit who works in all and through all. He works for the good of the whole body, not just for the benefit of the one He uses. And He always honors Jesus Christ.

Jesus said,

One operating in the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit will not glorify himself, but Jesus.