A friend and I were in discussion about this yesterday. If God gives you a gift, such as tongues, interpretation, wisdom, knowledge, working of miracles, faith, gifts of healing, prophecy, etc., can it be taken away. I said no because once God gives you something, it is yours. He doesn't give you something and then take it away. My friend said yes because if you don't use it, you lose it and that was Bible. Where? Research is going on. The example my friend used was the parable of the talents. The one who buried his talent had it taken away and given to someone else. Any thoughts??????????
I would be leary of this question. There are no difinate answers that I can find or know of, not meaning that they are not there.
Revelation 2:4-5 says that God will come quickly to us and remove our "Lamp Stand" if we turn from God and do not repent. This could be read as God meaning to remove his presence from us and we then live in inner darkness, untill we repent; or this could mean that God removes not just his presence from us, but his hand and talents as well.
A person could argue that just as Matthew 7:22-23 says that in the end days some will come to God and say they have cast out devils and healed the broken in "Gods" name, and God will say he has never known them. Taking that meaning as we can use Gods name (JESUS' NAME) and do great things is no secret, but that is not a talent or gift given to us is it?
I am not going to say that God does or does not remove gifts *spiritual* he has given a person at any time. I tend to believe that your friend may be right with the Talents example. The reason I believe this is because, If God gives you a talent/gift to use for his goodness or the Kingdoms work here on earth and you fail to do so; Then just as the many examples of people including satan/desciples, falling from grace, then why would God leave a person with Holy Gifts to use for personal reasons? Knowing that if your not living for God, we are living for ourselves.
Once again, I am totaly open to any input to this matter and I hope and pray that others do make comments. http://www.musicbysunset.com/Parables/44%20The%20Talents%20-%20Matthew.htm feel free to click this link to know more about he talents example
The rule of the talents are true, not used.... or laid aside... you loose them. A different opinion on the gifts of the spirit. They are gifts from the third person of the Godhead, The Holy Ghost. A gift is something that is taken graciously and used for the Kingdom of God. We can lay the gift aside in many ways. Such as, sin in our lives of not following the will of God, but God never takes it away. It's our choice to put it away or not be willing to use our gifts in ministry. Many of us quench those gifts by not following the will of our Father. Still it wasn't God who took it away. It's ourselves. He told Timothy that he wasn't using the gift that was given to him, and to stir up that gift and quit being afraid. He didn't take Timothy's gift away because he wasn't using it. He was kindly urging him to go forth and do that which God had called him to do. God needs his soldiers on the battlefield, He wants us to use the power through that of the Holy Ghost and the Gifts to do just that.
Another thing, the Holy Spirit of our Father is not the same as the comforter who was sent after the ascension of Jesus. The third person of the Godhead, is that individual, All new converts should be seeking the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The Holy Ghost by which the gifts are given. If we sin and are out of fellowship with our Savior, sure that gift has been given up by you. You not only deserted the Father, but gave up all you ever gained in the Kingdom. So beware, many Godly saints have fell by the wayside on the way to Heaven. Let us ever be mindful of who we serve with reverence and thanksgiving of our salvation.
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But if you are still under the blood, your gift never leaves you, just pray that the power of the Holy Ghost gives the unction to use that gift as was intended. All the gifts are powerful and they empower the church to win souls, heal the sick, etc. Don't do as Timothy, lay it aside, stir up that gift that is within you for the Kingdom. All will soon be over as Christ returns for us forever.
The apostle Paul admonished members in one of the churches he started, "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). He also urged the young evangelist Timothy: ". . . Stir up [rekindle] the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power an
TALENTS GIFTS
Talents are natural
Gifts are supernatural
Talents are inherited from one's parents, ultimately from Adam
Gifts are received from God
Talents are received at birth; they are natural endowments.
Gifts are received at the time of the new birth
Talents are possessed both by saved people and by unsaved people. There are many unsaved people who are very talented (musical ability, artistic ability, athletic ability, mathematical ability, etc.).
Gifts are possessed only by saved people, those who are members of the church which is His Body. An unsaved person might mimic a spiritual gift, but it is counterfeit and limited to self-activity (e.g.-a false prophet, a false teacher, etc.).
A man may be very talented as a TEACHER in the public school system or at a prestigious university. He may be recognized as an outstanding teacher by all of his co-workers. He may be very talented when it comes to communication skills and oratory. He may even win the "Teacher of the Year" Award.
This same man, upon believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, may not receive the gift of teaching. Spiritual gifts are determined by God not by any natural talents which a man may possess. If this same man should receive the gift of teaching it is above and beyond and distinct from any natural teaching talent which he had. It is something that he did not have prior to the new birth.
For full effectiveness talents need to be developed. A person who is naturally skilled musically must still learn to play an instrument, often demanding years of practice. Most professional athletes not only have natural talent but they have developed this talent through years of practice and hard work.
Gifts need to be exercised and this can only happen as the believer stays spiritually healthy and grows "in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). The proper exercise of spiritual gifts requires spiritual growth and maturity (Ephesians 4:13-16).
Talents possessed by believers ought to be surrendered and consecrated to the Lord and used for His honor and glory. Example: A skilled organist playing for a worship service "as unto the Lord."
Gifts are given by God for the outworking of God's LIFE as expressed by the Body of Christ. When the Body is healthy the LIFE of God is manifested and God is glorified (compare 1 Corinthians 14:24-25).
"There is a difference between natural talents and supernatural gifts. Talents come through the genes of natural inheritance; gifts directly by the Lord. Talent comes from the first Adam and, however attractive, is still a part of man's fallen nature. The gift is by the Holy Spirit, as it pleases Him" (Carlton Helgerson, The Local Church, pages 34-35).
The 9 Charismatic Gifts
1 Cor. 12:7 "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
12:8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
12:10 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.
12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
These gifts might be well defined as "A temporary, supernatural intervention of natural laws, bestowed by the Holy Spirit where His presence is invited and accommodated." Individually, each gift is defined as follows:
(1) Word of Wisdom -- A Word refers to "a supernaturally imparted fragment," while wisdom, which generally means prudence, decision making.
(2) Word of Knowledge -- A supernaturally inspired utterance of facts.
(3) Faith -- A supernatural impartation of assurance in God.
(4) Gifts of Healings -- Supernaturally ministering health to the sick.
(5) Working of Miracles -- A supernatural intervention of natural laws. The Greek describes it as "works of power" and implies instantaneous results.
(6) Prophecy -- A supernaturally inspired utterance from God. A genuine prophetic utterance never contradicts, neither is equal to, the written Word of God. To forthtell or foretell. To speak from the mind of God. Prophecies are to be judged (1 Cor. 14:29, 1 Thes. 5:20-21).
(7) Discerning of Spirits -- This is a supernatural ability to discern a person's spiritual character and the source of his actions and messages, such as from the Holy Spirit, demon spirits, the human spirit or from the flesh.
(8) Different Kinds of Tongues -- A supernaturally imparted utterance in an unlearned language which is interpreted as a prophecy to the body for their edification. (This is distinguished from "praying" in tongues, which is intended to edify one's own spirit -- 1 Cor. 14:14.) A message in tongues to the body is always to be interpreted (by another gift), and is limited to three within a gathering (1 Cor. 14:27).
(9) Interpretation of Tongues -- This is the supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues into the understandable language of the hearers. It is not a "translation" but an interpretation.
The Application of the 9 Gifts
It should always be remembered that the purpose of all the gifts are to edify the church, and their distribution within the body is completely dependent upon the discretion of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:11). The scriptures imply that it's appropriate to seek specific gifts, however, one's motive must be for the building up of the church, not for self gratification. "...since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel" (1 Cor. 14:12).
There is a difference between spiritual gifts and fruit. Gifts are the Spirit's manifestation through a vessel, but fruit is the offspring of one's spiritual character. Spirituality cannot be measured by gifts, but by fruit (Gal. 5:22-24). Love is the predominate feature of spirituality (1 Cor. 13:13), without which, charismatic gifts cannot function effectively (1 Cor. 13:1-2). Paul expressed that the church should have a desire for spiritual gifts, but it should follow the foremost pursuit of love. "Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts," (1 Cor. 14:1).
The service where spiritual gifts function may likely take on a less structured, more spontaneous environment that may seem peculiar to some. But in 1 Corinthians 14, the Apostle Paul established specific guidelines for their use so to remove the potential for confusion and disorder. Rather than banishing the operation of these gifts entirely as some churches have done in fear of mayhem, they should seek to understand and implement the prescribed order, as the Apostle admonished: "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:39-40).
The Gifts of the Holy Ghost should never be confused with the Fruits of the Spirit, talents, etc. God chooses when and where these gifts should be edified through us for the glorification of Him and His church. We are just the willing vessels He uses to empower the Church to reach lost souls and meet the needs of His children.
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