TESTING,TESTING THE MICROPHONE

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1 Corinthians 12:1-3 KJV
Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
[2] Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Now, we know by whole study of this epistle, that Paul here was not actually making an exegesis on the gifts of the Spirit here, but reacting to matters "concerning spiritual" Which is among a list of matters, the Corinthians wrote to him about.

This is implied by the the introducing phrase " Now concerning spiritual". The word gifts is italicised, and the word "Now" contextually implies the next matter on the list, and not literal timeline.

The introducing phrase; "Now concerning" began its mentions from the Seventh chapter, where it seems Paul began to specifically attend to the matters the Corinthians wrote to him for elucidation.

1 Corinthians 7:1-3 KJV
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
[2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
[3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

Note the phrase; "Now concerning the things";.. and the word "things" is in plural, implying a no of matters. And it seemed that marriage was the first on the list of these "things". And paul devoted the whole chapter on it.

Now, see this;

1 Corinthians 8:1-4 KJV
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
[2] And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
[3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

The phrase "Now as touching" is the same as "Now concerning". Hence, it seemed that "food sacrificed to idols" was second on the list.

And then, our opening texts;

1 Corinthians 12:1 KJV
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

Hence, "spiritual" was the next on the list.

The same is also true of the last chapter of this epistle;

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 KJV
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
[2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Hence, it is apparent that "collection for the saints" was the last of these "things".

Thus, it is clear that Paul was addressing issues of which the Corinthians had brought to his attention for clarity... Hence the introductory word "Now concerning..' I Cor.7, 8,....then 12 and finally 16.

Also,..the word 'gifts' in the text, is not in the original, thus the word 'spiritual' from the Greek 'pneumatikos' as used here would not be limited to the Holy Spirit in implication and aplication,..since the root or source word 'pneuma' is not limited to the holy spirit,... but all spirits.

Thus, it's implicit that the Corinthians were beginning to be concerned about the source of the various spiritual manifestations among them,..this is because they had had contact with spirits(in idolatery) before salvation, and were even led by them.

1 Corinthians 12:2 KJV
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

They were not new to spiritual manifestations,.. Hence, they wanted to know among other things, how to judge spiritual manifestations; so as not to accept devils, and/or reject the Holy Spirit; due to ignorance.

And Paul wades into the issues, and gave fundamental principles of distinguishing the manifestation of the Spirit, from the manifestation of other spirits.

1 Corinthians 12:3 KJV
Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Hence; the test is IN THE CONTENT OF THE UTTERANCE.

If its the Holy Spirit manifestation(gifts), the CONTENT of the minister's UTTERANCES will emphasize Jesus' lordship,..that is, it will exalt, glorify Jesus, and his finished work only.

If its not the Holy Spirit, ..THE MINISTER'S UTTERANCES will debase, deemphasize, Jesus' lordship, His finished work and salvation truths...and promote the man, and his works above Christ's.

In all related scriptures, the CONTENT of UTTERANCES is the true test of truth and falsehood.

Look at this;

Matthew 16:15-17 KJV
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

How did Jesus know Peter had yielded to God?
BY THE CONTENT OF HIS UTTERANCE!

Now, see this;

Matthew 16:21-23 KJV
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
[22] Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
[23] But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

How did Jesus know that Peter had yielded to the devil?...Again, it was by CONTENT OF HIS UTTERANCE.

Note that this was the same day, as it were,... and the same person. He was used of God in the 'morning', and was used of the devil in the 'evening'.
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One can be used of God and the devil in vice versa sequence. And the interval can be in infinitesimal neighbourhood of time and space.

The only way to discern if the minister is being used of God, or the devil is not to look at the minister, his ministry or his success, but THE CONTENT OF HIS UTTERANCES, regarding Jesus, His finished work and salvation truths.

Apostle Paul lamented;..

Acts 20:28-30 KJV
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, to draw away disciples after them.

Notice again, ...that it is in their SPEAKING.
And the motive is clear. .."...to draw away disciples after them" - vs 30..

Moving on,

1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
[2] SPEAKING lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Note again,...it is in THEIR SPEAKING!

The word "seducing" here is from the Greek 'planos' and means deceiving, and in context implies to cause to wander off through THE USE OF WORDS.

Moving on still,

1 Timothy 1:19-20 KJV
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
[20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

What was the nature of Hymenaeus and Alexander's BLASPHEMY?

2 Timothy 2:15-18 KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
[16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
[18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

2 Timothy 4:14-15 KJV
Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: [15] Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

It was in the content of their UTTERANCES!
Their sayings were against apostolic words(doctrine).

1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJV
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
[4] He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Again, we see in the above, that IT IS IN THEIR UTTERANCE, and the context above is doctrine/ teaching.

Moving on still...

Titus 1:10-11 KJV
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: [11] Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Again, in the above, the falsehood is manifested in their UTTERANCES.

2 Peter 2:1 KJV
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Again, ...it is in the content of their UTTERANCES(teaching)

2 Peter 2:12-15 KJV
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
[13] And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
[14] Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
[15] Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Again, the falsehood here is manifested in what they SPOKE.

Now;..

1 John 4:1-3 KJV
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
[3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Here again, the test for falsehood is in CONTENT OF UTTERANCES. If it does not place emphasis on Christ Jesus, His finished work, and salvation, ...it is the spirit of antichrist.

Hence, the test of falsehood, and/or truth, is not in the popularity, following, prosperity, miracles, achievement, public acceptance, exploits, etc of a man or woman of God, ...but in the content of his utterances in preaching, teaching, praying and counselling.

Therefore, ..just as it is imperative that we do our 'testing, testing, ..the MICROPHONE, ..

The scriptures instruct sternly that we do 'testing, testing. ..the PNEUMA-PHONE'...

And it is not with the seeing of the eyes, ...but emphatically in the hearing of the hear...that is, we must pay attention to the sounds coming from the man of God's MOUTH-ROPHONE.

Selah.

Rev'd Theo'philips Danjuma

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