When we give gifts to our children, there are often strings attached. They can’t misuse the item or it gets put away. If they mistreat someone with it, it gets taken away. If it goes unused for a time, it is often discarded or given to someone else. If we’re honest, our gifts are not truly free. I’m not saying that’s good or bad, wise or unwise. But, God isn’t like that. His gifts are free….completely free….no strings attached. And, this is where we often have difficulty.
We hear of a porn star who speaks in tongues. And, it rankles us. We question the validity of tongues and if what she is speaking really is from God.
We read of a man who has a tremendous a powerful healing ministry. Yet, he lives an immoral lifestyle. Our human minds cannot comprehend nor accept that. So, we question where his supernatural power comes from.
If it were up to us, we would only give the gifts to those who had attained a certain level of holiness and maturity. And, if the person fell beneath that level, we would take them away. But, God isn’t like that. He gives you a gift and it’s yours to use as you will. He even gives them to children. If you choose to put it on a shelf, or never accept it, that’s ok. You choose what you do with the gift He gives. If you choose to use it contrary to the way He desires, there will be consequences, but He won’t take back the gift.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Rom. 11:29
We see several examples of this in Scripture. When Paul writes to the church at Corinth, very quickly he commends them for the fact that they are not lacking in any gift(1 Cor. 1:7). Yet, 4 chapters later, he corrects them for allowing sexual immorality in their body. They were actually arrogant about it! Notice that he never questioned or discounted the fact that they were not lacking in any spiritual gift. Nor did he question the source of their supernatural power. And, it would seem they needed direction on how to use the gifts in their services because he takes several chapters to address that(ch. 12-14). But, despite their misuse…despite their immorality and arrogance….they still had the gifts in abundance!
We can take a look at King Saul’s life. He is sending people to take David. We all know Saul’s intent to kill David. He was after him because he was driven by jealousy. But, we find an interesting “pause” in 1 Sam. 19:20-24. David had fled from Saul and went to stay with Samuel. So, Saul sent messengers to take David. When they saw the prophets prophesying and Samuel there, the Spirit of God came over them and they also prophesied. Saul sent messengers again and the same thing happened. A third time, he sent messengers and they also prophesied. He was sending these people for the sole purpose of taking David with the intent to kill him. Yet, each group of people were overcome by the Spirit of God and prophesied. Well, Saul decides to take matters in his own hands. He went to Ramah to retrieve David. And guess what? The Spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied! He stripped off his clothes and prophesied before Samuel all day and all night. No other time in his life do we read of Saul prophesying. He hadn’t before this….and he never did again. Yet right in the midst of his murderous attempts, with a heart filled with jealousy, the Spirit of God comes over him and he prophesies! Amazing!
The gifts are not meant to be a validation of someone’s character. They don’t change a man. God’s word changes men. God doesn’t wait until we are holy enough to receive His gifts. He doesn’t give them with strings attached. He doesn’t take them back if we don’t use them correctly. There will be consequences just as there are in any wrong-doing, but He doesn’t take back the gift. He doesn’t take them back if we quit using them. We never grow in our ability to use them, but He doesn’t take them back. He never rescinds His offer of them if we refuse to accept them.
There’s no need to be confused or baffled or rankled when we see someone using the gifts when their character or moral choices don’t line up with the Word. We don’t need to question the source of those gifts because their lives are not lived in obedience to God. Grieve that what was meant to bring glory to God is being used in a way that causes mockery among non-believers and skepticism among believers. Pray that the individual will come to know God and not be content with just using the gift.
Bill Johnson says it well, “The gifts are free. Even jerks can have them.” Paul also recognizes that the spiritual gifts can be present in the midst of immoral lives.
Walking in the supernatural is not confirmation of someone’s character or theology. Conversely, one’s lifestyle or doctrine does not invalidate the spiritual gifts at work in their lives.