Lesson 67 – Practical Guidelines

Text:

1 Corinthians 14:36-40 KJV  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?  (37)  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.  (38)  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.  (39)  Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.  (40)  Let all things be done decently and in order.

Intro:

Much of Paul’s writings to the early churches were practical guidelines for Christian living and the proper operation of the church. For the church in Corinth, much of HOW they were operating was wrong. Paul took great lengths to help them understand that operating in the Spirit was not to be done however one wishes or feels to do it. His final statement in chapter 14 was that ALL THINGS must be done decently and in order. He was not allowing any room for them to operate according to local customs or cultural norms. The order in which he was speaking was the divine order set in place by God. These practical guidelines are extremely necessary for us to consider to have a depth of the Spirit moving in our churches.

Faith:

Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  (9)  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

If we are to be effective in operating in the Spirit, we must learn to have faith in God and be willing to do things according to the way He wants them done. God simply does not do things in a repeatable formula, nor does He work within the constraints of our understanding. This means when He works, we must have the faith to follow His lead, even when we do not understand.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Waiting on God also requires faith. King Saul knew that a sacrifice was what God desired. However, he was not willing to wait on God or God’s man.[1] Faith is necessary for the WHAT, WHEN, and HOW. Our willingness to know WHAT God desires and wait until He gives us direction and clarity is a demonstration of disciplined faith.

Psalms 27:14 KJV  Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Lamentations 3:25 KJV  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Submission

When God speaks His will to us, we must determine if that directive is in alignment with the Word and with our spiritual authority. God will never instruct us to violate His order. Simply declaring “God told me to………” is no justification to act. We gladly submit any directive from God to the judgment of His word and the spiritual authority He has placed over us. We have a responsibility to control how we operate in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:32-33 NIV  The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  (33)  For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

While we do maintain control over what we do, we do not control the moving of the Spirit. God does not take orders from us nor should He. We do not declare or direct the moving of the Spirit or the gifts of the Spirit. We work for God, and we cautiously await His instruction. There is a difference in speaking for God and speaking in the place of God. If God has not spoken, may we be submitted enough to remain quiet.

Romans 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

 Gifts do not equal office. Simply because God uses a person in a particular gift does not mean that individual has that office or controls that gift. If God uses us in the gift of healing, that does not make us a healer. If God uses us in the gift of prophecy, that does not mean we are a prophet. It simply means God needed that work done in that moment and chose us. We cannot then look for opportunities to exercise that gift as we desire. To do so is nothing more than a work of flesh. If we are to be used by God, we must learn to recognize when flesh is at work. God uses consecrated vessels who will give Him the glory; no flesh will glory in His presence.[2]

Edification of the Body:

God’s will is to edify the entire body. Most everything He does in a public worship service will be to the edification of the body. This means ALL actions in that service must build up ALL participants. Before we operate in the spirit we should ask ourselves “Will this action build up the entire church?”

Ephesians 4:15-16 NASB  But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ,  (16)  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

 To ensure that our actions will build up and edify the church, it is important to check your own spirit and motives. Are we being harsh in our actions because someone has done us wrong? Are we “operating in the spirit” because we desire others to take notice of us? We must get ourselves completely out of the way for God’s will to be accomplished. Consider that Jesus himself went to the garden to get himself out of the way so that the will of the Father could be accomplished.[3]

When God is using us, we must be willing to put all relationships set aside.[4] We must be willing even to bless those who have hurt us, and we must be willing to pass judgment upon those we love. When we are working on God’s behalf, we are not doing it for the acceptance or approval of ANYONE.

Boldness:

The unbelievers around the early church were astonished at the boldness of the believers. They were willing to do God’s will despite the cost they were required to pay. Boldness does not mean behaving in some ridiculous manner. Television preachers have taught modern churches that “operating in the spirit” involves ridiculous outward behaviors. That is not boldness, that is not operating in the spirit, that is flesh. When God moves on us, we must move in such a way that we are quickly forgotten, and God gets the glory.

Conclusion:

It is God’s will to use humanity to accomplish His will and edify His church. Humility is the missing element in many who desire to operate in the spirit. When God uses us, what is edified and who is glorified? Restoring order to the operation of the Spirit is an important first step toward revival in our lifetime.