Them that believe...

[ChristSpirit85]

Hi there,
My name is Kristen and I am kind of confused at the moment. I would consider myself a strong Christian. I have grown up in a Spirit filled Christian family. My Mom and Grandmother were both in deliverance ministries when I was a child and I have grown up knowing about spiritual warfare, deliverance, miracles, answered prayers and spiritual activity. I am very aware of our activities being doors for the enemy to come into our lives. In college I was considered the loon among our Christian friends, because I took things a little far with the whole "spiritual" warfare stuff and this talk of demons...etc. I was taught about ancestral demons, territorial demons, and then demons that were for particular sins and temptations so I was hyper aware of those things in my daily activities. I always prayed against them and in college I developed a real boldness in spiritual warfare. I have never heard a demon speak to me, only through others or and haven't seen a demon, I have only felt their presence and prayed against them. I always believed my spiritual gift was discernment and up until the last few years it was very strong in my life. The holy spirit would give me those "butterfly" feelings when I would walk into a room or meet a particular purpose...where the hair would stand up on my body and I just knew in my spirit something was there. Up until the last few years, my Mom and grandmother have been my source of wisdom in spiritual warfare, just because frankly not many Christians know about it or want to deal with it including pastors. We moved back to my hometown and are going to a church where the pastor is aware and welcoming of the gifts of the spirit and also deliverance. The confusion part comes with his teaching on gifts of the spirit. I read the passage below and believe it wholeheartedly

17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

But I personally have not spoken in tongues, I have very seriously prayed for this, gone up for prayer to receive this and have fasted and prayed about it. Since our pastor preached about this subject and won't allow you to be a leader unless you've spoken in tongues, I feel now that I am lacking as a Christian to move on to the next level without receiving this. I didn't miss this in my walk until the pastor pointed out I needed it, due to this scripture. I always had believed that not every Christian had the same gifts, but his teaching explained Christians have different gifts but all share the gift of tongues. I want to grow and intensify my relationship with the Lord, but this has left me feeling less confident in my authority from the Holy Spirit to "shake" the realms of warfare in mine and others lives. I know the holy spirit resides in me, I feel him all the time. But I have not spoken in tongues, even after praying, searching and repenting of sins in my life...for months. I know that if a demon were to come to me that the blood of Jesus over me would protect me and that I have the authority to cast it out. My husband was in pornography about six months ago and we came against that spirit, and I have gone through praying and anointing our home. Since then he has not succumb to the spirit of lust...But now I'm questioning to what extent am I effective in prayer and rebuking. If I was attacked by a whole slew of them, am I strong enough spiritually to rebuke them....with this ever so present awareness that I have not spoken in tongues...I don't know anymore. It's a horrible place to be. To go from having a sense of authority and discernment to being told that you aren't "there" yet until you've spoken in tongues. All I want is the truth, and I believe this scripture above...so I have to believe that I really should be speaking in tongues..but I also know it shouldn't become a focus in my walk...That would be the enemy distracting me. Right now I'm just in a place of trying to drown out all the voices and advice coming to me from family and churches and hone in on God and what his spirit is telling me, mainly just to stay sane and strong against the enemy until I find direction. But any biblical advice would be great!

P.S. My family is in very real tangible spiritual struggle right now, with spirits manifesting themselves to family members and constant prayer and rebuking going on. Please pray for us. We are all going through the fire at the moment! But we will come out stronger, Amen!

[nextnline]

WOW!!!! I think that it is wonderful that you so freely submit to spirituial warfare. Warfare is serious work. I would like to encourage to fight the good fight of faith. You must however be born again! The scripture declare you must be born of the water (baptism in Jesus' Name) and the Spirit (the Holy Ghost). The only evidence of the Holy Ghost is speaking in other tongues. You must first acknowledge that you DON'T have God's Spirit. As long as in your heart you believe you have it without speaking in tongues you will never recieve it. Gifs and callings are without repentance the fact that you have operated in your gifts doesn't mean that you are saved. The scripture also says many will come in that day saying I prophesied in your name, I casted out devils in your name but God's response was Depart I never knew you. The way that we know God is by His Spirit.
But remember don't get so wrapped up in the tongue. It is God's Spirit that you should be seeking for. Always desire a closer walk with God. It is about relationship. Growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior. The day that we feel complete in God is the day that we have stepped away from the will of God.Nothing hurts us or cuts as deep as the word of God. When we truly look into the mirror of the word of God we seldom like what we see. Praise God for finally sending you to the truth under leadership that is more concerned with your soul than your operation of the gifts. Please continue seeking God for strength and revelation but above al things seek for His Spirit. You must have the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.

[rphillips]

Hello friends... I just want to share my testimony or experience on how I recieved the gift of tongues. It all happened two years in my walk with God. I was lead from the church my parents worshiped to a church that was demonstrating the power of God. I had now been at this church for about a month absorbing the teachings and working of the Holy Spirit. Then, all of a sudden the apostle asked if anyone wants to recieve the gift of tongues. So I got up and went to the front. The apostle told us to lift our hands and begin to worship the Lord. As I blessed God in adoration with my handsand heart in the recieving mode I felt something in my belly I couldn't explain at the time. Then, the apostle came by and laid hands on my stomach and told me to speak. At first the sound came forth like da-da-da-da-da-dad- kinda slow. But as I kept at it and loosened my tongue. The Holy Ghost took over and I couldn't stop. So I can't speak for no one else, but this is my testimony. Be blessed!

[timuchin]

As for the gift of the Holy Spirit called "tongues", not everyone has it! 1 Cor. 12:28-30 points out that none of us have all the gifts, not even tongues. God does this so we need the Body to have all the gifts.

But we are supposed to ask, seek, knock for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:13) We are to eagerly seek the greater gifts of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:31) We are to eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. (1 Cor. 14:1) We are to pray for gifts of the Holy Spirit with faith to receive them. (James 1:5,6)

I have done this with many gifts and received them. Some I have prayed for and not gotten. It's God's choice. Two of my spiritual children prayed for prophecy and were delighted to get it.

As for the attack on your family, you probably aren't making much headway because you are only praying for individuals. God also deals with us as family units, societies, cities, etc. We need to pray and command deliverance for each of the levels over us. Some property or object could be charmed to influence anyone near it. The environment could have occult influence in it. Clean up a two block radius around your house.

[ELITE]

I seeked the Lord for the speaking in tongues. One thing that was hindering me was that I was trying to do it on my own and I believed that tongues were not for everyone. As quoted above ask and it shall be given to you. Learn to yield your self to the Holy Spirit and you will recieve.



Let's us know
Elite

[nextnline]

There is such a misunderstanding concerning this subject. The speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is not the same as the gift of tongues. The evidence of being filled with God's Spirit is made known by the outward sign of the tongue. Peter asked some of John the Baptist disciples have you recieved the Holy Ghost since you believed. You can be a true believer and not be BORN AGAIN. Keep your mind open and study the word of God. Agin don't seek for the tongue.... seek for GOd's Spirit. I fyou believe in your herat that you already possess it then you won't recieve it. Take from someone with no prior knowledge just some faith to know God beter and it fell. Talk to God and desire to know Him in a better way. He will not disappoint you.

[timuchin]

[quote="nextnline"]The speaking with tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is not the same as the gift of tongues. The evidence of being filled with God's Spirit is made known by the outward sign of the tongue.[/quote]
I was baptized in the Holy Ghost without the gift of tongues. It was only years later that I prayed for and received the Holy Spirit's gift of tongues.

By the way, before I was a Christian, I was an occultist and spoke in tongues. It was demonic inspiration. How many in your church are using demonic inspiration? How many in your church are just blathering?
[quote="nextnline"]Peter asked some of John the Baptist disciples have you recieved the Holy Ghost since you believed. You can be a true believer and not be BORN AGAIN.[/quote]
In Acts 19:1-6, Paul found disciples of John who needed to receive Jesus. He baptized them into the name of Jesus. After they were Christians, he baptized them in the Holy Ghost. They spoke in tongues and prophesied.

If you believe they had to speak in tongues to be Christians, then they also had to prophesy to be Christians. How many in your church have prophesied?

[nextnline]

Some valid points however there is not one account of one recieving the Holy Ghost and not speaking in tongues recorded in scripture. Not all with the Holy Ghost will prophesy they may if the Lord allows them too but it is not required. Yes there are many tongue of the devil but the Holy Ghost is one of discernment, there is a difference. You would not believe the things that happen at my church if I told you. LOL!!! To God be the Glory for the things He has done. Be Blessed all day!!!!

[timuchin]

Actually, Next, I would believe it. I've seen it all. Paul's rules to Corinthians are often ignored. Sadly, Satan has a heyday.

Remember, I've been demonized in the pews during a service! I had a catcher put his foot right behind my heels. I've seen kids run with terror out of the loudness of the "music." I saw a preacher take three collections because the first two weren't enough. I've seen Christians grunting under the power of a spirit to the extent they couldn't even address the congregation. I've seen occultists and a Hindu come into services to spread demons all over the place.

Really sad.

[worship1]

ChristSpirit85

Blessed be the name of the Lord:

I can relate. One afternoon I went to the church to give my life unto the Lord. Afterwards I was prepared to seek/tarry the old fashion way. Which meant getting on my knees and calling on the name of the Lord until the Holy Spirit came. But on that afternoon after meeting with two of the Elders of the church, I was asked to have a sit.
After satting down one of the Elders opened up the Holy Bible and asked me to read.
Matthew 7 : 7 - 11 So after reading those verses the Elder asked me a question. He said if your child asked you for a piece of bread would you give him a stone? My answer was no. Then the Elder asked me if your child asked for a piece of fish would you give him a serpent? My answer was no. Than he said something to me which made those verses in the Bible became so clear to me. He said that is just how God is. God will give you just what you ask Him for, and all I had to do was to believe. He said the Holy Spirit is a gift you don't have to work for it just believe, for God is here He is all around you just breathe Him in. After I did what the Elder said the speaking in tongues came, He told me not to try and control what I was saying to let the tongues flow.
I pray that this has been of some help for you. ♥