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"Speaking by the Spirit of God..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 12:3

CLAIMS OF SPEAKING BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD

It was not uncommon to hear people claiming that the Spirit of God was speaking through them. Those claims existed in the days of Paul and they continue to exist today!

“Therefore I make known to you that
no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed,
and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:3

1. How may we check if a person is speaking through the inspiration of the Spirit of God?

a) All claims must be examined.

b) No claim should be believed until it is thoroughly checked out.

c) A casual check is not sufficient!

2. The doctrine of the Lord Jesus Christ is of vital significance

a) How does the speaker regard Jesus?

i) This is not a casual reference.

ii) It is not sufficient to speak of “faith in Jesus”.

b) Two things were highlighted:

i) Calling Jesus accursed (anathema).

ii) Denying the Lordship of Jesus.

c) If anyone speaks against the Lord Jesus Christ in any way, that person is not inspired by the Spirit of God!

3. How could anyone call Jesus accursed and still say he is speaking by the Holy Spirit?

a) The person may speak of having an “ecstatic experience” or “ecstatic utterance”.

b) He may think that though he does not understand what he is saying, he imagines himself “offering praise to God”.

c) But, the person may be calling Jesus “accursed” unwittingly.

d) This may have been done in “ignorance” but it is still a sin to call Jesus “accursed”.

4. Calling Jesus “Lord”

a) The true believer cannot but accept and proclaim the Lordship of Christ.

b) The Spirit of God will not speak of Himself.

c) He will ever seek to declare that Jesus is Lord!

d) This is not a mere declaration in words.

e) This confession must be backed up in life.

f) This was “standard practice” in first century Christianity.