Replies

I believe far too much emphasis is placed on this one gift alone - one that Paul said was the least of them - and the use they had in the first century after Christ is rarely if ever the same use today. Instead it is a club of superiority placed over a believer's head insisting that true worship of God and effectual, fervent prayer is impossible without it. Well, I say BALONEY! It was NEVER that back then and it definitely is not today. Those who worship God must do so in spirit AND truth. And whatever is not of faith, is sin.

I see it as a matter of legalism and leading to bondage. In some circles, the legalism is in what you don't do. There is judgment and condemnation if you do certain things (drink, dance, smoke, or chew) and commendation if you don't do those things.

In the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, its a kind of reverse legalism. You are judged based on what you don't do (don't speak in tongues, don't get *slain in the Spirit*, don't whatever the sign of the day is) and you are commended if you DO do them.

I see that as being under bondage, a yoke of slavery, slavery to perform in certain ways or judgment and condemnation are the result, only from a different perspective.

I refuse to be under anyone's judgment and condemnation based on what they think of my works or signs. My walk with Christ is not to be measured by what someone else thinks God should be doing in my life or style with which I worship or pray. Been there, done that and am NOT interested in going there again.

That is all basing judgment on outward appearances and making people respecters of persons, the have's vs the have not's.

When everyone quits telling me I MUST DO _______ for them to think I am filled with the Spirit, then maybe it'll happen. But don't try to make me fit in THEIR mold.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Slavery to a law is slavery to a law, no matter whose law or conditions it is.