30 Prayer Points to Command the Day

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Using the Power of the Holy Spirit!

1. Some people use the Holy Spirit’s power as a toy to be played with.

This was the problem of the Corinthian church. They so enjoyed talking in other tongues by the Spirit’s power that they were just having a good time in their services. There was a lot of disorder. Outsiders thought they were crazy. Paul let them know that all things should be done decently and in order. They should learn to so channel the power of the Holy Spirit that souls would be saved, not turned away from Christ.

2. Some people call attention to themselves instead of giving glory to God.

If the Holy Spirit gives a man faith for healing the sick, it is not so that he can shout: “Look at me, everybody! Miracles! I have lots of power!” Or if God uses someone to give messages in prophecy, it is not so that he can say: “Everyone had better listen to me! I am a prophet! Come to me if you want to know what to do.” Such pride brings many problems.

3. Some people just don’t use the power that the Holy Spirit has for them.

This is the most common mistake of all. Some have seen the misuse or imitations of the Spirit’s power and are afraid of anything supernatural. The Thessalonian church had this problem. Paul told them to test the spirits to see if they were of God and not to accept any false prophecies or imitations of God’s work. But they were not to throw away the real along with the imitations.

Do not restrain the Holy Spirit; do not despise inspired messages. Put all things to the test: keep what is good, and avoid every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is like having your house wired for electricity. It’s not wired so you can sit in the dark and say: “I’ve got electricity at last!” Turn the light on! Use the power! In the Book of Acts you have God’s pattern for the right use of the power of the Holy Spirit.