There were a number of situations where someone would control and manipulate others by way of "words from the Lord". So remember the Old Testament warnings: "But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say,... must be put to death.  ....If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him." Deuteronomy 18:21-22 I'm not suggesting that we kill anybody - but it does show the importance and the responsibility of: "the Lord says....."! It is better to say : "I believe the Lord is saying......" because it doesn't push someone into a corner - they are then free to test the word that was given.

Some Christians believe that the Bible teaches us that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer in use. But this explanation really doesn't sit very comfortably with what is being written about:  "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."    1 Corinthians 13:8-12 If the "when perfection comes" (v10) is taken to mean the Canon of Scripture then it seems a strange way of wording it, considering that the 1st and 2nd letters of Thessalonians, the letter of James, and the Old Testament were already written. Matthew Henry in his commentary wrote: "(Paul shows) how much better it will be with the church hereafter than it can be here. A state of perfection is in view (v. 10): When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When the end is once attained, the means will of course be abolished. There will be no need of tongues, and prophecy, and inspired knowledge, in a future life, because then the church will be in a state of perfection, complete both in knowledge and holiness. God will be known then clearly, and in a manner by intuition, and as perfectly as the capacity of glorified minds will allow; not by such transient glimpses, and little portions, as here." "Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."    1 Corinthians 14:39-40

In some situations there was a freshness in people's relationship with the Lord. The apostle Paul was obviously blessed and built up by his private use of the gift of tongues. Perhaps the reason for this blessing is: "For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit." 1 Corinthians 14:2

Some people used the 'gifts' to impress others. For example, a certain man would always give a tongue at about the same time every meeting. "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue." 1 Corinthians 14:18-19

I had met a minister who was was dry and rather boring, but then later he was radically changed in his zeal for God by being filled with the Holy Spirit and the church bore tremendous fruit because of it. "... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."   Acts 1:8

Some congregations are legalistic, who exibit a spirit of Law rather than the Spirit of Life. There isn't an overall family feel to the church. (To those who were 'established' within the church it did feel like a family, but to outsiders it felt as if they were viewed with suspicion and were scrutinized.) "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law." Galations 5:16-18

I have come across a number of Bible teachers and/or worship leaders who were very flippant, over the top jokey, or weird and wacky. The Bible does teach us that God is our Father, (in both Old and New Testaments) so as His children we can come before Him, but it also needs to be balanced with: "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."    Ecclesiastes 5:1-2