We were in a discussion about the disclosures currently happening in the Body of Christ and I began relating a situation that had bothered me for many years. A missionary evangelist was having very powerful meetings in some Asian countries. Many people were saved, deaf ears were opening, the blind were regaining their sight and a person was raised from the dead. However off of the platform, the minister was abusing his wife, in an homosexual affair and partaking in drugs. How could God use this man? Then I heard myself saying, only by revelation of Holy Spirit, that if he had not ministered, those souls would not have been redeemed, the deaf and blind would not have been healed and the person would not have been raised from the dead. God used him, even in his sin, to advance the kingdom and those people who were ministered to during those meetings are still promoting the gospel in their countries.

There are a few things we need to remember. First and foremost, God is God.

But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. Psalms 115:3

God gives gifts as He chooses. Just because someone may desire a certain gift or someone lays hands on a person does not automatically mean that person now has that gift. It is up to Holy Spirit who distributes the gifts to individuals as He wills.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Once God gifts a gift, He never takes them back and He doesn’t change His mind. Just because someone may fall into sin does not mean that the anointing is removed from their life. 

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

Gifts are still directed by Holy Spirit. A prophet only knows what is revealed to him by Holy Spirit. A person only discerns things as God lifts the veil to reveal them. A prophet may be ministering with someone who has sin in their lives, but the Lord may not have revealed it to the prophet in order not to hinder the prophet from ministering in the way Holy Spirit needed them to minister.

For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:21

Now we do have a responsibility. We have to learn to be fruit judges. 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-16

The Scripture does not say that we will know them by their anointing, or giftings, or by the miracles performed by their hands or by their eloquent words. My parents were missionaries in Africa for over 30 years. Well-known evangelists would come in and have huge crusades. They would announce that thousands or even a million people got saved. My father would go back to the area six months later and would not be able to find a single convert from that crusade. We will know them by their fruit. What constitutes fruit? Galatians 5:22 lists the fruit as love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

If the fruit is good and nothing else is revealed to us, we should receive their ministry with gladness. If Holy Spirit does not reveal or disclose something to us, it is not our responsibility. Deuteronomy 29:29 says “the secret things belong to God.” If something is revealed, it is our responsibility to deal with it based on our relationship to that person and the situation.

We are not to participate in gossip or hearsay. I have been advised several times not to have certain ministers at our conferences. I have learned to verify for myself both good and bad recommendations. Once I was told never to have a certain person come because he had been in an affair. I spoke to the person who was very open about the situation that had happened decades before. He had gone through all the church’s required disciplinary actions, he had a group of men that consistently met with him even after all the years that had passed and he had procedures in place as he traveled to hold him accountable. His repentance was real and he kept himself above reproach since that time. I felt very comfortable inviting him in and we had a wonderful conference that I have even recently received testimonies from. Unfortunately, many will never accept a minister who has fallen and been restored which leaves a tremendous hole in the kingdom.

In all things we must remember:

               What we sow we will reap.

               With the measure we give, it will be given to us.

               If you judge, you will be judged.