Being Naturally Supernatural

The Challenge of Spiritual Gifts

In today’s world, there has been much talk, confusion, and, to be honest, considerable abuse of spiritual gifts. Recently, I had a discussion with someone from a church that has made it a doctrine to keep certain practices and manifestations of the Holy Spirit confined to special believers’ meetings. While I understand their reasoning, I cannot, for the life of me, understand how they justify it biblically. It takes a significant twisting of 1 Corinthians 14 to even come to a shred of justification for this belief.

“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” — 1 Corinthians 14:26 (NKJV)

“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.” — 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 (NKJV)

My First Encounter with the Holy Spirit

A couple of weeks after I gave my life to Jesus, I had an experience with the Holy Spirit that set me on a path of openness to supernatural things. At the time, I had read Hal Lindsey’s book Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth, which devoted a chapter to what he called “the tongues movement.” Being completely ignorant and naive, I had no idea what he was talking about. So, I asked a friend, not realizing his dad was a pastor in the Foursquare denomination—a traditional Pentecostal church.

He explained that it was a prayer language and told me I could ask God for it. That day, I went home, prayed, and received it. There was no mighty rushing wind, no flames descending upon my house, and no falling to the ground—I just received it.

When I shared this experience at my non-Charismatic church the following Sunday, their reaction was not what I expected. They looked at me as though I had swallowed a demon! Needless to say, I soon started attending the Foursquare church my friend belonged to.

Learning Balance in Spiritual Expression

This church was healthy. They were open to the Holy Spirit but didn’t act weird or put on a show for God or others to demonstrate how “in the Spirit” they were. The pastor, Jerry Cook, often said, “If you can’t behave in Wal-Mart the way you behave in church, then you need to change how you behave.” This wisdom shaped my understanding of living naturally supernatural.

Later, when I moved to Los Angeles to attend Foursquare Bible College, my uncle—a pastor in a Pentecostal Church of God—mentored me. This church had deep holiness roots and introduced me to a world of Spirit-filled expressions, including shouting, falling under “the Spirit’s power,” and other unusual behaviors. At first, I was overwhelmed, but I eventually realized these people were sincere; they simply believed this was how God moved. For them, a good church service wasn’t complete unless these things happened.

Avoiding Extremes

Experiencing different expressions of spirituality has taught me why some people are tempted to throw the baby out with the bathwater when it comes to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. There has been a lot of abuse and bad teaching, often by well-meaning but biblically illiterate individuals.

So, where is the balance? How can we embrace the power and operation of the Holy Spirit without getting weird? How can we walk in a naturally supernatural way?

Key Lessons for Balance

The Holy Spirit Moves as He Wills

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” — John 3:8 (NKJV)

We must not try to manufacture or replicate spiritual phenomena. God doesn’t need our help to be God. At the same time, we must be humble enough to obey Him, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.

All Spiritual Gifts Must Flow from Love

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV)

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NKJV)

Love should always be the motivation behind any manifestation of the Spirit. Without love, even the most spectacular gifts are meaningless.

Trust in God’s Love and Acceptance

When we rest in the assurance of His love, we feel no need to perform or prove our spirituality to anyone. We can let God move as He desires, without hype or theatrics.

Most Manifestations Happen Outside Church Walls

Many miracles and supernatural events recorded in Acts happened in public settings, not within church services. For instance:

• In Acts 2, they spoke in tongues before a crowd of unbelievers.
• In Acts 16:16-19, Paul cast out a demon in public.

Finally, look at Jesus. Did He put on a show? Was there any hype? Did He behave in ways that seemed disconnected from the everyday lives of those He ministered to? If we can’t imagine Jesus doing something, we shouldn’t do it ourselves.

A Radical Middle

Over the years, I’ve stopped trying to make God do something and simply allow Him to work as He wills. Sometimes God chooses to do something supernatural in a natural moment. It might look strange to outsiders, but to the person being touched, it is profoundly meaningful.

I’m on a quest for the “radical middle.” I’m not interested in hype or theatrics, nor am I content with Christianity as an intellectual exercise. I want the kind of Christianity that Jesus modeled—a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.

An Invitation

I know some of you may disagree with me, and that’s okay. I’m not trying to convert you to my way of thinking. My goal is to encourage you to find your balance, to become the naturally supernatural person God created you to be.

In essentials, let’s have unity. In non-essentials, let’s have liberty. And in all things, let’s practice love.

As you read this series on spiritual gifts, please keep this in mind. These issues should not be divisive but rather a pathway to greater understanding and growth in Christ.

How Does Dying to Self Relate to the Concept of Being Naturally Supernatural?

Dying to self involves releasing ego-driven desires and attachments, which paves the way for deeper spiritual connections. By embracing transformation through letting go, individuals can tap into their innate potential, fostering a naturally supernatural existence. This journey allows for a greater understanding of one’s true essence and purpose in life.

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