“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” (1 Corinthians 2:12–3:4). And further, the apostle Paul says to the carnal (non-Christians): “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant…” (see 1 Corinthians 12). And after describing various spiritual gifts given for ministry (apostle, teacher, prophet…), which the Corinthians had, he says: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love (that is, I am not a Christian), I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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 (= am not a Christian), I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love (= am not a Christian), it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away… And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love…” (see 1 Corinthians 13). Apostle Paul says that one can have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and not have love, that is, not be a Christian (we proved above that Christians cannot help but love: to love = to be a Christian, spiritual), as the Apostle testifies to the carnal Corinthians, who have different gifts (gifts of the Holy Spirit), but are still pagans, and if they do not repent, they will perish, and their spiritual gifts will not help them! About this, the Lord says: “Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them (those who had spiritual gifts (prophecy, exorcism, miracle-working…), but did not use them appropriately (for the glory of God), did not fulfill God’s commandments, did not acquire humility…): ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (see Matthew 7:20-23). We mentioned spiritual gifts to emphasize, to remind that different spiritual gifts are not a sign of Christianity, that is, one can have spiritual gifts and not be a Christian, and even more – be a servant of Satan, the Antichrist! And despite all the giftedness with spiritual gifts, to hear from God: “I never knew you”! So, having spiritual gifts and being spiritual (Christian) are different things. A carnal person (Judas Iscariot, the apostles before Pentecost, the gifted Corinthians who did not have love, Old Testament prophets…) can have spiritual gifts, which are external “tools” of ministry (e.g., like a hammer for a carpenter), and not his natural property (as in the spiritual ones by grace).
For better understanding, let’s give a few examples-illustrations. Judas Iscariot had apostolic ministry, was a miracle worker… and perished! Apostle Peter – an apostle, prophet, miracle worker… and heard from the Lord in Caesarea Philippi the terrible words: “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Mark 8:33). Therefore, the Lord said: do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you (this is not something great!) (see Luke 10:20), but rejoice that you are baptized by the Holy Spirit; and if not (you are not Christians yet), then you should not rejoice (deceiving yourselves with spiritual gifts), but catechize, weep, repent, humble yourselves and prepare for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit calls us to be vigilant, careful, not credulous, but to discern spirits and not deceive ourselves with words (they may be orthodox, true in form, word (e.g., the Orthodox Creed can be recited by Satan, but he will not believe-trust this Word of Truth)), or even deeds (miracle working, foresight, social service…). By their fruits recognize the spirits, not by forms, masks (for Satan also presents himself as an angel of light, and his servants and the gathering of the Antichrist have the appearance of a church (hierarchy, ranks…))! “By this all will know that you are My disciples (Christians, Spirit-bearers), if you have love for one another” (see John 13:35). – And what are the signs of love and what are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Apostle Paul testifies eloquently: 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5, … (And how “Orthodox” “love” one another (in families, parishes, dioceses, patriarchates…) is well known! How much blood was shed by “Christians” only in the 20th century: two world wars – this is all a manifestation of “Christian” “love,” this is how “Christians” loved millions of “Christians” to death!? But the priests (spiritual leaders) instead of repenting, calling everyone to repentance, have invented a new religion of the Antichrist, which disguises itself in traditional Christian forms of missionary activity in this world (e.g., so-called Orthodox churches, …). The spirit of anti-Christianity is so evident that there is nothing to discern here. But for the foolish and blind – this is an insurmountable burden! Again, instead of repenting, changing – they (relying on the traditions of the elders) change the Gospel (they do not touch the letter, but interpret it in an anti-Christian way), and it turns out: seek first what to eat, what to drink, what to wear, and the Kingdom of God will be added!? This is the “gospel” of the Antichrist – by which “Christians” live, the synagogues of the Antichrist (example – the elections of 21.04.2019, where “Orthodox,” “Christians” chose a “king” (who mocks God!) to give “bread,” and what cannot be spread on “bread” (religion, language, culture), they are not interested!? Again, we emphasize – this is the choice of “Orthodox,” “Christians,” 73%… And after such fruits-choices, the spiritual leaders say that everything is normal with them!?). Be vigilant! For many Antichrists, false prophets, false teachers have gone out into the world. Be vigilant! Do not be complacent – work out your salvation with fear and trembling (that is, prepare for baptism), and do not deceive yourselves with empty words that you are a Christian (Orthodox), since you were baptized by canonical (licensed-tomos) priests. Who does not have the Holy Spirit (as evidenced by the fruits: Love, Joy…), is not Christ’s, not a Christian, and if they call themselves such (being convinced of it), – they are in a very dangerous state (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit)!