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GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are unique skills and abilities given by the Holy Spirit to faithful followers of Christ to serve God for the common benefit of his people, the church. Learn their biblical references and meanings as you explore the
Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The gifts of the Spirit are simply God empowering faithful Christians to do what He has called us to do. 2nd Peter 1:3 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." The gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of "everything we need" to accomplish His plans for our lives. Paul instructed that: "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us... let [us] use [them] in proportion to [our] faith," Romans 12:6.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 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. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
Revelation Gifts
The revelation gifts include the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, and the Discerning of Spirits. These gifts reveal what is unknown or hidden to bring understanding or explain God’s intentions or desires.
Word of Wisdom: Individuals with this gift can make wise decisions and advise others similarly. This wisdom isn’t just from trial and error in their own lives but through supernatural understanding from God. They see clearly through confusing circumstances and direct themselves and others toward God’s will and direction, closely adhering to the Word of God, of course.
Word of Knowledge: People with this gift have a deep understanding of the will and ways of God, personally and through scripture. Supernaturally, they can discern truths about spiritual matters to teach or direct the church. Sometimes God gives a word of knowledge about a particular situation or person to protect, warn, or guide.
Discerning of Spirits: This gift is also referred to as “distinguishing between spirits.” People with this gift have the ability to discern whether a situation, person, or event is good or evil, right or wrong, heavenly or demonic. This gift is important because it can help protect God’s people and lead them in the right direction.
The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are given in 1st Corinthians 12:4-11, which says:
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God Who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, Who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”
Power Gifts
The power gifts include Faith, Gifts of Healings, and Working of Miracles. These gifts visibly demonstrate God’s power.
Faith: This gift is different from faith unto salvation (which all believers enjoy). The gift of faith involves the supernatural ability to believe and trust God in extenuating circumstances for extraordinary results. This gift of faith often brings about incredible miracles and is closely related to the other Power Gifts.
Gifts of Healings: God works through a person with this gift to heal and restore people’s bodies, minds, and emotions. This person has a level of faith to believe in God for healing in any situation and is willing to try even non-conventional methods if God leads.
Working of Miracles: A person with this gift can be used by God to do any type of creative miracle from using physical strength to move a car to regenerating a body part to affecting the weather. There is no limit to what God can do, and the person with this spiritual gift has the faith to believe God for anything.
Inspiration Gifts
The speaking gifts include Speaking in Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, and Prophecy. God uses these gifts to audibly communicate with us.
Speaking in Tongues: Speaking in tongues is a gift that is a sign to unbelievers (1st Corinthians 14:22). A person with this gift will supernaturally speak in an unknown language and get the attention of everyone nearby. If this gift is used in a corporate setting, the message in tongues must be interpreted.
Interpretation of Tongues: A person with the gift of interpreting tongues has a supernatural ability to understand and explain to others the message given in tongues. The result is that God is glorified and the church is edified.
Prophecy: Believers with the gift of prophecy don’t necessarily tell the future as much as they build up, encourage, and redirect the church body. They help the church understand the heart and desires of God and urge the church to wholeheartedly pursue God and holiness.
What Is the Purpose of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?…
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for you to use how you want. They have specific purposes for God’s Kingdom. They are intended to glorify God by revealing more of who He is and displaying His sovereignty and power over all things.
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What Does the Bible Say About the 9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
God’s Word tells us that we should earnestly seek and desire these gifts, not quenching the Spirit.
“Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy…”
1st Corinthians 14:39
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”
1st Corinthians 14:1
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies.”
1st Thessalonians 5:19-20
“Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
1st Timothy 4:14-15
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”
2nd Timothy 1:6
