Spiritual Gifts
“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.” – 1 Corinthians
12:7-11
One of the great teachings of the apostles has been left
behind by our local churches. We say
that we desire Spirit-filled church services and Spirit-filled lives. But unless we understand the work of the Holy
Spirit within us, how will we know when it happens?
Teaching the subject of Spiritual gifts is hard. The text itself is not hard, but when
teaching something new it can often be interpreted as false teaching. If I were to show you a miracle, would you
doubt it? If I were to speak in tongues
and another gifted with interpretation spoke to translate it, would you
consider it more like a circus side-show act than a spiritual gift? If you were sick, and I laid hands on you to
heal you, would you accept that the Holy Spirit works through the hands of
healing, or would you doubt? Would it make you uncomfortable?
The Holy Spirit has not stopped working these gifts just because
we don’t understand them or believe in them.
Your belief in His work does not weaken His ability. He will do what He desires to do. His is the Holy Spirit, the third part of the
Trinity, and fully God. We cannot weaken
God by our unbelief or our lack of understanding His ways.
In confession, let me just say that I’m a poster child for
not believing the works of the Holy Spirit.
I wasn’t brought up in a church that taught about the Holy Spirit or as
He was called, the Holy Ghost. If
someone had walked into our church and started speaking in tongues, I’m certain
that they would have been asked to leave!
The first time I heard someone speaking in tongues, which is often
called a prayer language, I have to admit I thought Satan was at work! Yet, God chooses to teach us more every
single day, and my belief in His gifting has grown. My hope is that yours will too.
There are nine spiritual gifts in all, which are listed in 1
Corinthians 12:7-11:
·
The Word of Wisdom
·
The Word of Knowledge
·
Faith
·
Prophecy
·
Discernment
·
Healing
·
Working of Miracles
·
Speaking in Tongues
·
Interpretation of Tongues
These gifts are given to all that are saved, having the Holy
Spirit living within, and only to those that are saved. 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 explains that the
nature of man does not understand the things of God because they must be
spiritually discerned (understood). No
one knows that is hidden in your spirit except you, because your spirit lives
within you. Likewise, no one knows the
things of the Holy Spirit except those that have received Him. We have received the mind of Christ, meaning
we have the understanding of His Spirit within us. Verse 12 in the passage says that “we have received, not the spirit of the world, but
the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely
given to us by God.”
The Spiritual gifts were not given so we could amaze and
astonish our friends. They were not
given as special rewards to those closest to Him. And they were not given so that we could put
ourselves on a pedestal, boasting of the gifts He has given. 1 Corinthians 12:7
says “But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all”. Verse 11 says “But one and
the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually
as He wills.” God works these
in us – it has nothing to do with our abilities, and therefore we cannot take
pride in His gifting. God also
determines who He gives each gift to and distributes them “as He wills”. You can pray for the gifts or a specific gift, and
God may choose to honor your prayer.
The gifts do serve specific purposes, the
first of which we’ve already read. They
serve to show the Holy Spirit within us, as they are the “manifestation of the Spirit”. When
Peter walked by the sick and they were healed by the power of his shadow, no
one doubted that the Holy Spirit worked within him. When the lame walked, blind saw, and leapers
were cleansed, the unseen Spirit of God was seen at work in Jesus. Romans 8:16 says “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God”.
The gifts are used to bring unbelievers to
belief in the invisible God. Throughout
the Old Testament and the New Testament, the many miracles of God served this
very purpose, creating belief in Him.
God could have dried up the Red Sea long before the Israelites escaping
Egypt got there. But instead He chose to
part the sea, and show them He was with them.
He could have changed Pharaoh’s heart, provoking him to set them free
without the ten plagues. But in turning
the water to blood, sending plagues of frogs, lice, boils, and darkness He
caused the Israelites who had been living in idolatry within Egypt to once
again believe in Him.
They are also used to strengthen the
church. Words of Knowledge can be spoken
to someone as confirmation of what God has already told them. Discernment can be used to understand the
motives of men and women, and whether they enter the congregation to help or to
hinder. (Yes, Satan sends his army to church too.) Extraordinary faith can be given to allow the
church to believe God for things that seem impossible.
Jesus speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit
said in John 14:12, “he who believes in Me, the
works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” We are able to do these greater works not
because of anything in ourselves, but because He has risen, and His Spirit has
been sent. In verses 16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and
He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the
world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know
Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” The Holy Spirit is
our Helper, our Comforter, living within us.
The Spiritual Gifts are one of His ways of helping us.
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