The Holy
Spirit of God comes to dwell in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). God gives
gifts to His Body through the Holy Spirit in order for us to bless and minister
to one another, as well as for us to evangelize the world by telling them that
God loves them and Jesus died to save them (1 Corinthians 12:7). God gives these gifts
indiscriminately and one gift is not of any greater or lesser significance than
any other (1
Corinthians 12:11).
We cannot take pride in or
credit for our gifts, because they come from God. We can, however, desire to
have a particular gift (1 Corinthians 12:31). God gives these gifts in order to edify, exhort, encourage, strengthen
and teach His church. These gifts empower God’s Body to do the work, which
Christ commissioned us to perform. The gifts exalt Christ rather than us. Even
some of the Old Testament Saints had the benefit of the Holy Spirit.
David valued his
relationship with God so much that when he sinned, he pleaded with God not to
remove His presence or to take His Spirit from him. (Psalms
51:11-12). David even had occasions
where he spoke by the anointing and direction of the Holy Spirit (Mark
12:36). When Israel rebelled against
God, they vexed God’s Holy Spirit so much that He turned into their enemy, and
He actually fought against them. But then they remembered the days of old, and
how God helped them to cross the Red Sea. Therefore, they asked God to put His
Holy Spirit within them again (Isaiah 63:10-11).
Paul describes the gifts of
the Spirit as the Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing,
Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, different kinds of
Tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). Though there are different types of gifts, there in
only one Spirit that distributes them all (1 Corinthians 12:4).
The gift of wisdom is a gift
that all Believers can earnestly desire (1 Corinthians 12:31). Wisdom is the skill for living. It helps us to
understand God’s truth and to discern and judge according to that truth. Wisdom
starts with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 11:10). This fear is not horror, but respect and reverence.
Solomon valued wisdom above all gifts; therefore God gave him status and
wealth as well (1 Kings 3:12).
The gift of knowledge allows us to know when to speak and what to say. Those gifted with knowledge have an appetite for reading God’s Word and they enjoy studying and understanding it’s truth and insight. God also gives them supernatural knowledge for the benefit of the Body.
The gift of faith gives Believers positive
confidence in the veracity of God’s Word. By faith, they believe that things
they cannot see in the natural realm are already there in the spiritual realm (Hebrews 11:1).
The gift of healing comes through the effectual
prayer of the righteous person (James 5:16).
All healing is done by the Spirit of God and not by the individual person, but
God uses certain ones to pray for the sick and they are healed.
The gift of the working of
miracles is
to demostrate the power of God. Satan uses counterfeit signs and wonders to deceive people (2
Thessalonians 2:9-11), but God uses them to prove His existence to a doubting world.
The gift of prophecy is used
to speak forth the Word of God. Preachers and teachers
have this gift. They do not know the future, but God uses them to enlighten us
about His truths.
The
gift of discerning of spirits enables Believers to discern the
intents and motives of a person’s heart. They can distinguish whether a person is
from God or Satan (1 John 4:1).
The gift of tongues is the
ability to speak in other languages (Acts 2:4, 2:11, 2:5-11). This gift is often misused and Paul gives clear
guidelines for it (1 Corinthians chapters 12-14). Paul also states that it is the least of the gifts
and encourages us to use tongues as a prayer language (1
Corinthians 14:5-18).
The gift of interpreting
tongues goes right along with the gift of tongues. Tongues in the service are
used as a testimony to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14: 21-22). Paul urges no one to speak a message in tongues
unless there is someone present with the gift to interpret the message (1
Corinthians 14:27-33).
The other gifts of the
Spirit are: serving, giving, teaching, showing mercy, starting churches,
evangelizing and pastoring (Romans 12:7-8; Ephesians 4:11). Isaiah also tells us about the Spirit of the Lord
supplying the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the
fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3). Paul
made it clear that Believers should not elevate one gift over another, but to
esteem each of them as necessary for the edification of the Body of Christ (1
Corinthians 12:12-23). There are many
parts, but only one Body. God placed these parts in the body just as He chooses
(1
Corinthians 12:4,12-31).
Prayer:
Father God, You planned
everything out for the good and edification of Your church. You gave each of us
special gifts to edify the whole Body. Some of us never take the time to pray
about what gifts You gave us; and others know their gifts, but do not take the
time to use them. When this happens, Your Body suffers. It is like a spleen or
big toe that refuses to function. The Body is handicapped. Lord, please prompt
each of us to find our gifts and to use them for Your glory.
Thought for the Day:
God
gives gifts to each of us for the common good of all. – 1
Corinthians 12:7
Free Spiritual Gifts Test:
