The concept of spiritual gifts is a cornerstone of Christian faith, highlighting the diverse ways the Holy Spirit empowers believers. Recently, in my message “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” I delved into how the body of Christ functions through these varied gifts. These nine gifts, as outlined in scripture, are: a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, faith, miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy. Each gift serves a unique purpose in building up the church and demonstrating God’s power.
A word of wisdom is more than just intelligence; it’s a divinely granted understanding of truth and righteousness, particularly crucial for sound decision-making. The Holy Spirit imparts wisdom tailored to specific situations. A compelling biblical example is found in Acts 27:9-19, where Paul, through a word of wisdom, cautioned the Roman centurion against sailing, demonstrating foresight that could prevent disaster.
A word of knowledge is supernatural awareness or understanding that transcends natural learning. It might involve information acquired naturally but revealed supernaturally, providing insights beyond human comprehension. Acts 5:1-10 illustrates this gift vividly, where the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter Ananias’ deception, exposing his lie about his offering.
Discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability to identify the spiritual influence behind actions or behaviors. It’s about recognizing whether an action is motivated by the Holy Spirit, an evil spirit, or simply human nature. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul exemplified this gift by discerning that a girl was possessed by an evil spirit and subsequently commanded the spirit to leave her.
The gift of faith is distinct from the general faith required for salvation. As Romans 12:3 states, “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith,” enabling everyone to hear and respond to the gospel. However, the gift of faith is a supernatural endowment, granting an extraordinary ability to trust God and inspire unwavering faith in others, especially in challenging circumstances.
A miracle is an extraordinary event that defies natural laws, appearing inexplicable from a purely scientific perspective. Paul’s ministry was marked by miracles, such as in Acts 20:9-12, where he prayed for a young man who had fallen to his death, and he was miraculously raised back to life. Miracles showcase God’s power overriding the natural order.
Gifts of healing pertain to restoration and wholeness in spirit, soul, and body. While miracles may not always involve physical healing, these gifts specifically focus on restoring health and soundness. All believers possess the authority to pray for the sick, but some are uniquely gifted with a heightened ability to minister healing through prayer and faith.
The gift of tongues is often misunderstood. It’s important to differentiate between a personal prayer language in tongues and the gift of tongues intended for the edification of the church. Speaking in tongues in private prayer is available to all believers, akin to the “measure of faith” we all receive. However, the public gift of tongues serves to build up and encourage the entire congregation when interpreted.
This leads to the gift of interpretation of tongues. As Paul emphasizes in I Corinthians 14:27-28, for tongues to be beneficial in a church setting, interpretation is essential. The Holy Spirit empowers certain individuals with the gift to interpret what is spoken in tongues, ensuring that everyone can understand God’s message conveyed through this gift.
Finally, prophecy, the ninth gift, is a divine communication delivered in a language understood by the listeners. Prophecy manifests in two primary forms: forthtelling and foretelling. Forthtelling involves speaking under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, conveying God’s message directly, not from personal intellect. Peter’s powerful message in Acts 2:38-41, leading to mass repentance, is an example of forthtelling. Foretelling, on the other hand, is revealing future events as communicated by the Holy Spirit. Agabus’ prophecy in Acts 11:27-28 about a coming worldwide famine, enabling preparation, exemplifies foretelling.
For those who question the emphasis on developing spiritual gifts, Hebrews 5:14 offers valuable insight: “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Just as physical senses are sharpened through practice, spiritual gifts are developed through use. This is why we prioritize practice, activations, Schools of the Prophets, MorningStar University, and conferences – to cultivate our spiritual senses alongside our natural ones.
To delve deeper into this topic, watch my complete message “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit” and download the audio for on-the-go listening by clicking here.
Also, explore Prophetic Chronicles with Chris Reed to witness real-life testimonies of how personal prophetic ministry is impacting lives with supernatural power. Click here to learn more.
Blessings,
Chris Reed | President & CEO MorningStar Ministries
