In Christian theology, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural abilities given to believers for the edification of the church and ministry in the world. These gifts are diverse and powerful, equipping individuals to serve God and others effectively. Recently, I shared a message titled “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit,” exploring how the body of Christ functions through these varied spiritual endowments. The Bible, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12, lists nine distinct manifestations of these gifts, each with a unique purpose and expression. Let’s delve into each of these gifts to gain a clearer understanding of their operation and significance in the life of a believer and the church.
One of these gifts is the word of wisdom. This is more than just general intelligence; it’s a supernatural insight into God’s perspective on a situation, providing understanding of what is true, right, or the best course of action, especially in complex decisions. The Holy Spirit empowers individuals with wisdom that transcends human reasoning. A compelling example is found in Acts 27:9-19, where the Apostle Paul, through a word of wisdom, cautioned the Roman centurion against setting sail, foreseeing a dangerous storm. This divine wisdom enabled Paul to provide guidance that could save lives.
Another vital gift is the word of knowledge. This gift involves receiving information or awareness that is beyond natural means of acquisition. It’s a supernatural revelation of facts or insights, which might sometimes align with information learned naturally but is confirmed or highlighted supernaturally. In Acts 5:1-10, we see the gift of knowledge in action when the Holy Spirit revealed to Peter the deception of Ananias and Sapphira, who were lying about their offering. This supernatural knowledge exposed their dishonesty and upheld the integrity of the early church.
The discerning of spirits is a gift that allows a person to supernaturally identify the spiritual influence behind actions, behaviors, or situations. It’s the ability to distinguish between the Holy Spirit, human spirits, and evil spirits. This gift is crucial for spiritual protection and maintaining purity within the church. Acts 16:16-18 illustrates this gift as Paul discerned that a girl was possessed by an evil spirit and, through the authority of Jesus Christ, commanded the spirit to leave her, liberating her from demonic influence.
It’s important to distinguish the gift of faith from the general faith that every believer possesses. Romans 12:3 states that “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” This foundational faith is essential for salvation. However, the gift of faith is a supernatural endowment of extraordinary confidence and trust in God in specific situations. It’s a faith that moves mountains, inspires courage, and believes for the impossible. This gift empowers individuals to trust God beyond their natural capacity, inspiring others to do the same, particularly in challenging circumstances.
A miracle is an extraordinary event that defies natural laws and is inexplicable by natural or scientific principles. It is a supernatural intervention of God in the natural realm. Paul demonstrated the gift of miracles in Acts 20:9-12 when he raised Eutychus from the dead after he fell from a window. Miracles showcase God’s power and confirm His word, often accompanying the proclamation of the gospel. They are tangible demonstrations of God’s kingdom breaking into the present world.
Gifts of healing are focused on the restoration of health and soundness to the spirit, soul, or body. While all believers have the authority to pray for the sick, certain individuals are gifted with a special anointing for healing. This gift goes beyond general prayer for healing; it’s a specific empowerment to minister healing in diverse forms, addressing physical ailments, emotional wounds, and spiritual infirmities. Healing is a restoration to wholeness, reflecting God’s compassionate nature and His desire for well-being for His people.
The gift of tongues is another significant spiritual gift. It’s crucial to differentiate between speaking in tongues as a personal prayer language and the gift of tongues for public edification. While speaking in tongues in private prayer is available to all believers, functioning as a personal means of communion with God, the gift of tongues is specifically for speaking in tongues in a church setting, requiring interpretation to edify the entire congregation.
This leads to the gift of interpretation of tongues. As Paul emphasizes in I Corinthians 14:27-28, when tongues are spoken in church, they should be interpreted so that everyone can understand the message. The gift of interpretation is the supernatural ability to understand and convey the meaning of a message given in tongues. This ensures that the gift of tongues serves its purpose of building up and instructing the church, making divine communication accessible to all.
Finally, prophecy is a divine communication in a language understood by the listeners. It’s a message from God spoken through a believer. Prophecy can be categorized into two types: forthtelling and foretelling. Forthtelling is speaking by divine inspiration, under the unction of the Holy Spirit, not from one’s own intellect. Acts 2:38-41 describes Peter forthtelling the gospel message on the day of Pentecost, resulting in mass repentance and conversions. Foretelling, on the other hand, is revealing future events as disclosed by the Holy Spirit. Agabus, in Acts 11:27-28, foretold a worldwide famine, enabling believers to prepare for the coming hardship. Both forms of prophecy are vital for guiding, encouraging, and directing the church according to God’s will.
Some may argue that focusing on spiritual gifts is excessive, but Hebrews 5:14 provides a counter-perspective: “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.” This verse highlights the importance of developing our spiritual senses through practice and use. Just as physical senses are sharpened through use, so are spiritual gifts. Activities like practice sessions, prophetic schools, ministry training, and conferences are essential for developing our spiritual senses, enabling us to better discern and operate in these gifts.
Click here to watch my entire “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit” message and download the audio to enrich your understanding.
Also, explore my program Prophetic Chronicles with Chris Reed to witness real-life accounts of how individuals’ lives are transformed through the supernatural power of personal prophetic ministry. Click here.
Blessings,
Chris Reed | President & CEO MorningStar Ministries
