Last night at our Lifegroup, we discussed the gifts of the Spirit. As part of our aims in our new Lifegroup we: “aim to encourage the use of the gifts of the Spirit in order to strengthen us spiritually as individuals and as a group”. Brynn therefore felt we should pick up on this and learn more about what the gifts of the Spirit actually are. We first looked through the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.
Wisdom
I understand this to be the ability to advise in difficult situations, resolving arguments, solving problems etc. I don’t think it refers either to a worldly wisdom but one that is of a divine nature.
Knowledge
Knowledge of the Word, and being able to effectively communicate the Word and the Knowledge gained from it.
Faith
Matthew 17:19-20 talks of faith enabling you to achieve wonderful and amazing things. As believers we all have faith, however I think this refers to a more radical faith where the normal rationalisations we add to a situation no longer apply to those people, and the have complete and utter faith in the Lord for something.
Healing
Jesus healed the sick. By the power of the Holy Spirit some are able to pray over the sick and the sick are healed. I think healing can cover both physical and mental illnesses or afflictions.
Miraculous Powers
Seems to tie in with healing, however there are stories too of other miraculous things taking place in modern times, for example people being raised from the dead.
Prophecy
The ablitiy to receive pictures and Word direct from the Lord, and to then be able to effectively communicate these to the group or to the individual that picture or word is for. I used to think that prophecy was about predicting the future, however it would seem it is more being a mouthpiece for God, speaking wisdom, knowledge, encouragement and advice into peoples situations. Prophecy can be particularly effective when someone prophecies into a situation in your life, or into something you are thinking about, and yet they have no earthly knowledge of the situation! This has happened to me on occasions and it is incredible.
Distinguishing Between Spirits
Often when I watch religious broadcasting, certain preachers will set off alarm bells in my mind. Sometimes based on what they are saying, and others just the feeling that although what they are saying seems Biblically sound, their motive is not that of the Lord. It is the ability to see what is of the Holy Spirit, and what is of satan.
Tongues and Interpretation
This is an often debated subject in the church and one I believe we are going to study together in the Lifegroup to better understand this gift. I think in a nutshell that its the ability to talk in other languages and others have the ability to translate. I will go into more detail in on tongues as and when we have studied it in more detail soon.
Bryn pointed out that throughout the Bible, there are other gifts of the Spirit mentioned to include:
Serving, Administration, Teaching, Encouragement, Giving, Leadership, Mercy, Helping Others, Hospitality, Interpretation of Dreams and Creative Arts.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but certainly highlights the wide breadth of gifts that the Holy Spirit can and will bestow on believers.
Why so many gifts, and why does he give them to us? Firstly, these are gifts. They are gifts of His grace, and not of our own doing. He gives us these different gifts, to different people, I think to build up the church, as well as each other and to help advance His kingdom. We all have different gifts at different levels to create balance within the Church so that we can act as one body. Ann made a good point, if we all had the same gift for example, prophecy, we would never get through one Sunday service as everyone would be prophecying and there would be far to much to act upon!
With such a wide range of gifts at our own church, things really do work well. We have people gifted with musical abilities, others with serving others (the welcoming team), others with leadership, others with administration (including finances etc) as well as others with serving (including those that always have the tea and coffee ready at the end of the service). During the service also, we are lucky to have many wise, knowledgable people who bring word to us all, as well as prophecy. The Lord has built up a dynamic Church, full of people with completely different gifts, all working together to grow His church. Its is indeed amazing, exciting and wonderful.
