Exploring Spiritual Gifts
A spiritual gift is not the latest play station that you got for Christmas. It’s not the gold necklace that your mom got you for your birthday. It’s an ability given to believers by God for the purpose of doing good, serving Him, and others. Every spiritual gift is unique to each person and differs depending on the grace given to them. Though every spiritual gift varies, it is the same God that empowers everyone. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 says, “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” These verses describe what spiritual gifts are. Spiritual gifts each have their own purpose. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, gives examples of spiritual gifts given to believers by the Spirit. They include wisdom, knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.
There is also the gift of compassion which moves people to action on behalf of those in need. It is not categorized as ordinary but extreme to the point that one who possesses this compassion, has no choice but to make sacrifices for others. Those with this gift do not question whether they should help but rather how to help. Discernment is another spiritual gift. It is a gift of deep intuition and insight. Those with discernment can separate truth from fiction. Discernment is not irrational, but trans-rational, beyond factual knowledge. The gift of prophecy is when one is open for God to speak His word through them. Prophets do not predict the future, but offer insight and perspective on current circumstances and how things might turn out conditionally. Prophets see things that others often don’t, and they have the boldness to be straightforward. The gift of teaching allows people to use information to change lives with that knowledge. Teachers do not have to stand in front of a class to teach. Teachers help others learn naturally. The knowledge taught by teachers is absorbed naturally and retained by those who learn from them. A teacher’s goal is primarily to transform rather than inform. The gift of faith is more than the standard belief in Jesus Christ, but an abiding foundation of confidence that surpasses any obstacle, enemy, or negativity. People with the gift of faith hold fast to the deep conviction that no matter what we see with our eyes, we can trust the promises and plan of God. The gift of evangelism is the gift of faith-sharing and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. They stand on the principle of Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Evangelism is grounded in building relationships with others and inviting them to make a decision for Christ. They do not force their faith on others, but offer relationship with God as a gift, and are ready to tell of their own testimony and how Christ has worked in their own lives. There are many more spiritual gifts, others more specific others but each and everyone essential to the building of the body of Christ. The spiritual gifts are not to be misused and abused. If God has gifted us these abilities, this means He sees us worthy of accomplishing great and mighty works with them so we must serve Him and humanity with excellence.
