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We all have been given gifts of the
Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). In Acts chapter 8 and in 1 Corinthians
chapters 12-14
It's like the gifts are laid under the Christmas tree with our
names on them. It is up to each and every one to open them and
use them in the way they are meant to be used.
Isaiah
11:2-3 speaks of seven different spirits or gifts: These are
important gifts and some of them are similar to but different from
the gifts of the Spirit that Paul talks about in the New Testament
in I Corinthians chapter twelve. There are nine gifts of the
Spirit mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians chapter twelve:
1)
Word of Wisdom
2) Word of Knowledge
3) Faith
4)
Gifts of Healing
5) Working of Miracles
6)
Prophecy
7) Discerning of Spirits
8) Divers (or
different) kinds of Tongues
9) Interpretation of
(different) Tongues
Romans chapter twelve lists them as
well as I Corinthians chapter twelve.
(v 1). There are
different kinds of gifts, but the Holy Spirit brings them to each
of us (v 4). No two gifts are the same (v 7).
The Gift of
Wisdom
The first gift written about here is the gift of
wisdom (v 8). Using this gift would be recognizing that our
actions today or moment by moment can effect what happens later or
tomorrow. When we operate in this gift we find that the things we
do often seem to predict the coming of harm or blessing in the
future. When we do things now that takes us or others out of harms
way or towards blessing in the future we are benefiting from this
gift.
The Gift of Knowledge
The next gift of
knowledge allows us to know things that we have never learned
in any conventional way. When we just know something that we
should not know by reason or education then this gift is operating
in us. (v 8).
The Gift of Faith
The gift of
faith is that very important gift we all have that gives us
confidence to believe that Jesus came and died for our sins then
resurrected and is living in us today. He lives in us through the
Holy Spirit which came to us after he arose into heaven to sit on
the throne of God with the Father. It is this gift that helps us
use the other gifts. (v 9).
The Gift of Healing
The
gift of healing has been a controversial one (v 9). We must
remember that this gift comes from God and not us. It can and
often does work through us but ultimately it's God's gift to give.
Not everyone we pray for will be healed in the way we might
want.
The Gift of Miracles
The gift of miracles
or demonstrating miraculous powers is another gift of the Spirit
that is very controversial (10). For example, Jesus walked on the
water and fed 5,000 people with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. We
may be used by God in similar ways but I have yet to see God have
another human being walk on the water.
The Gift of
Prophecy (Speaking)
The gift of prophecy is that of
prophetic speaking (v 10). If understood properly this is an
important gift in that God can speak through us of things that
have not come to pass but will come to pass.
The Gift of
Discernment
The gift of distinguishing between spirits
is having the gift of discernment. With this gift we can discern
between evil and good to the extent that we may make choices in
our lives that are most helpful to us and others.
The Gift
of Tongues
The gift of tongues is the ability to
speak in an unknown or diverse tongues (v 10). Another very
controversial and misunderstood gift. When the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit came on Pentecost, there were many speaking in
tongues. This gift is ours to use as all the others are. We must
seek these gifts and use them in a deliberate and ambitious way to
get the full benefit from them.
The Gift of Interpretation
of Tongues
The next gift Paul mentions is the gift of
interpretation of tongues (v 10). This gift allows us to
interpret the gift of tongues. In this scenario, we or others will
speak in unknown tongues and then we or others will interpret what
the Holy Spirit has communicated throught the unknown
tongues.
The gifts of Faith, Grace, and salvation are
equally freely given by God and are important to all humanity as
well. Faith, the trust that God is God and able to fulfill Himself
in this world for our sake, is given to us all and without asking
or seeking as well is Grace which is the unmerited favor of God
toward all creation. We are saved by the sacrifice that Jesus made
of his own life on the cross. We are drawn by the Holy Spirit into
salvation and receive it knowing full well afterward that we have
a personal relationship with our God who is
Creator-Father/Son/Holy Spirit.
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