The gifts of the Spirit are special abilities given by God to believers to build up the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, the Apostle Paul lists nine gifts of the Spirit: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
These gifts are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit, which are character qualities developed by believers as they grow in their relationship with Christ (Galatians 5:22–23). The gifts of the Spirit are given to believers for the purpose of edifying the church, while the fruit of the Spirit are developed in believers for the purpose of personal growth and sanctification.
In this article, we will explore each of the gifts of the Spirit in more detail, examining their purpose, how they are manifested, and how they can be used to build up the church.
Gifts of the Spirit KJV
The gifts of the Spirit are special abilities given by God to believers to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
- Word of wisdom
- Word of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healing
- Working of miracles
- Prophecy
- Discerning of spirits
- Divers kinds of tongues
- Interpretation of tongues
These gifts are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit, which are character qualities developed by believers as they grow in their relationship with Christ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Word of wisdom
The word of wisdom is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to see things from God's perspective and to make wise decisions in accordance with His will. It is not simply human wisdom or intelligence, but a supernatural ability to discern the true nature of situations and to know the best course of action.
The word of wisdom is often manifested in the ability to give sound advice, to counsel others, and to make decisions that are in line with God's purposes. It is also manifested in the ability to see beyond the surface of things and to understand the deeper spiritual realities at work.
The word of wisdom is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for leaders in the church. Those who have this gift can help to guide the church in the right direction and to make decisions that are in accordance with God's will.
If you believe that you have the gift of wisdom, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Word of knowledge
The word of knowledge is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to have supernatural knowledge about specific people, places, or events. This knowledge is not gained through natural means, such as study or experience, but is revealed directly by the Holy Spirit.
The word of knowledge is often manifested in the ability to speak about things that one could not possibly know through natural means. For example, someone with the word of knowledge might be able to tell you about your past, your present, or your future. They might also be able to tell you about things that are happening in other parts of the world, or even about things that have not yet happened.
The word of knowledge is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for those who are involved in ministry. Those who have this gift can use it to help others to understand their own lives and to make wise decisions. They can also use it to share the gospel with others and to build up the church.
If you believe that you have the gift of knowledge, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Faith
Faith is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to trust in God and to believe His promises, even when they seem impossible. It is not simply a human emotion or feeling, but a supernatural ability to believe in things that cannot be seen or proven.
The gift of faith is often manifested in the ability to pray with confidence and to believe that God will answer our prayers. It is also manifested in the ability to stand firm in our faith, even when we are faced with challenges or persecution.
The gift of faith is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for those who are called to be leaders in the church. Those who have this gift can help to build up the faith of others and to lead them to a deeper relationship with Christ.
If you believe that you have the gift of faith, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Gifts of healing
The gifts of healing are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers to heal the sick and injured. These gifts are not to be confused with medical skills or knowledge, but are a direct manifestation of God's power.
- Physical healing
This is the most common type of healing gift, and it involves the healing of physical illnesses and injuries. Those who have this gift can pray for the sick and see them healed, sometimes instantaneously.
- Emotional healing
This gift involves the healing of emotional wounds and traumas. Those who have this gift can help others to overcome depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems.
- Mental healing
This gift involves the healing of mental illnesses and disorders. Those who have this gift can help others to overcome schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health problems.
- Supernatural healing
This is the rarest type of healing gift, and it involves the healing of diseases and injuries that are beyond the reach of medical science. Those who have this gift can pray for the sick and see them healed of even the most serious illnesses.
The gifts of healing are a valuable gift for any believer, but they are especially important for those who are called to be healers in the church. Those who have these gifts can use them to help others to experience the healing power of God and to grow in their faith.
Working of miracles
The working of miracles is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to perform supernatural acts that are beyond the laws of nature. These miracles can include healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, and controlling the forces of nature.
The working of miracles is a powerful gift that can be used to glorify God and to build up the church. However, it is important to note that this gift is not given to all believers. It is a special gift that is given to those whom God has called to be miracle workers.
If you believe that you have the gift of working miracles, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Here are some examples of miracles that have been performed by believers throughout history:
- Jesus Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons.
- The apostles Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple gate.
- The apostle Paul raised a young man from the dead in Troas.
- The early church fathers performed many miracles, including healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead.
Prophecy
Prophecy is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to speak forth the word of God. This gift is not to be confused with fortune-telling or psychic abilities, but is a genuine revelation from God. Prophecy can be used to edify, exhort, and comfort the church, and to reveal God's will for the future.
The gift of prophecy is often manifested in the ability to speak in tongues, to interpret tongues, and to give words of knowledge and wisdom. Those who have this gift can also foretell future events, but this is not the primary purpose of prophecy.
The primary purpose of prophecy is to build up the church and to help believers to grow in their relationship with Christ. Prophecy can be used to encourage believers, to challenge them, and to help them to understand God's will for their lives.
If you believe that you have the gift of prophecy, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Discerning of spirits
The discerning of spirits is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to distinguish between the spirits of God and the spirits of the devil. This gift is important for protecting the church from false teachers and false prophets, and for helping believers to make wise decisions about their lives.
The gift of discerning of spirits is often manifested in the ability to sense the presence of evil spirits and to recognize their influence in people's lives. Those who have this gift can also distinguish between the true and the false in spiritual matters, and they can help others to avoid being deceived by false teachings.
The gift of discerning of spirits is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for those who are called to be leaders in the church. Those who have this gift can help to protect the church from false teaching and false prophets, and they can help believers to make wise decisions about their lives.
If you believe that you have the gift of discerning of spirits, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to judge others or to put yourself above others. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Divers kinds of tongues
Divers kinds of tongues is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to speak in languages that they have not learned. This gift is often manifested in the ability to speak in foreign languages, but it can also include the ability to speak in angelic languages or in other heavenly tongues.
The gift of divers kinds of tongues is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for those who are called to be missionaries or evangelists. Those who have this gift can use it to share the gospel with people from all over the world, and to build up the church in different cultures.
If you believe that you have the gift of divers kinds of tongues, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Here are some examples of how the gift of divers kinds of tongues has been used throughout history:
- On the day of Pentecost, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. This enabled them to share the gospel with people from all over the world who had come to Jerusalem for the feast.
- The apostle Paul spoke in tongues more than any other person in the New Testament. He used this gift to build up the church in different cultures and to share the gospel with people who did not speak his native language.
- Throughout history, there have been many missionaries and evangelists who have used the gift of tongues to share the gospel with people from all over the world.
Interpretation of tongues
Interpretation of tongues is a gift of the Spirit that enables believers to interpret the utterances of those who are speaking in tongues. This gift is important for ensuring that the church can understand and benefit from the messages that are being spoken in tongues.
- Simultaneous interpretation
This is the most common type of interpretation of tongues. It involves interpreting the tongues as they are being spoken, so that the congregation can understand the message immediately.
- Consecutive interpretation
This type of interpretation involves waiting until the person speaking in tongues has finished speaking, and then interpreting the message afterwards.
- Partial interpretation
This type of interpretation involves interpreting only part of the message that is being spoken in tongues. This may be done if the interpreter does not understand the entire message, or if the message is too long to interpret in its entirety.
- Prophetic interpretation
This type of interpretation involves interpreting the tongues as a prophetic message from God. This type of interpretation is often used when the message being spoken in tongues is particularly important or significant.
The gift of interpretation of tongues is a valuable gift for any believer, but it is especially important for those who are called to be leaders in the church. Those who have this gift can help to ensure that the church can understand and benefit from the messages that are being spoken in tongues.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the gifts of the Spirit:
Question 1: What are the gifts of the Spirit?
Answer 1: The gifts of the Spirit are special abilities given by God to believers to build up the church. There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
Question 2: How do I know if I have a gift of the Spirit?
Answer 2: The gifts of the Spirit are given to believers according to God's will and purpose. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are some general signs that you may have a gift of the Spirit. For example, you may find that you have a natural ability to do something that is beyond your natural abilities, or you may find that you are drawn to a particular ministry or area of service.
Question 3: Can I have more than one gift of the Spirit?
Answer 3: Yes, it is possible to have more than one gift of the Spirit. In fact, many believers have multiple gifts that they use to build up the church.
Question 4: How do I use my gifts of the Spirit?
Answer 4: The gifts of the Spirit are to be used for the edification of the church. This means that they should be used to build up the body of Christ, not to tear it down. When you use your gifts in this way, you are helping to fulfill God's purpose for your life.
Question 5: What if I don't have any gifts of the Spirit?
Answer 5: Not all believers have gifts of the Spirit. This does not mean that you are not a true believer, or that you are less valuable to God. God has given each believer different gifts and abilities, and He will use you in the way that He sees fit.
Question 6: How can I grow in my gifts of the Spirit?
Answer 6: The gifts of the Spirit can be developed and strengthened through use. The more you use your gifts, the stronger they will become. You can also grow in your gifts by studying the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the gifts of the Spirit. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask your pastor or another trusted Christian leader.
Tips
Here are a few practical tips for using your gifts of the Spirit:
Tip 1: Use your gifts to build up the church. The gifts of the Spirit are not for your own personal benefit, but for the edification of the church. When you use your gifts to help others, you are fulfilling God's purpose for your life.
Tip 2: Use your gifts in humility. The gifts of the Spirit are not a reason to be proud or to look down on others. Remember that all gifts come from God, and that we are all called to serve Him in different ways.
Tip 3: Seek to grow in your gifts. The gifts of the Spirit can be developed and strengthened through use. The more you use your gifts, the stronger they will become. You can also grow in your gifts by studying the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.
Tip 4: Don't be afraid to use your gifts. Sometimes, we may be afraid to use our gifts because we are worried about what others will think. However, it is important to remember that God has given us our gifts for a reason. Don't be afraid to use them to build up the church and to glorify God.
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These are just a few tips for using your gifts of the Spirit. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to talk to your pastor or another trusted Christian leader.
Conclusion
The gifts of the Spirit are special abilities given by God to believers to build up the church. These gifts are not to be confused with the fruit of the Spirit, which are character qualities developed by believers as they grow in their relationship with Christ. The gifts of the Spirit are given for the purpose of edifying the church, while the fruit of the Spirit are developed for the purpose of personal growth and sanctification.
There are nine gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, divers kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Each of these gifts is unique and valuable, and they can be used to build up the church in a variety of ways.
If you believe that you have a gift of the Spirit, it is important to use it wisely. Do not use it to exalt yourself or to put others down. Instead, use it to build up the church and to help others to grow in their relationship with Christ.
The gifts of the Spirit are a powerful tool for building up the church. When we use our gifts in humility and love, we can help to create a vibrant and healthy church that is a blessing to the community and to the world.