Gifts of the Spirit
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. --1 Corinthians 12:1
Last week I introduced and discussed that we have been given power to do the works of Christ, and by commandment, we are to operate in this power [John 14:12; 20:21]. Additionally, I discussed that once we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are endued with the same power the Lord Jesus possessed [John 14:12; Acts 1:5, 8]. This week I want to continue the teaching on Operating in the Power of God by briefly discussing the gifts of the Spirit as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. First, however, I want to remind you of some very important truths concerning our walk in Christ Jesus.
~~Salvation is not the end--it's the beginning of a new life where we now live for God instead of before when we lived for ourselves. [2 Corinthians 5:15-17; Romans 6:11, 14:7-8; Colossians 3:5-17]
~~God's purpose for us is to bring revelation of His Son to the world. [Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20; John 15:26-27]
~~Our goal is to become Christ-like--to emulate Jesus by word and deed. [John 1:12; John 14:12; Romans 6:4-5; Ephesians 4:13; 1 Peter 2:21; James 1:22].
According to the Bible, the ministry of Jesus was threefold: to preach, to teach, and to heal. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. [Matthew 9:35] When we examine the ministry of the gifts of the Spirit, we will see that they are similar in concept.
The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 12, introduces us to nine gifts of the Spirit, although these nine are not the extent of all the gifts. Because Jesus walked in the fullness of the Spirit, He operated in all nine gifts. Similarly, the apostles of the early church in Acts also operated in all of them. As I go through the gifts, I will give examples in Scripture where Jesus demonstrated each gift in His own ministry. As Christ's ministry was threefold, the gifts of the Spirit can be placed in three similar categories: gifts of revelation or mind gifts; gifts of inspiration or vocal gifts; and gifts of power or working gifts.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these work that one and selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. [1 Corinthians 12:4-11]
Gifts of Revelation
For flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father which is in heaven. --Matthew 16:17
Word of Wisdom
The first gift of revelation is word of wisdom. Word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation of God's will or purpose in utilizing knowledge or power given, or to solve any problem. Because of its intrinsic importance to the operation of any gift, the gift of wisdom is always present when operating any of the other gifts. Wisdom is not knowledge, but defined as the ability to use knowledge or power effectively or to accomplish the task at hand. The Lord Jesus used word of wisdom when He dealt with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-27. Knowing the man was proud and covetous of his riches, the Lord used the commandments to convict the man of his sin. The Bible says: God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. [James 4:6]. The rich man's question Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? This confirmed what the Lord already knew--this man believed heaven was earned by his own work. Jesus utilized another gift of revelation (discernment of spirits) to determine that he was proud and covetous, and subsequently used wisdom to reveal it. Let's compare the way Jesus dealt with the rich man to the way He dealt with Nicodemus in John 3: 1-21. Nicodemus had come to the Lord at night, which was an indication of secrecy. From the context of the subsequent passages, it appears that Nicodemus asked the same question as the rich young ruler: How may I obtain eternal life? He humbled himself by proclaiming in verse 2: we know that you are a teacher come from God. For no man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him. After the Lord explained the necessity of the new birth, Nicodemus was still confused by what the Lord had said. Notwithstanding, instead of using the commandments on Nicodemus, Jesus used wisdom when speaking of God's grace in verse 16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Additionally, the Lord used wisdom each time the Pharisees or scribes attempted to slip Him up--as in the case with the question of the tribute money in Matthew 22:15-22.
Word of Knowledge
Word of knowledge is the supernatural revelation of God's will, plan, or knowledge, and also of other people. This gift can be manifested in knowledge, by visions, or even in physical sensations such as feeling someone else's pain as a result of injury or sickness. In any case, a word of knowledge represents information presented that only God could have known under the circumstances--as in the case where the Lord reveals a disease or affliction not otherwise known by the person operating in the gift. A person operating in word of knowledge is also able to reveal the deepest thoughts and desires of the heart. 1 Corinthians 14:25 says: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
When I have witnessed the word of knowledge in action, it usually brings tears--not of shame, but tears of deliverance. Last week I shared the testimony when the Lord sent me to pray for the woman with pneumonia. The insight and visions were all examples of word of knowledge. As with wisdom, the Lord Jesus utilized the word of knowledge frequently. One example is with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4: 4-38. Jesus said unto her, Go, call your husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, You have well said, I have no husband. For you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. In that you said truly. The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [v. 16-19] Jesus had never met this woman before and yet He knew that she'd been married five times and was currently living with a man whom was not her husband. Only by the Spirit of God (word of knowledge) could Jesus have known this information. Jesus also demonstrated word of knowledge when the Bible speaks of Jesus knowing men's thoughts.
Discerning of Spirits
This gift is the supernatural revelation or insight into the spirit realm to detect spirits (both good and evil) and distinguish them and their plans. I have heard several accounts where people have been able to actually see into the spirit realm where angels and demons are visible. As I noted before, Jesus demonstrated discernment when He detected the spirit of pride and covetousness on the rich young ruler. However, the Lord also demonstrated discernment of spirits in Luke 13:10-13. In this case, He discerned that a crippled woman had been attacked by a spirit of infirmity instead of her problem being the result of a disease or physical condition. And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could not lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. [v. 11-12]
It's important to say here that many conditions are caused by spirits of infirmity rather than physical illnesses or diseases. Take Job for example. The sores on his body were a result of a spiritual attack--and not from a disease. Had Jesus not been able to discern that this woman's problem was spiritual and not physical, she would not have been healed. Unexplained conditions, especially when doctors cannot determine the cause of symptoms, are probably the result of a spirit of infirmity. This person needs to be delivered the same way our Lord delivered a young boy in Mark 9: 17-29: When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, You deaf and dumb spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried and rent him sore, and came out of him. And he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. [v. 25-27]
Gifts of Inspiration
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. --Zechariah 4:6
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is a supernatural utterance in a person's native language. Speaking prophetically is a divine miracle, not conceived by human thought or reasoning. Not only is prophecy a prediction of a future event, but it is more clearly defined as speaking to people for edification, exhortation, and comfort [1 Corinthians 14:3]. All throughout the Old Testament, the Lord used prophets to communicate His will to His people, and still uses them today. However, through the Holy Spirit the gift of prophecy is available to every believer who will seek it and use it by faith. The Bible says: Follow after charity (divine love), and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. Even so, forasmuch as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. [1 Corinthians 14:1, 12] I've witnessed a number of people who operate in the gift of prophecy and the results are amazing. As I mentioned earlier and quoted from 1 Corinthians 14:25: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth. Our Lord utilized prophecy frequently as He predicted many events that came to pass, including His own crucifixion and resurrection. One of the most notable prophecies from Jesus involved the prophecy of Peter's denial [Matthew 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38]. However, the Lord also used prophecy to encourage His disciples as in John 16:33: These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.
Diverse Kinds of Tongues
And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues... --Mark 16:17
The gift of tongues is probably the most controversial of the gifts of the Spirit. This is a supernatural utterance in languages not known by the speaker. For example, if I were to begin speaking Arabic or German, without having learned these languages, I would be utilizing the gift of diverse kinds of tongues. The gift of tongues also includes languages not known to man at all, but a supernatural language. The apostle Paul illustrated this fact in 1 Corinthians 13:1, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels. Through the Holy Spirit, we are given a prayer or angelic language by which our spirit prays directly to God, edifying ourselves. For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God; for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays [1 Corinthians 14: 2, 4, 14]. Romans 8:26 also speaks of the gift of tongues being used as a prayer language in the Holy Spirit. Likewise the Spirit helps our infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And also in Jude 20: But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Many of you whom have witnessed someone speaking in tongues may have been confused as it sounds like they are babbling. However, the Bible speaks of this truth in Isaiah 28:11: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. For those of you who find it foolish or unnecessary to speak in tongues, let me offer you the following verses of Scripture: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. [1 Corinthians 1:27] And I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all. [1 Corinthians 14:18]
The gift of tongues is a powerful gift--not only in demonstrating the power of God by speaking a language you haven't learned, but more so for individual edification. When you pray in the Spirit or speak in your prayer or angelic language, your spirit is praying mysteries your mind cannot conceive nor understand. It is no wonder that the gift and utilization of tongues is so greatly attacked and labeled satanic when you realize how powerful this gift is. As with all God's gifts, the greater the gift, the greater the persecution of it.
Although recorded specifically only once in the Bible, Jesus utilized the gift of diverse kinds of tongues. According to the Bible, the Lord and His disciples traveled throughout regions that spoke different languages. In fact, the Bible says in Mark 7:26 that the Syrophenician woman was a Greek [a Gentile or non-Jewish person], from the Syrian nation of Phenicia (Syrophenician). It is likely that she spoke the Syrian language, which Jesus was able to understand and speak. As I mentioned before, I believe the Bible records the Lord speaking in tongues or a prayer language only once. In Mark 15:34, Jesus, while hanging on the cross, said, E-lo'i, E-lo'i, la'ma sabach'tha-ni? Which is being interpreted, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calls Elias (Elijah). Mark interpreted the Lord's statement by the Holy Spirit, and the people that stood by obviously did not understand what Jesus had said, but that because of the first two words: E-lo'i, E-lo'i they believed He was crying out for the prophet Elijah.
Regardless of whether Jesus spoke in tongues or could speak in languages He did not learn (His native languages were Hebrew and Aramaic), the Lord promised in Mark 16:17 that one sign of a believer would be that he spoke in new tongues. Acts 2:6-11 describes how the early church utilized the gift of diverse kinds of tongues. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marveled saying one to another, Behold, are not all them that speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phyrgia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Instead of attacking and persecuting the gifts of the Spirit, let us all embrace what God has given to us for the benefit of all [1 Corinthians 12:7].
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not. 1 Corinthians 14:22
Interpretation of Tongues
Wherefore let him that speak in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. --1 Corinthians 14:13-14
Interpretation of tongues is the supernatural ability to interpret (not necessarily translate) what is spoken in another language not known by the interpreter. Again, this gift can apply when interpreting a language known to man and also when someone speaks in an unknown or angelic language. However, the interpreter always interprets in his own language so that the church may receive what has been spoken. [1 Corinthians 14:5, 13-17] Often the Lord will speak prophetically through someone in tongues (angelic language) and then another person (or the same person) will interpret what was spoken in the unknown language. Interpretation is the key word with this gift. It does not say translate--as if they were able to recite word for word what was spoken, although this is possible as well. I have also witnessed these two gifts operate together in prophecy where one person spoke in tongues and another interpreted. As I mentioned in the previous section, the Lord Jesus utilized this gift as well when conversing and ministering to people of other regions and languages.
Gifts of Power
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. --1 Corinthians 2:4-5
Gifts of Healing
Healing is the supernatural power to heal all manner of sicknesses and diseases without human aid or medicine. The Bible says there are gifts (plural) of healing. When we examine the Bible we learn that Jesus healed people of all physical [Matthew 4:24], spiritual [John 8:3-11the adulterous woman], emotional [Luke 7:37-47the woman with the alabaster box], and mental conditions [Matthew 17:15-18the lunatic boy]. As Jesus demonstrated and as 1 Corinthians 12:6 says: And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. The gifts of healing reflect the diversity in operation of the gift, and also the different types of healing (physical, spiritual, emotional, mental). Healing was a very important part of our Lord's ministry and we should strive to operate in this gift as it reveals God's great love for His children--not wanting any of us to suffer. More than any other thing, it was Christ's power to heal, which caused the multitudes to seek and follow Him. What better way can we, as followers (disciples) of Christ, demonstrate the love of God to the world than by utilizing the power of healing. Jesus said that all believers shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. [Mark 16:18] Every Christian church should at least seek to operate in the gifts of healing. 1 Corinthians 14:12 says: Even so you, forasmuch as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the church. Healing surely edifies the church. All it takes is faith and a desire to demonstrate God's love for people.
Working of Miracles
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:19
Working of miracles is the supernatural ability or power to intervene in the ordinary course of nature and transcend natural laws if necessary. In addition to healing and casting out devils, which were miracles themselves, Jesus performed many other miracles like in John 2 when He turned water into wine. Some of His other miracles were: calmed the winds and sea [Matthew 8:26]; walked on water [Matthew 15:25]; fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes [Matthew 14:15]; escaped from an angry mob [Luke 4:28-30]; raised the dead [John 11:44]; made a fig tree barren [Mark 11:14, 20]; and many others. Jesus was not the only miracle worker in the New Testament. After leading an Ethiopian eunuch to Christ, Phillip was translated from the Gaza area to Azotus [Acts 8:39-40]. Both apostles Peter and Paul raised people from the dead [Acts 9:40; 20:9-12], and the Bible says the God performed special miracles by the hands of Paul [Acts 19:11].
Faith
If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence from yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. --Matthew 17:20
Faith is the supernatural ability to believe God without human doubt, unbelief, and reasoning. Every man has been dealt the measure of faith. [Romans 12:3] It is not a lack of faith that prevents anyone from operating in the power of God, or to receive answers to prayer. The reason these things do not manifest is because of doubt, unbelief, and fleshly reasoning and logic. What we must understand is that our faith lies in God and His power--not in ourselves. This fact should be a relief for all of you, knowing that all we have to do is rely on the power of God to do the work. All it takes is faith to set the power in motion. The Bible says So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [Romans 10:17] It takes knowing the word of God and reprogramming your mind until you can come to the complete knowledge of God's will and promises for you [Romans 12:2]. However, like anything else, faith must be exercised in order to be strengthened. Renewing your mind will set you on your way to removing fear, doubt, and unbelief from your mind, but this will be useless if you are not willing to step out in faith and exercise the power available (as the Spirit leads). Faith is not a passive word, but one of action. I will show you my faith by my works. [James 2:18]
Jesus demonstrated faith throughout His entire ministry. Everything He said, did, taught, and every step He took--including when He carried the cross to Calvary--was done by faith. His prayer immediately prior to raising Lazarus from the dead demonstrates His faith: And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And I knew that you hear me always. But because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that you have sent me. [John 11:41-42] The key words in this verse are underlined. Jesus was demonstrating His faith by acknowledging that He knew the Father always heard Him, and He did it with thanksgiving, proving He believed He had already received the answer to His prayer. [Mark 11:22-24] Faith is not simply a belief, notion, or understanding from logic--faith is revelation from God, when you know--regardless of what your senses tell you. Our unbelief comes from our carnal nature in that we've been programmed to operate by our senses instead of in our spirits. All of us have the faith to do the works of Christ--as Jesus said, "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible to you." Our unbelief, fear, doubt, and unwillingness to walk in the Spirit is what hinders us from receiving many of God's promises, and operating in the power of God. When the Lord, in Matthew 17:19-20 was asked by His disciples Why could we not cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief. For verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Jesus didn't say "Because of your lack of faith." It was because of their unbelief. As I mentioned in a previous message, when you get to the point where your faith in God's word is more a reality than what your senses detect, you will be operating the gift of faith.
Of all the gifts, faith is the most important because all of them operate by it. As the Lord has led me to operate in His power, I have come to the complete realization that God's power is not released by need--but by faith. We can look around the entire world and see just how many people are suffering and know that God is not moved by need. If it were so, no one would be in need of anything. Complete obedience to His word is a great demonstration of faith. However, because of so much unbelief, doubt, sin, and carnality in the world today, we see a proliferation of suffering that surely has to break God's heart. He's simply waiting for His people to reach out in faith to Him. Jesus said, But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit. And they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. [John 4:23-24] Because God is a Spirit, we have to rise to a level above our physical senses and carnal way of thinking and as it was written in Revelation 4:1-2: Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Do you want to be a true worshipper of God--to, as John did, see Him for Who He truly is? We have to be willing to Come up hither--come up to His level--to the spirit realm--in order to truly have a relationship with Him. This takes faith and faith comes by hearing the word of God [Romans 10:17].
The Gifts Are Given To Everyone For Everyone
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. --1 Corinthians 12:7
As born again believers, baptized in the Holy Ghost and endued with power, we possess all nine gifts of the Spirit. Whether they are operating in you depends on your faith and spiritual maturity. The Lord Jesus, who administers the gifts [1 Corinthians 12:5], desires us to be willing to be used for His purposes, but we must be properly trained before doing so. There is a training process in Christ that really never ends. He continues to train us as we grow in knowledge and spiritual awareness. The Lord said: "He that is faithful with a few things will be made ruler over many things." [Matthew 25: 23] In my case, the Lord is training me to do greater things than I've already done--and to do greater things than even He did while on earth. [John 14:12] I am not any more gifted or special than anyone of you. To Him, all of us are special, and since He is no respecter of persons, you too can do the works of God.
Let's go back to 1 Corinthians 12:4-6: Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences in administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. We have the same Spirit, the same Lord, and the same God who works all gifts in all believers. Again, it's up to you to receive this by revelation in order walk in it. This is the word of God and it plainly says that all of us possess these gifts, but they will manifest in various degrees, operations, and levels of powerall according to your faith.
Faith Works by Love
And now abides faith, hope, charity (agape or divine love); but the greatest of these is charity. --1 Corinthians 13:13
But faith which works by love. --Galatians 5:6
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.
Let's face it--if we don't have love--not selfish, what's-in-it-for-me-and-how-you-make-me-feel human love--but godly love, then we're nothing. Don't you find it strange that the translators of the King James Version of the Bible used the word charity to describe agape or divine love? Our English word love wasn't enough. In fact, human love isn't anywhere close to godly love. Human love is all about how someone makes us feel--not necessarily about how we feel about them. Oh, yeah, we love them as long as they appeal to our senses correctly. But as soon as an offense occurs, love often gets thrown out the window. In my thirteen years in law enforcement, I saw a lot of violence, destruction and death--all in the name of love. I even had a woman refer to her many scars as "love wounds." Even the word charity in its modern context doesn't truly describe the meaning of agape. When before, charity was a gift to someone in need out of the goodness of our hearts--with no strings attached; now, charity means a tax deduction, or in an effort to soothe our consciences to support the "good person" you want to be, we make charitable contributions. Charity isn't charity when the giver gets something out of it--other than knowing that your giving is pleasing to God. Agape love is the very most important aspect of our lives as Christians. It was because of love that we have the Lord Jesus, the cross, salvation, and life itself [1 John 4:9-10]. In Christ, we must walk in agape love for people--not because of our relationship with them, but because of our relationship with God. Jesus said: By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. [John 13:35]
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed, and in truth. 1 John 3:18
