What Are the Gifts?

What Are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit ?

Robbie L. Rogers

Christ died, was resurrected and returned to the right hand of God that we could receive two supreme gifts, Salvation and His Holy Spirit. Our salvation brings to us the GIFT of Eternal Life. Holy Spirit bestows or imparts upon us part of Him, His abilities, His ministries in the form of spiritual gifts just as He wills. Some will get more than others.

"Yeah," you say, "the old adage `Them that’s got, gets' applies."

This is true, but in the same manner of the parable of the talents. Yet, God never makes anyone greater or less in His eyes.

Spiritual gifts are not the same as natural God-given gifts such as intelligence and judgment. Those talents or abilities help us do whatever it is that we have learned to do, as they say, in the "natural."

We are wrong if we believe our natural gifts automatically become our spiritual gifts. They might in fact be enhanced, developed, or blessed in wonderful ways because of our new relationship with Christ, yet God has a purpose we cannot necessarily see.

So, God, through Holy Spirit, adds His unique, Devine gifts to us all... in the ways He knows is right and true... that we might accomplish His purposes... not ours, in the order and quantity He sees fit.

We do not own Spiritual Gifts or earn them, they are the property of Holy Spirit... to give in the way He sees fit, for the purposes of God.

Spiritual Gifts are God’s perfect order. However always desire more of His Gifts. Like a well used sponge or scrubbing cloth needs re-wetted again and again after continual use, we too can become hardhearted and abrasive to others without re-submitting ourselves to God.

Seek after the gifts, receive your full inheritance. Paul reminded Timothy (IITim 1:6-18) to rekindle his gift.

We all are given these endowments but they must be used or they wither and die. By exercising our gifts, they grow strong. It’s called walking in faith. He give us a full complement of all His gifts; some gifts, however, are only evident when He wants to use them in us. Some people's gifts are strongly evident, to be used powerfully in the Church. Others receive quiet gifts for ministries seldom seen. Yet to each of us we are given the potential to do great things. Say, you have the gift of hospitality as the most evident in your life, this doesn't mean He won't call on you at certain times, to do a teaching, or to be in leadership, or go on a mission trip and end up preaching to a church body if called upon.

When confronted with a task seemingly too great, the gift lying dormant is made evident, and we are used in a mighty way.

There are seven gifts sometimes called, motivational GIFTS, listed in Romans CH 12.

I recommend you read, study, and inwardly digest all of Romans 12, 13, 14, & 15. They explain our calling and gifts as Christians and leaders in the church: Prophesy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhorting (or an encourager), Contributor to needs (or a giver), Leadership, and that of Mercy. These are given that you may serve others. In-other-words, He blesses us that we may bless others.

Does Holy Spirit motivate you when you are confronted with a situation that requires one or more of these gifts, and you step out in faith and obedience?

Are you led to minister spiritually?

When doing so do you immediately speak the truth, providing the action that comes from His mercy?

Do you stay close to the Lord in your time of ministry, obeying Him in your responses?

If so you have been motivated, and are exercising SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

In Romans 12, at verse 9-21, we see the effects of the gifts, FRUITS of the SPIRIT.

If you do not have fruits, you do not have the gifts or have denied them.

Ephesians 4:11-12 gives us five gifts, often called Gifts to the Whole Church. Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. These are primary areas of ministry in the church today, are they not? If you attempt to force such gifts within yourself, you might become like an apple tree straining to produce a watermelon. Yet, if Holy Spirit leads you, you are assured success in His eyes and that’s what counts. Man’s ideas of success often strongly disagree with God’s. How would you have judged Jesus' ministry from a worldly standpoint?

If we attempt to minister according to our flesh, or natural gifts, we can never be sure whether we are in fact producing fruit that places treasures in heaven, or that which spoils... rotten fruit from the flesh. Only through seeking Christ’s ways and following Holy Spirit’s leading can we completely please God.

Why do we even have such Gifts? I found as many as 10 different reasons spelled out in the scriptures:

(1) For the equipping or perfecting the Saints (us too)

(2) For the Common Good, or work of the ministry

(3) For the Encouragement or Edification of the body of Christ.

(4) For unity in the faith.

(5) For the sure knowledge of the Son of God.

(6) That the Kingdom of God may be advanced, bringing as many as are willing

(7) That we not be carried away with winds of change, or cunningness and craftiness of man.

(8) That we may speak the truth in love.

(9) That we may grow into His likeness

(10) And to glorify God.

No spiritual gift should point to or edify the one who manifest or has the gift, but to God.

We must treat Gifts as pearls of great price. Cherish them as does any good servant realizing many people depend on our use of them.

Jesus told his disciples to be filled with the power from on high: (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:17-18; Lk. 24:47; Acts 1:8) That they might evangelize. Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Cast out demons. Heal the sick. Speak with new tongues. These are manifestations of the Holy Spirit ... GIFTS

Paul says in (Eph. 5:18) do not get drunk with wine, instead be filled with the Spirit.

"Spiritual gifts" are for every believer. To serve God, to Help and edify others, to strengthen the believers.

God’s spiritual gifts, give us a supernatural ability. We must use them to exercise his presence in our life, not our adgenda. In doing so we will give away the greatest gift we have to offer, that of a love that never fails, as stated in (I Cor. 13:1-13 pg268). This is Fruit!

Paul's discussion of spiritual gifts in (I Corinthians Ch 12-14) is especially important. YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTE, READ AND STUDY THEM ALL. Those three chapters outline how our gifts ought to be exercised. He stresses that love should motivate the underlying use of anything God gives us.

If we possessed all the brilliance or strength in the world and do not live lovingly, we will be nothing at all.

In I Corn 14 we are told to desire spiritual gifts. But be careful not to seek things of spirit for the wrong motives, settling on things which confuse and disrupt the church. God does not author confusion, but that of peace. Read Lev 10:1, 2.concerning this.

In I Cor 12, Paul speaks a cautionary word concerning what we do all the while claiming it is from the Lord. It is dangerous to slander the Lord. We must make sure, especially in prophesying in unknown tongues.

If you feel you have that gift be sure you place it under the authority of your church. There are ways to completely disrupt a celebration and worship service, by each person displaying their gifts without order, sheer chaos and confusion can result.

There is a third group of gifts sometimes called the Specific Circumstances Gifts. 1 Corinthians chapter 12:1 names: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Let’s talk about distinguishing between spirits, or Discernment. This is of the utmost importance in spiritual warfare and in our daily walk. Read James 3:17,18; John 16:13; and I Corin 2:11-16.

In John 10 & Acts 16 Jesus tell us how His sheep will know His voice. We must be careful. Discerning whether you or someone else has a spiritual gift can sometimes be difficult.

Read I John 4:1-6, it gives us concrete areas to examine concerning discernment. Also listen carefully to what they, or you, say and do, does it bear fruit? In Love, does it bring strength to your soul and others? Does it encourage, edify and bring peace to the body?

We must never boast of the gifts He gives us. They are awesome indeed, but not ours and only to be used by Him when He uses us.

Christ’s body here on earth, the church, is made up of many parts. If the whole body were an eye, how would we hear? If the whole body were an ear, would we smell sweet fragrances or dangerous fires? God has in fact arranged the parts in the body, just as He wanted them to be. You are in the body of Christ, a part of it. There must be no division. Each part must have equal concern for others. If one suffers, all suffer. If one is honored, everyone rejoices! Please do not be dismissive of this. Often times bad things happen within a church body... I believe they often are a direct cause of wrongdoing by someone within the body, most likely in leadership. Do not be fooled, what you do in secret has consequences to both you and your family, and to the church body you are part of.

The parts of our body we think are less honorable we give special care. Unpresentable parts are given special modesty, aren't they? In doing so we honor all our parts.

God truly gives gifts sometimes for specific purposes. The same ones He uses for the church as a whole.

We will not all have the same gifts evident in our lives at the same time. As the church gathers, different gifts are manifested in a variety of people depending on the needs of the people at that time. All of the gifts are possible at any one time, but none are assured.

Let me add something here; the church is people, not buildings. We often forget that fact. God is not sending Christ, back for buildings. He comes for the real church, you and me. Yet, do not misunderstand me when I say, we the people are the church. We must be under the church’s higher authority to be in God’s perfect will, if they indeed are following God. You are never told to follow a leader who goes against God, instead abandon them.

As fruit trees need brother or sister trees to become an orchard. We need one another to bear fruit also, for in true fellowship we find true life. That’s what church is all about. Bringing Christ’s ministries into the world. Coming together to celebrate the victories, to share the peace, joy, the fruits of His love.

Remember this... true worship is doing the will of God in your life. When you come to church on Sunday and sing songs and listen to a few scriptures from the Bible and hear well appointed sermon and pray a little, if you are not doing the best you can to serve God during the rest of the week you have much to be forgiven for. He gave you all you need by way of Holy Spirit for your whole life... you have no excuses.

It’s important to support church buildings, priests and leaders, giving to God what is proper and due. Never withhold what is His in the first place especially your tithe. That includes the spiritual gifts He gives you. They are for the church. That’s why He gave them to you.

There are at least 23 gifts available to Christians (many variations are not listed): Apostles, Prophets and Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Evangelists, Pastors, Missionary, Helping, Exhortation, Giving, Ruling and Governing, Showing mercy, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Hospitality, Faith, Intercessory Prayer, Long Suffering, Healing, Miracles, Discerning of Spirits, Tongues, and Interpretation of Tongues.

On Judgment Day we might be asked concerning gifts: What did you do with Jesus? I gave Him to you. What did you do with faith? I started it inside your heart. What did you do with time? I gave it to you? What did you do with your money, and all the ability I gave you? Most of all what did you do with your family, your friends, the ones I directed you to? And, what happened to your commitment, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and all the others? What happened to the first fruit of all your labors... was it all for naught?

To learn more about Holy Spirit click on Who is Holy Spirit? and How Can I Be Filled with Holy Spirit?

Want to know more about Holy Spirit click here?

If you desire to know more about this Jesus Christ who loves you, salvation and giving yourself to Christ click on Who is Jesus. If you want to ask Him into your heart, receiving His Saving Grace please click on this Salvation Prayer