Holy Spirit's Gifts Explained
In the pages of Scripture, we discover a profound and timeless truth: the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As outlined in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, these gifts are manifestations of God's power in the lives of believers, equipping them to serve and edify one another in the body of Christ. In this article, we will explore each gift and distinguish them from the fruits of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines.” 1 Corinthians 12:11, NIV
Word of Wisdom
This gift grants believers divine insight and discernment, enabling them to supernaturally navigate life's complexities with godly understanding. This is a revelatory gift. It comes by divine revelation from the Lord. You can’t receive this by your own effort or merit. As with all of the gifts of the Spirit, it is given as a gift by the grace of God. For example, a message given to someone from somebody based on their own life experience is NOT this gift at work. This is only a word given by God that, prior to having been spoken, has never been revealed to the individual, nor taught to the individual by somebody else. Noah experienced this gift by receiving the revelation of the flood and building the ark (Genesis 6:13-22). To learn more, watch this.
Word of Knowledge
With this gift, believers can reveal facts about the present they otherwise would have no way of knowing through their own senses or observation, as well as grasp profound spiritual truths beyond human comprehension. This is another revelatory gift, given from divine revelation from the Lord. This knowledge (or facts) is neither received nor exemplified by an effort of one’s own will or flesh. An example of this gift at work would be walking up to a stranger and the Lord revealing something about him or her that you would not have known, in order to show His glory. Jesus showcased this gift in John 4:18, when speaking with the Samaritan woman. We have a testimony of this gift at work from a pastor, wherein the Lord pointed out a woman in a store and explained to the pastor that she has been in an abusive relationship with “a bum” for years and needs to break up with him, and that her mother has been praying for them to separate for a long time. The Lord told the pastor that he needs to tell her this, as a complete stranger, and to lead her to Him. The pastor was obedient to the Holy Spirit and revealed everything to her as was told to him, again as a complete stranger. Not only did the woman heed the word of the Lord and give her life to Him, she brought her manager to the Lord and two miracle babies into the world through this encounter, because of the word of knowledge. All of the gifts work to bring glory to Jesus and point to the fact that He is real and alive today. To see this gift in action, watch this. To learn more, watch this.
Faith
This gift elevates believers' trust in God's promises, emboldening them to act with unwavering confidence. Daniel's unwavering faith in the lion's den is a testament to the extraordinary power of this gift (Daniel 6:16-23). Jesus Himself said that “all things are possible to those who believe” (Mark 9:23). This gift goes beyond faith in the Lord. It is a type a faith that is so steadfast and so determined that it edifies believers. If you have helped or inspired brothers and sisters in Jesus to reach uncharted heights of faith, you most-likely have this gift. To see this gift in action, watch this.
Healings
The gift of healings enables believers to bring complete restoration and wholeness to the afflicted by the power of God, supernaturally. This does not include natural remedies, supplements, doctors, or the will of man. The healings include every form of healing: physical, mental, and emotional illnesses, acute and chronic illnesses. From a cold to cancer. The bible explains diseases are forms of oppression from the devil (Acts 10:38). While all born-again believers possess the power to heal (Mark 16:17-18), the gift of healings is received beyond one’s laying on of hands. An example of this would be giving a sermon and people would be healed of their diseases simply by listening to the sermon. Or praying for the healing of a man with a broken leg and he is completely healed without ever laying hands on him. The Apostle Peter's ability to heal the sick through his shadow illustrates this gift (Acts 5:15). To watch and hear a testimony of this gift in action, watch this.
Miracles
This gift transcends natural laws, showcasing God's power in extraordinary ways. Miracles are a supernatural display of God’s creative power and power over creation. Moses parting the Red Sea exemplifies the miraculous nature of this gift (Exodus 14:21-22). Jesus turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), walking on water (John 6:15-21), feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-29), all demonstrate this gift . Paul demonstrated this gift when he sent aprons or handkerchiefs that his body touched to the oppressed and they were cured (Acts 19:11-12). To see this gift in action, watch this.
Prophecy
With this gift, believers declare God's will to an individual or group, to edify and encourage other believers. To edify means to build up. The prophet Isaiah's messages of hope and restoration demonstrate this gift in action (Isaiah 40:1-2). This gift is different from being called into the office of a Prophet, which Isaiah also exemplified. The gift of prophecy manifests situationally as the Spirit leads. The office of a prophet involves a consistent and sustained ministry characterized by divine revelations and messages from the LORD. The office of a prophet holds a more formal and recognized role within the body of Christ. Prophets are individuals whom God has chosen and commissioned to hold a sustained, authoritative position of spiritual leadership. They often carry a heightened sensitivity to the voice of God and a unique calling to convey messages that impact the broader body of believers and even nations. Prophets are not merely speakers of the LORD; they also serve as spiritual guides, intercessors, and counselors. Their role extends beyond delivering timely words; they are often called to challenge, correct, and guide the Church toward obedience and alignment with God's will. Prophets hold a deep burden for holiness, revival, and the manifestation of God's Kingdom on earth. Those who possess the gift of prophecy experience moments of inspiration when they receive a message or insight from the Holy Spirit. This gift operates in alignment with other spiritual gifts, working in harmony to build up the church and glorify God. It is accessible to believers of various spiritual maturity levels and is not tied to a specific ecclesiastical office. To see the gift of prophecy in action, watch this.
Discerning Spirits
This gift enables believers to distinguish between spiritual realities, discerning truth from falsehood, good from evil, and light from darkness by revelation, not through personal perception. This is a revelatory gift and is not exercised through one’s own experience. One of the ways this gift operates is by unveiling the intentions of a person, as revealed supernaturally by the Holy Spirit. Another way this gift operates is by supernatural manifestations, such as witnessing an angel of the Lord, or seeing into the spirit realm as the Holy Spirit wills (not by one’s own efforts!). Apostle Peter showcased the gift of discerning spirits while exposing Ananias and Sapphira lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11). Apostle Paul displayed this gift before casting out a spirit of divination in a slave girl (Acts 16:16-18). To learn more, watch this.
Speaking in Tongues
This gift allows believers to speak in languages (current and supernatural; see 1 Corinthians 13:1) they haven't learned, fostering prayer and worship in the Spirit. The disciples first received this gift on the day of Pentecost, speaking in various languages (Acts 2:1-4). Something special happened when they spoke with new tongues. A prophecy was fulfilled (see Joel 2:28), and many who heard them speaking supernaturally heard their own language being spoken, prophesying the Word of the Lord (Acts 2:11). Speaking in tongues is real, holy, and a gift into this present day. It functions the same way it did 2,000 years ago. Sometimes while speaking in tongues, a man or woman of God is supernaturally speaking in a foreign language that is known to a native of that language, while being unknown to the speaker. In every case, the one speaking does not understand what he or she is saying (1 Corinthians 14:14). When one speaks in tongues, or with new tongues, they are speaking mysteries unto God in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2). If this is an unknown tongue, no man understands what he is saying, only God. That is why it is not necessarily profitable to the gathering of believers to only speak in tongues during a service, as Apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian Church, as nobody understands what is being said, unless someone has the gift of the interpretation of tongues, or they incorporate prophecy, doctrine, songs, and revelation into the meeting (1 Corinthians 14:26). In fact, speaking in tongues is a sign to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:21-22). Additionally, speaking in tongues is NOT to be forbidden (1 Corinthians 14:18, 39). This gift edifies the one speaking (1 Corinthians 14:4), building him or her up in her most holy faith (Jude 1:20). To see this gift in action, watch this.
Interpretation of Tongues
This gift complements speaking in tongues, enabling believers to interpret the messages spoken in unknown languages for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:13). This is a gift of inspiration. One interprets a message spoken in tongues, for others, as inspired by the Holy Spirit. The interpretation of tongues is not a mere translation of a foreign language; rather, it involves spontaneous supernatural vocalization and proclamation of divine words or revelation as facilitated by the Holy Spirit. The person with the gift of interpretation gives listeners insight into the meaning and significance of the spoken message. Not every instance of speaking in tongues requires interpretation. In private prayer or personal worship, tongues serve as a form of intimate communication between the individual and God. But in public gatherings, Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of interpretation to ensure that the congregation is built up and encouraged (1 Corinthians 14:5, 13-19). To see this gift in action, watch this. And this.
There are more gifts mentioned in Romans 12:6-8. We encourage you to study those as well and check back soon for an article that expands upon those verses, line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10).
Distinguishing the Gifts from the Fruits
While the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Holy Spirit both stem from His transformative work, they serve distinct purposes.
The fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are character traits exemplified in all believers as they yield to the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control reflect Christ's nature in His followers.
On the other hand, the gifts of the Spirit are divine empowerments bestowed upon believers to serve and build up the body of Christ actively. While the fruits transform the believer's character, the gifts equip believers for ministry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit are essential aspects of the Spirit's work in the lives of believers. Embracing these gifts with humility and cultivating the fruits of the Spirit will not only enrich our spiritual journey but also enable us to serve God and others effectively. Let us recognize and appreciate these gifts, and be careful not to criticize what we do not yet understand, as we walk in obedience to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.