Spiritual Gifts

You cannot earn these gifts, nor acquire them on your own. 

God will either give them to you or He will not. But He is a good Father, 

Who gives good things to His children, often when they ask (1 Cor 12:12).

Gifts are about having the right character. God gives us the gifts He can trust us with. Then He gives us more because we can be trustworthy with more. He doesn't take away our spiritual gifts once He has given them, but He will not increase the gifting. And for those who abuse their gifts can ‘quench’ what the Spirit has given us (1 Thess 5:19).

What are the fruits that are coming out of your life? Are the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5) coming out of your heart, or are the conflicts of the flesh (James 3:14-16) strong in your heart? James 3:17-18 is a powerful principal of how we need to direct our hearts.

This past week we studied the Spiritual & Motivational Gifts, and broke down their characteristics to see which ones we have, and which ones we want to have. I've heard them explained before, but I still get a bit confused on the difference. Motivational Gifts seem to have a more practical aspect, and few Christian denominations will say these do not exist.

*Prophecy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leadership, Mercy (Rom 12)

Some suggest that 'Prophecy' is more about having 'Vision' than being a prophet. Giving the list of other Motivational Gifts, I don't discredit this. But because I have received 'prophetic' words over my own life, that I recognized as truth and still hold up, I do believe in the ability to prophesy.

The 'hot topic' gifts in the church are the Spiritual Gifts. These come in two categories: Revelatory Gifts and Power Gifts. The Revelatory Gifts are pretty much well received in any church denomination because of their sensibility.

*Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment (1 Cor 12)

The Power Gifts are the ones that are continually debated in the church. Many denominations claim that they don't exist anymore because of their... well... too Spiritually.

*Faith, Healing, Miraculous Powers (1 Cor 12)

While no one will attack the 'Faith' gift (as we come to know Christ in faith) there is constant argument within the church regarding if we could really 'heal' someone or are enabled with 'miraculous powers.' Most argue that was a New Testament thing that doesn't apply to the modern church. Adding to that belief are the 'Vocal Gifts' -which many churches will not even discuss.

*Prophecy, Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues (1 Cor 12)

In this category, there is no question of prophecy being about vision. This prophecy gift is all about being able to receive a word from God about something or someone else. And there are apparently two kinds of tongues: The ability to speak in different languages for public ministry (Acts 2), and the utterance of heavenly things (1 Cor 14) -which are unknown. Then, there is the one who has the ability to interpret the tongues of heavenly things (1 Cor 14).

Each of these gifts are for the enabling of us to become what God has predestined for us as His children and Kingdom Workers. 

*Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher (Eph 4)

Again, even this list is debated, as some denominations say that the first two no longer exist. I'm not 100% what I think about that anymore. I used to agree without question, but the more I study the Bible, I realize there's nowhere in the Bible to indicate an 'expiration date' on these gifts. Lack of faith, which can hinder these gifts, but not enough to make them obsolete. 

In third-world countries, there are numerous testimonies of miraculous things. And I've already seen a few inexplicable things myself. I respect the different denominations and their beliefs, but I was challenged several years ago to examine my own faith. Do I believe what I believe because God revealed it to be true, or because that's what I was told? What does God think about all of the debates in His church?

Because I was raise with a very strict religious aspect on spiritual things, I am very cautious. However, because of personal experience alone I must consider the possibility of the gifting's still applying to today. 

I do know this: You can't pick and choose what you want to receive from the Bible. You can't read a list of gifts and say, "Well, that one doesn't exist, but that one does." If Jesus never changes (Heb 13:8), and He gave these gifts 2,000 years ago, why do we believe they don't apply today? What makes us believe that we can only teach what we understand, and rebuke the things we don't?

Much of my free time this week has been very busy. I've been attending a very charismatic church while back in England. It is extremely different from what I was raised in, and sometimes it's very difficult to embrace it. But I trust the leaders, and I have seen good fruit come from their efforts. I like to talk with people outside of YWAM occasionally. It's good to get off the base and visit, question, discuss, and pray with people that I don't see every single day, ;)

I do find it interesting that, while I was meditating on Spiritual Gifts this week, I was given the opportunity to talk with a young man who is not normally approachable. In fact, he can be hostile in his attitude. For whatever reason, he has decided to open up to me. Naturally, I am glad for this, but having worked with teens already, I am aware for the need of caution. In fact, I found myself praying during our discussion, asking the Lord for His wisdom and discernment. I wouldn't mind others praying for me too.

I still don't have all the answers. But I have seen the fruits of these gifts (Gal 5), and I have tested the spirits (1 John 4). Some things hold steady, and some things are questionable. But I've realized that when I question the presence of a specific gift, it is because the individual using it is questionable. 

That's why integrity is so important. 

As for what I crave the most right now: the Revelatory Gifts. I want the wisdom, knowledge, and discernment of the Holy Spirit. I would also love to prophesy and God heal through me, but those are not the priority of my heart. I want to teach God's Word, and I want my teaching to be good and full of truth. But whatever capacity I serve in, I must remember that my character speaks for my witness. Just as I might question others for their lack of good fruit, I might also be questioned.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. 

(Prov 10:9)