This week we will continue our study on “Understanding Spiritual Gifts.” We will move on with the 9 Charismatic Gifts.
9 Valuable Gifts in helping to accomplish the work of the ministry. These gifts aren’t to be used for you personally, but to be used to profit the entire body of Christ. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
- Word of Wisdom – 1 Corinthians 12:8 “ For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom…” Wisdom is defined as the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgement as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight. The Word of Wisdom is in the Word of God. Some people have this knowledge given to them via the Spirit. There was a man named Johnny James, who was working on a ladder, slipped and fell, and had an impact on his head. When he came too, he was able to recite verbatim the scriptures with just the mention of a chapter and verse. He is called “the walking Bible.” His story can be found on youtube.
- Word of Knowledge – 1 Corinthians 12:8 “to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit…” This gift is one which gives the recipient a supernaturally inspired utterance of facts.
- Faith – 1 Corinthians 12:9 “…To another faith by the same Spirit…” Faith is complete trust in God. Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:1 further describes what faith is: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The recipient of this gift is given a supernatural impartation of assurance in God.
- Gift of Healing – 1 Corinthians 12:9 “…to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit…” This gift is definitely needed for the ministry. The laying on of hands is an awesome thing to have in your life and people recover from their sickness. We don’t see this gift very often in the Church. God has given this gift to people who can handle it; who will operate to glorify God and not themselves. Its for the edification of the body. The recipient of this gift supernaturally ministers health to the sick.
- Working of Miracles – 1 Corinthians 12:10 “…To another the working of miracles…” The Greek describes it as “works of power” and implies instantaneous results. Raising people from the dead, bringing peace into a violent situation; these are the workings of miracles. The word miracle is defined as an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. God has given you divine intervention to do things for people by the Word of God. To allow God to step in to heal, deliver, or speak into a life and things happen, it is awesome. Again it is not for your personal fame or edification, but for the Body of Christ. Its all about doing His will, to bring others to Christ.
- Prophecy – 1 Corinthians 12:10 “… to another prophecy…” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 says despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Prophecy is defined as the foretelling or prediction of what is to come. Many will “proph-e-lie,” but there aren’t many who prophecy. When a person does prophecy, they are spiritually prononucing or imparting something from God. A true prophecy is known by its coming to pass.
- Discerning of Spirits – 1 Corinthians 12:10 “…to another discerning of spirits…” Discerning is defined as revealing insight and understanding. When you deserning something, it is very important. You can tell what will happen to someone, or what spirit is on a person or when a spirit comes into the house that is of God or not, or further whether someone teaches the Word of God or not.
- Different Kinds of Tongues – 1 Corinthians 12:10 “…to another divers kinds of tongues…” The utterance in an unknown language which is interpreted as a prophecy to the body for their edification. This is distinguished from praying in tongues which is to edify ones self 1 Cor 14:14. The message of tongues to the Body of Christ is always to be interpreted by another gift. It is limited to three within a gathering 1 Cor 14:27.
- Interpretation of Tongues – 1 Corinthians 12:10 “..to another the interpretation of tongues…” This is the supernatural interpretation of a message in tongues into the understandable language of the hearers. It is not a “translation” but an interpretation.
Next week, we will talk about the applications of these 9 valuable gifts.