Releasing Spiritual Gifts TodayНамуна

A Multiplicity of Gifts

For this devotional, I have chosen to concentrate on the nine gifts of the Spirit found in 1 Corinthians 12: discerning of spirits, a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, and workings of miracles. But Scripture presents a number of other spiritual gifts. Look at this wonderful inventory, listed alphabetically, which includes the gifts I have just mentioned:

1. Administrations, or “steerings” (see 1 Corinthians 12:28)

2. Apostle (see 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11)

3. Celibacy (see 1 Corinthians 7:7)

4. Discerning (or distinguishing) of spirits (see 1 Corinthians 12:10)

5. Effecting of miracles, or powers (see 1 Corinthians 12:10)

6. Eternal life (see Romans 6:23)

7. Evangelist (see Ephesians 4:11)

8. Exhortation (see Romans 12:8)

9. Faith (see 1 Corinthians 12:9)

10. Giving (see Romans 12:8)

11. Healings (see 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28)

12. Helps (see 1 Corinthians 12:28)

13. Interpretation of tongues (see 1 Corinthians 12:10)

14. Kinds of tongues (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:1–34)

15. Leadership, or ruling (see Romans 12:8)

16. Mercy (see Romans 12:8)

17. Pastor, or shepherd (see Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2)

18. Prophecy (see 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 14:1)

19. Prophet (see 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11)

20. Righteousness (see Romans 5:17)

21. Service (see Romans 12:7)

22. Teacher (see 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11)

23. Teaching (see Romans 12:7)

24. Word of knowledge (see 1 Corinthians 12:8)

25. Word of wisdom (see 1 Corinthians 12:8)

Most of the above gifts are mentioned in four different places in the New Testament where we find gifts listed: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.

Some people see other gifts within the pages of the Bible, such as craftsmanship, encouragement, fasting, hospitality, intercessory prayer, interpretation of dreams, judgment (being a wise judge), missions (cross-cultural ministry), music, philanthropy, and worship-leading. The scriptural support for such gifts has not been set forth in the form of a list, but it can be seen in biblical anecdotes and in various commands and directives.

Many Variations of Gifts

I believe that the gifts of the Spirit are as expansive as God Himself, so there is no reason to adhere rigidly to a particular set or listing of them as being exclusive or definitive. Even within the scriptural lists there can be variations of gifts, depending on their application. Take “teacher” or “teaching,” for example. Some people teach adults, others teach children. Still others teach special groups only, such as the “differently abled” or international students. All teachers specialize in the topics they present to their students, and under any primary topic are large numbers of specialties. Music teachers, for instance, might teach how to play a particular instrument, the music of a particular culture, or how to lead worship music.

Additionally, most teachers prefer a particular method of delivery. A good number of teachers who call teaching their career express themselves verbally, to groups both large and small, many of them using technology to amplify and broadcast their voices. Other teachers do not actually verbalize much at all because most of their teaching is in written, published form. Some teachers are very informal, simply using the gift in the course of their daily communications with family members or business associates. Others employ a more formal style.

There are therefore many different kinds and methods of teaching. Would you consider each kind of teaching a separate gift or a subset of the main gift? Either way, we cannot put a limitation or boundary on the variety of gifts that God may give.

Some of the gifts of the Spirit seem to function in a temporary manner, according to the need of the moment. We might call these “circumstantial” gifts of the Holy Spirit. In other cases, believers operate consistently in one or more gifts; the gifts appear to reside within them. We can call these “ministry gifts” of the Holy Spirit. A select number of believers not only operate consistently in one or more gifts but have also been set apart as gifts themselves from God to the body of Christ to equip the church to do the works of Jesus. (See Ephesians 4:11.) This category of gifting is often referred to as the “offices,” or “callings,” of the Spirit.

The Spirit Is Ready to Release God’s Gifts

Clearly, whether the gifting from God is circumstantial, consistent, or a calling for an extended period of time, it happens by the great grace of God alone. You cannot earn the gifts of the Holy Spirit. That is why they are called “gifts.” And His gifts are still being released today! God is ministering His gifts to those who will receive them and release them for the benefit of the church and for the salvation of the world.

We must pray to be good stewards of the gifts of the Spirit as we seek three aspects of the Spirit’s fullness in our lives: (1) fullness of power (the gifts of the Spirit), (2) fullness of character (the fruit of the Spirit), and (3) fullness of wisdom. Unless we have all three aspects of fullness, the gifts of the Spirit will be subject to misuse or disuse, and the kingdom of God will be long in coming. We must continue to grow and mature, conforming to the image of Christ, as we exercise spiritual gifts in godly character and wisdom.

Paul’s words to Timothy apply to each one of us: “Stir up the gift of God which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6 NKJV), and “Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you” (1 Timothy 4:14). Let’s stir up our gifts, calling them forth for the glory of God.