Have you ever thought about what it truly means to be a child of God?
It's an enriching experience to live your life obediently and full of faith. One way we are connected in our faith is through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit -Seven special graces given from God to His devoted children.
These gifts can transform us holistically and bring us closer to Him so we can serve Him better.
Here's a look at these spiritual gifts, how they manifest in our lives, and how we can use them to become even better stewards of God's love.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are divine abilities given to followers of Jesus Christ from the Holy Spirit.
These gifts are of great value and can include wisdom, prophecy, spiritual discernment, healing, miracles, and even speaking in tongues. They often inspire joy and peace and aid us in living a life devoted to God’s will.
Believers utilize these unique gifts to deepen their faith and bring glory to God.
The Holy Spirit bestows upon us seven gifts according to the books of Isaiah and Romans.
Isaiah 11:2-3 states the gifts are "wisdom," "understanding," "counsel," "might," "knowledge," "fear of the Lord," and "delight in fear of the Lord," given with a spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Paul's words in Romans 12:6-8 gives further understanding by presenting prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and showing mercy as gifts from God to those who carry faith.
Ephesians 4:11-13 speaks of how the Spirit distributes individual gifts to everyone to build the Body of Christ. This list includes apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as references for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Discernment helps believers recognize God's influence and differentiate it from Satan's and worldly influences.
The key to this discernment comes directly from the Holy Spirit, as Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:14: "The spiritual person discerns all things, but no one can discern him." By relying on the counsel of God through the Holy Spirit, we can pick out the false influences that seek to lead us away from God's truth.
The gift of discernment gives us wisdom and understanding in a world where good and evil are often intertwined.
With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can recognize and reject destructive choices, habits, and thoughts—and embrace godly qualities in their place.
Love gives us many gifts as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:
• Prophecy – understanding what is to come
• Speaking in tongues – communicating in a divine language
• Wisdom – the ability to make good decisions
• Faith – trusting in God’s plan
• Miracles – signs of a higher power at work
• Healing – restoring bodies and minds
• Discernment – recognizing between good and evil
• Compassion – seeing people’s suffering
• Generosity – giving without expecting anything in return
Believers are called to unity.
Ephesians 4:4-16, it's written that every believer has been given a spiritual gift--words of wisdom, prophecy, service, teaching, or administration--to help strengthen the body of Christ and build up others in faith.
Each of these gifts is meant to be used in love and humility to promote peace and understanding among believers. This call to unity should lead us to speak the truth in love, contribute to one another's growth, and pray for each other.
United in love, we can make a difference in this world.
God’s love and grace are revealed to us through various gifts, each of which edifies the body of Christ.
Prophecy helps us understand God’s will; knowledge grants us insight into spiritual truths; faith sustains our courage in times of difficulty; healing soothes our suffering; miracles awaken our awe; discernment protects us from deception; tongues build bridges between different cultures; helping provides material support to those in need.
All these gifts are like pieces of a beautiful mosaic – when put together, they create a picture that reflects the beauty of God’s infinite love for us.
When we embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit, a sense of peace and clarity is available.
We can communicate with God more readily, opening ourselves up to the divine guidance he has for us. We can feel love and joy radiating throughout our being and increased strength and courage to do what is right.
Our faith in God grows ever more robust, and we are blessed abundantly with patience and understanding, enabling us to serve others better.
The Holy Spirit brings many gifts to believers, which can be received through prayer or by laying hands on others.
In Acts 8:17, we see that when the apostles laid hands on people, they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, by asking for this gift in prayer, believers can receive its power and presence.
When we open ourselves up in faith and ask for the Spirit's outpouring, its fullness will come into our lives. With another Christian, holding hands in prayer and faith can help magnify this holy act's power.
By relying on the Spirit's grace through these actions, believers can be poured out with God's love, direction, and strength.
There is no substitute for trusting in Jesus and the power of his Holy Spirit when it comes to spiritual growth.
Unfortunately, false gifts often seduce believers away from this path. In 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Paul warns against “doctrines of demons” that come from deceitful teachings—things that might appear attractive but cannot ultimately satisfy.
To stay on the right path, we must resist the temptation to chase after these false promises.
As we seek proper spiritual growth in Christ Jesus, may we have eyes to recognize counterfeit gifts for what they are and the courage to follow the true path of obedience to God.
Life is a series of gifts from God; if we embrace them, we can grow spiritually. Understanding His will is one such gift; by doing so, we can become closer to Him.
With a greater understanding of His divine plan comes spiritual growth; our faith can be renewed and deepened. When we recognize the magnificence of our Creator and His limitless power, it helps us to realize our potential, too.
By welcoming these blessings from God, we can look within ourselves and strive for a better future.
The Bible contains examples of how believers use spiritual gifts to serve others.
Take Peter, for instance, in Acts 10. Out of obedience and faith, Peter traveled to the Gentile town of Caesarea to meet with Cornelius—a man who wasn't a part of the faith.
Peter was called to share the Gospel with Cornelius' household, and he did so using the power of his spiritual gift. He shared the good news of Jesus Christ and provided his listeners with the hope of salvation only through belief in Him.
Similarly, Paul used his spiritual gift to travel throughout the Roman Empire and preach the gospel. He wrote letters to churches to encourage and attend gatherings to speak words of love and peace.
In all of this, he used his spiritual gifts as an instrument of God's work and ministry on earth. Peter and Paul exemplify how believers should use their spiritual gifts:
Knowing our gifts come from God, we should thank Him for them, then use them to glorify Him and serve others.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are special abilities endowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit to affirm God’s grace in believers’ lives and to empower them for service.
These gifts give us the potential to respond faithfully, serve sacrificially, and love generously. Cultivating and using these gifts can allow believers to honor God in every aspect of their lives.
Matt LaClear
Author