SG-01
There are three biblical lists of the “gifts of the Spirit,” also known as spiritual gifts. The three main passages describing the spiritual gifts are Romans 12: 6–8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4–11; and 1 Corinthians 12:28. The spiritual gifts identified in Romans 12 are prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, and mercy. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 includes the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues and interpretation of tongues. The list in 1 Corinthians 12:28 includes healings, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues.
These gifts are freely given by God and cannot be earned or merited, to serve God and others within the Christian community. Many ignore the importance of serving others when they are blessed with these gifts. These gifts have their origin in God’s grace and are meant to be used for the edification of the church and the fulfillment of God’s purposes.
How does one identify the spiritual gift?
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 clearly explains that these gifts are distributed by the Holy Spirit as He determines. Most of God directs us to exercise these gifts in the church in His perfect ways.
- *Pray
Be on your knees seeking His will, and leaning on Him completely will give us the assurance and the discernment to know His plans and the purpose for our life in regard to the gift He had poured into us. Pray for humility as we are serving the community with gifts and not ruling others with the same.
- *Stay focused on the scripture
Ask God to guide our path by His word and be cleansed by the word of God. Always make sure to exercise the gifts perfectly aligned with the Word of God. If anything is outside the scope of the scripture, then we might be either faking the gifts or exploiting the gifts in us. Both are seriously wrong.
