Sunday, May 7, 2017

Opening the Gifts—Part 3 (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Healing)




Today we begin looking at the next block of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12. Are you eagerly anticipating and desiring to open your gifts? God only gives perfect gifts.

May’s Awakening, Day 7

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 NIV            

                       

            Wisdom. The gift of wisdom, or a word or message of wisdom, is the distinctive ability to know the mind of Christ and apply scriptural truth in practical ways to a specific situation in order to make right choices and decisions to help others move in the right direction. The gift of wisdom is like the Book of Proverbs—applying practical knowledge to everyday life, as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

            Knowledge. The gift of knowledge, or a word or message of knowledge, is the distinctive ability to discover, accumulate, analyze, and clarify diverse information and ideas which are pertinent to the well-being and spiritual growth of the body of believers. This gift is not so much about intelligence as it is about being passionate in learning. As might be expected, this gift often is found with the gift of teaching.

            Faith. The gift of faith is the distinctive ability to believe God with extraordinary confidence things unseen, spiritual growth, and the will and purposes of God in His various work that encourages and motivates others to believe and trust more powerfully as well. The gift of faith is used for the benefit of the body of believers, whereas your personal measure of faith is for your own well-being and maturity. The gift of faith is often seen to operate when the situation seems dismal or impossible.

            Healing. The gift of healing is the distinctive ability to be used as a human intermediary through whom God’s supernatural power is applied to a directed individual, often with prayer and the laying on of hands, to heal them physically or emotionally without the use of natural means. The gift of healing is God-directed and there is obviously a great measure of faith and trust and discernment applied in His directive. God’s all-knowing plan and ways are not always to heal, and we must always respect and honor His perfect will, as difficult many times as that is.

            Tomorrow we will finish the final gifts in this block of Scripture.

Author Web Page Link



No comments:

Post a Comment