Gifts of the Spirit

Call to Prayer

Title:  Gifts of the Spirit

By: Simon Maina Nuhu

Date: 30.06.2023

“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”.(1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

There are lots of gaps in the body of Christ today simply because believers lack appropriate knowledge of the person of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians are opinionated by parochial concepts of the Holy Spirit rather than understanding Him by the revelation of the Scripture. We have often times practicalized Christ but unfortunately make the Holy Spirit a theory, hence, spiritual malnutrition with eventual unproductive Christian life. First of all, the Holy Spirit is not a feeling, sensory perception or emotion but a person (John 16:8), who desires cooperation through intimate relationship in order for Him to perfect us in Christ. He is a gift sent by God and He Himself grants gifts to available sanctified vessels as He wills, nevertheless, in full accordance with the will of the Father and the Son (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). The Holy Spirit is given to us as a personal gift but the gifts of the Spirit are not for personal gain but for service to Christ.

The Holy Spirit as described by Jesus, is the Spirit of truth who is going to teach us all things by revealing the mind of the Father, the Spirit also is a counselor, guardian and our administrator. Now, in order for us to fulfill our actual purpose on Earth through service to God, we need the assistance of the Holy spirit (John 14:17).  There are several gifts of the Holy spirit as mentioned by Apostle Paul, however, I would like to summarize them all into three categories which are;
Discerning gifts of the spirit: These gifts as highlighted by Paul the apostle, comprise of word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discerning of spirits. Also, dreams, visions and revelations are under discerning gifts. The gifts are nonetheless operating separately, but for same purpose. In the church today, anointed servants of God are blessed with them in order to serve the body of Christ, however, the gifts are not restricted only to ordained pastors, priest or prophets. A regular church member who is saved and sanctified is equally eligible but still, the purpose is to serve diligently the body of Christ.
Dynamic gifts of the spirit: gifts like Faith (that can move mountains and do great exploits), gift of healing (the sick, the disabled etc), the working of diverse miracles are all given by the same spirit which is to profit withal the body of Christ. They all fall under this category.
Declarative gifts of the spirit: Ability to speak in tongues, interpretation of tongues, word of prophecy, teaching e.t.c are declarative gifts of the Holy spirit given freely to all believers. There is need therefore, to know that, an individual could have multiple gifts of the spirit depending on their willingness and size of their spiritual devotion, dedication and Faithfulness to God.

Prayer points:

Let’s thank God today for His Faithfulness to us. Let us also ask Him to pour out His spirit in us and to discover our spiritual gifts so that we will be fully ready to fulfill His will in our lives.