Foundation Scripture: I Corinthians 12:1-11.

Definition: A Spiritual gift is a manifestation of God's presence and power, freely given for God's honour and glory. [Ref. Matt. 28:20]. A Spiritual gift is also the supernatural ability given to a believer for the edification of the church.

There are three major grouping of spiritual gifts.

1.         DIFFERENCES OF ADMINISTRATION (Gifts given by the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son)

Under this we have APOSTLES, EVANGELISTS, PROPHETS, TEACHERS and PASTORS, (Eph. 4:4-11)

2.         DIVERSITIES OF GIFTS (Gifts of the Holy Spirit) [Ref I Cor 12:4]

3.         DIVERSITIES OF OPERATIONS (Gifts of the Father, also known as MOTIVATIONAL gifts) [Ref. I Cor. 12:6]

These gifts include, showing mercy, giving, service, helping others, exhortation/counselling, leadership, administration and teaching. [Ref. Romans 12:6-8]

1.         Have a DESIRE for the gifts. [I Cor. 14:1]

2.         Have a desire to be USED [I Cor. 12:31]

Note: Depending upon the present situation a Spiritual Gift can be greater or best. Example for a sick person, the gift of healing will be more important to him than say word of knowledge.

3.         Ask God for WISDOM to properly apply or use these gifts. [James 1:5]

4.         DEDICATION to God, PURITY and AVAILABILITY are needed in manifestation of the gifts [Romans 12:1, 2]

5.         The gifts must be IMPROVED [II Tim. 1:6]

6.         The gifts must be USED [I Tim. 4:14]

7.         The gifts are to PROFIT the body of Christ, hence eschew selfishness.

8.         The full baptism of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the operation of the gifts.

9.         Gifts are under the CONTROL of the believer [I Cor. 14:2]

10.     Gifts can be COUNTERFEITED [I John 4:1-3]

11.     You need to overcome the fear of man. BOLDNESS is necessary in the use of these gifts.

1.         To manifest the body of Christ on earth. [I Cor. 12:12-14]

2.         To assist in the evangelisation of the church [Mark 16:15-18]

3.         To edify the church [I Cor 14:3, 12, 26]

4.         For the perfecting of the church [Eph. 4:11-13]

The nine gifts of spiritual might are also grouped in three categories

A.            REVELATIONAL GIFTS [ These gifts reveal something ]

I   WORD OF WISDOM

This gift is different from human, intellectual and devilish wisdom. Supernatural wisdom is what is called word of wisdom. Holy Spirit telling you about HOW TO DEAL with a situation. It is either present or future. The means of its operation include:

Dreams, Visions, Audible voice of God, Impression and thought.

Examples are: King Solomons wise judgement (I Kings 3:16-28)

 A woman taken in adultery and Christ Jesus (John 8:3-11)

This is the ability to know what God is doing. The Holy Spirit telling you about a situation.  How it comes is the same as word of wisdom.

Examples include: Gehazi servant of Elisha (II Kings 5:20-27)

                                 Ananias and Sapphira. (Acts 5:1-3)    

The Holy Spirit revealing the Spirits as a situation. The ability to see into the unseen realm of spirits. Three spirits operates when believers meet namely Human Spirits, evil spirits and the Holy Spirit of God.

Example:   Paul and the fortune teller (Acts 16:16-18)

B.            POWER GIFTS [These gifts do something]

I   GIFT OF FAITH

This is different from natural faith, saving faith which leads to salvation and the fruit of faith which comes by spiritual maturity. Gift of faith is given instantaneously for a specified action to be taken. 

Example: Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:23-40).  Joshua commanding the Sun and Moon to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14).

II  GIFTS OF WORKING MIRACLES

The Holy Ghost empowers you to do something beyond the range of human ability. It is a NOW  gift.

Examples: Peter healing the crippled beggar at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-8).

 Jesus feeding five thousand men (Mark 6:37-44).

III GIFTS OF HEALINGS

Healing may come in different forms. Healing may come during adoration (worshipping God in songs), through the laying on of hands by elders of the church (James 5:14, 15), and the gift of healing which is a supernatural ability to heal the sick. Healing may be instant or in the future. Examples: Jesus heals the blind and mute (Matthew 9:27-34).  Apostles heal many people, even the shadow of Peter was healing the sick ((Acts 5:14-16).

Note for the POWER GIFTS, you only make a declaration or say something when commanded by God to do so.

C.            GIFTS OF UTTERANCE [These gifts SAY something]

I               GIFT OF PROPHECY

Speaking forth a message from God by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The purpose of prophecy is to edify, exhort and comfort the church. True prophecy is FORTH-TELLING not fore-telling. Prophecy comes in diverse ways.

Examples are:
(i) Message appear as writing on a surface or wall and the person reads it out.

(ii) Message can also drop into your inner man and you say it. Always ask for confirmation of the message from God in doubt.

Examples: Saul prophesying among the prophets (1 Samuel 10:5-13)

II                 GIFT OF TONGUES

There are four types of tongues

(1)      The initial evidence tongues. This comes as a result of Holy Ghost baptism. (Acts 2:4).

(2)      Tongues as a sign to believers (Mark 16:17). This cannot be understood by you. It is also known as devotional tongues.

(3)      Gift of Tongues. This kind is a gift by the Holy Spirit and not all believers may have it.

(4)      Tongues accompanying prophecy.

Note! Whiles praying in tongues do not allow your mind to deceive you of saying foolish things.

III   INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

This is the supernatural ability to explain tongues. Remember it is interpretation NOT translation. There are times a person speaking in tongue may say many words but the interpretation may just be a word or two.

  REQUIREMENTS

a)      You must be a Christian.

b)      You must believe in Spiritual gifts

c)      Be willing to work with the gifts.

d)      You must be a man or woman of prayer.

STEPS

a)      Explore the possibilities. Lay out all the possible option through teaching, reading of Spiritual books or learning from others.

b)      Experiment with as many as you can. Note that this does not go for all the gifts. You can experiment for example with the gift of Healing by praying for the sick.

c)      Examine your feelings. In the gift is present you will feel GOOD using it.

d)      Evaluate your effectiveness. Gifts are task-oriented and are must be expected to work.

e)      Expect confirmation from the body of believers or the church.

f)        Expect a revelation from God directly or indirectly.