The Evangelist Speaks

by Evangelist Carolyn Griffin

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Part 1

Today many of us are filled with questions. We are seeking guidance and direction. We are facing trials in many areas of our lives. We might not all be facing the same challenges, but we should all be looking to the same source for solutions. Those who know the Word of God and the promises of God must trust Him in difficult times. We must also be able to encourage others to build a trusting relationship with our heavenly Father. Many times while encouraging others, we find ourselves in need of that same encouragement. We find it in our times of study, meditation, prayer, praise and worship. We also find strength and encouragement as we fellowship with other believers. As the Body of Christ, we have been equipped to help and encourage one another. Just as the human body, we are one Body with many members. Over the next few weeks we will look at the Gifts of the Holy Spirit from I Corinthians 12. Paul teaches the diversity of gifts and the unity they bring to the Body when they operate properly. Just as there were misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit working through individuals in the church at Corinth, there are misunderstandings today. As with other articles, these will not answer all of our questions, but will prayerfully encourage us to study and seek God about the proper use and manifestation of these gifts in the Body of Christ. When used properly under the unction of the Holy Spirit, these gifts bring guidance, direction, encouragement and great hope.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills. I Corinthians 12:4-11 NKJV. Paul emphasizes that (1) it is The Holy Spirit that empowers individuals to use spiritual gifts, (2) there is a need for varied and multiple manifestations of the Spirit, (3) our motives must be loving and unselfish in the operation of gifts, (4) there must be self-control and order in worship services, (5) gifts are to be used for edification and encouragement. Verse seven states that the gifts are to be used for the profit of all. The ministry of the Holy Spirit strengthens human personality. He empowers us with the supernatural. Christ is always glorified and all manifestations of the Spirit will harmonize with the truth about Jesus. The main work of the Holy Spirit is to bring people under the lordship of Jesus Christ. When we experience the works of the Holy Spirit through the operation of Spiritual Gifts, we should all be drawn closer to God and have a greater desire to be used in His service.

Paul identifies a spiritual gift as a supernatural ability bestowed on an individual by the Holy Spirit, not as a heightened natural ability. Thus, each gift is a manifestation of the Spirit and there is visible evidence of His activity. The Holy Spirit and His gifts do not spring from a human source; it is the work of God. Gifts are from the great gift, the Holy Spirit; we minister these gifts as they were modeled by the main minister; Jesus Christ; and the works of the spirit come from the chief worker, God the Father. The Holy Spirit bestows the gifts to whom He wills as the occasion recommends from the divine viewpoint. As I look around at the situations, tests and trials that we are all faced with today, I invite the supernatural intervention of God through the works of the Holy Spirit into our lives. A word of wisdom that will disclose the mind, purpose, and way of God as applied to a specific situation can be life changing.  Faith, the supernatural ability to believe God without doubt in spite of the circumstances, can bring hope to many. The working of miracles to intervene and counteract earthly and evil forces will bring much glory to God and peace and comfort to mankind. When we think of gifts of healing, supernatural healing without human aid, relief of pain and suffering quickly comes to mind. We will explore these gifts and the five others over the next few weeks. I pray that the studies will educate, enlighten, encourage, equip, and edify the Body of Christ.