The Evangelist Speaks

by Evangelist Carolyn Griffin

Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Part 5

Faith, healing and miracles, we hear these terms often. However, when we speak of them as the three power gifts of the Holy Spirit, they take on Supernatural meanings and manifestations. We continue our study on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit from 1Corinthians 12:7-11 (NKJV). 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 the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Let’s start with the Gift of Faith. We must first understand that this gift is the supernatural gift of faith. It is different from saving faith. Every believer already has general faith or saving faith, which is also a gift. Ephesians 2:8 says for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Saving faith, the faith to believe God to meet our needs and the faith to please God comes by hearing the Word of God ( Romans 10:17), and every believer is given a measure of faith (Romans 12:3).  The gift of faith is separate and distinct from what we might call for the sake of clarity, simple faith. It is also different from the faith listed in the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:22, which helps believers to grow in faithfulness and Godly spiritual character. We also receive answers to our prayers through faith according to Mark 11:24. We can again see the need for much corporate and personal study on faith, which can easily become confusing in our minds.

We must remember that all of the Gifts of the Spirit operate by faith. To operate in these gifts and see their manifestations, one must step out in faith and yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Gift of Faith is a special gift which is given supernaturally by the Holy Spirit, as He wills. Those who operate in this gift can believe God in such a way that God honors their word as His own, and miraculously brings to pass the desired result. There is a supernatural trust in God’s messages and His Word that does not doubt regardless to the natural circumstances involved.  To operate in the Gift of Faith through God’s Word, we must first digest His Word. The gifts do not operate out of the natural mind, so we must digest the Word into our spirits.  When it is in our spirits, we have it in our hearts, then it is available to the Holy Spirit as He sees fit. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah and the prophets of the Old Testament digested and spoke and prayed the Word of God and saw miraculous results.  This continued in the New Testament through Jesus, Peter, Paul and the early church. Paul’s writings to us in today’s lesson tell us that we too are to operate in the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit. There is a great need for the manifestation of the Gift of Faith in the Body of Christ today. Miraculous words of faith have power over creation, death, and Satan, demonstrating authority in all aspects of physical and spiritual existence. They tear down evil and build up what is good and righteous by the faith of God Himself that is supernaturally imparted by the Holy Spirit.

I am sure that as we are reading this we are wondering why we are not seeing more supernatural manifestations today. Smith Wigglesworth who saw many miracles in his ministry summed it up this way, “If you will take a step of ordinary faith, when you come to the end of that faith, very often this supernatural gift of special faith will take over. One reason more folks don’t see the manifestation of special faith operating in their lives is that they don’t first use what faith they already have”. As with all of our articles, I pray that this one will stir us to seek God for greater understanding of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and their supernatural manifestations in our lives. Yes, the Holy Spirit gives them to us as He wills, but we must yield ourselves to be used by Him. Through the gift of faith, we see miracles, healings, blessings, protection, and sustenance in times of famine, deliverance and so much more. And yes, I believe that the gift of faith is still manifested to raise the dead. I also believe that we are about to see and experience the supernatural power of God manifested through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit as never before. Lord, help us to believe you for the “Greater Works”. Next time more on the Power Gifts.