Spiritual Gifts

What is your gift?

The Bible talks quite a bit about ‘spiritual gifts’. In Paul’s letter to Corinth he mentions quite a few of them - Wisdom, knowledge, faith, apostle, prophet, teacher, worker of miracles, deliverance, healing, helper, counsellor, administrator, tongues. So - what's YOUR gift?

I am serious about this as I was once ministering as part of a team at a ladies conference and I was with a lady who, when asked the question, exclaimed, “Oooh they’re not for me. No, I don’t think they are for me. I don’t think I qualify for one of them.” Satan had obviously been whispering to her and she had believed him. Yet, when we prayed with her, she was praying fervently in tongues and didn’t realise what it was. All she knew about it was that it felt good when she repeated the strange words that came into her mind and her own tongue just took over !!!

That lady is a rare case in that she had received and used her gift without even realising what was really happening. But there are many like her who do not understand that Gods gifts are for all who seek them. There is no qualification. There is no trial period to see if you use it ‘properly’ or not. If God say you can have it, then by golly – you’ve got it. Any one he chooses is automatically qualified to use it because God doesn’t use people who He has not already qualified.

Certain of the gifts, like deliverance, prophecy, and prayer ministry, need some training. Certainly counselling needs training and probably some sort of qualification too. Yet there are just two cardinal rules in ministry.

1. Never minister alone - especially to a member of the opposite sex. Always minister in two’s or three’s and preferably with your spouse or with another member of the opposite sex being present. Never, ever, lay hands on someone without this rule being observed.

2. Never discuss personal things in public ministry. Either make an appointment for a private session or, if that’s not possible, simply don’t do it. Prophecy and words of knowledge in particular need great care not to publicly stray into areas where it is usual not to discuss things in public.

Paul urges us to continually seek the gifts of the Spirit and to use them for the good of all. He doesn’t say anything about qualifications, he simply urges us to seek the gifts and leave the rest to God.

So, as there are now no boundaries and no qualifications to the gifts, other than the plan God has for your life, what are you waiting for? Seek the Holy Spirit and His gifts. God will give them freely according to His plan for you. Where necessary, seek also any sensible training that may be made available to you. Ask your pastor, or ask one who operates in the gifts, to help and encourage you. Personally, my great joy is in helping those who are seeking to develop their gifts – especially in the prophetic.

As did Paul before me, I urge you to seek the Gifts of God’s wonderful Holy Spirit.