The Gifts of the Spirit
Now about the spiritual gifts (the special endowments of supernatural energy), brethren, I do not want you to be misinformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)
Much has been written about the gifts of the Spirit since the past century's great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which began in the early 1900s.1
The Bible teaches us the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It also teaches us how important it is that we not be ignorant of them, as the King James Version of this passage says. Yet, in spite of all the information available today on the subject, many people are totally ignorant of these gifts. I, for one, attended church for many years and never heard one sermon or lesson of any kind on the gifts of the Spirit. I did not even know what they were, let alone that they were available to me.
There are many varieties of “gifts” or “endowments,” as they are called in The Amplified Bible, which also refers to them as “extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians” (1 Corinthians 12:4). The gifts vary, but they are all from the same Holy Spirit. We find a list of some of the gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. In the King James Version they are listed as:
• the word of wisdom
• the word of knowledge
• faith
• the gifts of healing
• the working of miracles
• prophecy
• discerning of spirits
• divers kinds of tongues
• the interpretation of tongues
These are all abilities, gifts, achievements, and endowments of supernatural power by which the believer is enabled to accomplish something beyond the ordinary.
Let's look at each of these important gifts separately.
WORD OF WISDOM
To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom. (1 Corinthians 12:8)
First Corinthians 1:30 KJV says that Jesus is made unto us wisdom from God. And the writer of the book of Proverbs repeatedly tells us to seek wisdom and do all we can to gain it. Wisdom is made available to all people, but the word of wisdom that functions as a gift of the Holy Spirit is a different or higher type.
All wisdom is from God, but there is a wisdom that can be learned from experience and attained intellectually. That is not the word of wisdom spoken of in 1 Corinthians 12:8. The word of wisdom is a form of spiritual guidance. When it is operating, an individual is made to know supernaturally by the Holy Spirit how to handle a certain issue in an exceptionally wise way, one that is beyond their natural learning or experience and which lines up with God's purpose.2
We frequently operate in this gift without even being aware of it. We may say something to someone that seems ordinary to us, but to the listener it is a tremendous word of wisdom for his or her situation.
Actually, I firmly believe the Lord wants us to operate naturally in these supernatural gifts. I have seen many people try to be so superspiritual concerning the operation of the gifts of the Spirit that they become difficult to be around. For example, a special announcement does not have to be made each time someone is operating in a gift of the Spirit. We are not to draw attention to ourselves, but to Jesus. The Holy Spirit came to glorify Jesus, not man.
We cannot force the operation of the word of wisdom. We can covet (sincerely desire) all the gifts, but it is totally up to the Holy Spirit when and through whom they operate.
I have received words of wisdom from children I knew for sure did not even have a clue to what they were saying. The Holy Spirit was trying to get through to me, and He was using a source through which I would know He was speaking.
God does not always or even usually use the people with the most polish; as a matter of fact, it is often quite the opposite. First Corinthians 1:27-29 tells us that God purposefully chooses what the world would call weak and foolish, to put the so-called wise to shame. He uses what the world would discard, so no mortal man can have reason for glorying in His presence.
I am sure we often reject something God is trying to give us because we don't like the package in which it comes to us. As adults, it is hard on our pride to be taught by a child, or if we have been Christians for a long time, to be taught by a new believer. If we are teachers, it is hard for us to receive instruction from a student. But however God may choose to get through to us, it is His business, not ours.
The gifts function as the Spirit wills, not as man wills (see 1 Corinthians 12:11). We get into trouble when we try to operate the gifts instead of letting them operate through us. We also get into trouble when we try to choose the gift or gifts in which we would prefer to operate.
Many people want the “showy” gifts of healing or working of miracles. But the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:7 that each one of us is given the manifestation of the Holy Spirit for the good and profit of others. Each of us could have various gifts flowing through us to be used for the benefit of other people if we would just realize that we are vessels only. We should not desire a gift in order to appear important, but only for the good of others.
WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
And to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:8)
The word of knowledge operates much the same way as the word of wisdom. There are a number of different interpretations of the word of knowledge, but one value is this: The gift of knowledge is in operation when God reveals something to an individual about what He is doing in a situation that he or she would have no natural way of knowing.3
Sometimes when God gives us a word of knowledge concerning other people, we know something is wrong with them, or we know that they need to do a certain thing in a specific situation. We should never try to force this kind of supernatural knowledge on anyone. Instead, we should present it humbly and let God do the convincing.
I remember a time when my husband received a word of knowledge concerning something in my life. When he shared it with me, it made me angry. He simply said, “You do what you want to with it; I am only telling you what I believe God showed me.” He did not try to convince me; he just reported what God showed him.
Over the next three days God convinced me that the word He had given my husband was correct. I shed many tears because I really did not want Dave to be right about what he said.
Through the word of knowledge given to me by my husband I was able to know why I was having trouble in a certain area of my life. I had been seeking God about this situation and not getting any answers. Dave had given me my answer, but I did not like the answer he gave. That is probably why God gave it to Dave, because He knew I could not hear it from Him myself.
That word of knowledge convicted me of the sin of judgment and gossip, and I did not want that to be my problem. I had been telling Dave that something was wrong, that I could not sense God's anointing when I was preaching, and that it was becoming quite frightening to me. I wanted to know from God what was wrong, and He told me through Dave. I had critically judged another minister's preaching, and God was not pleased. I needed to repent and not repeat the behavior.
I cannot tell you the impact this experience had on my life. Had God dealt with me directly, I am sure I would have learned a lesson, but it would have been nothing like the lesson I learned when the word of knowledge came to me through Dave. Not only was it embarrassing, but also it was no longer hidden.
Sometimes we like to hide our sins. God knows what they are, but we certainly don't want anyone else to know. I remember throwing accusations at Dave, saying that he had done the same thing I had done in being critical of that minister's preaching. Dave's answer was, “You're right; I did. But I am not the one having problems, you are—you will have to work it out with God.”
God led me to Scriptures in James chapter 3 about the words of our mouth and the fact that not many of us should become teachers because we will be judged with a greater severity than other people (see v. 1). Here was my answer. God was dealing more harshly with me than He was with Dave. I am a Bible teacher and will not continue to have a strong anointing upon my teaching if I am going to critically judge others who are functioning under the same gift. All judgment—including criticism, negative opinions, and suspicion—is wrong, but it is especially dangerous to judge another in the same profession in which we wish to be or remain anointed.
I believe the word of knowledge has helped many people through me. I firmly believe that the word of knowledge operates through me quite frequently when I am teaching and preaching God's Word.
As I mentioned earlier, very often people to whom I have ministered a word of knowledge have said to me, “How did you know that about me, Joyce? It was as if you had been living in my house.” Of course, what I told them I didn't know through natural means. God caused me to know what to say at just the right time. Although it seemed natural to me, it seemed supernatural to the listener.
While the word of knowledge is usually interpreted as a ministry tool to help someone else, I believe that this gift also helps us many times in our personal life. For example, I find this gift functioning in me frequently when I have lost or misplaced something. Suddenly the Holy Spirit gives me a mental image of where it is.
Once I could not find my glasses anywhere; I searched all over the house and was becoming frustrated, I stopped for a second and simply said, “Holy Spirit, please help me find my glasses.” Instantly, in my spirit I saw my glasses between the couch cushions. I went to look and, sure enough, there they were. The Holy Spirit told me something in my spirit that I didn't know in the natural.
THE GIFT OF FAITH
To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:9)
I believe there are certain individuals to whom God gives the gift of faith for specific occasions such as a dangerous missionary trip or a challenging situation. When this gift is operating in people, they are able to comfortably believe God in or for something that other people would see as impossible.4 They have total faith for something that others would be terrified of.
I believe my husband has the gift of faith in the area of finances. No matter what our situation has been in life concerning money, Dave has always been peaceful and sure that God will meet the need. Dave oversees all the finances at our ministry, Life In The Word, and is able to believe God for money to complete major projects that make the rest of us weak in the knees.
A person operating under a gift of faith must be careful not to think that others who do not have this gift are faithless or cowards, for when the gift is operating in a person, God is giving that individual an unusual portion of faith to ensure that His purpose in the earth is accomplished. As Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.”
This Scripture lets us know that every person is given a certain measure of faith. We can all be assured that God will always give us enough faith to receive His grace for the fulfillment of every God-given task.5 It is, however, unwise to compare ourselves with others or our faith with that of another person. We are responsible to use what God has given us and to strive to do the most we can with it.
I also believe there are people who have a gift of faith for certain things in life. Some may have a gift of faith to pray for the sick and believe they will be healed, or they may have a gift of faith for a specific area of healing such as cancer or some other disease. As I mentioned concerning my husband, there is a gift of faith that operates in the arena of finances. Some individuals are anointed and gifted to be givers in an extraordinary way. These people usually have a gift of faith that enables them to be entrepreneurs and make a lot of money. They can do things that others would be afraid to do.
The gift of faith makes a person unusually bold. Anyone operating in this gift must be sensitive to realize that their boldness is a gift of God and always give Him thanks for it.
THE GIFTS OF HEALING
To another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:9)
The gifts of healing work with the gift of faith. Although all believers are encouraged to pray for the sick and see them recover (see Mark 16:17-18), God may choose to use certain individuals in a special healing ministry.6
In our conferences we pray for people all the time and see many wonderful healings. I have stacks of testimonies that have come in over the years giving reports of confirmed physical healings. I pray the prayer of faith in our conferences and on television and often receive words of knowledge about certain healings that are taking place as I pray.
As believers, we can always pray for the sick, but the gifts of healing may not always be present, just as the gift of faith may not always be present. We can always pray in faith, using the measure of faith that God has given to every person, but the supernatural endowment of faith is given as the Spirit wills.
The late Kathryn Kuhlman was used by God in a healing ministry. When healings began to occur in her public meetings, she was as surprised as anyone. She came to be called a “daughter of destiny.” A healing ministry was not something she sought out; it was her God-given destiny, and she simply walked in it with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. She always gave God all the glory and openly said that if it were up to her, she would heal everyone. She never understood why some people received healing while others did not. But she always knew for certain that she was functioning under a supernatural gift.
When someone is healed, their healing may not manifest immediately. Healing can be a process that works somewhat like medicine. It is necessary to take it by faith and believe it is working. Later, the results become visible.
When the gift of miracles is operating, we see more dramatic healings than usual, and they often appear instantaneously.
I have seen people try hard to make the gifts of healing work, but true gifts of the Spirit flow easily; they don't require a lot of struggle and human effort. For example, I have seen a minister pray for someone in a wheelchair, then try to force that person to get up out of the chair and stand. In Acts 3, we read about a man who was “crippled from his birth” and who lay begging at the temple gate “which was called Beautiful” (v. 2). As Peter and John were about to enter the temple to pray, the man asked them for alms (money). When he did so, Peter looked right at the man and told him that he didn't have money to give him, but that he would give him what he had. Peter then commanded the man to walk in Jesus’ name:
Then he [Peter] took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady, and leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:7-8)
Taking someone by the hand as Peter did in this passage is very different from trying to force people to do something themselves.
Once again, I want to make it clear: The gifts of the Holy Spirit cannot be forced. They can be coveted and developed through use, but they cannot be forced or falsified.
THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
To another the working of miracles. (1 Corinthians 12:10)
Jesus worked many miracles. For example, He turned water into wine (see John 2:1-10) and fed a multitude with a little boy's lunch so that there were baskets full of fragments left over (see John 6:1-13). There are many kinds of miracles: miracles of provision and supply, miracles of deliverance, miracles of healing, etc.7 We have already mentioned miracles in conjunction with healing, but now I would like to expound on that subject by telling you about a friend of ours.
We know a man who is a missionary, and God frequently uses him in miracles of healing. He held his first missionary crusade when he was just a young man. He had seen other men of God hold crusades and knew that the same call was on his life.
With no prior experience, no money, and no formal training, he set out on his first missionary journey. He went to a town in a foreign land and advertised that he was holding a crusade where miracles, signs, and wonders would take place. He shared with us that it never occurred to him how the crowd might react if no miracles happened.
He said that he was fine until he stepped out on the platform for the first time and saw all the crippled, blind, and deaf people in attendance. There were lepers and people with other terrible diseases, so as he looked around, fear struck his heart. He thought, Oh, my God, what have I done? What if there are no miracles? Then suddenly his heart filled with faith. He told God that he had come in the name of Jesus, not his own name. He further stated that it was God's reputation that was on the line, not his own.
With that declaration, he stepped out and began to preach. Then as he prayed for the sick, suddenly miracles began to happen—blind eyes were opening and cripples were walking. He said that he felt as if he were standing back as an onlooker. He saw what was happening, but he knew it had nothing to do with him. The gift of miracles started working then and has gone on working in his crusades ever since.
Like many other people, Dave and I have experienced miracles of supply over the years—times when God has provided so supernaturally that it is obvious that a miracle has occurred.
Miracles are things that cannot be explained, things that do not occur through ordinary means. We all can and should believe God for miracles in our lives, but some individuals are chosen by God to have the gift of the working of miracles flow through them. It may occur one or more times, or it may be a regular event; that is up to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
PROPHECY, TONGUES, AND INTERPRETATION
To another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose) … to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:10)
Although much is said about speaking in tongues, as in this passage, and it is indeed a wonderful gift, in 1 Corinthians 14:1 Paul tells us that we should earnestly desire the gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. He felt that prophecy was more beneficial in a public meeting because all those present could understand it, whereas tongues could not be understood unless they were interpreted. However, in verse 5 he did go on to say that tongues with interpretation is equal to prophecy.
In verse 2 of that chapter Paul tells us that when we speak in tongues, we speak to God, not to men, and that we utter secret truths in the Holy Spirit. In verse 5 he says that he desired that all would speak in tongues, but “more especially” he wanted people to prophesy or “to be inspired to preach and interpret the divine will arid purpose [of God].”
In these passages, Paul stresses the importance of all people being edified and built up. He emphasizes that all should benefit from what is being said. As he points out in verse 17, when someone speaks in tongues they may be giving thanks well, but the bystander is not edified; it does that person no good.
Then in verses 18 and 19, Paul says that he is thankful that he speaks in tongues more than all the others put together, but that in public worship he would rather say five words that can be understood by all present than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Later in this same chapter, Paul goes on to give specific instructions about speaking in tongues in a public meeting:
If some speak in a [strange] tongue, let the number be limited to two or at the most three, and each one [taking his] turn, and let one interpret and explain [what is said]. But if there is no one to do the interpreting, let each of them keep still in church and talk to himself and to God. (1 Corinthians 14:27-28)
I feel this letter written to the Corinthians was intended to instruct them in how to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in public worship, not in their personal lives. There is a gift of tongues that operates in the church service and must be interpreted. I believe this gift of tongues is quite different from the private prayer language one receives upon being baptized in the Holy Spirit, as a sign or evidence of having received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. I don't mean the tongue is different, or sounds different, but the operation of it is different. Privately we may pray in tongues as much as we like, and as previously mentioned, when doing so, we edify ourselves and stir ourselves up in our faith.
With that understanding, let's look at the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues separately, as we have been doing with the other individual gifts of the Spirit.
PROPHECY
Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching). (1 Corinthians 14:1)
One may prophesy to another individual or to an entire congregation of people. Sometimes the prophecy is more general; at other times it is specific. It may come through a prepared message or sermon, or it may come by divine revelation. Prophecy concerns the will of God, is instructive or edifying, and may bring correction.8
Prophecy and the ministry of the prophet is definitely important; however, I would be remiss if I did not issue a loving warning to be careful in this area.
This gift, in particular, has been abused and has caused a great deal of confusion in the church. There are false prophets as well as genuine ones. There are those who really mean no harm, who think they are prophets, but who are actually speaking out of their own mind, will, or emotions.
Probably the most harmful misuse of this gift occurs when one individual tells another that they have “a word” for that person. Often the one being prophesied to receives that word as being from God without trying the spirit or checking to see if their spirit bears witness with that “word” that it truly is from God (see 1 John 4:1 KJV; Romans 8:16 KJV).
Usually, true prophecy will confirm what has already been revealed to a person's heart, even if only vaguely. It witnesses to their spirit as being correct. Even if it is correction, it will be something God has already been dealing with them about. The prophecy just drives the point home or calls their attention to something they may have been ignoring.
A good example of the gift of prophecy being a benefit involves a time in 1985 when I was trying to decide whether I should leave my position as associate pastor of a certain church. I had worked there for five years and had enjoyed a successful ministry within the church. I loved the people and had great fellowship with the leadership, but I also had a strong desire to do other things that I could not do unless I stepped out into my own ministry. I did not want to make a mistake. I really felt that God was leading me to go, but I was afraid.
During this time of decision, many people prophesied to me, both people Who knew me and people who did not know me. Basically, they all said the same thing: “God is calling you to go out. I see you going north, south, east, and west, and holding meetings. I see tremendous growth in your ministry. I see you reaching multitudes.”
One woman I had never seen before came to the church to minister. She prophesied to me that someday I would be on television worldwide and that she saw me with a satellite. She prophesied to another woman that someday she would work for a large television ministry. Today the woman to whom this prophecy was given works for me, and I am on television with a potential audience of more than 2 billion people.
True prophecy comes true. One way to test prophecy is to see if it happens. The prophecies I received at that time all confirmed what I already knew in my heart. They increased my faith to step out and obey God.
I have also been given personal prophecies that were not a benefit. For example, some people I didn't even know have given me warnings of danger or “messages from God” that made it sound as if I was doing a lot of wrong things and making bad decisions. Such so-called words provoke fear and destroy boldness and confidence. It took me a long time to learn that the final decision lies in my own heart. If my spirit does not bear witness to a word I am given, I disregard it or place it on a shelf and leave it there for God to confirm it—if and when He is ready to do so.
I have received words of correction from people I did know. Even though I did not always like these messages emotionally, after a few days I would realize that God was indeed speaking to me. I hope I can always remain humble enough to receive correction if it is from God, but I also desire to be wise enough not to believe every person who wants to tell me what to do.
I pray the same thing for you.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES
I thank God that I speak in [strange] tongues (languages) more than any of you or all of you put together. (1 Corinthians 14:18)
Believers in some segments of the body of Christ are known for operating in the gifts of the Spirit perhaps more than those from other spiritual backgrounds. These church groups include teaching on the gifts of the Spirit as a regular part of their Bible instruction. Other groups of believers study the gifts, but are not as open about displaying those gifts, and some don't teach the subject at all.
I personally believe that many churches do not teach people to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit because either they don't understand them or they are afraid of them. They may have seen or heard of abuses and prefer to avoid the possibility of error or deception. I don't know what every church teaches. I only know what I was taught, and I do have the testimony of people from various backgrounds who tell me regularly that they have never heard of such things in their church.
Is it right for something to be in Scripture and yet people can go to church for years and never hear anything about it? Should we not all be taught everything the Bible discusses?
Ignoring the baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit may close the door to some problems such as excesses and abuses, but it also closes the door to countless blessings that people desperately need in their daily lives.
We need the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are created by God with a desire for the supernatural, and if the church does not meet that yearning, sad to say, Satan is standing by ever ready to give us a counterfeit to meet our desire.
We have already discussed speaking in tongues in connection with the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The best and easiest way to describe this gift of the Spirit is to say it is a spiritual language, one the Holy Spirit knows and chooses to speak through you, but one you do not know.9
Like Paul, I have to say to my readers, “I am glad I speak in tongues.” I speak in tongues a lot. It helps me stay in the Spirit, and it aids me in being sensitive to the leading of God. I am also edified and built up—made strong spiritually—as I pray in tongues.
Down through the ages, people who have spoken in tongues have been thought to be weird. Tongues have been given a “bad rap,” so to speak. Those who personally know nothing about the gift of tongues have critically judged it.
Paul spoke in tongues. The 120 disciples who were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost all spoke with other tongues. Other believers who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts spoke in tongues. Why shouldn't you and I speak in tongues?
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
If some speak in a [strange] tongue … let one interpret and explain [what is said]. (1 Corinthians 14:27)
When a person speaks in tongues in public worship, the message must be interpreted, as Paul said in this passage. I often receive interpretations of messages given in tongues. They come to me as an impression or a knowing in my spirit of what God is trying to convey to the listeners.
The interpretation of tongues comes much the same way as tongues. A person may feel a stirring in their spirit, a knowing that they are to speak out in unknown tongues, yet they may have no idea what the message in tongues means. The one interpreting then gets an impression in their spirit of what God wants to say. Both parties must operate in faith, because their minds are not involved. What I mean is that the information being conveyed is not coming from their mind, but rather from God through their spirit.10
Paul encouraged believers to pray that they might interpret, and I believe we should do that. Doing so enables us to have better understanding of what we are praying about in private.
When I pray in tongues, I often have a sense of what general direction I am praying in without knowing precisely the details of how I am praying. I pray in tongues for a while, then in my native tongue (English) for a while. I pray back and forth in tongues and in English until I feel satisfied in my spirit that I have finished.
You may want to try that method of praying when you pray in your prayer language or you may be led to pray in an entirely different manner. The important thing is that you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in this area.
DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
To another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones]. (1 Corinthians 12:10)
I believe that the discerning of spirits is an extremely valuable gift, and I encourage you to desire and develop it.
Some people say that the discerning of spirits gives people supernatural insight into the spirit realm when God allows it. They believe that it is not exclusively the discerning of evil or demon spirits, as when Paul identified the spirit of divination in a girl who told fortunes at Philippi (see Acts 16:16-18); it is also the discerning of divine spirits, as when Moses looked into the spirit realm and saw the “back” of God (see Exodus 33:18-23), or when John was in exile on the isle of Patmos and had a vision of the resurrected Jesus (see Revelation 1:9).
Many believe that discerning of spirits also extends into helping us know the true nature of those we are dealing with, whether they are good or evil.11 In other words, it can help us to know the motivation behind a person or the true nature of a situation.12 For example, someone may appear to be doing a good thing, yet we may feel wrong about that person inside. That is often God's way of warning us that the person's intention is evil.
Many people today are not what they seem to be. The world is full of phony, deceptive people who are only out to get what they can—and they don't care how they do it.
In our ministry we have dealt with people who have all the answers, those who give the impression they would be a great addition to the workplace or church, group, or organization—the perfect person for the job, so to speak. They promise all kinds of things and then don't follow through with much of anything. They say whatever they think we want to hear to get our commitment; then they do what they feel like doing, making excuses each time for why they have not delivered what they promised.
There are people who are “wolves in sheep's clothing,” and the Bible warns us about them (see Matthew 7:15). They act as if they want to help us, when in reality they hope to destroy us. Satan himself uses such people to deceive Christians and demolish their godly endeavors.
I have prayed a lot for discernment in my years in ministry. I never thought or knew to pray for such a thing prior to being baptized in the Holy Spirit, but since then I have learned about this wonderful gift—and I rely on the operation of it a great deal.
In our ministry, Dave and I have to make a lot of decisions, probably more than the average person does. Many of these decisions involve the destinies of other people, something we take as a great responsibility. We must make many decisions that concern those with whom we will or will not be involved on a ministry level. It is important whom we are involved with because spirits are transferable, so to speak. In other words, we can easily become like those we are around. For example, Elisha became like Elijah because he stayed in close contact with him (see 2 Kings 2:15).
The people with whom we are in fellowship affect us; and people also judge us by those with whom we keep company. If someone is known to be dishonest, and we are seen in the company of that person, people may easily think we are like that individual.
It is important for people to trust those who minister to them; otherwise, their hearts won't be open but closed by fear and suspicion. I want people to trust me; I want my ministry to be effective in their lives.
I used to quote frequently from a book written by someone I did not know. I received a letter asking me if I was aware that the person who wrote the book had divorced his wife and done a lot of dishonest things. Of course, I was not aware of those facts, and I stopped using the material for quotation because if other people knew this information, it could cause them to think less of me and have a closed heart toward me and my ministry. The information in the book was good, but the person behind it had backslidden. I needed to be careful about endorsing his materials to others.
We must make a lot of decisions out of love for others, caring about their spiritual well-being.
I remember a man who sat in my office applying for a job. Everyone thought he was the perfect person for the job, but something about him bothered me. There was no known reason for me to feel that way about him. His references and skills were good, and he attended my home church regularly. I tried to talk myself out of feeling the way I did, but I could not shake the feeling that something was just not right about the man. Despite my feelings, we hired him, and he turned out to be a big problem. I wished many times that I had followed discernment instead of reason.
Another time we hired a woman I felt the same way about, and she ended up starting a lot of strife in her department, even though on the surface she appeared extremely sweet and innocent.
On another occasion we hired a young woman who had recently graduated from college. She said she had gone to college with the desire to graduate and work for our ministry. She was very intelligent and capable, but something about her did not seem to be right. After we had hired her, people in her department began to quit, but no one ever complained about her. This went on for almost a year, and we ended up losing several good employees. Each resignation involved a unique situation. Even though I kept saying, “That many people can't be leaving from one department unless something is wrong,” we still could not locate any natural reason for the problem.
Then through a series of other events that took place concerning this young woman, we discovered that she was purposely pitting employees against each other and enjoying watching them leave as a result of the lies she was telling about them.
I know it sounds bizarre that a Christian would do such a thing, but, believe me, there are all kinds and levels of so-called Christians. This young woman did believe in Jesus, but she was carnal and was having some emotional problems that only surfaced after a long time of dealing with her.
Some people are very expert at putting on a show. They can become whatever they think someone else wants them to be, but it is not the real them. The world is full of mixed-up people, and we need discernment to function among them and stay out of trouble.
In the case of that young woman who was causing all the problems for us, we could not find a reason for what was happening in her department. But down deep inside I knew that what was happening was more than mere chance.
Reasoning always robs us of discernment. We are taught in God's Word not to lean on our own understanding, and not to be too wise in our own eyes (see Proverbs 3:5-7). In other words, we are to have a humble attitude. We are not to trust our own thinking totally, but to trust God to lead and guide us into all truth.
As I have said, discernment also helps us recognize when something is of God. After seeing the damage that one employee can cause in our ministry, it is tempting to jump to wrong conclusions if someone starts aggravating me in some way. If I get impatient with people, I might entertain the thought to fire them, but God often intervenes and says, “No, I want you to work with them as I worked with you.” They may have an exterior that needs change, but they have a heart for God and our ministry. Then I realize that “there, but for the grace of God, go I.” I am sure other ministries I worked for at times wanted to fire me due to some of my wrong behavior, but discernment from God told them to be patient and work with me.
This discernment is necessary to the body of Christ today because the devil tries to separate people who are called to work together toward a common goal. He creates some misunderstanding to offend them and destroy the union between them in order to break up what they might achieve if they remain in harmony with each other.
Satan knows full well the power of agreement, for in Matthew 18:19 Jesus said, “Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Over the years I have learned the hard way to follow my heart and not my head. I still make mistakes at times, but I know firsthand the value of discernment in regard to both good and evil.
SEEK ALL THE GIFTS
Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same. (1 Corinthians 12:4)
The gifts of the Spirit are difficult to explain because they operate in the realm of the Spirit. I hope and pray I have done an adequate job of describing them and their basic operation, I realize there is much more to be said about the subject, and as I have said, I encourage you to read other good books that are dedicated totally to teaching on the subject of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
I also urge you to begin praying about the gifts of the Spirit. Ask God to use you in them and to allow them to flow through you as He sees fit. Don't seek just the “showy” gifts, but seek the gifts that are the most excellent.
Faith seems to be one of the greatest gifts. Wisdom is greater than knowledge or discernment, although they are all very important. Prophecy is greater than tongues or interpretation.
Some individuals make a big mistake in seeking the more flamboyant gifts and ignoring the gifts that will actually keep them out of trouble while using the others.
People can have knowledge, and yet not have wisdom to know how to use it. They can have discernment, but no wisdom in how to handle the discernment they have been given. Others may speak in tongues all the time and edify themselves, but not be operating in love by not caring how it affects people around them. Some people may be used to work miracles, but not have enough faith to endure patiently if they have to go through something difficult.
Allowing the gifts of the Spirit to work through us helps us in our everyday life and demonstrates to unbelievers the power and the goodness of Christ who dwells within us. When the gifts of the Holy Spirit are operating in our lives, we reflect the glory of God's grace that is bestowed on us to others who desperately need to put their trust in Jesus. As Christ becomes visible in us, His body, we will illuminate the truth of His power as described in 1 Corinthians 1:4-10:
I thank my God at all times for you because of the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which was bestowed on you in Christ Jesus, [so] that in Him in every respect you were enriched, in full power and readiness of speech [to speak of your faith] and complete knowledge and illumination [to give you full insight into its meaning]. In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you that you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all. And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah). God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.
Yes, seek all the gifts, but be sure to earnestly seek the ones that are the greatest. Especially seek to walk in love, because love is above them all.