Gifts Inside of You

Article by Adrienna Turner

Spiritual gifts,[i] our gifts and abilities He gives to you—God will not take back nor recall, repealed, or annulled. There are many gifts in the local body of Christ.[ii] Every believer has been given a gift. Actually, spiritual gifts come to light later in experience as a person grows in spiritual maturity.[iii] All people are expected to use their gifts for the glory of God.[iv] If you don’t have specific gifts, you can desire or seek them.[v] In addition, spiritual gifts are a significant ability given to each believer to equip and move them to serve a unique way to perpetuate the growth in the church.

Gifts can equate to life experiences or knowledge, “super ability versus natural ability” that person may possess. You will always have your gifts, however you will not have the “true anointing” until the presence and touch of God is upon you. A supernatural power to penetrate darkness and bring life and light, which there is a spiritual touch known as the Holy Spirit. However, some have fallen into immorality and will keep using their gifts without realizing the anointing is gone—deceived—blinded that anointing was lost.

Gifts were given unto us of which Paul explains as the “gifts to the believers,”[vi] that are ascended from heaven and Yahweh pours his Holy Spirit on the earth to the believers to enable each believe to play a productive role in His Kingdom. What is my gift? If you seek God, He will reveal it to you through His Word, through dreams, through intercession, and many other ways. Everyone has God-given talents, but He also bestows supernatural abilities to these believers who give themselves to His Spirit such as ministers to help others in their spiritual walk; members of the body of Christ; and church witness and ministry to help other overcome things of the world. How can I enhance my gifts? If you are focused on what God has called you to do, in His Word, and then your gift will become stronger and more effective to do the Lord’s business.

Moreover, a spiritual gift is to build up the saints of God in the supernatural or spiritual realm in the ministry of God. Natural talents or abilities instruct, inspire, or entertain on a natural level. Nothing supernatural happens when a talent is displayed. However, people can yield themselves to God so that their natural abilities are used by God to become the expression of their spiritual gifts.[vii] Spiritual gifts are in fact the gifts of the Holy Spirit.[viii] In 1 Corinthians 12, Apostle Paul listed these gifts: wisdom, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit and not human wisdom; faith; gifts of healing; the working of miracles; prophecy; the discerning of spirits; diverse kinds of tongues; the interpretation of tongues—are nine gifts, whereas the greatest gift is found in Romans 5:5, as Paul shows that ‘the love of God’ is spread abroad in our heart by the Holy Spirit. Paul confirming that love is the highest of all spiritual gifts as well as the chief of the fruits of the Holy Spirit.[ix]

Anyone can claim to speak for God, and the world is full of false teachers. Paul gives us a test to help us discern whether or not a messenger is really from God. Does he or she confess Christ as Lord? Don’t naively accept the words of all who claim to speak for God–test their credentials by finding out what they teach about Christ.[x] Moreover, any Christian who knows he is mediumistically disposed and who asks the Lord to deliver him, will be truly set free. Some even think that their mediumistic ability is a gift of God—this is a dangerous mistake. For instance, he draws on these abilities and lays hands on people and prays for people, not realizing that his laying on of hands is extremely dangerous for those he performed this act on. A Christian should never use mediumistic abilities in the service of the Lord. The Holy Spirit never joins himself to that which has been won from the realms of occultism and sorcery.

Although, all Christians have faith, some have spiritual gift of faith, which is an unusual measure of trust in the Holy Spirit’s power.[xi] The key to an honest and accurate evaluation is to know the basis of self-worth—our identity with Christ. Apart from him, we are not capable of very much by eternal standards, in him; we are valuable and capable of worthy service. Evaluating ourselves by the worldly standards of success and achievement can cause you to think too much your worth in the eyes of others and thus miss your true value in God’s eyes.[xii] For instance, Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach those Christians should live and work together.[xiii] Just as the parts of the body function under the direction of the brain, so Christians are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ.[xiv]

God’s gifts differ in nature, power, and effectiveness according to his wisdom and graciousness, not according to our faith. The “measure of faith”[xv] or the “proportion to his faith” means that God will give spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry each responsibility. We cannot, but our own effort or willpower, drum up more faith and thus be more effective teachers or servants. These are God’s gifts to his church, and he gives faith and power as he wills. Our role is to be faithful and to seek ways to serve others with what Christ has given us.

God’s gifts are to be used effectively; we acknowledge that all gifts and abilities come from God. We are to understand that not everyone has the same gifts. More importantly, we are to know who we are and what we do best. Dedicate our gifts to God’s service and not to our personal success. Be willing to utilize our gifts wholeheartedly, not holding back anything from God’s service. Look at the list of gifts and imagine the kind of people who would have each gift. Prophets are often bold and articulate. Servers, those in ministry, are faithful and loyal. Teachers are clear thinkers. Encouragers those who exhort, know how to motivate others. Givers are generous and trusting. Leaders are good organizers and managers. Those who show mercy are caring people who are happy to give their time to others. It would be difficult for one person to embody all these gifts. An assertive prophet would not usually make a good counselor, and a generous giver might fall as a leader. When you identify your own gifts, ask how you can use them to build up God’s family. Also, realize that your gifts cannot do the work of the church alone. Be thankful for people whose gifts are completely different from yours. Let your strengths balance their weaknesses and be grateful that their abilities make up for your deficiencies. Together you can build Christ’s church.[i]

Contact Adrienna Turner at: www.AdriennaTurner.webs.com or www.Dream4More.org