SPIRITUAL GIFTS FOR BELIEVERS

What is Spiritual gifts?

The Spiritual gifts in 1Co12:7-11 are supernatural manifestation of the holy spirit given directly to believers.

The purpose of Spiritual Gifts:Spiritual Gifts are main to strenghten the church and the individual (Strengthening Gk Oikodomeo means to promote Spiritual life,maturity in the Spirit and Godly character in believer).It is a work of the Holy Spirit put in action through believers,by which believers are increasingly Spiritually transformed in order that they not be conformed to this world(Ro12:2-8).But may built up in sanctification,love for GOD,concern for others,purity of heart,a good conscience and a sincere faith.The manifestation of Spiritual gifts:

• These Spiritual gifts are not the same as the gifts and ministries mentioned in (Ro12:6-8) and (Eph4:11) whereby a believer receives the power and ability to minister in a more permanent manner in the church.

• The list in (1Co12:8-10) is not necessarily exhaustive,and the gifts may occur in various combinations& situations.

• The manifestations of the spirit are given according to the Spirit's will (1Co12:11)when need arises and according to the believers eager desire.

• Some gifts or manifestation of the Spirit occur through some individuals on a regular bases,and a believer may have more than one gifts to minister to others.The believer ought to desire "Gifts" not just one gift (1Co 12:31,14:1).

What we must know about "Spiritual Gifts":

1. It is unscriptuaral and unwise to assume that because someone exercise a spectacular gift,that person is more spiritual than one who characteristically operates in less spectacular gifts.
2. Furthermore,possessing a gift does not mean that GOD approves of all a person does or teaches.
3. Spiritual gifts must not be confused with the fruit of the spirit,which relates more to christian character and sanctification(Gal5:22-23).
4. The Spirit manifestation through gifts maybe counterfeited by Satan or false worker disguising themselves as servants of Christ(Mt7:21-23,24:11&24;2Co11:13-15;2Th2:8-10).The believers must not believe every spiritual manifestation,but ought to "test the Spirit manifestation  to see  whether they are from GOD,because many false prophet have gone out into the world"(1Jn4:11;1Th5:20-21).

1Co12:7-11
7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

 These are the lists of Spiritual gifts, that the holy spirit gives to believers:

1) Message of wisdom:This is a wise utterance spoken through the operation of the Holy spirit.It applies the revelation of GOD's word or the Holy spirit's wisdom to a specific situation or problem(Act6:10,15:13-22).It is not , however the same as having  the wisdom of GOD for daily living.The later is obtained by diligent study and meditation on GOD's word,and by prayer.

Message of Wisdom

 2) Message of Knowledge:  This is an utterance inspired by the holy spirit that reveals knowledge about people,circumstances or biblical truth.His often connected closely   with prophecy.(Ac5:1-10,10:47-48,15:7-11;1Co14:24-25).

Message of knowledge

3) Faith: This is not saving faith, but a special supernatural faith imparted by the holy spirit that enables the christian to believe GOD for the extraordinary and miraculous.It is a faith that moves mountain(1Co13:2) and is often found in combination with other manifestation such as healing and miracles(see Mt 17:20;Mk11:22-24;Lk17:6).

Supernatural Faith

4) Gifts of  healing: These  gifts are given to the  church to restore  physical health by supernatural means(Mt4:23-25,10:1;Ac3:6-8,4:30).The  plural (gifts) indicates healing of various illness and  suggest that every act of it is a special gift of GOD.Although gifts of healing are not given to every member of the body in a special way(1Co12:11,30),all member may pray for the sick.When faith is present, the sick will be healed.Healing may also come as a results of obedience to the instruction of (jas5:14-16).

Gifts of Healing

5) Miraculous powers: These are deeds of supernatural power that alter the normal course of nature.they include divine acts in which GOD's kingdom is  manifested against Satan and evil spirits.

Miraculous Powers

6) Prophecy: We must  distinguish between  prophecy  as  a temporary  manifestation of the spirit (1Co 12:10) and  prophecy as a  ministry gift of the church (Eph4:11).
As a ministry gift:Prophecy is given only  to some  believers, who must function as a prophet within the church.
As a  Spiritual manifestation: Prophecy is potentially available to every spirit  filled christian (Ac2:17-18).
What we must know about prophecy as a spiritual manifestation:

Prophecy

a)Prophecy is  a  special gift that enables a believer to bring a word of revelation directly  from GOD under the impulse of the Holy spirit (1Co14:24-25,29-31),it is not the delivery of a previously prepared sermon.

b)In both the OT and the NT, prophecy is not primarily foretelling the future, but proclaiming GOD's will and extorting,but encouraging GOD's people to righteousness, faithfulness and endurance(1Co14:3).

c)The message may expose the condition of a person's heart (1Co14:25) or offer strenghten, encouragement,comfort, warning and judgement(1Co14:3,25-26,31).

d)The Church must not assume that prophecy is an infallible message, as there can be a sincere mixture of the human messenger in the message,or there can be an insincere false prophecy meant to impress others or deceive(1Jn4:1).Therefore,all prophecy  must be tested for genuineness and truth (1Co 14:29,32;1Th5:20-21),by asking whether it conforms  to GOD's word (1Jn4:1), whether it promotes Godly living(1Ti6:3),and whether it is uttered  by one who is sincerely living under Christ's lordship(1Co12:3).

e)Prophecy operates under GOD's will and not the will of human.The NT does not explicitly describe the church actively seeking revelation  or direction from those claiming to be prophet.Prophecy  was given to the church when GOD  initiated  the message(1Co12:11;2Pe1:21).

7) Distinguishing between Spirits: This gift is a special spirit-given ability to properly discern evil spirits and to distinguish whether or not an utterance is from the Holy Spirit(1Co14:29;Jn4:1).Towards the end of the  age when false teachers(Mt24:5)."the spirit of falsehood"(1Jn4:6) and deceiving spirits will greatly increase(1Ti14:1),this gift will be extremely  important for the church.

Distinguishing between Spirit.

8) Speaking in different kinds of tongues:  Concerning "tongues"(Gk glossa,meaning language)as a  supernatural manifestation of the spirit,the following must be noted:
a)Tongues may be an existing spoken language(Ac2:4-6),a language unknown on earth,ex "Tongues... of angels"(1Co13:1) such speech has not been learned and is often unintelligible both to the  speaker(1Co12:14:14) and to the hearers (1 Co12:14:6). 

Different kinds of Tongues.

b)Speaking in tongues involves the human  spirit and the spirit of GOD intermingling so that the believer communicates directly to GOD ( That is in prayer, praise,blessing, or Thanksgiving),giving  expression or utterance at the level of one's spirit rather than the mind(1Co14:2,14) and praying for oneself or others under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit  apart from the activity of the mind(1Co14:2,4,15,28;jude20).

c)Tongues in the congregation must be accompanied by the spirit-given interpretation,n that communicates the content and meaning of the utterance to the community of the believers(1Co14:3,27-28).It may contain a revelation,knowledge,prophecy or teaching for the assembly(1Co14:6).

d)Speaking in tongues within the congregation must be regulated.the speaker may never be in "Ecstasy"  or "Out of control"  (1Co14:27-28).

9) Interpretation of tongues: This is the spirit -given ability to understand and communicate the meaning of an utterance spoken in tongues.When interpreted for  the congregation,tongues function either as a directive to worship and prayer or as prophecy.The body of believer,can then participate in this spirit inspired revelation.Interpreted tongues can thus be a means of edification as the whole congregation responds to the utterance(1Co12:14,6,13).The gift may be given  to the one  who speaks in tongues or to someone else.Those who speaks in tongues should pray also for the gift of interpretation(1Co14:13).

Interpretation of tongues.

The Fruit of the Spirit

The fruits of the Spirit certainly is the opposite of the awful sinful nature of mankind.It relates more to christian character and sanctification.

But what is fruits of the Spirit?
Does Fruit grows in the Spirit?

Certainly no,this fruit are not the physical fruit that we use to eat,but they are called virtues of the spirit that's produce in us as GOD's children.These godly virtues(fruit of the Spirit) open way for the Spirit to influence and direct our life as they destroy sins power especially the Acts of the sinful nature in us.this fruit must be exercise without any restriction in here on earth towards our fellow mankind.There's no law that could overcome our spirit from possessing them,because it is being deposited in us by the medium of the spirit of GOD.So therefore we are not under the burden of any law,we are led by the Spirit which surpasses all the Acts of the sinful nature in mankind.

the inspiration is taken from the epistle of Apostle Paul

Gal 5:22-23   22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The Fruit of the Spirit include:

1)Love (Gk agapê) Ro5:5/1Co13/Eph5:2/Col3:14: Caring for and seeking the highest good of another person without motive or personal gain.

2) Joy (Gk Chara)Ps119:16/ 2Co6:10;12:9/1Pe1:8:The feeling of gladness based on the love,grace,blessings,promise and nearness of GOD that belong to those who believe in Christ.

3) Peace (Gk eirênê)Ro15:33/Php4:7/1Th5:23/Heb13:20: The rest of heart and mind based on the knowledge that all is well between the believer and his or her heavenly father, resulting in freedom from the turmoil of anxiety.

4) Patience (Gk Makrothumia)Eph4:2/2Ti3:10/Heb12:1:Enduring,long-suffering;being slow to anger or despair.

5) Kindness (Gk Chrestotes)Eph4:2/Col3:12/1Pe2:3:Not  wanting to  hurt  anyone or cause them , pain.

6) Goodness (Gk Agathosune) Lk7:37-50/Mt21:12-13:Zeal   for truth and righteousness  and hatred  of evil;it can be expressed in acts of kindness or  in  rebuking and correcting evil.

7) Faithfulness (Gk Pistis) Mt23:23/Ro3:3/1Ti6:12/2Ti2:2;4:7/Tit2:10:Firm and unswerving  loyalty  to  a person  to whom  one is united by promise,commitment, trust and honesty.

8) Gentleness (Gk Prautes)2Ti2:25/1Pe3:15.gentleness in JESUS,compare Mt11:29 with Mt 23 and Mk3:5.in paul,compare 2Co10:1 with 2Co10:4-6 and Gal1:9.in moses,compare Num12:3 with Ex32:19-20.Restraint coupled  with strenght and courage;it describes a person who can be angry when anger is needed and humbly submissive when submission is needed.

9) Self-control (Gk Egkrateia)1Co7:9,25/Tit1:8,2:5: Mastering one's own desires and passions, including  faithfulness to one's  marriage vows;also  purity. 

Again have we seen how we use elements from our spirit to impact and transform our physical life.If one of the spirit fruit is missing from us or none of the fruit is there in us,then we know that our life is not well settle.Anything good that can manifest in our life start from our inner self called Spirit.

DO you know any other elements within  our spirit that can transform our life for the best of  one   another. Please do  share your spiritual knowledge with me.

   

The Acts of the Sinful Nature (Greek:SARX)

Sinful  Nature:Is a term for the human nature with it's  corrupt desires which is submit  to sins dominion.Then we as a human person must continue to resist and put to death this sinful nature of ours by the power of a spirit(called the Holy Ghost).It's so serious that if we are to yield to the desires of this sinful nature,we shut ourselves from all the blessing we could posses here on earth the most important one"the kingdom of GOD",and thus looses our salvation.

the inspiration is taken from the epistle of Apostle Paul  "Galatians"Gal 5:19:21

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Acts of the Sinful Nature (Gk Sarx) includes:

1) Sexual Immorality(GkPorneia) Ex20:14/Mt5:3132;19:9/Ac15:20,29;21:25/1Co5:1 .Sexual activity or intercourse outside the marriage union.The word pornography comes from the root pornia;this sexual immorality includes taking pleasure in pornography pictures,films or writings

2) Impurity (Gk akatharsia) Eph5:3/Col3:5.Sexual sins,evil deeds and vices,including thoughts and desires of the heart.

3) Debauchery (Gk aselgeia) 2Co12:21. Sensuality;following ones passion and desire to the point of  having no shame or public decency.

4) Idolatry  (Gk eidolatry) Col 3:5.Worship of spirits,persons or graven images;trust in any person,institution or thing as having equal or greater authority than GOD and his word.

5) Witchcraft (Gk pharmakeia) Ex7:11,22;8:18/Rev9:21;18:23.Sorcery,spiritism,black magic,worship of demons and use of drugs to produce spiritual experience.

6) Hatred (Gk echtra).Intense hostile and acts;extreme dislike or enmity.

7) Discord (Gk eris) Ro1:29;13:13/1co1:11;3:3.Quarreling,antagonism;
a for superiority.

8) Jalousy (Gk zêlos) Ro13:13/1Co3:3.Resentfulness,envy of another's success.

9) Fits of rage (Gk thumos) Col3:8.Explosive anger that flames into violent words or deeds.

10) Selfish Ambition (Gk eritheia) 2Co12:20/Php1:16-17.Unrighteously seeking power or position.

11) Dissensions (Gk dichostasia) Ro16:17.Introducing divisive teachings not supported by GOD's word.

12) Factions (Gk hairesis) 1Co11:19.Division within the congregation into exclusive groups or cliques that destroy the unity of the church.

13) Envy (Gk phthonos).Resentful dislike of another person who has something that ones desire.

14) Drunkenness (Gk methê).Impairing one's mental or physical control by Alcoholic drink.

15) Orgies (Gk komos).Excessive feasting and revelry,a party spirit involving,drugs,sex or the like

 These sinful nature is so attached to our human nature and they are controlled by opposite spirit called "demons".Which is killing us daily ;apostle Paul said that we must strive to resist this sinful nature by yielding to the fruits of the spirits(we'll discover in the next post).

Do you know any other acts of the sinful nature that's disturbing
mankind? 
Pls do share your spiritual knowledge with me.

A venture into the life of PAUL the Apostle

Who is PAUL  the Apostle?

Galatians,..... one of the books written by him .This particular book of Galatians  was written by apostle paul to the "church in Galatia";his aim  is to clarify that the  Moses's law under   the OT(old testament) has nothing to do with our salvation.Thus our  salvation is obtain by GOD's grace in christ under  the NT (new testament).

Let me venture a little  bit  into  the life  of paul.He was known as the former persecutor, murderer and antichrist of his time.He witness  to the murder  of a  certain  disciple called  stephen acts7:58,known then as  Saul he was the leader of the church's first intense  and severe persecution" men and women were draged out from their houses put in prison,beaten and put to death Acts8:1-3 "

Undoutedly this paul is of jewish youth,born and raise with the law of Moses;he has devotion, passion for the law  of his fathers.He couldn't accept any new teaching apart from that which was given to his forfathers in  the desert.He was later converted  to  to a christian  on his way to Damascus, on a mission to get a letter of permit  from the high priest that  would allow him to arrest any of the jew following the new way of christ.

But you know what  he was stop by a spirit  Acts9:1-5.GOD  use him mightly to write 13 of the new testament books,called  the Epistles of Apostle  Paul.

Apostle Paul in  his writting.

Apostle paul in prison, visited by an angel giving him words of knowledg and encoragement to move on with the Gospel.