The Bible speaks of various gifts bestowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit. These spiritual gifts are special abilities that enable individuals to serve God and others in unique ways. In this article, we will delve into the seven spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible and explore the relevant verses that shed light on their significance.
What Are the 7 Spiritual Gifts?
These spiritual gifts are given to humans by God. They are the gifts of God. A person who has these gifts understands the deep things of God. Most of these spiritual gifts can be found in Isaiah 11:1-2. Here are the 7 Spiritual Gifts:
1. Wisdom
- Enables one to see and act according to God’s perspective, making decisions that align with His will.
- “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2 ESV).
2. Understanding
- Provides deeper insight into the mysteries of faith and the ability to comprehend the meaning and purpose of God’s Word.
- “And he said, ‘Are you also still without understanding?'” (Matthew 15:16 ESV), where Jesus emphasizes the importance of grasping the deeper meanings of His teachings.
3. Counsel (Right Judgment)
- Offers the ability to judge how best to act almost by intuition, especially in difficult situations, according to God’s will.
- “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,” (John 14:16 ESV), referring to the Holy Spirit who guides in truth and judgment.
4. Fortitude (Courage)
- Grants the strength to follow through on actions that are consistent with God’s will, even in the face of challenges or adversity.
- “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV).
5. Knowledge
- Enables one to understand the deeper meanings and teachings of the Church and to recognize God’s purpose in our lives.
- “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15 ESV).
6. Piety (Reverence)
- Instills a sense of respect and love for God and a heartfelt devotion to worship and service.
- “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.” (John 4:23 ESV).
7. Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe)
- Fosters a profound respect for God’s majesty and an awareness of His absolute authority over all creation, leading to a life lived in awe of Him.
- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” (Psalm 111:10 ESV).
Other Notable Gifts of the Holy Spirit
These gifts of the Holy Spirit are conferred upon a person when the spirit dwells in that person. If you lack any, ask and it will be given. That is why James said in James 1:5 that, “If any of you lack wisdom….” The gifts of the Holy Spirit overlap the spiritual gifts as it is the same spirit, one spirit. Here are the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
The Gift of Wisdom
- Enables individuals to apply divine truths to everyday life in a practical and beneficial manner.
- “For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:8 ESV).
The Gift of Knowledge
- Provides a deep understanding of biblical truth and the ability to share this knowledge effectively with others.
- “To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV).
The Gift of Faith
- Instills an extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence, motivating believers to act boldly in faith.
- “To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
The Gift of Healing
- Empowers certain Christians to serve as conduits for God’s healing touch in physical, emotional, or spiritual dimensions.
- “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV).
The Gift of Miracles
- Allows individuals to act as agents for God’s supernatural intervention in the world, affirming His dominion and purposes.
- “To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles,” (1 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV).
The Gift of Prophecy
- Enables believers to receive and share messages from God that offer edification, encouragement, and comfort.
- “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1 ESV).
The Gift of Discerning Spirits
- Provides the ability to distinguish between true manifestations of the Spirit and those that are false, ensuring the integrity of the faith community.
- “To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits,” (1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV).
The Gift of Tongues
- Empowers individuals to speak in languages they have not learned, serving as a sign for unbelievers and fostering unity in the church.
- “I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:5 ESV).
The Gift of Interpreting Tongues
- Enables the interpretation of languages not known to the interpreter, edifying the church through the translation of spiritual messages.
- “To another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV).
The Gift of Administration
- Provides the ability to organize, direct, and implement plans to achieve the objectives of the church’s ministry.
- “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV).
The Gift of Helps:
- Inspires and equips believers to serve others, meeting practical needs within the church and community.
- “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;” (Romans 12:6-7 ESV).
The Gift of Encouragement
- Equips believers to uplift and motivate others through words of encouragement, hope, and reassurance.
- “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is to encourage, then give encouragement;” (Romans 12:6, 8 NIV).
The Gift of Giving
- Instills in some the capacity to give generously and joyfully to meet the needs of others, reflecting God’s generosity.
- “The one who contributes, in generosity;” (Romans 12:8 ESV).
The Gift of Leadership
- Provides certain individuals with the vision and ability to lead others effectively in pursuit of God’s objectives.
- “The one who leads, with zeal;” (Romans 12:8 ESV).
The Gift of Hospitality
- Enables some to open their homes and hearts to serve and care for others in a welcoming and sacrificial manner.
- “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (1 Peter 4:9 NIV).
The Gift of Evangelism
- Empowers individuals to share the gospel effectively and passionately, leading others to faith in Jesus Christ.
- “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 ESV).
The Gift of Teaching
- Enables some to explain and apply the Bible in a way that is clear, compelling, and relevant, leading to growth in understanding and faith.
- “If your gift is teaching, then teach;” (Romans 12:7 NIV).
The Gift of Pastoral Care
- Equips individuals to shepherd, care for, and guide others in their spiritual journey, providing counsel, encouragement, and spiritual direction.
- “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,” (Ephesians 4:11 ESV).
The Gift of Apostleship
- Instills a foundation-laying and church-planting ability, often associated with missionary work and the expansion of the church.
- “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,” (1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV).
The Gift of Craftsmanship
- Enables individuals to use artistic or creative skills for the beautification of the church’s physical space or for practical service within the church.
- “And he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, with intelligence, with knowledge, and with all craftsmanship,” (Exodus 35:31 ESV).
The Gift of Music/Worship
- Inspires individuals to lead or contribute to musical aspects of worship, enhancing the worship experience and encouraging the congregation.
- “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,” (Ephesians 5:19 ESV).
The Gift of Intercession
- Empowers individuals to pray persistently and fervently for others, standing in the gap and seeking God’s will and intervention in their lives.
- “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1 ESV). Although this verse does not directly mention intercession, the principle of persistent prayer underlies the gift of intercession.
The Gift of Hospitality
- Enables some believers to open their homes and lives to serve and care for others in a welcoming and generous manner.
- “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2 ESV).
The Gift of Celibacy
- Provides certain individuals with the ability to remain single and celibate for the sake of serving God more fully and without distraction.
- “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” (1 Corinthians 7:7 ESV).
The Gift of Exhortation
- Enables individuals to provide words of encouragement, challenge, and comfort that motivate others to grow in faith and act on their beliefs.
- “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13 ESV).
The Gift of Service/Ministry
- Enables believers to identify needs within the church and broader community and meet those needs through practical acts of service.
- “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” (1 Peter 4:10 ESV).
The Gift of Giving/Generosity
- Inspires extraordinary generosity to provide for the needs of others and support the work of the church, often beyond tithing.
- “The one who contributes, in generosity;” (Romans 12:8 ESV). This gift involves giving freely and joyfully to the work of God and those in need.
Conclusion
Alright, so let’s wrap things up. The spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible are like signs of God’s kindness. They help people in the church do their special jobs. Things like wisdom, knowing stuff, having faith, and more, they’re all super important. They help make the church stronger and spread God’s message everywhere. With the Holy Spirit’s help, believers can put others first, share the good news, and show God’s love to everyone.
So, when we use these gifts, it’s not just about getting closer to God. It also brings people in the church closer together. As believers figure out and grow their gifts, they help the church grow and stick together. Let’s keep valuing and developing these gifts. They’re like special presents from God that help us help each other and make the world better.