Understanding Spiritual Gifts

When it comes to spiritual gifts, many Christians find themselves confused. Some churches seem to downplay or even deny their existence, while others place such emphasis on them that worship services become spectacles of odd behavior. This confusion has led to a drift from what Scripture actually teaches about the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

What Is a Spiritual Gift?

Before diving deeper, we need to understand what spiritual gifts actually are. Spiritual gifts are abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of building up the church. They differ from the fruit of the Spirit in a fundamental way: gifts are given, while fruit is grown.

Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit, while the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in our daily lives.

How Have Churches Drifted in Their Understanding?

Over time, churches have drifted toward two extremes in their understanding of spiritual gifts:

Cessationism - The belief that spiritual gifts ceased after the apostolic age. Churches with this view essentially deny the supernatural work of the Spirit in gifting believers today.

Hyper-charismatic - An over-emphasis on spiritual gifts, particularly more dramatic ones like speaking in tongues, with everything revolving around chasing spiritual experiences.

Both extremes have morphed away from Paul's balanced teaching, leaving people confused, sometimes hurt, and unsure about how the Holy Spirit really works.

What Does Paul Actually Teach About Spiritual Gifts?

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul addresses a church already struggling with the proper use of spiritual gifts. He establishes several key principles:

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone, it is the same God at work." (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

Paul emphasizes that:

- One Spirit distributes multiple gifts

- The Spirit determines who gets which gifts

- We don't all have the same gifts

- No single gift makes someone more spiritual than others

In verses 27-31, Paul asks rhetorical questions: "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?" The implied answer is clearly "no." We're not all meant to have the same gifts.

How Did the Church's View of Spiritual Gifts Change Over Time?

The church's understanding of spiritual gifts has evolved through history:

- 1st-4th centuries: Spiritual gifts were considered normal and practiced without sensationalism.

- 4th-16th centuries: Gifts became restricted to church leadership, with common people denied access.

- 17th-19th centuries: The Reformation and Enlightenment brought renewed emphasis on the Holy Spirit's work.

- Early 1900s: The charismatic movement rediscovered spiritual gifts but sometimes overemphasized speaking in tongues as proof of Spirit baptism.

What's the Balanced Biblical Approach to Spiritual Gifts?

Paul offers correction to both extremes:

- To those who deny spiritual gifts (cessationists), 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 says: "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything." We shouldn't dismiss the supernatural work of the Spirit.

- To those who overemphasize experiences (sensationalists), 1 Corinthians 13 provides the context of love. Paul writes that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts amount to nothing: "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal."

The balanced approach is found in 1 Corinthians 14:1: "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy." We should desire spiritual gifts while ensuring they're exercised in love.

What Spiritual Gifts Are Mentioned in Scripture?

Paul mentions various gifts throughout his letters, including:

• Teaching

• Prophecy

• Speaking in tongues

• Interpretation of tongues

• Healing

• Working miracles

• Wisdom

• Knowledge

• Faith

• Discernment

• Helping

• Administration

• Encouragement

• Mercy

Each gift serves a purpose in building up the church, and no single gift is elevated above others in importance.

Life Application

The Holy Spirit wants to work in and through you to build up the church. God's kingdom needs all the spiritual gifts functioning properly - teaching, wisdom, mercy, healing, prophecy, and encouragement - but more than anything, it needs love as the context for all gifts.

Ask yourself these questions:

Where do I lean in my understanding of spiritual gifts? Have I dismissed them entirely, or am I chasing experiences?

Do I know what my spiritual gift(s) might be? Am I using them to serve others?

Most importantly, am I exercising my gifts in love?

The world doesn't need another spiritually dead church, nor does it need spiritual showmanship. It needs a Spirit-filled, love-filled church that points people to Jesus. This week, commit to discovering and using your spiritual gifts in a way that builds up others and glorifies God - always in the context of love.

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