Spiritual gifts
I have been asked the question, “How do we obtain spiritual gifts like healing?” I was reading Romans 1 and Matthew 4 today and came across Romans 1:11-12. And I do believe there is power and impartation in fellowshipping with people of the same gift or spirituality lead.
But it is also part of the spirit’s job to give as He sees fit.
“Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.”
“Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.”
“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person. A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person to produce what is beneficial:
to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit,
to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit,
to another, faith by the same Spirit,
to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another, the performing of miracles,
to another, prophecy,
to another, distinguishing between spirits,
to another, different kinds of languages,
to another, interpretation of languages.
But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.”
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 HCSB
Which one of the above do we have? Are we living in that spirit? Or are we stuck wishing for another spirit while neglecting the spirit God has given us?
“Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. And God has placed these in the church:
first apostles,
second prophets,
third teachers,
next miracles,
then gifts of healing,
helping,
managing,
various kinds of languages.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all do miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in other languages? Do all interpret? But desire the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.”
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 HCSB
What is our role in the body of Christ? Are we active in it using our gift(s)? Or are we neglecting our role wishing for another?
“Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.”
1 Corinthians 14:1, 3-5 HCSB
Paul’s desire was for prophesy over tongues to build up the body of Christ. Why not healing over tongues? Why is prophesy more desirable over tongues? To build up the church! When gifts of healing happen it will encourage the individual for a short time. But prophesy that is unfulfilled will continue to linger until it is fulfilled! And healing may soon be forgotten.
I was told a story by a pastor and he said that his brother was miraculously healed when he was young, but now he is older and still does not worship or praise God. But God healed him?
“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:
If prophecy, use it according to the standard of one’s faith;
if service, in service;
if teaching, in teaching;
if exhorting, in exhortation;
giving, with generosity;
leading, with diligence;
showing mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:6-8 HCSB
Which one of these gifts motivates us? Use that in conjunction with the other two to walk in life as a living sacrifice. And maybe God will grant in our lives a second or a third until we can walk in all the ways God gifts to us.
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness,
goodness with knowledge,
knowledge with self-control,
self-control with endurance,
endurance with godliness,
godliness with brotherly affection, and
brotherly affection with love.
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
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