Spiritual Gifts: Unlocking the Practical Power of God One Gift at a Time

Spiritual gifts--Let's try to de-mystify. Let's understand the gifts. Together we can de-mystify and make practical use of what so many misunderstand and are skeptical about. I have a Masters Degree from Luther Theological Seminary and have been using spiritual gifts since 1963.

Have you ever felt an inner nudge, like a whisper urging you to do or say something you’ve never said or done before? You might be tapping into something profoundly transformative—the spiritual gifts. By exploring these gifts, you can unlock not only spiritual growth but also practical and helpful ways to enrich both your life and the lives of others.

Now, you might be wondering what these spiritual gifts are and how they can be practical or useful in everyday life. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are special abilities bestowed by God to believers who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Today, we’ll dive deep into these gifts and discover some stories that show how significant they are.

What are the Bible's Spiritual Gifts? How Many  Gifts are There?

Nine spiritual gifts are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. These nine are wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 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.

Some men, like C. Peter Wagner, teach there are 27 or more gifts of the Spirit. I like Peter Wagner. I like him a lot. I like that he tells jokes at the outset of his meetings. I like how God has used him as “Grandfather of the New Apostolic Reformation,” and much more. But I question the number of spiritual gifts he advocates. In fact, he himself admits “there will be no agreement on the exact number of spiritual gifts any time soon.”

One problem with Wagner’s assessment of gifts is that he includes celibacy as a spiritual gift(!) based on the use of the word “charisma” in 1 Corinthians 7:7. He seems to assume that any gift associated with the Greek term “charisma” is a spiritual gift. However, if celibacy is a spiritual gift, so also must marriage be(!) according to this same verse. Further, salvation itself is called a “charisma” in Romans 12:15-16.

But who knows how many gifts? Maybe Wagner should be followed? At any rate, there exist 9 spiritual gifts on which we can all agree—these are the nine listed above and in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.

Are the Spiritual Gifts for Your Benefit? Or for the Benefit of Other People?

Let’s be careful here. For many years I thought the gifts would benefit the one who had the gift. That may sometimes be the case, but I’ve been involved in charismatic circles since 1963. I observe that almost entirely, the gifts are for the benefit of others, not the one operating the gift. In fact, why are so many healers suffering from sickness? Why does a man with a recognized word of knowledge make some of the biggest financial blunders in his personal life?

I once witnessed a prophet with a keen word of knowledge call 12-15 people (who he did not know) out of a congregation and identify their sickness. Then, a few days later, I visited an auto repair shop. This same prophet had bought a “lemon” (a poor choice of a car, a mistake) and was trying to get it repaired.

Bottom line. The gifts are generally, although not exclusively, for the benefit of someone else.

How Many Spiritual Gifts Can One Person Have?

The gifts seem designed for a person to become expert in one or maybe two or three areas. If we were to have all the gifts we wouldn’t need each other! In fact, the scripture makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 12:21 where it says The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

Are You Sure You Even Want to Receive a Spiritual Gift? 

For my first 50 years or so of using the spiritual gifts I was not aware of the responsibility that comes with a spiritual gift. Now at my age, I’m impressed with the burden that comes with each gift. Each spiritual gift is very personal. God expects each person to develop his gift to a level of expertise and accountability for the local church and area of which he is a part.

The Holy Spirit will carefully assign situations that cause the carrier of each gift to grow and become skillful in the operation of the gift. This tests, expands, and purifies the operator of the gift. These situations generally create trials, maybe even hardships, in the life of the operator of the gift. At the end, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will be rewarded (or lose rewards) for the development of our gift and how we have used it for others (Luke 19:12-27, 1 Cor 3:8-15.)

WHY are the Spiritual Gifts Important?

Let’s consider the gift of speaking in tongues. Although it may sound mystical, it's both practical and empowering. Because speaking in tongues is so significant—After all, Christ started His church with tongues on the day of Pentecost—I have written a series of articles about tongues. If you are not sure about tongues, listen up. Christ even commanded His followers to not leave town until they had received the gift. (See Acts 1:4)

Whoa! Have you ever thought about this? Jesus commanded, “Don’t leave town,” in essence, “Don’t start your ministry until you are baptized in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues!”

Let's step back and understand why these endowments matter. Spiritual gifts can change a church. They can transform a region or a nation.

Whether you're new to the Bible or well-versed, the Holy Spirit empowers people in many PRACTICAL ways. Recognizing and using spiritual gifts can make you more effective and fulfilled in helping others. Jesus warned His first disciples, “Don’t leave Jerusalem,“ but “wait for what the Father had promised,--” the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Then He added His own promise, For John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you (Acts 1:8).

It’s all about power. When I saw God healing people supernaturally, I wanted it. I wanted the power to heal people. I wanted to be like Jesus.

John G. Lake had 100,000 recorded healings in his ministry in 5 years during the early part of the 20th century. John G. Lake said, “I want to talk with the utmost frankness and say that tongues has been the making of my ministry."

It’s all about power. Let me illustrate. Suppose a man drives his Chevy to the gas station. “Fill ‘er up!” he yells to the attendant. Premium of regular?” answers the attendant. “I always use regular,” the Chevy driver responds.” So he fills with 20 gallons of regular gas, the max his Chevy tank holds.

He could have Premium, High Octane, more powerful than regular. But he chose regular ‘cuz that’s all he’s ever known.

Every believer in Christ Jesus has the Holy Spirit. That’s good. It’s what we're used to. Yet we have a choice: We can get baptized with the Holy Spirit which is High Octane or we can choose "regular" octane, what we’re used to.  Both are good, both make us “run,” but the baptism of the Spirit gives us greater Power. Both run fine, but if you’re in the highly competitive race of life, you need all the Power you can get. If you want to serve God with the full capacity He has destined for you, choose the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Which do you choose? High Octane and High Power (Baptism of the Holy Spirit) or regular (what most folks are used to)?

Take a Look at the Spiritual Gifts and How Each is Used

Have you ever stumbled upon a problem and wished you had the right knowledge to solve it? The gift of knowledge can provide the divine awareness you need. And remember! The knowledge may have to come from someone besides you.

All the spiritual gifts are supernatural. Each is distinct from natural talent and ability like "being a good singer." For example, the gift of wisdom goes beyond mere intellectual capability. It’s about divinely inspired judgment and decision-making.

A man in our fellowship named Tom has a proven word of wisdom. I have come to regard this gift highly in Tom. The day came when our church received, nearly at the same time, a whole group of new families with untrained children. These new children were a blessing from the Lord, but they were also disturbing the Sunday morning meetings. What to do? Tom suggested through a word of wisdom to appoint special ushers to help the parents regulate their children. We did, and the problem was solved almost immediately. Praise God for the word of wisdom!

The spiritual gift of faith is another supernatural endowment. It's acute belief; it's an unwavering trust that will move the unmovable. For example, after three and a half years Elijah sensed from God that it was time to end the drought in Israel. He put his head between his knees and began to call on God. No rain began. He sent his helper to view the horizon. Still no rain. He sent his helper to scan the horizon a total of seven times. No rain, no drizzle, no moisture, nada. Then the thunder struck! Three and a half years of drought ended with the faith of one man!

The gift of healings sometimes manifests in extraordinary ways. For example, my father was a Grade A dairyman. While milking cows, Dad injured his back and the pain wouldn’t go away for years. Then one year while I was college age, Dad attended a Spirit-filled meeting in Canby, Oregon. While Dad was praying for another man, the Spirit came upon Dad. He was instantly healed and relieved from back pain for the rest of his life. Praise God! That healing really spoke to me and showed me the reality of the gift of healing.

Why is the gift of healing important? Because someone who was suffering is now Made Well!

The gift of interpretation of tongues is the gift with which I am least knowledgeable. If God uses you in the gift of interpretation, please email me and relate some of your experiences. I would like to hear from you.

When we talk about miracles, we often think of grand, seemingly gigantic events on a cosmic scale. However, we need small-scale miracles too. Miracles temporarily suspend the natural laws of science to show God’s redemptive power.

The gift of prophecy allows believers to receive messages from God to build up (edify), to comfort, and to encourage. New Testament prophecy is different from Old Testament prophecy. It’s not so much prediction as encouragement and comfort. (See 1 Corinthians 14:3ff).

I remember one time a man came to our home for help in his marriage. It was a crisis situation. I listened and gave some suggestions. The man rebuffed my ideas. I am an experienced marriage counselor; I offered some further counsel. Again, the fellow cast my counsel aside like water off a duck’s back.

I will never forget what happened next. We were sitting on a red couch in the parsonage. When I began to prophesy to the man, the scenario immediately changed. Prophesy broke through! The man and his attitude changed. He accepted what I was prophesying. He returned home and repaired his marriage. Praise God. I saw the power of prophesy.

The gift of discerning of spirits is one of the most significant as well as one of most misunderstood spiritual gifts in the church's toolbox. 

These stories are not just rare occurrences but real-life examples of how the Holy Spirit and you can work together. Each gift serves a purpose, and each believer is equipped for a unique mission. Imagine how discovering and using your gifts can empower you to bring positive changes around you.

If you are not yet being used by God in spiritual gifts, you have no idea what you are missing. . .

So, How Do We Receive Spiritual Gifts?

First, call out to God and get baptized in the Holy Spirit. (baptism in the Holy Spirit is NOT the same as baptism in water.) It starts with the baptism in the Holy Spirit and getting "filled" with the Spirit. This is the Bible way. I’m not saying God can’t do supernatural things before someone is baptized in the Spirit and begins to speak in tongues. God does supernatural things every day. But this is the Bible way: Get baptized in the Spirit and use your God-given gift of tongues in prayer.

Tongues are the doorway to the supernatural. Tongues generate the other spiritual gifts. Speak in tongues and other gifts will follow.

Joining a supportive church or small group that practices spiritual gifts is almost essential. I see very few people (maybe none!) flourishing in spiritual gifts without finding a supportive church or small group.

Generally, gifts are imparted through the laying on of hands. God gives the gifts and sometimes they come spontaneously. Saint Paul’s motive for visiting the church in Rome was to impart some spiritual gift (Romans 1:11).

The PRACTICAL USE of these Gifts Cannot Be Overstated

Embracing these gifts brings a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Its very satisfying to be used by God and to help other people. The gifts align us with a higher calling. Imagine the ripple effect when every believer uses his gifts— it can become a harmonious symphony affecting families, churches, communities, small groups and even where you work.

The journey doesn’t end at discovering your gifts. Actively using them is where transformation occurs. Our willingness to use gifts impacts lives. You too can be the person God uses. In fact, the gifts are given by God to be part of a normal Christian life. Sine Pentecost, they are readily accessible to you and every believer.

As you grow in your spiritual journey, stay encouraged. The Bible tells us that these gifts are meant to build up, edify, and comfort others. They are given freely yet hold immeasurable value, showcasing God’s love and wisdom.

How Do You Grow in the Use of Spiritual Gifts?

One might wonder, how do you increase and grow in these gifts? You've got to use them to become good at them. Practice makes perfect, we say. If you don't use them, you will never grow in them.

It’s “Use ’em or lose ‘em.”

When I was a young college student I transferred to Portland State College in Portland, Oregon. I did not find a church or small group that year at Portland State. Sure enough, any gifts I had, dried up. I didn’t lose my salvation or love for God, but I became barren as far as the spiritual gifts.

It’s essential to understand that spiritual gifts are not for personal gain but to serve others. For the common good, is how the Bible puts it (1 Corinthians 12:7).

Incorporating the gifts of the Holy Spirit into daily life epitomizes PRACTICAL Christianity.

The excitement of discovering and using your spiritual gifts lies in the never-ending potential for growth and impact. It’s an adventure that continuously unfolds, each step deepening your relationship with God and enhancing your effectiveness for Him. If you are talking often with the Helper and saying, “Hello Holy Spirit!” you will not level off or get bored in the Christian life.

God desires for you to live a life full of wonder, joy, and adventure. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are part of this abundant life. They are not just for the deeply religious but for anyone who wants to be used by God.

What If You Make a Mistake?

First of all, I've made many mistakes.

As you pursue this path, remain optimistic. Don’t worry if you make a few mistakes along the way. I've made my mistakes, and so has every man or woman that God uses. The only person who has never made a mistake is the person who has never tried.

Years ago, I attempted to prophesy to a pregnant woman. I said, “You are going to have a boy.” After time, she delivered a girl!  I only made that mistake once!

It’s scary to use spiritual gifts--takes faith to try. If you blunder, learn from it, pick up your courage as best you can, and go on.

The journey you’re about to embark on is not solitary. Jesus promised, these signs will follow those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons. They will speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17). Jesus Christ is the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. He’s the Gift-giver. The Holy Spirit is our guide, empowering us every step of the way. We can do it; it's within our reach.

In closing, the spiritual gifts are not abstract concepts but PRACTICAL tools to help people. By using these gifts, we bring divine wisdom, healing, and hope into a world that desperately needs help. So, take that leap of faith, get baptized (filled) with the Holy Spirit. Enjoy your prayer language. Discover your spiritual gifts, and let the Holy Spirit empower you to make a difference.

Privacy Policy Copyright ©2024-2025