THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT- STRENGTHS & CHALLENGES ✨

If you’ve grown up in church, or read your bible long enough, you’ve stumbled into 1 Corinthians’ descriptions of The Gifts of the Spirit. These are specific giftings that believers are given by The Holy Spirit for the building of God’s body. While some people may have an affinity for more than one, people usually flow in one or two of these. 

What we don’t talk about enough are some of the common pitfalls and burdens associated with our gifts. We have a responsibility to steward them well. If you see yours, consider the potential challenges and how you can pray for God to grow you and refine you. ✨ This is part one… part two coming soon. 

Gift of Faith- a supernatural belief in God’s ability and power to do the impossible. While God calls us all to have faith, this gift is called out because it is empowered by the Holy Spirit in a unique way.

Your Challenge: A lack of prudence. Sometimes, people who have the gift of faith get ahead of themselves (and God). There can be a temptation to throw strategy and self-control out of the window. 

Gift of discerning of spirits- you can perceive what spirit is from God and which ones are from Satan. You can see past what someone says or does and distinguish its spiritual origin. 

Your challenge: how do you remain steady in love and compassion? For example, if you’re speaking to someone who is being deceitful and operating from a place of the enemy… how do you treat them? Do you pray for them? How do you help to reconcile them back to Christ? Remember: Jesus SAW Satan working behind the scenes of Judas’ appearance… but he treated him with love anyway.

Gift of wisdom- While God says he gives wisdom liberally to those who ask, it’s important to note that it’s also considered a gift that some believers have an affinity for. The Bible also makes it VERY clear that Godly wisdom is not the same as secular wisdom. Nevertheless, godly wisdom is described as having eight characteristics, including being pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and full of good fruit.

Challenge: When you know better, you are charged to do better. Being wise is a call to obedience. Consider Solomon in the Bible- we can be wise, but it can only be sustained by the fear of God. You cannot claim ignorance like some people can. 

Healing- This is a supernatural gifting from the Holy Spirit to heal people. While some Christians (cessationists) believe that some gifts have ceased… I’m not of that belief. I’ve seen people healed! In fact, I’ve been healed. Some people even equate medical professionals as gifted healers for mental and emotional health.

Challenge: The tendency to abandon one’s owns needs. Healers are often times compassionate and empathetic people who desire to help others. Unfortunately, this can cause them to pour from an empty cup. When unaddressed, this can cause resentments to grow. It's important to partner with the Holy Spirit to know how to move. Even Jesus, in his ability to heal countless people, listened to his father and shut down the camp to rest. Do not people please... especially if it causes you to disobey God's instruction.

Like I said earlier, I bring up these challenges to sharpen you! The more we know our proclivities, the more we can pray for diligence. I pray that this encourages you, Lovies!

Part TWO coming soon! ✌🏽