The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Holy Trinity in Christian theology. He is the Spirit of God who lives in those who believe in Jesus Christ. When a person becomes born again by repenting of their sins and believing in Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside that person.
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live the Christian life and serve God. Part of the way He equips Christians is by giving spiritual gifts. There are 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. These 9 gifts are: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are supernatural empowerments given by the Holy Spirit to believers in Jesus Christ so that they can serve God and build up the church. Every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift when they are born again. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different Christians according to His will and for His purposes.
The 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are not all the possible gifts. There are other gifts mentioned in the New Testament, such as the gift of ministry (Romans 12:7), the gift of teaching (Romans 12:7), the gift of giving (Romans 12:8), the gift of leadership (Romans 12:8), the gift of mercy (Romans 12:8), and the gift of evangelism (Ephesians 4:11).
However, the 9 gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 are seen as the primary supernatural gifts the Holy Spirit empowers Christians with so that the church can be built up and unbelievers can come to know Jesus. Not every Christian will have all these gifts, and no one Christian will have all these gifts. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to each believer for the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7).
1. Word of Wisdom
The word of wisdom is a supernatural revelation of the plans and purposes of God. It gives direction for God’s people and shows how to solve difficult problems. It reveals God’s perspective on a situation.
In the Old Testament, Joseph was given a word of wisdom by God regarding how to prepare for the 7 years of famine in Egypt (Genesis 41:25-36). Solomon was granted a word of wisdom from God to know how to rule Israel justly (1 Kings 3:16-28).
In the New Testament, Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and given a word of wisdom to declare God’s plan of salvation to the Jewish leaders before his martyrdom (Acts 7:2-53). Paul also operated in the word of wisdom in his preaching and teaching ministry (Acts 13:9-12).
The word of wisdom gives insight into God’s purposes and ways. It reveals His invisible plan and shows what He wants to accomplish. This gift is invaluable for ministry leaders seeking God’s direction and for understanding God’s big picture plan.
2. Word of Knowledge
The word of knowledge is a revelation of facts and information that were previously unknown or secret. It often, but not always, applies to the present situation at hand. The Holy Spirit reveals something that is relevant for the moment.
In the Old Testament, Elisha operated in the word of knowledge to reveal Gehazi’s deception and greed (2 Kings 5:20-27). Daniel was also given a word of knowledge from God to reveal and interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2:28-45).
In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrated the word of knowledge when He knew the Samaritan woman had five husbands (John 4:18). Ananias also operated in the word of knowledge to know that Saul was praying and had seen in a vision Ananias come to him (Acts 9:11-12).
This gift gives supernatural revelation about people, their secrets, their needs, their destinations, and other details that are unknown. It can reveal sin and expose hidden motives. The word of knowledge is an invaluable gift for intercession and releasing prophetic ministry.
3. Faith
The gift of faith is a special measure of confidence that God will fulfill His promises or meet a specific need. It is the God-given ability to believe God without doubt and take Him at His Word. It releases extraordinary confidence in God regarding His will, His plans, and His purposes.
In the Old Testament, Caleb operated in God-given faith to believe Israel could conquer the giants in Canaan because God had promised to give them the land (Numbers 13:30). Elijah also exercised the gift of faith to believe God would rain down fire on Mount Carmel and consume his waterlogged sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36-38).
In the New Testament, the disciples operated in the gift of faith when Jesus commanded them to feed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). Stephen also exercised great faith when he was martyred, praying for the forgiveness of his killers (Acts 7:60).
The gift of faith releases confidence in God’s ability to meet needs, move mountains, and fulfill God’s promises. It allows God to do the impossible. This gift is essential for miracles, divine blessings, and supernatural provision.
4. Healing
The gift of healing is the supernatural ability to bring physical, mental, or spiritual healing and restoration to people through the power of the Holy Spirit. It releases God’s healing virtue and removes sickness from those who are suffering.
In the Old Testament, the prophet Elisha exercised the gift of healing when he purified the water supply in Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22) and brought the Shunammite woman’s son back from the dead (2 Kings 4:8-37).
In the New Testament, Jesus frequently healed all kinds of sickness and disease with just a word or touch (Matthew 4:23). The apostles also moved in the gift of healing, with Peter and John healing the crippled beggar at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-10).
This gift brings the healing power of Christ into circumstances of sickness, infirmity, oppression and emotional brokenness. God’s desire is for people to be whole, and this gift releases His healing into broken lives.
5. Miracles
The gift of miracles is a special ability to manifest signs and wonders that demonstrate the reality of God’s power. It releases the creative power of God to change impossible circumstances and supernaturally intervene in earthly realities.
In the Old Testament, God worked miracles through Moses by parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and providing food from heaven (Exodus 16:11-18). Both Elijah and Elisha worked miracles, including stopping the rain (1 Kings 17:1), multiplying oil (2 Kings 4:1-7), and raising the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24).
In the New Testament, Jesus performed many miracles like turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33) and feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21). The early apostles worked miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:12).
The gift of miracles releases God’s supernatural intervention to change circumstances and do the impossible. This gift demonstrates God’s extravagant glory and mighty power at work on earth.
6. Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is a special ability to publicly speak forth God’s message to His people. It is receiving direct revelation from God and declaring it in a timely and relevant manner for understanding, correction, repentance or edification.
In the Old Testament, prophets like Samuel (1 Samuel 3:19-21), Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8-12), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10), and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 3:16-21) demonstrated this gift. Prophets would speak on God’s behalf, often foretelling future events.
In the New Testament, the prophet Agabus gave prophecies (Acts 11:27-28), as did Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32). But prophecy is not just foretelling the future. It also brings edification, exhortation and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3). The gift of prophecy must be tested and weighed carefully (1 Corinthians 14:29).
This gift allows believers to speak God’s heart directly to the Church. It brings correction, inspiration and encouragement from the Lord. Prophecy illuminates God’s plans and applies the Word to current circumstances.
7. Discerning of Spirits
The gift of discerning spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to clearly recognize what spirit motivates a person, statement or situation. It perceives whether something is inspired by good or evil spirits.
In the Old Testament, Samuel operated in this gift when he recognized an evil spirit was tormenting Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-15). The prophet Micaiah also discerned a deceiving spirit in King Ahab’s prophets (1 Kings 22:21-23).
In the New Testament, Jesus exercised the gift of discerning spirits when he encountered the woman at the well (John 4:16-19) and the Samaritan woman with five husbands (John 4:17-19). Peter also discerned the lies and deception in Ananias and Sapphira’s hearts (Acts 5:1-11).
This gift distinguishes between spirits and their motivations. It is invaluable for unmasking demonic activity and releasing prophetic revelation. Discerning of spirits protects and guides the church against deception and error.
8. Tongues
The gift of tongues is the ability to supernaturally speak, worship or pray in a language unknown to the speaker. This gift allows a believer to offer prayer and praise to God in the Spirit’s language, bypassing the limits of human language.
There are no clear Old Testament examples of individuals speaking in tongues, although the prophets sometimes entered prophetic states through music (1 Samuel 10:5-13) or the Spirit’s presence (Numbers 11:24-25).
In the New Testament, speaking in tongues was promised by Jesus before His ascension (Mark 16:17). At Pentecost, the early believers spoke in tongues (Acts 2:1-13). The gift of tongues was often manifested when believers were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-48).
This gift builds up the individual believer (1 Corinthians 14:4) and expresses worship and prayer to God beyond human language (1 Corinthians 14:2). However, without interpretation it does not build up the church (1 Corinthians 14:5-13).
9. Interpretation of Tongues
The gift of interpretation of tongues is a supernatural ability to understand and translate an unknown tongue into an intelligible language. It enables the meaning of a tongue to be made clear so that the church can be edified.
In the Old Testament, there are no direct examples of interpretation of tongues being manifested.
In the New Testament, interpretation of tongues is first seen in Scripture at Pentecost, where tongues-speech was miraculously translated into known languages (Acts 2:4-12). In church gatherings where tongues was manifested, interpretation was essential so everyone could understand (1 Corinthians 14:13, 27-28).
This gift enables the church to understand messages in tongues that would otherwise be mysterious to them. It allows the meaning of the tongue to be clarified for edification. The interpretation should align with the message of the tongue.
Conclusion
These 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit are manifestations of God’s power given to believers so the church can be built up and God can be glorified. Not every Christian will exhibit all these gifts, but the Holy Spirit distributes them to each one for the common good as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
The gifts provide supernatural wisdom, revelation, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, diverse tongues, and interpretation of tongues. They empower Christians to walk in victory, minister in power, spread the Gospel, and edify the church.
Every believer can eagerly desire these gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1) as they yield themselves fully to the Holy Spirit. The gifts are essential equipments for the church to display the fullness of God’s grace and truth.
As Christians pursue intimacy with the Holy Spirit and sensitivity to His voice, they position themselves to move in these gifts as He directs. The gifts of the Spirit bring the reality of God’s kingdom into the world and provide divine solutions to human problems.
The gifts are not given for selfish purposes but to minister God’s love and power to those who desperately need Him. They are central to the mission of God on earth and instrumental in turning hearts to Jesus.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit reveal God’s heart, display His power, and equip believers to walk in victory. They bring glory to Jesus and release the tangible presence of God to change lives, circumstances, cities, and nations!