Embracing The Greater Gifts of the Spirit
Did you know that some gifts of the Spirit are considered greater than others? Yes! Although all the gifts of the Spirit are from God and equally important, some are considered greater. This article will delve into the gifts of the Spirit and reveal how to embrace and cultivate the greater gifts of the Spirit.
Scriptural Reference
And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:28-31 NIV)
Meaning of the Gifts of the Spirit
Let’s first determine the meaning of a gift to better understand the meaning of the gifts of the Spirit.
What is a Gift?
A gift is something given to someone without requiring payment or compensation. Two qualities must be inherent before something given to a person can be regarded as a gift. First, the receiver is not permitted to pay or compensate the giver. It’s free of any form of charge. Second, the receiver becomes the rightful owner of the thing for life, meaning that the giver of a gift cannot take it back at any time.
For example, if a man buys his wife a car on her birthday, you will call it a birthday gift. Since the man gave the vehicle to the wife as a gift, she will not pay or compensate him for it. Also, the car becomes hers forever. Even if the couple divorces in the future, the vehicle will still belong to the woman.
The Gifts of The Spirits
The gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us are called the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:4 NKJV). The Holy Spirit releases these gifts to us to serve others for the benefit of everyone ( 1 Peter 4:10 NKJV, 1 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV). Examples of the gifts include the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, the gift of teaching, the gift of faith, the gift of tongues, and the gift of interpretation of tongues.
The Holy Spirit, not prayer, determines the number and size of the gifts everyone receives (1 Corinthians 12:11 NKJV). Like every gift, anyone who receives the gifts becomes the legal owner for life. Put differently, the gifts are irrevocable (Romans 11:29 NIV). No one can lose the gifts given to them by God.
How Many Gifts Of The Spirit Exist?
Although popular Christian teaching states we have nine gifts, we have uncountable gifts of the Spirit. The wrong teaching mentions nine of the gifts the Apostle Paul used for illustrations in 1 Corinthians 12 NKJV as the entire gifts of the Spirit:
- The gifts of the spirit of wisdom
- The gift of word of knowledge
- The gift of prophecy
- The gift of healing
- The gift of teaching
- The gift of faith
- The gift of discerning spirits
- The gift of tongues
- The gift of interpretation of tongues
However, if you examine 1 Corinthians 12:28 NKJV, you will see more gifts: help, administration, and apostleship gifts. Apostle Paul also mentioned another exciting gift in 1 Corinthians 13:2 NKJV — the gift of understanding of mysteries. Hence, we don’t have just nine gifts of the Spirit. The truth is that the entire church cannot use only nine gifts. Do you agree with me that singing is a gift? Yes, it is! We have uncountable gifts of the Spirit, but the Apostle Paul used only a few for illustration.
Covet the Greater Gifts of the Spirit
Although there are many gifts of the Spirit, and they are powerful, today’s scripture says we should eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31 NIV). The Apostle Paul explained that the gifts of the Spirits will not always be necessary (1 Corinthians 13:8 EASY) and that faith, hope and love will remain even after the gifts of the Spirit end (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV). So, the greater gifts are faith, hope, and love, which are gifts that will never come to an end. He also asserted that love is the greatest of all (1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV).
The Meaning of Faith
Faith, derived from the Greek word “pistis,” is a powerful force. It means trust and belief in God as the creator and ruler of all things. Through this faith, we receive the transformative gift of eternal salvation bestowed upon us by Jesus Christ.
The Meaning of Hope
Hope comes from the Greek word “elpis,” which means the expectation of eternal salvation.
The Meaning of Love
Love, known as “agape” in Greek, is the purest form of love emanating from God towards us, His beloved children. It means benevolence or charity.
Cultivating Greater Gifts
The gifts of the Spirit are vital, but the greater gifts are much more essential. One can have all the gifts of the Spirits and still be nothing without the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1-2 NKJV). But if you have the greater gifts without the gifts of the Spirit, you can still succeed as a believer. The gifts of the spirit will eventually not be necessary, but greater gifts, love, faith, and hope, will never come to an end.
Today’s scripture says we should eagerly desire the greater gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31 NIV). Therefore, I urge you to eagerly desire and practise the greater gifts, and you will not only receive your heart desires but have a cordial relationship with God.
Further Study
1 Peter 4:10 NKJV
Prayer Point
Heavenly Father, I ask for the grace to eagerly desire and practise the greater gifts in Jesus’ name.
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