I really like fantasy & science fiction. Most of my favorite movies appeal to my fascination with that which is magical, supernatural, otherworldly. My 2 favorite movie series of all time are the sagas of Star Wars and the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings. I can totally nerd-out on that stuff…try me! I also like stories about crazy, fantastic abilities that come to normal human beings, like the X-men and Agents of Shield (though I try to filter out the cheese-factor!). It’s super interesting to me how popular these kinds of themes are in our post-Christian, mostly-atheistic society. There will always be a few wack-jobs who believe whatever Hollywood throws at them, but 99.9% of the population knows that “fantasy” is just that…fantastical, make-believe, allegorical. The interesting part is how these ideas get interwoven into the fabric of peoples’ subconscious belief systems about life, relationships, & reality. Whole religions have been built out of these imaginations (i.e. Scientology). Alternate explanations plague the religious landscape of our so-called enlightened culture with myriad flavors & options. There’s a huge fascination with these types of themes right now…as if people are hungry for it.
Now, I’m not getting ready to say that I believe in fairies or dragons or x-ray vision, don’t worry. However, I do think that the hunger within many people for MORE than what we see on the surface of our mundane existence belies a very real truth that we all instinctively hunger for…because it was breathed into us by our Creator. What am I eluding to? That each one of us, as a created masterpiece, was designed with a unique personal profile and latent spiritual abilities that were designed to connect us with others toward purposes that are way bigger than us. Yes, we really are super heroes in a grand storyline; but the defining narratives for these supernatural abilities are not found in Hollywood’s movies or self-actualization books or visits with mediums …they’re found in the ancient scriptures and fueled by the Spirit of Almighty God.
”There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
First, let me start with what Spiritual Gifts ARE NOT:
- Yours – Spiritual gifts do not originate from you, and are not “for” you. They are meant to be used for the benefit of others. This was one of the primary errors of the Corinthian Christians to whom the Apostle Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians. Read through chapters 12, 13, and 14, and you’ll see what I mean. They were focusing on the gifts themselves, rather than the giver or each other….which is the whole point. God’s purpose isn’t to give you gifts. His purpose is to love you and to love others through you by the activity of His Spirit; filling you up to overflowing so you bleed out His presence into those around you in ways that are alien to your earthly nature… yet make you more alive than you’ve ever been!
- The same as your natural talents. Physical agility is not a spiritual gift, nor is musical ability, nor is working with children; yet I’ve heard all of these referred to as spiritual gifts. We need to be careful to let the Bible say what it says and not make it say what it doesn’t. For example, the athlete who uses his physical agility for God’s glory may be exercising FAITH, which is a spiritual gift, but his physical ability is a natural talent…..the musician who dedicates her craft to lead others in worshipping the Lord in a church gathering may be exercising EXHORTATION…the guy who teaches the 4th grade boys Sunday School class may be exercising TEACHING. Distinctions are important so that we remain focused on the God stuff and separate it from the human stuff…lest we make God in our own image or make a mockery of His supernatural character.
- Determined by a man-made test – When I was in college, I took my first “spiritual gifts inventory” test. It wasn’t online, because there was no such thing as online yet…it was on paper then, but now there are lots of different tests available on the web that claim to tell you what your spiritual gifts are. To me, honestly, this is absolute hogwash. The basis for these tests is personality theory; which is totally legitimate and helpful, but 1) it’s not a clear corollary to spiritual gifts, 2) my evaluation of myself is probably the least trustworthy source for how I operate in community with others. Spiritual gifts are expressions of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in Jesus’ people and enables them to do what they could never do without Him. Often, scripture gives us glimpses of spiritual gifts activity that is totally outside the control of the recipients. Also, gifts are ALWAYS spoken of in scripture in terms of community with other members of the Body of Christ. If anyone is going to tell you what your gifts are, it’s going to be the Body of believer who know & love you….not some super smart strangers who made a test for you to take!
- Meant to service your church’s programmatic needs – Often, an emphasis on spiritual gifts by local churches coincides with a push for more volunteers…like holes that need to be filled in the children’s classes, parking lot, or in the band. Now, there’s nothing wrong with any of those things, and honestly when you’re part of a local church of any size & shape, you need to be contributing toward the needs of the congregation & programs that you’re benefitting from in some way. Like if you live in a house with other people, you have be willing to take your turn emptying the dishwasher or cleaning the toilet or whatever your job is…cuz if you’re not you’re being a jerk. But that’s not “spiritual gifts”…. that’s just simple Responsibility 101. Spiritual gifts go on top of that.
- At your beck & call – In Jesus’ famous conversation with Nicodemus (see John 3), He said “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” The Greek word translated as “wind” and “spirit” come from the same root. In other words, the Spirit cannot be contained or bridled. Your Spiritual Gift is a function of God’s desire at work in your circumstances to accomplish His will, rather than God’s power for you to wield in controlling your circumstances according to your desire. Try to say that 5-times fast!
- Automatic – We get mixed-up about this, partly because we’re saved by God’s grace rather than our own effort…so we can tend to believe that everything about our relationship with God is free. However, the gifts don’t work like that; they must be cultivated by faith (Romans 12:6), continued practice (1 Timothy 4:7 & Hebrews 5:14) and connection with the Body (Romans 12:4-6). Spiritual gifts are like muscles; they need to be fed & worked & trained in order to perform in ways that produce results.
Ok, that’s enough for now. Part 2 will focus on what Spiritual Gifts ARE!
EXTRA CREDIT: SOME MAJOR SCRIPTURES REGARDING SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Ephesians 4:11-12
1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-30
Romans 12:3-8
8 replies on “Spiritual Gifts 1 – What They Are NOT”
Right On, Shawn. Spiritual gifts are only to be given away, that is to serve others. Possibly the more conscious we are of 'using our spiritual gifts' the less effective they may be…..and the less 'spiritual'.
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is that of speaking in tongues. The fear of and the misuse of this gift has created some of the biggest controversies and divisions in the Body of Christ. Some who are strongly against it say that when the Bible was completed and/or the apostles died that this gift "ceased' and is no longer available for use. Some believe that unless you speak in tongues, you are not saved. Others believe that what is being manifested today as speaking in tongues, is of the devil and inspired demons. Some say that it is a dialect, the communication language of all the different people groups in the world. Others say that there is also a "private prayer language" that the Holy Spirit gives and makes available to all believers, that it is available for each person, different for each person and it can be for the edification of that person and the other believers present, when interpreted. Some who believe it is operating today don’t allow it to be used when believers are gathered together, while others welcome it during that time. There are also those who allow it to operate during the gathering of believers without interpretation and others, only if there is an interpretation. There may be more scenarios, but I will continue moving forward.
“Call to Order"
I Corinthians 14:4-5
Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
Editorial
Speaking in tongues edifies the person doing it and is 'equal' to prophecy, when interpreted. Paul would like everyone to speak in tongues, with interpretation.
Verse 13
For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
Editorial
The person speaking in tongues can interpret what they are saying.
Verses 14-15
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
Editorial
A person can pray with their spirit, without understanding and sing with their spirit, without understanding. They can also pray and sing with their spirit, with understanding. They are praising God and giving thanks but not edifying others when praying or singing without understanding
(Continuing from previous page)
Verse 18
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
Editorial
Paul spoke in tongues a lot, apparently enjoyed it and praised God doing it.
Verses 27-28
If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
Editorial
When the members of the Body of Christ are gathered, that's how it's done. Two or three can do it and it is to be interpreted. The person speaking in tongues can start and stop doing it, so it is not out of their control.
Verses 29-31
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker stops and sits down. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
Editorial
The ‘prophesier’ stands up and ‘gives way’ to someone sitting down who gets a revelation. Not just one person does all the talking when the members of the Body of Christ are gathered, everyone can prophesy in turn.
Verses 34-35
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
Editorial
Verses 36-38
If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, LET THEM ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WHAT I AM WRITING IS THE LORD'S COMMAND. BUT IF ANYONE IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED.
Verses 39-40
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
Editorial
We are brothers and sisters in Christ, be eager to prophesy when something is revealed to you, don’t prevent someone from speaking in tongues, if interpreted, and Holy Spirit structure is a fitting thing. So again, my question again is, “Who gets to decide which teachings and commands we are to obey and which ones, were for ‘back then?’ In other words, when do we get the privilege of becoming a dispensationalist?
What constitutes a church and what is your Scriptural basis?
Please forgive my tardy responses, Gearsdad! Yes, I concur with everything here, except that I would tend to use a different word in your editorial on verse 13…keeping Paul's word "may" instead of your word "can."
Good stuff here too, Gearsdad. I notice that you didn't include an editorial on verses 34-35 regarding women. This, one of the "silent verses," is a whole other ball of wax which won't try to tackle at the moment. To answer your question "who gets to decide," I think that all of us do, to the best of our ability, exposure to the real true God, and our maturity in walking with Him….which means that we're going to come up with a lot of different answers…which has to be ok. We tend to appreciate "certainty", things that are either this or that, black or white. But in the Lord there is a lot of gray, yes? Circumstances & perspective & history all have an effect on secondary issues. Like when Paul talked about eating meat sacrificed to pagan gods, etc. I say unity in the essentials and liberty in the non-essentials…and my list of essentials is pretty short.
Church is when 2 or more gather in His Name. "In His Name" confers more than just the title of being a "Christian"… it's more like walking in Him, valuing what He valued, doing what He did, repenting when we don't, loving all, etc.
Not sure what you mean about my scriptural basis?