This guy gets it pretty right on the nail even down to what the physical experience of operating in the gifts is like.


9 Gifts of the Holy Spirit

LESSON ONE: THE REVELATION GIFTS

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1 Corinthians 12: 7 - 11)

These Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit are generally categorized in three groups of three. Which are three revelation gifts; three power gifts; three oral gifts.

We shall deal in this first lesson with the three revelation gifts, these are Spiritual gifts that reveal something:

The word of wisdom
The word of knowledge
The discerning of spirits

These gifts operate best in an atmosphere of quiet strong faith. In these gifts the Holy Spirit makes Himself known in divinely imparted knowledge and wisdom and in knowing whether we are dealing with evil spirits, human spirits, or the Divine Spirit.

Let us look first at the word of knowledge then we will better gain an understanding of the word of wisdom.

The Gift of the Word of Knowledge is just that a 'word' or a 'part'. God is all knowing but He does not reveal everything He knows to man. He gives a word or part of what He knows. A word is a fragmentary part of a sentence, so a word of knowledge would simply be a fragmentary part of the entire knowledge or counsel of God.



THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
Let us first look at what the Word of Knowledge is not:

1) Is not natural knowledge.
2) Is not a profound knowledge of the Bible.
3) Is not knowledge of God through close communion with Him.

The Bible has examples of the Word of Knowledge manifest through a vision, a dream, a message from an angel, or through the gift of prophecy, or directly from God to an individual.

Biblical examples of the Word of Knowledge:

1) John on the Isle of Patmos -- Rev. 1: 10-20 -- vision.
2) To Ananias about Paul -- Acts 9: 10 - 12 -- vision.
3) To Peter in Joppa -- Acts 10: 9 - 19 -- vision.
4) To Samuel regarding Saul's donkeys -- 1 Sam. 10:2 -- from God.
5) Jesus at the well with the woman -- John 4: 18 -- from God.
6) Regarding Ananias and Sapphira -- Acts 5: 1 - 4 -- from God.

How do I know how the Gift of the Word of Knowledge operates?

We most likely receive the message from God's Spirit through our human spirit and speak what comes to our mind. To some it is like a screen in our minds and we begin to see the picture frame by frame. Then we begin to describe these frames to the individual. Others may just begin to have an unction by the Spirit to speak and sentence by sentence the thing is revealed, as one thought after another begins to flow.



THE WORD OF WISDOM
The gift of the Word of Wisdom usually works in conjunction with the Word of Knowledge. This Spiritual gift reveals the future and future events. The Old Testament prophets often operated in these gifts as well as the gift of prophecy. The Old Testament prophets often foretold of events in the future, the near as well as the distant.

Let us look at some Biblical examples of The Word of Wisdom:

1) Ananias to Paul -- Acts 9: 10 - 16. Instrument of God
2) Philip and the eunuch -- Acts 8: 26 - 29. Salvation
3) Noah and the Flood -- Gen. 6: 13 - 18. Salvation for a people
4) Joseph's dream -- Gen. 37 - 50 (Gen. 45: 5-8 read). Israel's Salvation
5) Agabus about drought and famine -- Acts 11: 28. Church prepare
6) Paul's shipwreck -- Acts 27: 10. Life to those who hear and obey

There are incidents of which a Word of Wisdom was repealed and did not come to pass. This we will call conditional, depending upon the person's obedience. Hezekiah is an example, 2 Kings 20: 1- 6.

How do I know how the Gift of the Word of Wisdom operates?

This Gift of the Holy Spirit operates in the same manner as The Gift of the Word of Knowledge. Either as a picture in our mind or by faith just opening our mouths. God is faithful to show us the part that is needed to help the individual(s) in there work for the Lord.

Remember that the Gift of the Word of Wisdom gives us the revelation of the plans and purposes in the mind of God.



THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
This gift of the Holy Spirit gives us supernatural insight into the spirit world. "To discern" means to perceive by seeing or hearing. Discerning of spirits is the same as seeing or hearing in the realm of spirits. This gift has a more limited range of operation, because it is limited to a single class of objects -- spirits. It reveals the kind of spirit that is in operation behind a supernatural manifestation, whether evil, human, or Holy Spirit.

What Discerning of Spirits is not:

1) It is not the gift of discernment. Could be Word of Knowledge
2) It is not spiritual mind reading. Not power to discern faults in others
3) It is not just discerning of evil spirits but of human and good spirits.

This Gift is used to help many who are ensnared by Satan, to help the captives be set free. We must remember that supernatural manifestations can come from different sources. Many things that seem to be supernatural or miraculous to us actually do not come from God. Remember that Satan comes as an angel of light and is a supernatural being. Too many people are ready to follow anything that is supernatural or spectacular whether it is of God or not. Supernatural manifestations are not necessarily a demonstration of the Spirit of God. If the Discerning of Spirits is in operation, we can know the spirit behind a given manifestation or operation.

In the book of Acts the 16 chapter verses 16 - 18, we see this gift in operation with Paul.

Usually, a person who has been involved in witchcraft will display what seems to be the valid gift of Discerning of Spirits, when it is nothing more than the working of a familiar spirit.

This gift needs to be in operation more today than ever before. The Body of Christ is being invaded by seducing spirits, doctrines of devils like never before. (1 Tim. 4:1)



LESSON TWO: THE POWER GIFTS
We shall deal in this lesson with the three power gifts, these are Spiritual gifts that do something:

The gift of faith
The working of miracles
The gifts of healing

When we remember that the whole purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is to build up the church, we can see why we must take great care how to use them not bringing confusion in the church by unseemly behavior or presumption.



THE GIFT OF FAITH
As with the other gifts mentioned these gifts of the Spirit are supernatural. In the Amplified Bible this gift is called wonder-working faith.

This gift is more than general faith or saving faith (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 10:17)

The gift of Faith is a gift of the Spirit to the believer in order that he might receive miracles. The working of miracles, on the other hand, is a gift of the Spirit given to the believer that he might work miracles. One gift receives, the other does something.

These gifts operate in conjunction with our faith (Mark 9:23) People who operate in this special gift, the gift of Faith, can believe God in such a way that God honors their word as His own.

We see the gift of Faith in casting out of devils or demons. We need this gift in operation and exercise it as we cast out the demons. When you are casting out demons, you are trusting God to honor your word as His own.

This gift of faith is more of a process and is manifested by the Holy Spirit to enable a person to receive a miracle beyond the capacity of ordinary faith to receive.



THE GIFT OF THE WORKING OF MIRACLES
Under particular circumstances, the 'best' gift may be that gift that is needed at the time. In 1 Cor. 12:31; Paul said to "... covet earnestly the best gifts ...", also He said in 1 Cor. 14:1; " ... desire spiritual gifts ...".

A miracle can be defined as a supernatural intervention by God in the ordinary course of nature.

A look at the gift of working of miracles in the Bible:

1) Moses on Egypt -- Exodus 7 - 14.
2) Elijah and the widow woman's cruse of oil -- 1 Kings 17: 8 - 16.
3) Jesus feeding the five thousand -- John 6: 5 -14.
4) Divine judgment on Ananias and Sapphira -- Acts 5: 1 - 10.
5) Paul to Elymas the sorcerer -- Acts 13: 4 - 12.
6) Jesus speaking to the sea -- Mark 4: 39.

The gift of Working of Miracles could also be called the working of acts of power. The Greek for Miracles is the word "dunamis", translated acts of power, explosions of almightiness or impelling, staggering wonders or astonishments.

The Working of miracles is the mighty power of God flowing through a person. The same power that created the universe.

Why don't we see this gift more in the Body of Christ? Because we do not earnestly desire spiritual gifts. If someone desires something, he is going to make an effort in that direction in order to see what he desires to come to pass. The word 'covet' means earnestly desire. Many are not very earnest about making sure there desires are fulfilled. Start praying for the fullness of the spiritual gifts to be in manifestation.



THE GIFTS OF HEALING
The gifts of healing are manifested for the supernatural healing of sickness and disease without any natural source or means. These are, as you will notice, in the plural tense. There are many manifestations to these gifts. Being that God uses different personalitys and each of us operate differently.

Jesus said "freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8). The gifts of healing and other methods of divine healing are supernatural. As we receive of the Holy Spirit let us give to those who are in need freely. Healings were in prominence in Jesus' ministry. In John 14: 12; "Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; even greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father."

Some people have a greater success in some areas of healing than others.

1 Corinthians 12: 30 states; "Have all the gifts of healing?" The answer of course is, no. This ministry gift is for the person to bless others.



LESSON THREE: THE ORAL GIFTS
In this lesson we will deal with the three oral gifts, these are Spiritual gifts that say something:

The gift of prophecy
The gift of diverse kinds of tongues
The gift of interpretation of tongues

These gifts are not very well received in some congregations. The gift of prophecy, if used in the congregation, would bring edification, encouragement, and comfort to the Body of Christ. It takes the gift of tongues and interpretation to equal prophecy. 1 Cor. 14:5 says; "... greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in tongues, except he interpret...".



THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue. The Hebrew of "to prophesy" is to flow forth, to bubble forth like a fountain, to let drop, to lift up, to tumble forth, to spring forth. The Greek word "prophesy" means to speak for another. We are told to desire to prophesy (1 Cor. 14: 1, 39).

Those who prophesy are not prophets, for in the office of a prophet there would be other gifts in operation.

Example of the Gift of Prophecy:

1) Paul at Philips house -- Acts 21: 8- 11

We need to be very careful about personal prophecies, lives can be ruined through the misuse of this gift. That is why there is a need to practice in the Body where we can be corrected.



THE GIFT OF DIVERSE KINDS OF TONGUES
Diverse kinds of tongues is supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue. It is languages never learned by the speaker, nor understood by the speaker, nor understood by the hearer. It has nothing at all to do with linguistic ability, with the mind or the intellect of man.

When bringing forth tongues in a meeting or praying we should desire to interpret. (1 Cor. 14: 13 - 15) The Holy Spirit should give us the unction to bring forth tongues in a public meeting. tongues are for a sign to the unbelievers. (1 Cor. 14: 22)



THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES
The interpretation of tongues is a supernatural showing forth of that which has been said in an unknown tongue. It is not translation of tongues; it is the interpretation of tongues.

This gift is the least of all the gifts because it depends upon another gift --diverse kinds of tongues -- in order to operate.

The purpose of this gift is to render understanding of tongues to the hearers so that the whole congregation may be edified.

Tongues may be short but the interpretation may be long, to give a clear understanding of what God is saying.

1 Corinthians 14:27 gives us a scriptural understanding of tongues and its interpretation.



by David A. Brogdon
http://www.itseasywithjesus.com/holy-spirit.html

There's a family that comes to church each Sunday with all their foster kids...3-4 downs kids. I love sitting near them. One of the sweet little boys comes with his monkey each week and rocks back and forth to the music hugging his friend.. Another baby with crossed eyes...I kept saying to God "Why don't l lay hands on the little baby Lord?" I felt the Spirit move one Sunday but did nothing. I had to ask God to forgive me and give me another chance and that if it worked out that l was sitting behind them again l would act. Well l kind of forgot about it and then last Sunday they were sitting in front of me and a song began and right in the middle of the song i remembered...Oh my Gosh...I can't even tell you how moving this was.
Here's the song..not sure who it's by:

Lord hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breathe life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on Your name
Would You make this a place for Your glory to dwell

Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to Your people
As we draw near
Hear us from Heaven
Touch our generation
We are Your people
Crying out in desperation

Hear us from Heaven
Hear us from Heaven
Hear us from Heaven

The women that was holding this baby is someone who likes to help out the mother...A grandmotherly type who holds this baby every Sunday. I didn't want to freak her out, so l gently put my hands on her shoulder first to let her know someone was going to be touching her.. I think our whole section was moved and l couldn't stop myself.. My hand just loved the women and then l reached and slowly put my hand on the babies little head and gently touched his cheek and l could feel the scary power of the Lord in and through me.. It made me have an irregular heart beat..Maybe l'm not called into this ministry...It would probably give me a heart attack.. Don't know about the baby as l was distracted after service by other things...but l do know our section had a Holy Ghost moment..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq1kIrATT-M

This was a terrific article Researcher....thank you.

Thanks Miki! Wow, that's awesome. When the Spirit drops down, He shows up powerfully so people can get healed, and yes, the heart beats fast when it happens! I noticed that and thought it was just God's way of getting our attention when he wants us to do something. Like, a matter of urgency. When I was a new Christian many years ago, a bunch of people were praying for this young lady who had cancer and was in a wheelchair because of it. I went up to the front of the church to watch them pray to see if anything was going to happen. Right then, the HS started saying "Get Up!" over and over and over in my mind. It just kept repeating and repeating, and, my heart was beating Super fast. Fear gripped me because I was at the front of a large church and a lot of people were there. That was the only time I didn't reach out and do what He said in a healing instant and chalk it up to fear. I know He would have dropped down if I would have jumped and said what he told me to say. The lady was walking a few weeks later after chemo, so, it turned out ok, but, it was one of those moments you regret for not stepping out. That was a long time ago, and, God put more instances like that in my way at which, I fought the massive fear that was there, and, stepped out and did what He said. And sure enough, He drops down Massively, and, people are Healed! The scariest one was in a crowded mall in Santa Rosa for a guy having a grand mal seizure. WOW! Now that was Scary! But, the Spirit dropped down Massively and everyone watching was totally Amazed, and the guy got up! That was the most powerful healing instance I've ever had. I think we learn that God is happy when we overcome the fear, and, do what he says cause, he sends us places for a reason, and, we're supposed to be the Light!!!! Super cool!!!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing Miki!

You're welcome...the heart thing wasn't fear though...It was the Spirits presences. I felt it go through me. It was different...different then the sensation of fear that makes your heart beat fast. My heart is a little funny at time anyway...age and such...I hope l get to talk to the grandma this week. Whether the child is healed or not l did what l felt led to do..

It bothers me not to pray for the sick. I want to all the time and so does my prayer partner (thank God l have someone like that)..Most people though, just say " Oh...I'll be praying for you" and walk away..Goodness. PRAY RIGHT THEN AND THERE IN JESUS NAME. Where ever...In a grocery store, in the mall, on the elevator... Most people will thank you for it. It touches people. Especially unbelievers when you out an out pray for them. It's something they can't imagine doing in a million years.

When l worked with the severely retarded we use to get Grand Mall seizures nearly every Sunday..Right around the time we would pray or read scripture...
I didn't know to much about healing at that time but always wanted to run up anyway and pray but didn't...

I've been having a thing lately about healing and that gift. It's not my gift..mind runs more in line with prophetic... It's one thing to do it online...but it's hard to do in your church....and agonize over it until it's received and confirmed...In the beginning l couldn't quite get it together...but the Lord has helped me greatly and confirmed what l had the faith to deliver...In a church that's not very charismatic..At least with healing you can blame it on the Lord...
A word is a little different. This has taken years..Not only to hear the Lord but also years in the same church to garner respect and live life as a witness.

My words come in different ways...Sometimes with a dream or vision..Sometimes with the signs around me or through an ordinary incident. Sometimes he will just speak a word...He confirms it before l deliver it. Then l have to trust that the one receiving will have it confirmed for them to.. I'm glad l'm starting to understand how God works better though because it gives me confidence to go forward.

My hardest thing is to stay simple. It's hard not to speculate. The neat thing is though...when God gives a word or sign and you deliver he adds to it...maybe a couple of days down the road..or a week... whatever. He continues to grow the word and begins to paint a picture with it one piece of manna at a time. When l first realized he would do this i got excited because l knew then l wouldn't have to rely on one word alone but that when spoken and received he would continue as long as l would stay before him and live humbly and with out to much flesh mixed in.

Thanks Researcher, that's interesting.
Miki, I liked what you shared, we should all be stepping out and praying more. I went to this new mother's group today and one of the woman was in pain, so I suggested we prayed before we left... the girl holding it seemed a bit shy to do this but I felt "why not?", like why should it be such a big deal? We should always be bringing our requests to God because it makes sense that He will do something if we ask, so why do we go round delaying and trying to brush things aside, waiting for things to go away or thinking we can sort them out ourselves? Why don't we just jump in there and pray more, it's not like we need to jump through any hoops to reach God...

I like your attitude Shine...

Sorry Miki! I forgot about this topic. Lol. Yes, I don't believe the fear in my case was coming from God, but, another spirit trying to make me afraid to do what I was told. It was a supernatural fear that went beyond logic and common sense. I believe God allowed the fear so I would overcome it. As for the heart beating faster, that I believe was a byproduct of the Holy Spirit coming down powerfully. There are some cool verses about the physical effects of the HS coming down on people in the OT. Very interesting stuff.

1Sa 10:6 And the Spirit of Jehovah will be powerful on you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be turned into another man. Wow! Awesome ay!

Eze 3:14 So the Spirit lifted me up, and took me away; and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; and the hand of Jehovah was strong upon me.

1Sa 11:6 And the Spirit of God came powerfully on Saul when he heard these words, and his anger glowed greatly.

Jdg 14:6 And the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily on him. And he tore it as the cleaving of a kid. And there was nothing in his hand; and he did not tell his father and his mother what he had done.

The physical effects of the Spirit dropping down on someone. Very Cool!

I never had an experience as you have...I hope I will but not yet. I did have an "event" when I was physically saved. And...it was "very cool!"


My husband and I were looking over a home under construction and I was in front of him as we descended a staircase...with no rails. In a split second I felt myself fall and at the same time some powerful force, huge energy...stopped me. I was so shaken I couldn't speak...not from the near fall but from the energy that surrounded me. My husband didn't even notice and it was so personally overwhelming I didn't speak about it for a time.

It was.....VERY cool! That happened when I was just beginning to search for Him. He found me first! I hope someday I'll be able to "pay it back" to another by having an experience such as you have but....until then and if He decides that is what is in store for me...I'll keep doing what I can by asking Him to guide my life and keeping my eyes and ears open so I'll know.

WoW That Is Cool!

That's a lot of power to stop someone from falling down stairs. The HS moved me through a crowd once, simply amazing. I put that up somewhere, I forget where. I guess God had other things planned for you than taking a down the stairs nose dive! Excellent!
You just reminded me a cool "power" story, lol. I'll put it up after some apt. cleanup, lol.

Thanks for that story WW! Very cool!