There are three kinds of spiritual gifts. Unlike the vocational gifts of Ephesians 4 and the personality gifts of Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 describes how the Holy Spirit supernaturally shows up in our lives to minister to people. This class of spiritual gifts is situational. Verses 7-10 list these supernatural manifestations: The word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, the distinguishing of spirits, tongues and the interpretation of tongues.
These gifts weren’t just for early Christians. Sure, 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 is sometimes used to say since we have the Bible, the perfect Word of God, we no longer need the spiritual gifts. The problem? The Bible repeatedly tells us to seek the gifts, especially that we prophesy. Likewise, we’re commanded not to “quench the Spirit” and not to “despise prophetic utterances.” Ultimately, some Christians find the spiritual gifts uncomfortable because they don’t like the responsibility that comes with them. Ignore the doubters and pursue the gifts!
Words of wisdom & words of knowledge
Through words of knowledge and words of wisdom, the Holy Spirit gives us insight into someone’s life that we couldn’t have possibly known naturally. He may prompt us to minister healing, deliverance or offer an encouraging word. The Holy Spirit will give us opportunities to minister if we make ourselves available. For example, the Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” He led them to the exact spots they were supposed to go to and forbade them from preaching in other locations. Likewise, the Spirit told Philip to approach an Ethiopian eunuch and informed Peter to travel with a group of men that He Himself had sent. The eunuch was saved and so was the entire household of Cornelius.
Jesus promised, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” Indeed, we have the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth and lets us know what’s to come. To get a better sense of what God is saying, make a habit of spending time with Him. In the morning, Jesus would go to a secluded place and pray. He frequently went to places where He could get alone time with the Father. It’s important to have quality time like this with God. Jesus said, “when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father.” It’s good to set a regular time to talk to God every day.
Ask the Holy Spirit for words of knowledge and words of wisdom. Tell Him you’re always available to minister. He is extremely creative and quite playful, so be sensitive to any possible communication. Ask Him for clarification when needed.
Faith
Since God wants all men to be saved, He has shed His grace on all men. God’s grace enables us to have faith in Christ; we are saved by grace through faith. No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them first and nobody would believe Christ’s claims if it weren’t for the many ways in which the Father works to convince people of who Jesus is. Ephesians 1:13 details the process of salvation. We hear the Gospel, we believe it, we’re chosen by God for salvation through our faith in Christ and then we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Once we’re in Christ by faith, naturally, we grow in our relationship with Him by faith. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the reality of what’s hoped for and the proof of what is not seen. Faith turns the promises of God, spiritual realities, into physical realities manifested in our lives. This is why Jesus taught us to pray that the Lord’s will “be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Faith is knowing that God is always right and that His word is truth, even if it contradicts what we see. Like 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” All things are possible for those of us who believe. In other words, the reality of heaven gradually becomes present in our lives by faith.
Since every Christian starts out with a measure of faith and we’re able to build ourselves up in faith, the gift of faith described in 1 Corinthians 12 can be developed. Faith comes by hearing and believing the Word of God, so to develop your faith, confess the promises of God out loud. Over time, our default reaction in desperate situations will be extraordinary confidence and complete assurance that the supernatural power of God solves any problem.
Healing
Mark 16:17-20 lists several signs which accompany believers and confirm our preaching. One of them is ministering healing through the laying on of hands. The process is simple: rebuke the evil spirit causing the sickness in the name of Jesus, lay hands and help the person realize they’re healed. For more on ministering healing, consult the following resource: Healing
Miracles
A miracle is the manifestation of the reality of heaven on earth. 1 Corinthians 12:10 states that the working of miracles is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Mark 16:17 promises that miraculous signs in our lives confirm we’re working on behalf of the Lord. In John 14:12, Jesus promised we would do even greater supernatural works than He did. Boldly confess the miracle you expect to happen in faith. For more on miracles, consult the following resource: Miracles
Prophecy
Generally, a prophecy is a message from God for an individual or a group at a specific time. Prophetic words draw us closer to God. 1 Corinthians 14:3 notes that anyone who prophesies speaks to other people for edification, exhortation and consolation. 1 Corinthians 14:1 says we should earnestly desire all spiritual gifts, but especially the gift of prophecy. Now, New Testament prophecy isn’t perfect. We know in part and we prophesy in part. In humility and with a love for the truth, we should test all prophetic words. Like 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.” A genuine prophetic word will always get us seeking God.
Like words of wisdom and words of knowledge, prophetic revelation comes by paying attention to the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 14:26 makes it clear that prophetic words often come spontaneously in a church meeting. During your set time with the Lord or even during a church gathering, ask God if He has a message that He wants you to share. From there, say whatever He tells you to say.
Distinguishing of spirits
One time, a girl was following Paul and harassing him. He correctly discerned she had a spirit of divination and that she wanted to be delivered, so he cast the demon out in the name of Jesus. In our daily interactions, the Holy Spirit may let us know that the person we’re talking to has a demon. In such a case, binding the demon is the best option. This is because binding can be done without a person’s consent. The afflicted individual can choose to release the bound spirit by submitting to it again, but at least the demon will be immobilized for a short time. For more on binding demons and casting them out, consult the following resource: Deliverance
Tongues & interpretation of tongues
There are two kinds of tongues. First, there’s a private use of tongues for personal edification. Any Spirit-filled Christian can speak in tongues for personal edification. That said, there’s also a public gift of tongues; that’s the type mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12. Unlike tongues for personal edification, this use of speaking in tongues is for the common good. During a church meeting, a person can be moved by the Holy Spirit to give a message in an unknown language and then that person or someone present gives the interpretation. With this public use of tongues, God supernaturally gives a message to a group of believers. 1 Corinthians 14:39 says we shouldn’t forbid speaking in tongues.
Receiving tongues for personal edification
The surest way to be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues for personal edification, as it says in 1 Corinthians 14:2-4, is to plead the blood of Jesus in faith. Leviticus says life is in the blood and spiritual life is in the blood of Jesus. We have a legal right to the promises of God, spiritual realities, by faith in Christ. This is made possible by the blood of Jesus, so we believe God and worship Him by honoring the blood that gave us access to Him in the first place.
Saying “I plead the blood of Jesus” or even repeating the word “blood” in faith is all that’s necessary. It’s not some superstitious formula. Declaring the spiritual reality of the power of the blood of Jesus in faith is what matters. If you’re helping someone else, lay hands on them so they receive the Holy Spirit. Place your hands on the person and declare authoritatively: “Be filled with the Holy Spirit.” If they don’t immediately start speaking in tongues, have them plead the blood. Join them and as they start alternating between pleading the blood and speaking new words, start speaking in tongues with them. For more on pleading the blood, consult the following resource: Pleading the blood