I stated previously that some had been taught that God gave them a spiritual gift. It may be the gift of "helps" or "mercy." Suppose someone needs prayer for deliverance or healing. The person praying for them would need the gift of discernment to determine the root of the problem. They would also need to ask God for the supernatural ability to speak a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom, prophecy, or the gift of healing to help the person. The supernatural gifts are available to have and possess, not just for the healing and restoration of the person being prayed for.
For example, if I give a new car as a birthday gift, who possesses the gift? The person I give it to or me? It is a sick person that needs the gift of healing. When God heals someone, they receive the gift of healing.
All of the fullness of God dwells in Jesus. He possesses every gift.
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9-10 NKJV)
Jesus dwells in the Christian! Since they have all of God in them, they have all the gifts at their disposal because they are His holy temple!
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV)
Greater is He that is IN you than the enemy of this world!
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4 NIV)
The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in every Christian!
"And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you." (Romans 8:9-11 NIV)
Remember, they possess ALL the glorious riches of Jesus, the Hope of Glory!
"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27 NIV)
Everything God has is to be used through them, as the body, to impart the work, so all the gifts of the Spirit flow. When they operate in the anointing, praying for the sick six to eight hours a day, they need access to those gifts to use them. It's not the gift that makes them strong but what they do with them. As they use the gift, it begins to grow.
The purpose of the gifting is to provide what is necessary to bring the person into a place of forgiveness, repentance, and restoration. The gifts of the Spirit are very powerful because they are working from Jesus within them.
Walking naturally in the anointing begins once there is a surrender to God of ALL emotions, dreams, desires, ambitions, aspirations, intellect, talent, experience, and knowledge. Christians can only experience the power of the Resurrection AFTER they are declared dead.
The purpose of the supernatural gifts is to provide what is necessary to bring a lost person to Jesus and into a place of forgiveness, repentance, and restoration.
A. Anointed to Know
The English word "know" can be defined as the ability to be aware of truth or to perceive directly, to be convinced or confident, have a practical or experiential understanding. (Merriam-Webster) This definition can be applied in the spiritual realm for the following three spiritual manifestation gifts of the Holy Spirit.
1. The Word of Wisdom
One spiritual manifestation gift that provides divine insight is the "Word of Wisdom." The word "word" is translated from the Greek word Logos meaning the spoken word rather than the written word.
The word "wisdom" comes from the Greek word 'sophia' and denotes a wise application of knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight.
The Gift of the Word of Wisdom enables a person to express the Holy Spirit's leading and guidance of how and when to make a correct, clear, and concise judgment or decision that reaches beyond human knowledge and intellect on behalf of another. It is not the ability to discern a situation, make a decision with unusual common sense, or study the Bible for 'new' revelations.
Tyler had a friend come to him for guidance regarding making an important decision about his future that could have severe long-term consequences if he chose the wrong course of action. Tyler prayed for his friend and sought God's wisdom on his behalf. He shared the words he believed the Holy Spirit was giving him to say with his friend, who received the advice.
A few weeks later, Tyler learned that his friend's decision was best for him and his family. The Word of Wisdom he gave helped to bring a positive transformation into his friend's life.
The Word of Wisdom is vital to helping share God's wisdom, revelation, knowledge, and understanding in ways that will bless those they meet and lead others into all that God has for them.
2. The Word of Knowledge
The Word of Knowledge is a supernatural revelation by the Holy Spirit of specific facts in the mind of God. It is not natural learning, ability, or a unique or intensified knowledge of the Bible.
The word "knowledge" is the Greek word 'gnosis,' which means fully knowing something and understanding complete insight. It is knowledge received from the Holy Spirit and unique awareness of God when He desires to enable a person to effectively minister to the needs of others at a moment's notice. God supernaturally gives them knowledge and understanding of a specific situation or circumstance and insight into overcoming the enemy's strategies. It will never contradict or add to the Bible.
Martin had a co-worker who came to him because he knew that Martin was a man of integrity and could be trusted based on the reputation he had at work. The co-worker told him in confidence that he was aware that their employer was about to sign a business contract with a company they had never done business with. The potential effects of the deal could mean a dramatic increase in revenue. However, Martin had an immediate check within his spirit that something wasn't right and decided to look into it.
The company had performed proper due diligence, and an initial background investigation didn't raise any concerns. Martin remained disturbed in his spirit over this and, after much prayer and fasting, decided to step out in faith and tell His employer that he felt God was telling him something wasn't right about this other company. He recommended that his employer perform a more extensive background investigation.
The employer knew that Martin had proven himself reliable and trustworthy time and time again in the workplace and that he was an exemplary employee. He received Martin's suggestion and called for more background research on the other company and its management team. The investigation results confirmed Martin's warning, and his employer was able to avoid what could have been a business and financial nightmare based on the information discovered.
3. Discerning of Spirits
Discerning of Spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to perceive the source of a spiritual manifestation or teaching and determine whether it is of God, the enemy, or man (Acts 8:18-23,10:30-35,16:16-18). It provides insight into the supernatural world.
The word 'discerning' is from the Greek word 'diakrisis,' which means distinguishing, passing judgment, appraising, and perceiving differences. The 'gift' is mentioned only once in Scripture and used three times in the New Testament regarding the differentiation of good and bad teaching, opinions of a new Christian versus one mature in the faith, and good and evil (Romans 14:1; Hebrews 5:14).
Marcie is the parent of a Boy Scout and was a member of the event planning committee for her son's troupe. One of their events would require more adults to help supervise all the boys attending. Because the game would be short-staffed, they had to advertise for volunteers. Many men applied, and two were selected from what appeared to be the best candidates.
Marcie introduced herself to both of the men. As she shook the second man's hand, it was as if red lights began flashing in her mind, and she was a little shocked and disoriented. She didn't understand what had happened at that moment, but she felt that something was wrong and began to pray in her spiritual language because she didn't know how to pray effectively.
After spending time in prayer, she hesitantly suggested to the leaders that they take on the expense of having background checks performed on both of the men chosen. She experienced heavy opposition from some who spoke highly of them, but she stuck to her spiritual discernment and remained steadfast in her request.
The background checks were performed and revealed that the second man was a pedophile who had not registered in their town and had a history of violence against children in another state, and had just been let out of jail on a technicality. The authorities were alerted, and a potential horror was averted.
Christians "wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world" (Ephesians 6:12 NIV). This manifestation gift is essential in daily spiritual warfare because it is defensive. It can help by revealing the deceit and lies of false teachers the Bible calls 'wolves in sheep's clothing' and delivering those afflicted, oppressed, tormented by, or exposed to lying or seducing spirits, whether they be of the enemy or a human being (Matthew 7:15).
Discerning of Spirit's is the most open gift to the unseen. The gift of discernment must be operated with proper wisdom. It must be understood that the Father does not wound the wounded. He is in the business of healing and reconciliation. He is not the author of pain, sorrow, sickness, etc.
Don't presume that the person is demon-possessed when you are aware of a demonic influence in a person's life. Instead, see the forces at work to undermine them, their family, or their ministry so that you can accurately pray.
Every Christian is commanded to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1 NIV). However, this gift is used to expose the enemy's lies in the behavior and teaching of people by separating truth from error. It is used most effectively by those who diligently study the Word of God so that they can warn others of counterfeit teaching or manifestations.
B. Anointed to Accomplish
The English word 'accomplish' can be defined as: "to bring about (a result) by effort: to bring to completion: fulfill: to succeed in." (Merriam-Webster) The meaning includes the ability to achieve, commit, carry out, and follow through. The following manifestation gifts of power operate for miraculous intervention in natural events that could otherwise bring tragedy or ruin.
1. Faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)
The Gift of Faith is a miracle faith that is given to expect unexpected things at a specific moment in time. It is beyond daily trusting-faith in God.
The word "faith" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word 'pistis' and means "faith, faithfulness, steadfastness" (Young's); "firm persuasion, the conviction which is based upon hearing, not upon sight or knowledge; a firmly relying confidence in what we hear from God in His Word" (Bullinger).
Steve had a friend who was faced with making a huge decision about going through with an idea he had that, by every indication and the warnings of others, wouldn't work because it was too over the top for most to believe it could work.
His friend was highly apprehensive about moving forward and came to Steve for his thoughts because he trusted and valued his judgment. Steve decided to pray for his friend and seek God's divine guidance because his idea was outside his realm of experience and knowledge.
Steve placed his hand on his friend's head and began praying. A wave of divine confidence flooded both of them, and they instantly felt God's assurance that it would work out and that it was the right decision. A year later, Steve's friend was reaping substantial financial rewards from his idea and gave much of it to missions work in the church.
2. Healings (1 Corinthians 12:9)
Healings are given to a specific person at a particular time to cure or to bring about mental, emotional, or physical healing. It is not the divine gifting of medical, surgical, or scientific ability.
This gift is in the plural: "gifts." The word "healing(s)" is translated from the Greek word "jama," meaning a complete cure.
When I was a teenager, I fractured my leg, chipped a bone in my ankle, and ended up with a cast. The Doctor said it would take a few months to heal, which meant no more sports or swimming, riding my bike, or walking. I was not a happy camper.
The accident happened on a Friday afternoon, and I was laid up over the weekend. I didn't go back to school until the following Wednesday. Before the accident, I had just been introduced to a fellow Christian who met with a group of other like-minded Christians on Wednesdays during lunch.
I decided to go check them out towards the end of the lunch period, so I wouldn't have to hang around too long if they were people I wanted nothing to do with!
When they saw me hobbling around on crutches, they asked, "What happened?" and then told me point blank that God could heal me if I wanted Him to. They also asked if I wanted to join them at their church that night. Well, my curiosity got the best of me, and off I went to church.
Those around me prayed with fervent abandonment during the Service - which was heavy in worship and praise. As I raised my hands to God in surrender and praise, I suddenly felt a warm wave of something like a powerful jolt of electric current enter through my fingers, down through my hands and arms, and into my body. It then seemed to settle in my broken ankle and remain there. It was amazing!
While this happened, I felt strangely clean and as if I were floating – feeling as light as a feather. This went on for some time, and then the current of power slowly dissipated. I knew I was healed at that moment, and the Holy Spirit had done the healing. My Doctor later confirmed no fracture, break, or chipped bone was seen in the X-rays.
As a young Christian, I wanted everything God had to give, and I held no bias toward what God was capable of. I didn't know that the supernatural gifts were supposed to have stopped at the end of the First Century, and I didn't learn that some believed such a thing until I entered Bible College. Up until that point in time, my mind hadn't been cluttered with unbelief and powerless teaching.
My experience helped shape my understanding of Scripture. I was thrilled I had personal proof the supernatural gifts were alive and well and are still active and available to any Christian who desires to use them to help another when needed.
3. Working of Miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10)
This manifestation gift is way outside the natural realm and cannot be easily explained when the results of its operation are experienced or observed. The word "working" is an action word translated from the Greek word 'energema' which means energy that operates actively and effectively. The word "miracles" is translated from the Greek word 'dunamis' and implies the power to do anything as needed by divine mandate.
Working of Miracles in the Bible includes raising the dead, moving mountains, and calling fire down from Heaven. This gift is to be used for divine intervention when human attempts fail and there is no hope of a positive outcome apart from God.
Cindy was driving down the street one day, and a horrible accident happened right in front of her. The driver of one of the cars was trapped inside. Huge billows of black smoke began pouring from the car, and people were screaming. The driver inside couldn't get out. The vehicle was wedged against the side railing, and the door was jammed shut. Their seat belt was stuck, and Cindy could see that the driver was terrified. It appeared as if there was no hope they would survive.
She started to pray intensely and sought God's intervention. Suddenly, the door opened, and the driver could get out and away from their car before it was engulfed in flames. Amazingly, the person was uninjured, and the people around recognized it could only be a miracle and gave praise to God.
The Working of Miracles was used in the ministry of the Apostles and those in the early church. Two deacons of the seven chosen, Stephen and Philip, also did Signs and Wonders as part of their ministry.
Luke states that Stephen, "full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8 NIV). Philip also had great evangelistic success in softening the hearts of the people:
"And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to what was said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs which he did." (Acts 8:6 NIV)
Soon after the Apostles heard that the Samaritans were open to Philip's Gospel message, they "sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit" (Acts 8:14-15 NIV).
The Triune God also sent the Holy Spirit to the Galatians to work miracles among the people. Paul writes to the churches of Galatia and asks the question,
"Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?" (Galatians 3:5 NIV)
