Spiritual Gifts

November 27, 2022

Ignorance regarding ‘spiritual gifts’ has caused much confusion among professed

Christians and the world. Therefore, let us consider both terms - spiritual and gifts.

What do we mean by spiritual? A spirit which is either Satanic or Divine, but more

than natural or normal. In Mark chapter 5, the demon possessed man was so gifted

that he could break chains, live in tombs, and terrify the entire community. This was

all a result of his being indwelt by a legion of demons. So, we see demonic spirits

controlling an otherwise ‘normal’ man. After his encounter with Jesus, this same

‘normal’ man was found “seated, clothed, and having a disciplined mind.” He was

no longer dominated by demons, but had been spiritually transformed and divinely

gifted; now destined to preach the gospel at Jesus’s direction. No less influence and

no less power than before, but definitely a new purpose. He was no longer

concerned to prove himself in control but to quietly allow Jesus to govern his life

and to yield to his grace. He then willingly obeyed not Satan, but rather Christ was

now his Lord. Humility was in now in charged and arrogance was gone. He had

taken on the personality of Christ, the Holy Spirit. He could no longer call Jesus,

anathema (1 Corinthians 12:5), but could only recognize him as Lord. The gifts that

he had possessed were now being used to glorify his Lord. Jesus was now his

administrator and mentor, while Satan was no longer in charge. This Holy Spirit

controlled person was the same person, but his giftedness was now for God’s use

and not for self or Satan. He did not any longer do only what he wanted (even

traveling with Jesus), but what Jesus wanted him to do (go and tell what has

happened). . . go and preach! This renewed person did not contradict Jesus, nor

does the Divine Spirit resist the word of God. As surely as all parts of the body have

their own gift, so does each member of the Christian fellowship. Christ being the

head of the body (Colossians 1:18) calls upon each of us to do our spiritual duty as

we serve others. It is our responsibility to utilize our giftedness whether it may be:

faith, healing, helping, miracles, tongues, languages, discerning, and etc. (1

Corinthians 12:9 ff). Some through humility have healed others and some have by

God’s grace been given wisdom. What is the gift that you use to magnify the Lord?

Kenneth E. Morrison