WHAT SPIRIT GIFTS ARE NOT

Spiritual gifts are not natural talents.

The gifts of healing have nothing to do with medicine or surgery. Speaking in tongues has nothing to do with linguistic ability or the learning of languages. The word of wisdom is not glorified common sense. Prophecy is not merely preaching. The gifts are gifts of the Spirit. As such, they are resident in the spirit. They are manifested and not imparted…according to the will of god and not according to our merit.

Spiritual gifts are not The Fruit of the Spirit

GIFTS.............................................FRUIT
Word of Wisdom..............................Love
Word of knowledge.......................... Joy
Faith...............................................Peace
Healing............................................Longsuffering
Miracles..........................................Gentleness
Prophecy.........................................Goodness
Discerning of Spirits..........................Faith
Tongues...........................................Meekness
Interpretation of Tongues...................Self-Control
Evangelist, etc.

There are numerous differences between the Fruit [singular] and the Gifts [plural]. Here are a few of those differences.

Gifts are functional............................Fruit is a quality of life
Gifts are bestowed............................Fruit is growth implanted
Gifts are given..................................Fruit is gradually developed
Gifts are complete............................Fruit is eternal
Gifts are temporal.............................Fruit defines who a Christian is
Gifts define what a Christian does

The possession of gifts does not indicate godliness of life.

Spiritual Gifts are not Christian roles.
Spiritual gifts are not abilities to be displayed.

The very nature of gifts is that they are for the body of Christ or an individual’s benefit, not for the benefit of the gift channel. When pride enters a saint used in a particular gift, the careful balance between fruit and gifts is upset. Pride always precedes a fall. Once a person determines that he or she is over or above another because the Lord chooses to use them in a gift, their ministry is greatly curtailed in effectiveness. When gifts become ends in themselves, they are being used to glorify the user rather then the body. There is no first class or second-class citizen determined by your giftedness. We are all one in Christ.

God Bless,
rECj/LJG