Spiritual gifts (or charism) are supernatural abilities or extraordinary power given by the Holy Spirit to Christians, for the purpose of making them effective vessels in the hands of God.
Spiritual gifts are like gems; and they go a long way to determine our effectiveness as individual parts of the Body of Christ. They are given to enable us fulfil ministry.
The gifts of the Spirit are often termed "charismatic gifts", and they include, the word of knowledge, increased faith, the gifts of healing, the gift of miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, word of knowledge, etc.
Spiritual Gifts From God In The Bible
It is the will of God that every genuine Christian has access to the needed gifts of the Spirit required for their effectiveness and success in ministry.
Luke 12:32 KJVFear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The term, "kingdom of God" encapsulates all that the Believer needs from God in order to fulfil their divinely-ordained destiny. It is the will of the Lord to give us the "kingdom"; and this pertains to everything within its domain—including spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:6-11 KJVAnd there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. [7] But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [8] For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; [9] To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; [10] To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: [11] But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Undoubtedly, God desires that we have spiritual gifts—because it is for the welfare of His Kingdom. It is the Christian's privilege to access all things of the kingdom. All we need do is to ask, receive and harness them.
Earnestly Desire Spiritual Gifts
Amassing spiritual gifts is not greed; it's not a sin. The Bible gives us the go-ahead to desire and obtain as many spiritual gifts as possible.
1 Corinthians 14:1 KJVFollow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 14:1 ESVPursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
Garnering spiritual gifts is part of seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness (Matthew 6:33). So go ahead and get as many as you want. God approves of it.
How To Receive The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit
Below, I'll guide you through the basic requirements for receiving a spiritual gift from God. Before you begin asking God for any given spiritual gift, ensure that you have these in place:
1. Have A Healthy And Intimate Relationship With Jesus
All things from God are given through Jesus Christ. Everything we need is in Christ and through Christ. Therefore, it is futile to think, expect and attempt to obtain anything from God without going through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:6 NLTBut for us, There is one God, the Father, by whom all things were created, and for whom we live. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created, and through whom we live.
1 Corinthians 15:28 ESVWhen all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
If we want a spiritual gift from God, the wise and first thing to do is to ensure we are in good terms with Jesus Christ. First and foremost, ensure that you have a functional relationship with Jesus and you're not living in rebellion against Him.
2. Desire The Giver More Than The Gift
Our desire for God should supersede your desire for what God can do for us. Jesus does not like it when people attempt to use Him to get what they want (without having much to do with Him). Try to fix yourself in His shoes, you'll see it looks dubious. You can't love and want the gift while you despise the Giver.
Ensure that your desire to be closer to Jesus is beyond your desire to receive a spiritual gift from Him.
3. Desire The Spiritual Gift Above Every Mundane Thing
Where some Christians miss it is when they want a spiritual gift from God, but deep within them, there is an intense desire for a carnal thing that supersedes their desire for that spiritual gift.
For instance, it would be difficult to receive a spiritual gift from God, if while one is asking, God checks their heart and happens to find out that they actually desire a porsche car more than that spiritual gift. Always remember, nothing in a man's heart is hidden from God.
Colossians 3:2 KJVSet your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
A spiritual gift is a thing of the Spirit—a Heavenly thing. As Christians, by default, our desire for things of the Spirit should be greater than that of mundane (earthly) things.
4. Be Sure Your Motives Are Pure
Our intent for asking for a spiritual gift should align with the will of God and the desires of His heart.
One of the major reasons why some ask and do not receive spiritual gifts from God is because the Lord has already seen that their motives for wanting to have that gift are not pure.
Spiritual gifts are not for a 'show-off' or self-glorification. They are not meant to be used for selfish merchandise.
Before we ask God for a spiritual gift, we must ensure that it is genuinely out of the love we have for Him and our pure desire to be used of God more, through that spiritual gift.
Positioning Yourself To Receive Spiritual Gift
After you've had the above requirements in place, it's time to position yourself to receive that spiritual gift you want from God. I recommend the following steps:
1. Position Yourself Through Total Consecration
Spiritual gifts are not for impure vessels. Spiritual gifts function best in a pure vessel. Total consecration should come before or used in tandem with our request for a spiritual gift—if we really want to receive it.
2. Through Fasting And Prayer
Fasting can aid your consecration and further prove to God that you truly desire the spiritual gift you are asking for. So go ahead and use it.
3. Don't Ask In Doubt. Apply Faith
It's pointless asking anything from God if we do not believe He will give it to us. Don't allow your mind to play the probability game with you: "Maybe He will answer, maybe He won't". That isn't the voice of faith.
James 1:6-7 KJVBut let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
4. Be Patient While Waiting For Answers To Your Prayer
Patience is one of the most underestimated secrets to receiving from God. If God decides to make us wait for the thing we are asking for, that does not mean we are expected to lose hope and stop asking.
Psalm 40:1 KJVI waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
When God finds genuine faith and patience, He will always provide answers to our requests faster than we expect.
Patience is a virtue, make sure you get it if you really want to receive anything from God.
Final Thoughts on Receiving Spiritual Gifts From God
Brethren, now you know that God wants us to have spiritual gifts—as many as we can get. His desire for us to have spiritual gifts is honestly beyond our desire for the same. But we must make sure we want spiritual gifts for the right reasons. Spiritual gifts are meant to enable us help people (and not dupe them) – always have that in mind. We are to use our spiritual gifts in a way that brings glory to God (not self).
Spiritual gifts can also be received through laying on of hands by another minister of the Gospel. But except God passes through that means to give us gifts or He personally instructs us to go for it, I do not recommend it. Shortcuts aren't always the best.
It is easy to receive spiritual gifts from God when we come in perfect alignment with His will for our life.
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Remain blessed.
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