Manifestation Gifts

Each Christian has a spiritual gift, or "manifestation of the Spirit." The gifts differ, but have these common elements:

1) Each is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's presence.
2) Each is "for the common good," that is, each is intended to build up the body of Christ.
3) Each is given "as God determines."

The manifestation gifts serve to reveal the power of God

These gifts are supernatural or spiritual in nature. They can be further subdivided into three groups: Utterance, Power, and Revelation.

Utterance - These gifts say something!

PROPHECY

A description of this gift is included on the Ministry Gifts page of this website when describing the Prophet. The office of Prophet is a calling, from God, and includes the spiritual gift of prophecy. While Prophet is an office in the church other believers can have the gift of prophecy also. I want to emphasize that prophecy is forth telling not fortune telling. Prophecy is speaking the word of God that He gives to individuals for edification not fortune telling.

Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, when discussing spiritual gifts, calls prophecy a superior gift. Not that one gift is more important than any other but Paul wishes that everybody could prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14:1-4 (HCSB) 1 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy. 2 For the person who speaks in ⌊another⌋ language is not speaking to men but to God, since no one understands him; however, he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. 4 The person who speaks in ⌊another⌋ language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church.

ere’s a description of the gift of prophecy. The divine enablement to proclaim God's truth with power and clarity in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion for correction, repentance, or edification. There is New Testament evidence which indicates that future foretelling may accompany this gift, although some caution needs to be exercised.

Here are the characteristics and cautions along with the scriptural example of this gift as given on the Ministry Gifts page of this website.

Characteristics: The focus is on correcting behavior and applying biblical truth to culturally sensitive issues. These people identify and try to correct deception and sin. They often seem blunt and opinionated. Generally they can cause one to be uncomfortable. There also may be the element of a flash of insight into what God is doing in another person's life and thus a "foretelling" of that person's future. The results of this gift cause strengthening, correction, encouragement, and ultimately comfort. It helps if the person using this gift has built up a credible reputation.
Cautions: These people can lack compassion and may not keep love, unity, and the building up of others as their goal. This leads to discouragement and disharmony. A person with the gift of mercy helps to balance the prophet.
Scripture Example: Agabus

Acts 11:27-28 (HCSB) In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the time of Claudius.

Acts 21:10-11 (HCSB) 10 While we were staying there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into Gentile hands.’”

TONGUES

The divine enablement to speak in unknown tongues, or languages for the edification of those who hear. The important thing to remember about this gift, and the way it should operate in corporate worship is that if you have the gift to speak but don’t have the gift of interpretation you should be quite in corporate worship.

1 Corinthians 14:27-28 (HCSB) 27 If any person speaks in ⌊another⌋ language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

Characteristics: In private times of worship a person may speak prayerfully in a language that they may not have learned. Out of the depths of personal praise one may express unintelligible utterances to God. It edifies and inspires one to love God more and serve the body of Christ. On occasion this gift may show itself in corporate worship where others are then commanded to interpret.
Cautions: This gift cannot be projected on all believers. Scripture states that it is the least of the gifts. If there is no interpretation then the one with the gift must keep silent in the church. In the early days of the church when there was no official Bible, tongues and interpretation was used to reveal God's word to the people. Today, since the canon is closed, there can be no new revelation and any message of tongues and interpretation must be weighed against Scripture as to its truth and validity.
Scripture Example: Believers in Corinth

1 Corinthians 14:13-23 (HCSB) 13 Therefore the person who speaks in ⌊another⌋ language should pray that he can interpret. 14 For if I pray in ⌊another⌋ language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in ⌊other⌋ languages more than all of you; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than 10,000 words in ⌊another⌋ language. 20 Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in regard to evil and adult in your thinking. 21 It is written in the law: I will speak to these people by people of other languages and by the lips of foreigners, and even then, they will not listen to Me, says the Lord. 22 It follows that speaking in ⌊other⌋ languages is intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in ⌊other⌋ languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

 INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES 

The divine enablement to make known to the Body the message of one who is speaking in tongues.

Characteristics: The person with this gift has the ability to interpret a message which is given in tongues to a local assembly. The point of the interpretation is to edify the body and bring glory to God. Often these people have the gift of tongues as well as interpretation.
Cautions: These people can have a fear that what they are saying is not valid or authentic. They may be overly cautious to use their gift. They also need some sound biblical knowledge to know when, where, and how the Spirit may lead them to exercise this gift. It takes lots of unique experiences to develop this gift and often in the early stages of using it, pride and arrogance are the biggest pitfalls. Interpreters can wrongly assume they have some special relationship with God that is not shared by others. (Heed Paul’s caution on looking down on others in Romans. While Paul is here talking about food to idols his point is that no believer is any better, or more saved, than another. Romans 14:3-4 (HCSB) 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, because God has accepted him. 4 Who are you to criticize another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able to make him stand.)

Scripture Example: Believers in Corinth

1 Corinthians 14:13-17 (HCSB) 13 Therefore the person who speaks in ⌊another⌋ language should pray that he can interpret. 14 For if I pray in ⌊another⌋ language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the uninformed person say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.

Paul laying on hands

Power - These gifts do something!

FAITH

The divine awareness to see the Lord's will and act on it with an unwavering belief in God's ability.

Characteristics: These people have an easier time trusting God for the miraculous. Their faith becomes a catalyst for others whose faith may be wavering. They pray often and easily, even in the face of adversity and act as a calming influence on others during troubled times. They are more acutely aware of God's presence and to call upon the readiness of His power. Their faith is centered only in God regardless of obstacles or the surrounding environment.
Cautions: There may be a tendency to "claim" things for God without seeking His will. There can also be an awkwardness having faith in God to do something in any circumstance, and yet trying not to predetermine God's will in a given situation.
Scripture Example: Abraham

Hebrews 11:8-12 (HCSB) 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful. 12 Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.

HEALING

The divine enablement to be God's channel to restore people to health. Please be aware that the person with this gift is God's channel. God heals. The person with the gift does not heal.

Characteristics: This gift is exactly as it sounds. People with this gift have an ability to allow the Holy Spirit to work through their prayers and encouragement to bring about physical, emotional, relational, or spiritual healings. This gift seems to be exercised more often in cultures where faith is not so readily tied to "scientific principles" as it is in Western nations. The use of this gift is always to bring glory to God and authenticate the message of the gospel of salvation.
Cautions: This could easily be seen as a special power that the individual wields. There is no magic formula or strategy which brings about healing. It is only the Holy Spirit. The focus of God's revelational gospel in Jesus Christ could be relegated to a back seat with the misuse of this gift.
Scripture Example: Peter and John

Acts 3:6-10 (HCSB) 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” 7 Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. 8 So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

MIRACLES

The divine enablement to affect powerful acts which authenticate the message of Christ and glorify God

Characteristics: This gift may be closely associated with the gift of faith. The working of miracles, like healing, is often more commonly seen in cultures where the ties to a "scientific world view'' are not so strong (our scientific views may be a barrier to faith). Someone with this gift may see God perform profound, supernatural acts which authentic the message of the gospel. Thus, it becomes a tool for evangelism in pagan cultures which do not know Christ.
Cautions: Like healing, this gift can be seen as an end in itself. Those blessed with this gift need to use extreme caution so as not to fall into the rut of thinking they are the ones who have the ability or power to perform a supernatural act. On the other extreme, they need to have strong faith what God can and will move.
Scripture Example: Philip

Acts 8:6-8, 13 (HCSB) 6 The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. 13 Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles that were being performed.

Revelation - These gifts reveal something!

WORD OF WISDOM

The divine enablement to apply knowledge and insight in accordance with God's purposes for someone's life.

Characteristics: These people are readily sought for advice and counsel in spiritual matters. They can anticipate consequences and implications of a person's actions and make practical applications of biblical truth. In the midst of conflict they can see simple solutions and have a high degree of common sense. The person with this gift knows how to fix problems and meet challenges.
Cautions: They may not see their gift as spiritual and thus rely too heavily on their own abilities to solve issues rather than resort to prayer and seeking God's will. They also need to enhance their abilities by increasing in knowledge, specifically, God's word.
Scripture Example: Solomon

1 Kings 4:29-31 (HCSB) 29 God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as ⌊vast⌋ as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 He was wiser than anyone—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, sons of Mahol. His reputation extended to all the surrounding nations. WORD OF

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

It should be noted that the actual term is a word or a message of knowledge. This could mean that it is information divinely given that one could not otherwise know. Others say that it is the divine enablement to accumulate and analyze information for the expression of God's truth. Or, a word given after careful thought and consideration. Both ideas are probable.

Characteristics: This person may have insight into the needs and hurts of another person's life in order to bring about a change or correction in that person's life. Another aspect of this gift denotes a special ability to gain insight into God's word after careful and critical examination. This insight is then used to teach and edify the body of Christ, both individually and collectively. People with this gift have a deep understanding of God, His word, and His purposes.
Cautions: This person can become too absorbed with collecting facts and lose sight of the purpose of "giving the word, or message of knowledge". Many of the same cautions that exist with the teacher (esoteric, too detailed, too profound, etc.) exist with this gift. In fact, this gift is often closely associated with the gift of teaching.
Scripture Example: Apollos

Acts 18:24-28 (HCSB) 24 A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in ⌊the use of⌋ the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately. 27 When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers wrote to the disciples urging them to welcome him. After he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

The divine ability to sense the presence of spiritual forces and distinguish between truth and error.

Characteristics: These people have a keen sense of what is right and what is wrong "spiritually speaking". They are able to distinguish truth from error in a divine fashion which was especially crucial in the early church when the Bible was not readily available to all, thus there was no way to measure the claims of the teacher or prophet. These people have a keen sense of spiritual intuition and may be called upon often by the Holy Spirit for there is an element in which those with this gift can more easily identify the spiritual influence of the demonic on individuals or in the room.
Cautions: They may rely way too much on "feeling" and not on scripture to decide truth from error. There is a potential to either relegate this gift to the back burner, or give it too much credibility in decision making. Usually it takes years of practice to develop this gift and often shy and introverted people have it but they are unwilling to tell their leaders of their experiences and impressions for fear of being mocked. This slows down their gift development.
Scripture Example: Peter

Acts 5:1-11 (HCSB) 1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. 2 However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? 4 Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” 5 When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard. 6 The young men got up, wrapped ⌊his body⌋, carried him out, and buried him. 7 There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price?” “Yes,” she said, “for that price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” 10 Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. 11 Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

Discovering and exercising your God-given spiritual gifts allows you to experience maximum fulfillment with minimum frustration in your Christian life and ministry.

Identify Your Spiritual Gift(s)

If you don't know your spiritual gift I encourage you to identify it's needed in the church. If you are sitting on your gift then your congregation is missing it like the body missing a finger. It can’t function at the optimal level without that finger as small and insignificant as you might think it is it still keeps the body from functioning as God would have it.

There is a link to download a Spiritual Gifts Inventory on the Gifts of the Spirit page of this website.