Gifts at a Glance

Before we conclude this series on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, (Gifts of the Holy Spirit Series), let’s review.  I hope this summary will serve as a checklist for your future use.  The gifts can be categorized into three pots: Revelation Gifts; Power Gifts and Utterance Gifts.  

• Revelation Gifts are Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge and Discerning of Spirits.
• Power Gifts are the Gift of Faith, Working of Miracles and the Gifts of Healings.
• Utterance Gifts are Prophecy, Divers Kinds of Tongues and the Interpretation of Tongues.

Also, I have associated each gift with a color, similar to colorful gems and minerals!  We will start with the Revelation Gifts.

Word of Wisdom ~ A Silver Lining

The gift Word of Wisdom is the wisdom of God.  It is supernatural impartation of facts; it is not natural.  It is received from God through prayer The gift of the Word of Wisdom also reveals the prophetic future; it is speaking hidden truths of what is not known.  

It is a supernatural perspective to accomplish God's will in a given situation.  In addition, divinely given power and spiritual intuition in problem solving.  The gift works in conjunction with the other two Revelation gifts: Knowledge and Discerning of Spirits.

I liken the gift to silver-lining a truth from the Holy Spirit as encapsulated in this Proverb: “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  (Proverbs 25:11).  I have assigned the color silver to this gift.  Wisdom has long been associated with silver, and it is often used in the context of God’s refining.  Silver is said to be refined to remove any impurities as a symbol of how God will refine our hearts.  The Word of Wisdom can perfect us; purify us and prepare us for His purposes.

With your wisdom and your understanding, you have gained riches for yourself, and gathered gold and silver into your treasuries.   (Ezekiel 28:4).

Word of Knowledge ~ Hues of Heaven

Ahhhh, the hues of Heaven, blue!  That is the color for the Word of Knowledge, the next Revelation gift.  Blue is symbolic of revelation knowledge in dreams and an open heaven as in Daniel 1:17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

The blue hues of Heaven moving from bright light joyful messages to deep dark foreboding solemn revelation, all on the spectrum of Heaven to bring us into a right understanding of God or a situation.  The Mystery of the Ages revealed to humankind, that is the Word of Knowledge.

Those with the Gift of Knowledge understand the deep things of God and the mysteries of His Word.  The manifestation is a ‘knowing’ beyond our natural abilities.  It reveals a meaning that would otherwise be hidden to us (i.e., a dream’s hidden meaning or an understanding of a scripture beyond the surface).

This gift is a cousin to the Word of Wisdom which has similar uses being to warn; to prepare; to advise; to counsel; to assure us of God’s care.  But its great difference is to reveal the mysteries of the Kingdom of God (especially in scripture) and inspires in us an awe when He answers to open up that mystery.   

Discerning of Spirits ~ Either Black or White 

The Gift of Discerning of Spirits gives a supernatural ability to see or hear into the spirit world.  To understand whether a spirit is divine, satanic or human; to perceive the Holy Spirit; and to reveal if the power is good or evil which is influencing a type of behavior.  The gift is used by the Lord to enable us to avoid deception.

You have heard it said that something is either black or white; good or evil.  Well, that is the Gift of Discerning of Spirits in a nutshell.  This gift is decisive…there is no grey area which would indicate lukewarm, neither cold nor hot.    

It is responsible for distinguishing between angels and demons; the truth of the Word and/or the deceptive doctrines propagated by demons.  Not only is this gift used as a personal alert system; it is also used for Kingdom work within the Body of Christ.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Ephesians 6:12). 

Next group of gifts to review are the Power Gifts: The Gift of Faith, Working of Miracles and the Gifts of Healings.

The Gift of Faith ~ The Golden Rule 

We’re saved by faith. We’re water baptized by faith. We receive the Spirt by faith.  But this is not the spiritual Gift of Faith.

The Gift of Faith is the gift of the Spirit in order that one might receive miracles.  This gift expects God’s Hand to move in a situation and also, over a sustained duration, so it is an ongoing action.  God gives this gift to confirm that the person has an answer and helps the believer maintain that faith over time.

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  (Hebrews 11:6).

Those who possess the gift of faith believe God in such a way that He honors their word and request as His own, and He miraculously brings it to pass.  The Gift of Faith is the greatest of the three gifts of Power.  I liken the Gift of Faith to the color of gold.  It is the golden rule of the Kingdom of Heaven and the key needed for all things to be received by us from God.

If you have the Gift of Faith, you are golden!!!

The Working of Miracles ~ Sun Beams from Above

Whereas, the Gift of Faith receives a miracle, the Working of Miracles works or performs a miracle.  When the Working of Miracles is in operation, there is Divine intervention in the ordinary course of our world.  It is God intervening in the natural order of our lives or a life to bring glory to Himself and an awareness of His majesty! 

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  (John 14:12).

Those who operate in the gift pull down the miracles from Heaven, so they manifest on Earth. This gift enables you to carry out miraculous feats thought to be impossible according to the natural laws of this world.  

The brightness of yellow is assigned to this gift.  It’s full of positivity representing faith and the Glory of God. In other words, sunbeams from above going from bright yellow as in a miracle to the rich color of gold as in the glory of God which strengthens our faith due to the performed miracle. 

Believers are blessed with the working of miracles to serve as a witness of God’s supreme power and authority over all things on earth and in Heaven.

Gifts of Healings ~ Gems of Emerald

The Power Gifts of Healings ministers healing to another.  Through God’s mercy (flowing from His Throne) and the ministry of Gifts of Healings, the Lord gives His servants special gifts (plural) to pray for specific diseases and ailments.

Each time you use the gift it is a different gift; each time you use it, it is a gift from God.  The Lord worked healings in every different way, so too, He does the same today.  The Spirit tells you of the condition or you feel the condition in someone.  Then, other times, it is shown to you in addition to feeling it in your body.  It is different every time God wants to use the gift.  This gift is available to all who have faith to use it.

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

The leaves of the trees were for the HEALING of the nations…leaves!  What color are leaves?  Yep, green.  Revelation 4:3 And He who sat there (God’s Throne) …was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald (green).  God’s Mercy Seat is where His healing flows from.  I liken this gift to the gems (healings) emanating from the throne of mercy...Emerald!

” For, I am the LORD who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26b).

The final group of gifts we will review are Utterance Gifts: The Gift of Prophecy, Divers Kinds of Tongues, and Interpretations of Tongues.

Prophecy ~ Royal Inspiration

The Gift of Prophecy is supernatural utterance in a known tongue.  In other words, the gift or ability of a believer to speak for God or to be His spokesperson.  The Gift of Prophecy is for the edification (the instruction/improvement of a person), exhortation (an invitation to get nearer to God) and comfort to the Body of Christ.  Prophecy also involves preaching or proclaiming, announcing or telling (foretelling and forthtelling)..

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.  (1 Corinthians 14:30).

The Gift of Prophecy aka Inspiration comes in different forms.  The gift can vary depending on how the Great Artist wants the message to be painted.  Prophecies can flow through: speaking, writing, dreams, visions, tongues, interpretations, singing, dancing, preaching, poetry, songwriting and drawing as some examples. 

For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.  (Revelation 19:10b).  I have chosen the color purple for the Gift of Prophecy.  Think about it…purple is associated with royalty and Jesus is our Royal High Priest and we are His Royal Priesthood.  This is a wonderful gift to operate in, though it is different than the Office of a Prophet.

‘Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts but especially that we may prophesy’ (1 Corinthians 14:1).  Pray earnestly that you receive this gift, for it is the will of God!

Divers Kinds of Tongues ~ Fire of Angels!

The gift Divers Kinds of Tongues is a supernatural utterance or inspiration in languages not learned by the speaker nor understood.  A hearer of the tongue may not understand the language either.  This Holy Spirit dialect has nothing to do with the mind of man, but it is a vocal miracle.

According to Rev. Kenneth Hagin: “The purposes of speaking in tongues include evidence of the Spirit’s indwelling; talking to and magnifying God supernaturally; provides teachable revelation (prophecy); it edifies the believer by praying in the Spirit; and helps with spiritual warfare.”

The Lord and I have decided on the color of burnt orange for this gift.  Tongues of Fire…Burnt Orange.  It is similar in color to a Fire Opal.  Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.  (Psalm 104:4). 1 Corinthians 13:1 suggests we can speak with the tongues of angels, my point being His angels and His ministers (us, I believe) are flames of fire.

If Divers Kinds of Tongues are spoken in a public setting, the Bible says seek interpretations for such, so all who hear it may be edified according to 1 Corinthians 14:5 “I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.”

So, ask the Holy Spirit for the Divers Kinds of Tongues and when it is His timing, He will gently lead you into the gift.  In addition, He will teach when and how to use it but above all, don’t be afraid of it.  It is an extremely valuable and comforting gift.

Interpretations of Tongues ~ Gateway to Heaven

The final Utterance gift is Interpretation of Tongues.  This gift of the Spirit depends upon another gift — Divers Kinds of Tongues in order to function.  It does not function unless tongues are in operation.  Quite simply, the name explains the gift!  And why is self-explanatory, it is an ‘unknown’ tongue! 

It’s like when someone speaks in a foreign language, we want to understand what is said.  We want to be involved but it’s like “Say what?”  Usually, interpretations are a praise of one kind or another followed by a prophesy or word of knowledge.  I like to think of this gift as a paraphrase of what has been uttered for the edification of the people present.

I Corinthians 14:6 & 9 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?  {9} So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

It is similar to prophecy in that one has revelation dumped into their spirit and the meaning becomes clear.  The Lord uses this gift so that the church be edified by it through interpretation.

A brightly- colored iridescent pearl is the color I have given to Interpretation of Tongues.  A pearl is mostly white which is a righteous color but also emanates a combination of all colors, like a rainbow.  I conclude it represents the variety of tongue interpretations aka heavenly languages.

And Jesus’s words: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”  (Matthew 13:45-46).

As a final article to this series, please read Faith, Hope & Love, where we will look at the importance of developing the fruit of the Spirit in order to properly execute and use the gifts of the Spirit.