The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit empower everyday Christians to accomplish extraordinary things for God's kingdom. Whether you're new to spiritual gifts or seeking to deepen your understanding, this practical guide will help you recognize, activate, and confidently use these supernatural abilities.

Through real-life examples and biblical insights, you'll discover how to partner with the Holy Spirit in manifesting His gifts effectively in your daily life and ministry.

The Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit: A Practical Guide for Christians

Part 1 of 8 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 15 minute read

The Hands of God Reaching Out With Spiritual Gifts"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts" (1 Corinthians 14:1)
Source: ©choat/Depositphotos.com
Don Bell

It had been a busy day. I had finally gotten to bed and was starting to drift off to sleep. Suddenly the telephone rang. A distraught member of the local church we attended was on the line.

There had been a flare up, and a family member had abruptly left the home without any means of contact. Prayer was requested as there was some concern that the person might cause harm to themselves.

Immediately, I began to speak in tongues and within moments, the Holy Spirit prompted me with a strong word of wisdom: "This situation requires more than prayer; it requires your involvement."

Pushing aside the tiredness, I quickly dressed and then drove into the city not knowing where the person was but after sensing the gift of faith, I grew confident that God did.

The Holy Spirit began prompting me with words of knowledge as I reached the city center. "Keep driving straight ahead." I drove a couple of blocks and the thought came, "Turn left." After driving several more blocks: "Turn right and then left at the next corner." Then, "Keep driving," and so on.

Soon, I stopped at a red light and glancing to my right I saw the person standing nearby on the corner, waiting for the Walk signal.

I opened the power window on the car's passenger side and beckoned the surprised person into the car.

The realization that I could not have driven to the person on a more direct route sank in, and I gripped the steering wheel to steady my hands in the excitement, while thanking God.

Whether we got a coffee or not, I cannot remember, but we drove around talking for an hour, and we prayed, and when I dropped the person off, they knew that they were special to God.

The crisis had passed, and the Lord had gotten the glory.

The event described above demonstrated several spiritual gifts in action: speaking in tongues, a word of wisdom, a gift of faith, and words of knowledge.

Under normal circumstances, I would have simply prayed about the situation from my home. Driving into the city late at night to find someone without knowing their location would never have crossed my mind.

Finding one specific person in a city of 60,000 residents without knowing their whereabouts would have been impossible through natural means. However, the gifts of the Holy Spirit operate beyond our natural limitations — they are truly supernatural. And what's more…

What the Holy Spirit empowered me to, you could also have done through His enabling power.

Your Journey with Spiritual Gifts Begins Here

Colored Pencils Highlighting the Book of John, Chapter 8, Verse 32The Truth Shall Make You Free (John 8:32)
Source: ©Hriana/Depositphotos.com

Allow me to share with you what the Holy Spirit's gifts are, how you can activate them, and how you can use them at home, in the workplace, and when meeting with the Body of Christ to bless and encourage others, and help advance the Kingdom of God.

The Bible is filled with examples of the gifts of the Spirit, from Genesis to Revelations, and as we examine the gifts in the light of God's Word, His Truth shall set you free from unsound religious thinking and doubt. You will find yourself keen to flow in God's anointing, and the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

I'll share my own understanding along with some of my experiences in using the gifts to encourage you and offer practical examples.

There's plenty of helpful information on this site, and some of it might be new to you, so please keep an open mind and don't feel overwhelmed.

Simply read the topics in order, one by one, and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His truths to your heart. All will become clear.

Understanding the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Towering Forest Trees Against a Bright Blue SkyAn Introduction to the Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Source: ©vapm/Depositphotos.com

Paul the Apostle taught on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit to ensure that believers not only used them, but used them properly (1 Corinthians 12).

The Church in Corinth had been misusing the gifts, and since their leadership was unclear on how the Holy Spirit operates through believers, many had been forbidden to exercise the gifts in public meetings. This historical example offers valuable lessons for us today.

It's essential that we receive instruction on the gifts and their operation. While this topic may be new to many believers, understanding these gifts can greatly enrich our spiritual lives and effectiveness in ministry. We'll explore this topic more deeply in upcoming articles.

Embracing the Spirit's Gifts: Moving Beyond Fear

Paul's desire was for the believers in Corinth to be well informed about the gifts of the Spirit, and it's right that we should be too. He writes, "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed" (1 Corinthians 12:1 NIV).

The Greek word ἀγνοέω (agnoeō) is translated as uninformed, meaning not to know through lack of information; by implication, to ignore through hesitancy, or reluctance. We are often fearful and reluctant to receive something when we don't fully understand what it is.

However, when knowledge is shared in love, it helps counter our fears, just as Scripture teaches (Proverbs 2: 10–11). As we grow in understanding of the Spirit's gifts, our confidence and desire to walk in them naturally increases.

Paul continues, "You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:2–3).

Paul was assuring the Corinthian believers that the Holy Spirit does not force people into compulsive acts against their wills; they will always maintain self control and glorify Jesus when using the gifts.

And while we may not worship graven images today, it's important to ensure that our revered traditions and practices align with Scripture, keeping our hearts open to receive every good gift the Holy Spirit has given us.

Nine Divine Tools for Kingdom Impact

Paul explains, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:4).

Here, the Greek word χάρισμα (charisma, plural charismata) is translated as gifts, referring to an assortment of miraculous abilities, often called charismatic gifts.

Therefore, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit can be defined as supernatural abilities that the Holy Spirit entrusts to believers, enabling them to do the same works that Jesus did.

Jesus says, "'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. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son'" (John 14:12–13).

If we're to do the works of Jesus, we will need to receive and exercise all nine abilities (gifts) that have been made available to us. Otherwise, how could we possibly do what He expects of us?

These abilities are GIFTS in the same way that salvation is a GIFT. They are given based on the merits of Christ, and you receive them by grace through faith and not through any merit or worthiness of your own.

Having the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit doesn't make anyone more special or spiritually enlightened than believers who for whatever reason haven't received them.

Understanding the Spirit's Gift Categories

Paul lists nine gifts of the Holy Spirit:

For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

The nine gifts can be grouped in three categories, each category containing three gifts having a similar purpose:

The Utterance Gifts

The following abilities are called Utterance Gifts because they are all spoken by the mouth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

  • Different Kinds of Tongues
  • Interpretation of Tongues
  • Prophecy

The Revelation Gifts

The following abilities are called Revelation Gifts because they reveal to us needed information that's humanly impossible to know:

  • Word of Knowledge
  • Word of Wisdom
  • Discerning of Spirits

The Power Gifts

The following abilities are called Power Gifts because they enable us to manifest God's power to answer special needs in impossible situations:

  • Miracles
  • Gifts of Healing
  • Faith

The Biblical Foundation of Nine Spiritual Gifts

Are there more than nine gifts of the Holy Spirit? No, just the nine mentioned in the Bible.

Some people claim there are additional gifts to the nine that Paul listed. For instance, I've heard some say that the interpretation of dreams is an additional gift when clearly it's not. The interpretation of a dream is a manifestation of the gift of a word of knowledge.

There are no scriptural references to other spiritual gifts having the same characteristic natures of the nine, and to claim otherwise leads to confusion, and attention being drawn away from the basic nine.

Clearing the Confusion: Distinguishing True Spiritual Gifts

Looking at what the spiritual gifts are not can improve our understanding of them.

They Are Not the Five Ministry Gifts

The five ministry gifts mentioned in Ephesians are not to be counted with the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit. Ministry gifts are different, and they are given by the Lord for an entirely different purpose.

We read in Scripture, "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11–13).

The Lord calls some individuals to specific roles within the Body of Christ — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Their work is to perfect, mature, and equip the believers for the work of ministry and enable them to advance the Kingdom.

They Are Not the Seven Isaian Gifts

The Seven Isaian Gifts in the Catholic Church tradition are not counted with the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture says, "The Spirit of God shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and godliness shall fill him; the spirit of the fear of God…"(Isaiah 11:2–3 Septuagint: LXX).

The seven Isaian gifts are Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, Knowledge, Godliness (piety), and Fear of the Lord.

Msgr Peter Coughlin

Many people tend to evaluate themselves in terms of how they are growing functionally in the use of charisms [gifts] and in terms of how they feel — the fruit of the Spirit being viewed mainly as feelings. Having an incorrect perception, people do not make solid, long-term progress in terms of their inner growth, and so their functional and emotional life can suffer.

Recognizing and cultivating the seven Isaian gifts which deal with the inner transformation of the person can foster a more healthy and balanced spiritual outlook.1 —Monsignor Peter B. Coughlin

There is much speculation about this mysterious Scripture in the Book of Isaiah. However, it's thought that the seven Spirits represent aspects of the Holy Spirit and affect the constant inner transformation of the believer, whereas the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are instantaneous and outward in their operation.

They Are Not Independent of Our Will

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit's gifts are sometimes called signs and wonders, but not every sign and wonder is a manifested gift of the Spirit. For instance, here's one example:

Jesus says, "'They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them'" (Mark 16:18).

These signs and others like them are NOT abilities exercised by the will of the believer as the nine gifts are; they are interventions subject to God's will. This all becomes perfectly clear when we examine the operation of the nine gifts.

Don Bell

My wife and I asked God to protect us from disease and food poisoning before leaving home on a mission trip to St. Petersburgh, Russia, in 1994

It was known that the city's drinking water was contaminated with Giardia and that restaurant food was sometimes set out at room temperature for long periods of time.

We returned home in excellent health and did so again after a second trip to Russia. We have no doubt that God intervened to protect us from anything deadly that we had eaten or drunk.

We read in Scripture, "But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.' But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm" (Acts 28:3–5).

Paul the Apostle was supernaturally protected from an accidental encounter with a poisonous snake on the island of Malta, but he did not purposely handle the creature as that would be tempting God.

As God commanded the Children of Israel in the dessert, "'You shall not tempt the LORD your God as you tempted Him in Massah'" (Deuteronomy 6:16).

Similarly, Jesus rebuked Satan in the wilderness, "'It is written again, "You shall not tempt the LORD your God"'" (Matthew 4:7).

We are NEVER to test or put to proof God's character and power!

They Are Not Natural Abilities

It's important to keep in mind that the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are not developed natural abilities or God-given talents such as writing, singing, playing a musical instrument, or public speaking. They also cannot be determined by personality types and spiritual gifts tests.

The Holy Spirit's gifts are supernatural abilities that operate entirely at the will of the believer, as the Holy Spirit prompts and empowers.

Jesus says, "'You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth'" (Acts 1:8).

Here, the Greek word δύναμις (dynamis) is translated as miraculous power, referring to the power we receive to manifest the gifts of the Spirit.

God gives these nine gifts to equip us for the work He has called us all to do. And make no mistake, these gifts are for EVERY believer, not just those active in full-time ministry.

They are available for us to use at believers' meetings, at the workplace, and as we go about our personal lives. What's more, we can use these divine abilities anywhere and anytime at will, as the Holy Spirit leads and empowers.

They Are Not Counterfeit Gifts

Jesus cautions, "'If anyone says to you, "Look, here is the Christ!" or "There!" do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect'" (Matthew 24:23–24).

For instance, the Apostle Paul had to contend with a demon possessed young woman who counterfeited the gift of prophecy by fortune-telling.

We read in Scripture, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And he came out that very hour" (Acts 16:16–18).

Satan counterfeits God's gifts hoping to deceive unwary people. For that reason, we must become acquainted with the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit so we won't be fooled.

Don Bell

My first full-time job was working for a major trust company and part of my training was learning how to spot counterfeit currency.

I was handed a quantity of genuine $20, $50, and $100 banknotes and told to spend time counting them, feeling them, and examining their markings to become totally familiar with them. I was never handed a counterfeit bill to examine!

Once you know the genuine, you will NEVER be fooled by the counterfeit!

More will be shared on how to recognize and deal with counterfeited spiritual gifts when we study the gift of discernment of spirits. For now, rest assured that when you desire the gifts the Holy Spirit, He will not give you a counterfeit.

Jesus says, "'What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!'" (Matthew 7:9–11).

Trust God to always give you good gifts!

The Historical Timeline of Spiritual Gifts

The gifts of the Holy Spirit can be found throughout the Bible in both The Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation. The Bible contains many examples of the gifts being used by His people.

However, The Old Testament only records seven gifts of the Spirit, the exceptions being the gift of speaking in tongues and its companion gift of interpretation of tongues, as they were only introduced on the Day of Pentecost.

In Old Testament times, God chose specific individuals and gave them supernatural abilities (gifts) for particular purposes. The Holy Spirit was WITH those anointed individuals, but His presence was not yet dwelling IN them.

However, before ascending to Heaven, Jesus announced to His followers that an amazing Heaven-sent transition would take place.

Jesus says, "'I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells WITH you and will be IN you'" (John 14:16–17, emphasis added).

The Holy Spirit was given to abide IN us forever. Paul writes, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells IN you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, emphasis added).

Because God's Spirit now dwells IN us, we have the amazing privilege of receiving all nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, including the gifts of tongues and interpretation of tongues, giving us the ability to pray and fellowship with Our Heavenly Father using heavenly languages.

Endnote

1 "Understanding the Charismatic Gifts" by Father Peter B. Coughlin, published by C.C.S.O. Bread of Life Renewal Centre, Hamilton, ON, in 1998.

Discover More in This 8-Part Series

Ready to dive deeper into the miraculous world of spiritual gifts? In the upcoming articles, we'll explore everything from their divine purpose to practical ways of activating and using these gifts in your daily walk with God.

Join me as we uncover how Jesus performed miracles, discover whether everyone has spiritual gifts, and learn how to unlock and effectively use these divine abilities in the Body of Christ today.

Part 2: The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts

Part 3: Does Everyone Have Spiritual Gifts?

Part 4: Spiritual Gifts in the Church

Part 5: How Did Jesus Perform Miracles?

Part 6: Activating Your Spiritual Gifts

Part 7: How to Unlock Spiritual Gifts

Part 8: How to Use Spiritual Gifts


About the Author

Don Bell of Kingdom Anointing

Don Bell is the creator of the Kingdom Anointing website, and a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. He shares insights from his spiritual journey to encourage ordinary believers to seek God's Kingdom and lead extraordinary lives in the Holy Spirit.


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