Unlocking Spiritual Gifts: Overcoming Fear and Objection

By unlocking spiritual gifts, believers in the Body of Christ are given powerful tools to edify the Church and glorify God. Yet in many Christian circles, the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, as described in the Bible, are often overlooked, misunderstood, or even deliberately ignored.

This article aims to shed light on the importance of spiritual gifts, address some of the controversies surrounding them, and encourage believers to embrace these divine abilities.

Why Aren't Spiritual Gifts Being Taught?

Part 7 of 8 by Don Bell | ⏱️ 5 minute read time

Sadly, far too many Christian leaders have neglected to teach on the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and some have simply refused to do so. There are several possible reasons:

Lack of Knowledge and Proficiency

Some are neither knowledgeable concerning the gifts of the Spirit nor proficient in exercising them. You cannot impart something that you do not first possess. Scripture says, "The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops" (2 Timothy 2:6).

Doctrinal Disagreements

Some oppose the gifts of the Spirit because of long-held personal beliefs or strong denominational positions; they refuse to accept that the gifts are available for believers today.

Deceived by the doctrines of Dispensationalism and Cessationism, they argue the gifts had only a foundational role in Church history and ceased after the Apostolic Age and biblical canon. ALWAYS question "isms" that are man-made.

Misinterpretation of Scripture

Some say there's no need for the gifts of the Spirit to be taught since the Holy Spirit will automatically manifest them through believers. If that's the case, then why did Paul teach on the gifts? Why teach on anything?

They often quote 1 John 2:27 out of context, when verse 27 is exhorting believers to beware of false teachers and stand in the truths they've already learned, truths they had already been taught.

Fear of Misuse and Criticism

Some are fearful that unlocking spiritual gifts will lead to them being misused and draw criticism to their church and its leadership.

Insistence on Exclusivity

Some mistakenly insist that the gifts are only for ordained ministry formally trained for the work of the ministry or that those exercising the gifts are believers specifically chosen by God when neither is true.

Resistance to Spontaneity

Some simply do not want the Holy Spirit interrupting their formalized, planned-in-advance services.

Jesus warns, "'But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in'" (Matthew 23:13).

Let's not be as those who shut up the Kingdom, but rather those who would advance the Kingdom by flinging wide its gates, unlocking spiritual gifts, and inviting everybody to experience all that God offers.

The True Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit

When believers are learning to use the Holy Spirit's gifts, it's only normal that mistakes will be made. It's inevitable, and it's of no surprise to the Holy Spirit. Even those believers seasoned in exercising the gifts can make the occasional mistake.

Paul writes, "For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away" (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10).

Until Jesus returns at the last trumpet and we're all changed to an incorruptible state, we can only exercise the gifts of the Spirit IN PART. We haven't yet the capacity to comprehend the full, complete nature of the Holy Spirit in our current state of being.

Scripture says, "[We] have TASTED the good word of God and THE POWERS OF THE AGE TO COME" (Hebrews 6:5, emphasis added).

As we exercise the gifts of the Spirit, we experience a TASTE of the special powers that'll be available to us in the fullness of the Kingdom. Until then, we must faithfully exercise the gifts according to God's plan.

Embracing the Supernatural

I've had people ask, "Okay, I agree the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are in the Bible and that Paul encourages us to walk in them, but do we really need to focus on them?"

Usually, those who ask haven't an issue focusing on the fruits of the Spirit or other biblical topics. The question often deflects what's really concerning them; their unease about the supernatural nature of the gifts, underlying their lack of confidence to step out in faith and walk in them.

Believers should never be indifferent or fearful of the supernatural when it's impossible to be a follower of Christ and not embrace it.

Consider Jesus' virgin birth, sacrificial death on the cross, physical resurrection from the dead, and bodily ascension into Heaven; they are all SUPERNATURAL events demanding an acceptance of the supernatural by faith!

Ignorance breeds fear and once believers gain an understanding of the supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of discernment of spirits, they will no longer fear the supernatural realm and more eagerly embrace the gifts to do the works of Jesus in love, and advance the Kingdom.

Unlocking Spiritual Gifts

Jesus says, "'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled'" (Matthew 5:6). Filled means filled with the Holy Spirit complete with all His gifts. Does everyone have spiritual gifts? The answer is YES!

We really need to drop every excuse and simply decide to use the Holy Spirit's gifts. Christian leader, now is the time to introduce your group to the gifts of the Spirit. If you're unable, then ask God to send a teacher of the Word who walks in them and can demonstrate their proper use.

Above all, do not ignore the gifts of the Holy Spirit or clamp down on exercising them to avoid the potential for human error; that's error in itself. Unlock spiritual gifts by providing clear instruction along with encouragement, and correction in love whenever it's required.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not lost relics of the Early Church or optional extras in our Christian walk. They are vital God-given tools for building up the Body of Christ and reaching out to a world in need.

The Path Forward

The problem is we're so used to the natural world that the supernatural realm of the Kingdom can feel strange and unnatural. But, the more we pray in tongues and exercise gifts of the Spirit, the more walking in the Kingdom stops feeling abnormal and starts to feel normal.

As we step out in faith to embrace the Holy Spirit's supernatural gifts and exercise them in love to bless others, we grow in our understanding of the Kingdom and open ourselves to a deeper, more powerful experience of our faith.

More in This 8-Part Series

Part 8: Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts

In case you missed it, Part 1: Nine Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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About the Author

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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Hi, I'm Don, and my prayer is that Kingdom Anointing™ will help you build faith, walk confidently in the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and realize your full potential in the Kingdom of God.

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