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.

The True Nature of the Gifts of the Spirit

When believers are learning to use their spiritual 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.

Not to worry. God supplies us with His knowledge on a need-to-know basis. If there's something of importance that we need to know, and we've an open mind to receive it, rest assured that the Holy Spirit will reveal it to us.

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

Imagine. As we exercise the gifts of the Spirit, we're experiencing a TASTE of the special abilities that'll be available to us in the fullness of the coming Kingdom. Until then, we must faithfully exercise the gifts of the Spirit in part.

Overcome Objections by 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 when focusing on the fruits of the Spirit or other biblical topics. The question is meant to deflect what's really concerning them: their unease about the supernatural nature of the gifts, and their reticence and 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 a proper understanding of the Holy Spirit's gifted supernatural abilities, 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 and advance the Kingdom.

The Path Forward to Unlocking Spiritual Gifts

Does everyone have spiritual gifts? The answer is an unqualified YES! We really need to drop every excuse and exercise them. Jesus says, "'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled'" (Matthew 5:6), and filled means filled with His Spirit complete with His gifts.

We must not ignore the gifts of the Spirit or clamp down on their use to avoid the potential for human error; that's error in itself.

The answer is to provide instruction on how to exercise the gifts of the Spirit, opportunity for the gifts to be exercised, and correction in love whenever it's required.

Christian leader, now is the time to introduce your congregation to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. If you're unable, then find a teacher of the Word who's experienced in the gifts and can teach their operation.

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are not 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.

As we embrace these supernatural gifts, exercise them in love, and grow in our understanding of the Kingdom, we open ourselves to a deeper, more powerful experience of our faith.

Jesus says, "'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 us not be those who shut up the Kingdom, but rather those who advance the Kingdom by flinging wide its gates, unlocking spiritual gifts, and inviting all to experience the fullness of what God has to offer for His Church.

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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