Maturing as Christians

How do I identify my spiritual gift? There is no magic formula or definitive test that can tell us exactly what our spiritual gifts are. The Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes the gifts as He determines (1 Corinthians 12:7-11). A common problem believers face is the temptation to get so caught up in trying to identify our spiritual gift that we only seek to serve God in the area in which we feel we have been gifted. That is not how the spiritual gifts work. God calls us to o

Let’s continue our teaching, which shows that the distribution of some gifts are limited as to time. The specific gifts are apostleship, prophecy, tongues, healings and miracles. While God can still perform miracles, the gift given to specific individuals to work miracles at will ended with the Apostolic age. For example, the Bible teaches that those who lived at the same time as Jesus experienced certain miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit that weren’t experienced by the ge

Let’s continue discussing the characteristics about the distribution of gifts. Third, some gifts are limited as to time.  It stands to reason that since every believer doesn’t have all the gifts, neither does every generation of the church have all the gifts! Indeed, this principle is found in the Bible. The foundation gifts of apostles and prophets (see Ephesians 2:19-20) belonged not to this generation of the church but to the founding era of the church, and don’t appear in

Scripture (1 Corinthians 12:11, Romans 12:6-8) makes it clear that the Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different people. The Holy Spirit decides which gift each Christian receives for the common good and to build up the church. However there are certain characteristics about the distribution of gifts. First, they’re limited by the Spirit  who gives them. He knows best what’s needed by the church along with what best fits each believer for service. Knowing and embracing

Biblically, spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer at salvation for the common good of the church , building it up in love, not for self-glorification. Key passages like 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4 list various gifts (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, serving, teaching, etc.) that serve different functions, emphasizing stewardship and selfless use for others, distinct from natural talents or learned skills

The next consequence of being filled is submitting to one another in various relationships of life,  in order that harmony and peace will reign in these specific relationships (Ephesians 5:21). In relation to home life, between husbands and wives, parents and children, (Ephesians 5:22-6:4). In relation to employers and employees,  (Ephesians 6:5-9). Being filled with the Holy Spirit brings empowerment for obedience to the Word of God which conforms us to the character of God.

We’re continuing our examination of the consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. In Part Six, we looked at the fruit of the Spirit. Now let’s look at worship, thanksgiving and praise. The verse on being filled (Ephesians 5:18) is followed in its context by these consequences, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Let’s examine the consequences of being filled with the Holy Spirit. We’ve already mentioned that speaking in tongues isn’t one of them (see Part Five). In the Bible the fruit of the Spirit is inseparably connected with being filled.  In Galatians 5, we find apostle Paul contrasting the works of the flesh (the part of humanity corrupted by sin, bent towards evil and opposing God's will), and the fruit of the Spirit. Paul instructs that the means of not fulfilling the works of

The Spirit-filled life is not recommended, suggested, or advised, it’s commanded! Paul says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). The verb, “be filled”  is an imperative. It literally means, “be being filled.”  In the Greek, “be being filled,”  especially in Ephesians 5:18, uses the verb, meaning “a continuous, passive, and controlling influence like a ship's sail catching wind.” It signifies b

Let’s examine the nature of being filled. What does it mean to be Spirit-filled? It’s an ongoing yielding and submission to His guidance. It's the pervasive influence and control of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Paul teaches us, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).  Please note that although there’s a sharp contrast  in this verse between drunkenness and Spirit-filling, there’s also a co