Operating in the Gifts of the Spirit
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal" (1 Corinthians 12:7). The nine gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8–10 — the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues — are not a museum collection of historical phenomena. They are present-tense manifestations of the Spirit, distributed by Him as He wills, given for the building up of the body of Christ. Every Spirit-filled believer is a candidate for any of them at any time, as the situation in front of them requires.
This pillar is dedicated to biblical teaching on operating in the gifts of the Spirit — for believers in small Pentecostal, charismatic, and independent churches across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and beyond who want to walk in everything the Spirit has made available to His people. Two of the nine gifts — prophecy and the gifts of healings — have their own dedicated pillars on this site because of the depth of teaching they require. This pillar covers the remaining seven and the broader principles of how the gifts work in the believer's life.
The Three Categories of Gifts
The nine gifts cluster naturally into three groups. Revelation gifts — the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and the discerning of spirits — reveal something the believer could not know by natural means. Power gifts — faith, gifts of healings, and the working of miracles — produce something supernatural in the situation. Vocal gifts — prophecy, kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues — speak something out by the Spirit's prompting. Understanding the categories helps the believer recognise what is happening when the Spirit moves through them, and what the Spirit is asking them to release.
Articles in this pillar teach each of the seven gifts covered here in turn, with biblical examples and practical application.
The Word of Wisdom and the Word of Knowledge
The word of wisdom is a Spirit-given insight into what to do in a situation. The word of knowledge is a Spirit-given insight into a fact the believer would not naturally know — often about a person's situation, condition, or need. Both are momentary, situation-specific, and given to bless. Jesus operated in both constantly through His earthly ministry: He told the woman at the well things about her life she had not disclosed (word of knowledge, John 4:17–18); He gave Peter the answer about the temple tax in the fish's mouth (word of wisdom, Matthew 17:27).
Articles teach how to recognise these gifts when the Spirit gives them, how to deliver what you receive, and how to grow in sensitivity to the Spirit's prompting.
Discerning of Spirits
The discerning of spirits is the Spirit-given ability to recognise the spiritual source behind what is happening — whether the work of the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, or a deceiving spirit. It is essential in every era but particularly in seasons of widespread spiritual activity, where genuine moves of God and counterfeit moves often appear side by side. Articles teach the biblical foundation, common ways the gift operates, and how to grow in spiritual perception without becoming suspicious or fearful.
The Gift of Faith and the Working of Miracles
The gift of faith is a sudden surge of supernatural confidence beyond the believer's own faith level — given for situations that require it. The working of miracles is the supernatural intervention of God to override natural law in answer to faith and for the glory of Christ. Both are part of the normal life of the Spirit-filled believer when there is openness, expectation, and willingness to step out.
Tongues and Interpretation in the Public Setting
Distinct from the personal prayer language available to every Spirit-baptised believer, the gift of tongues for public use is a message in tongues delivered to the gathered body — and it must be accompanied by interpretation (1 Corinthians 14:27–28). When tongues and interpretation work together publicly, they function in the same role as prophecy: edification, exhortation, consolation. Articles teach the difference between private tongues and public tongues, how to deliver a message in tongues with order, and how interpretation operates.
What You Will Find in This Section
Articles cover the biblical foundation of the nine gifts, each gift in turn, the difference between the gifts and the offices, how the gifts operate in everyday life (not just in church meetings), how to grow in sensitivity to the Spirit, common errors and how to avoid them, the gifts in small group and home settings, and how to release the gifts in the workplace, the home, and personal ministry. All grounded in 1 Corinthians 12 and the rest of Scripture, written from inside Pentecostal experience.
Connected Pillars
The gifts connect with The Baptism in the Holy Spirit — because the baptism opens the door to operating in the gifts. They connect with Prophecy and the Prophetic Gift and Healing, the two gifts that have their own dedicated pillars. And they connect with Hearing God's Voice, because the revelation gifts (word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits) all flow from a believer's growing capacity to hear what the Spirit is saying.
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