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Skills versus spiritual gifts

By admin | January 13, 2010

Still reflecting on the theme of ‘supernatural living’ (and many thanks to all those who wrote in following the last post on assignment), in this post I want to concentrate on the subject of skills and spiritual gifts.

 

Most of the work we do either in the church or out in the world involves a certain degree of skill.  I meet many skilful people, who have worked at developing their skills. Whilst this is important, I believe that the scriptures encourage us to seek God’s empowerment on all we do. Let me explain. 

 

We need interpersonal skills to be an usher or greeter, listening skills to be a counsellor, flower arranging or balloon skills to beautify the church, teaching skills to be a teacher, administrative skills to organise the church, music skills to play an instrument, even good reading skills to read the scriptures in an engaging way and the list goes on.

 

 Most of our work and church activity involves using various skills and rightfully so, but I am increasingly concerned that people are encouraged to develop their skills and almost nothing is said about spiritual gifts or spiritual empowerment. Without spiritual empowerment, a lot of what we do becomes hard work and our effectiveness is limited.

 

Spiritual gifts are supernatural assistance given to us to make our work easier. If you are a counsellor, having revelation gifts e.g. the word of knowledge or wisdom makes the task easier, if you go out on evangelism or find it difficult to witness, having a word of knowledge or the gift of healing would make the work easier.

 

By spiritual gifts I am referring to scriptural references in :

 

 

These scriptures refer to a number of spiritual gifts but of particular relevance to this post are the gifts mentioned in Romans 12:3-8. These include serving, teaching, encouraging, contribution to the needs of others, leadership and mercy. These gifts can also be considered to be skills. We refer to teaching skills, leadership skills et. We say that some people are encouragers, are merciful etc. I would like us to pay attention to the text. The book of Romans informs us that these are gifts given to us by the grace of God. The word grace here refers to spiritual enablement or assistance.

 

To establish whether we are referring to a skill or a gift, you need to ask yourself whether  you experience the supernatural assistance of God when the ‘gift’ or ‘skill’ is being manifested.

 

I believe that we can only obtain these gifts by waiting on God and asking for it. The simple truth about Christianity is that all we need to do is ask.

 

Knowing that spiritual gifts make our work a lot easier, we should be actively seeking them. Walking in the gifts of the Spirit would require that we stay in constant communion with God and we can only do that by maintaining a prayerful life. We are responsible for the use and development of the skills He has given us.  In other words, there can be no laziness in the kingdom of work. There can be no short shorts. Let’s not be tempted to go and use our ‘skills’ without seeking for God’s divine empowerment.

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Spiritual gifts are given to us to enable us to fulfil His will on earth.

God wants to empower us supernaturally to get His work done. The qualification to get spiritual gifts is quite simple- all we need to do His ask. Skills alone are not enough, otherwise God would not have given us gifts.

 

I have started to review my own life and ask for more of His ‘empowerment on my skills’ and I want to encourage you to do the same. Remember, supernatural empowerment makes life and His work a lot easier. Skills are not enough

 

Just some more thoughts to share with you, but until I appear again in your inbox, stay blessed

 

Ola

 

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Topics: Christian |

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