The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Power with a Purpose

• Meaning

  Proverbs 9:10 says,“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, but what does reverence for God look like in practice? It is the deep certainty that God is perfect, that His ways are perfect and that everything that happens in our lives (both the challenges and the blessings), ultimately works for our good. Reverence is a profound respect and honour for God’s character, even when we’re being tested or don’t fully understand His plan.

  Have you ever heard the saying “as wise as an owl”? It’s a fitting image to help us understand wisdom from a spiritual lens. Owls are often seen as wise because of their large eyes, calm posture and quiet nature. In a similar way, spiritual wisdom is not just knowledge, it’s a divine gift we receive and learn to live out daily.

• Large eyes: Wisdom gives us the ability to see from a higher perspective. To view situations through God’s lens rather than our own limited understanding.

• Calm posture: Wisdom creates a steady and unwavering heart, grounded in peace even when circumstances are uncertain.

• Quiet nature: Wisdom allows us to release control, to stay silent when needed, and to trust that God is leading the way.

  Ultimately, wisdom is the gift of divine perspective: A calm confidence rooted in faith. It lifts our vision above fear and helps us walk through life with clarity and trust in God’s guidance.

• Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:8 , James 1:5

• Biblical Example

1. Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead his people (1 Kings 3:9-12).

2. Job demonstrates perspective and balance, understanding that his faith should remain unwavering through both blessings and hardships (Job 2:10).

• Real-Life Example

  Imagine you’re working hard toward something important, perhaps landing a new job, starting a family, beginning your studies or buying a home. Yet, uncertainty surrounds you. You’re unsure how you’ll afford it, whether you’ll be accepted or if the timing is right.

  Wisdom reminds you that you cannot control every external factor and that you don’t have to. Worrying about what’s beyond your reach only drains your peace and clouds your perspective.

  Practicing wisdom means doing what you can - studying diligently, managing your finances wisely and preparing faithfully, while releasing the outcome to God. It’s the balance of effort and surrender, where you trust that things will align as they are meant to.

  Why is this considered wise? Because it transcends our human tendency to control everything. It’s a spiritual practice that brings calm to the mind and protects your body from the exhaustion of constant stress and fear.

• Meaning

  Knowledge is first mentioned in Genesis with the creation of Adam and Eve. Humans were made in God’s image (tselem Elohim), giving us inherent intellectual and moral potential. Adam and Eve were given free will, meaning we all share the capacity to “know” (to understand relationships, creation and responsibility).

  The Tree of Knowledge symbolizes humanity’s attempt to claim authority over good and evil but to do this without God. Before eating, Adam and Eve related to the world and God in harmony. After eating, their knowledge became experiential, and they lived the reality of good and evil independently of God.

  Knowledge has two aspects:

  1. God-given potential: Inherited from Adam and Eve, humans are naturally able to know, reason and relate.

  2. Experiential knowledge: Full understanding of good and evil comes through experience, which can be gifted by God through His Spirit or acquired through action, including disobedience.

  In Hebrew, ידע (yadaʿ, “to know”) goes beyond the intellectual, it is relational, experiential and spiritual. True knowledge is an awareness of moral, spiritual or relational realities that comes from God, often through His Spirit, divine revelation or instruction. Knowledge is therefore the distinguishing of good and evil, and acting in harmony with God, which ultimately is a gift that requires His guidance.

• Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:8

  Genesis 2:16-17

• Biblical Example

  - Solomon asked God for the insight he needed to lead with discernment (1 Kings 3:9-12).

  - Job showed a deep, steady understanding of God’s character, trusting Him through both blessing and suffering (Job 2:10).

• Real-Life Example

  Think of a season when you’re pursuing something significant: A new job, building a family, beginning your studies, or saving for a home. You’re doing everything you can, yet questions linger: Will this work out? Can I manage the cost? Is this the right moment?

  The gift of knowledge helps you see beyond the surface of those fears. It brings clarity, reminding you that not every variable sits in your hands and it doesn’t need to. This gift allows you to understand your situation with a deeper spiritual lens instead of reacting out of anxiety. Practicing this looks like doing your part with intention: Studying well, stewarding your money wisely, preparing responsibly while entrusting the outcome to God. It’s the harmony of action and faith, where your mind stays clear and your heart stays steady.

  It anchors you in God’s perspective, offering calm, reducing stress, and helping you navigate life with a grounded, God-given understanding.

• Meaning

  In the Bible, there are 2 understandings of faith: Faith as a choice and faith as an empowered gift from The Holy Spirit. The one we are focussing on is the latter, however, let's explore both to see the differences:

1. Faith as a choice:

   In Hebrew, emunah (אֱמוּנָה) refers to a faith that is steadfast, loyal and chosen. It’s not passive belief but an active posture of trust. Emunah is the practice of certainty beyond human logic. Choosing to rely on God’s character, especially when the outcome is unseen. This kind of faith reflects alignment with God’s nature. Example: Abraham leaving his home was a chosen faithfulness before the promise is fulfilled. Emunah, therefore, is not about understanding every detail but about remaining firm in trust, loyalty and obedience.

2. Faith as a gift that is Spirit-empowered:

   1 Corinthians 12:9 talks about “to another faith by the same Spirit.” Here, the Greek word pistis is given as a supernatural empowerment. This isn’t earned or chosen like Emunah, it’s given by God through the Spirit, often to enable extraordinary trust or action, especially in challenging circumstances. The person still experiences challenges as everyone else, but has the ability to trust beyond normal human capacity because of the gifted faith from the Spirit. Example: When Peter stepped out onto water (meta-physically defiant and physically impossible), because he was inwardly assured and convinced by Jesus’ word, thus displaying pistis.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:9

  Hebrews 11:1

• Biblical Example

1. The Roman centurion had said, “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus marvelled at his pistis (Matthew 8:8-10).

2. The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:34): She reached out believing Jesus could heal her and he responded by saying, “Your faith (pistis) has made you well.”

3. Paul’s faith for the completion of his mission was driven by a divine conviction he held, trusting that God’s grace would sustain him (Acts 20:24).

• Real-Life Example

  While you are going about your day or sitting deep in thought/prayer, you suddenly get this feeling (like a calling) to start a leadership academy to give educational opportunities free of charge to children who cannot afford schooling. You have no funding, no experience and people around you think it’s both pointless and impossible. However, despite the external doubt, something within you develops. Something beyond simple hope or optimism. A Spirit-born conviction that this is what you are meant to do, and that God will provide what’s needed. Thus, you start doing your part and put plans in action. You apply for loans or grants, expand your network and reach out to partners. Suddenly, doors open up for opportunities and provide everything you need beyond what you could have done on your own. The inner certainty that goes beyond what is natural to you, is pistis.

• Meaning

  In the New Testament, the spiritual gift of healing is written in Greek as the word ἴασις (iasis), which literally means “cure” or “restoration.” This mirrors the idea of being made whole (physically, emotionally or spiritually). In the New Testament, healing refers to a spirit-given gift which goes beyond human skill and knowledge. It involves the restoring back to the wholeness of the body, soul and mind. In summary, the gift of healing is the spirit-empowered ability to channel God’s restorative power to others so that they can experience wholeness in body, soul or spirit. This is also how we demonstrate God's power to others and lead them to deepen their faith.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:9 , Acts 3:6-8

• Biblical Example

  Peter and John were heading to the temple to pray when they encountered a man, crippled from birth, who was carried daily to the temple to beg for money. When the man saw them, he asked them for a few coins but instead, Peter looked at him and said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” He took the man by the right hand, helped him up, and immediately the man jumped to his feet, began to walk, and went with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. This beautifully illustrates the spiritual gift of healing and the power of faith in action. Peter relied on divine authority, channeling God’s power through faith.

• Real-Life Example

  Your friend complains often that she has been suffering with chronic back-pain and that it affects her sleeping quality as a result. She has bought expensive pillows, a new mattress and goes for weekly massages, but nothing really works. You ask her if she would accept a prayer for her healing, which she then agrees to. 3 days after you prayed for her, she phones you to let you know that she woke up that morning without any pain in her back and that it is truly a miracle.

• Meaning

  The gift of the working of miracles is the supernatural power of God by believers, through faith and a willing participation, to perform acts that transcend natural law. The power to perform miracles comes from God, however, believers act as the vessels through which miracles are done. Therefore, this gift is not a matter of skilfulness but rather a manifested gift through the Holy Spirit.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:10 , John 2:1-11

• Biblical Example

  At the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle. When the wine ran out, Mary brought the issue to Jesus' attention. He instructed the servants to fill six stone jars (normally used for ceremonial washing) with water. The servants took it to the master of the banquet, and the water had miraculously become the finest quality of wine that had ever been served. This reflects the spiritual gift of miracles and reveals something beautiful about God’s character: He doesn’t just provide what is needed, but gives abundantly and with excellence. Turning water into wine was not a miracle performed for survival but for joy and celebration.

• Real-Life Example

  Imagine a local church facing a major challenge, perhaps a community project or outreach program that’s critical for supporting those in need. Despite months of planning and preparation, unexpected obstacles arise. Resources fall short, volunteers face personal emergencies, and it seems impossible to move forward.

  In response, the congregation gathers in prayer, seeking God’s guidance and provision. Just when hope seems thin, a miracle unfolds: donations arrive from unexpected places, volunteers step forward at the perfect moment, and partnerships form with other churches or organisations. What seemed impossible is accomplished, and the community witnesses God’s goodness in action. These moments remind us that miracles aren’t only about spectacular signs; they also work quietly through faith, prayer, and the unity of God’s people. They uplift the church, strengthen trust in God, and inspire others to join in His work.

• Meaning

  The Greek word for prophecy is προφητεία (prophēteia), which translates to “speaking forth”. This parallels with the Old Testament Hebrew concept of nabi (spokesperson/one who is called by God to speak on His behalf). We read in Romans 12:6, and Ephesians 4:11, that prophēteia refers to a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of strengthening, encouraging, guiding and comforting the community. Prophecy is Spirit-given and not self-chosen, therefore its aim is to edify the body of Christ and not to provide personal fortune-telling. Paul encourages believers to “desire” it because of its benefit to others. When someone is practicing this gift, they should maintain self-discipline and discernment to ensure that the gift operates in love and order (reflection of God's nature).

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:10 , 14:3

• Biblical Example

  The Prophecy of Agabus (1st century CE): Agabus was an early Christian prophet in Jerusalem who predicted a famine across the Roman world. This was later confirmed under Emperor Claudius (historian Josephus). Later, he predicted Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem, which also came to pass exactly as he foretold it. (Source: Acts 11:27-30; Acts 21:10-11)

• Real-Life Example

  Corrie ten Boom’s wartime discernment (1940s): Corrie, a Dutch Christian during WWII, recalled moments where she felt clear divine warnings/inner guidance that helped her family evade danger and save Jewish refugees. Her experiences reflect spiritual guidance and revelation, which could also be seen as prophetic. (Source: Her autobiography The Hiding Place)

• Meaning

  According to the Greek diakriseis pneumátōn (1 Corinthians 12:10), the gift of discernment is the Spirit-given gift to distinguish between truth, human emotion and deception. The word diakrisis means “to judge/separate,” emphasizing clear spiritual perception rather than suspicion/skepticism. In the early church, this gift protected believers from confusion of prophetic messages and spiritual manifestations, ensuring that every revelation aligned with Christ’s truth and character.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:10

• Biblical Example

  We see a strong example of the discernment of spirits in Acts 16:16-18. When Paul and Silas traveled through Philippi, a slave girl followed them and shouted out “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation!” Even though what she said was objectively true, Paul discerned that her knowledge came from a spirit of divination. After several days, he commanded the spirit to leave her in the name of Jesus Christ until it did. This demonstrates that discernment is not about judging appearances or words but recognizing the spiritual origin behind them. Truthful statements can be uttered out by someone operating with a spirit that is not the Holy Spirit, which is why the gift of discernment is important for maintaining clarity and protection.

• Real-Life Example

  Imagine a church event where someone shares what they feel is a “message from God.” The words sound passionate and spiritual, but something in the tone or intention feels off. Maybe it stirs fear or pride instead of peace and encouragement. A discerning person senses that the well-meant message is not aligned with the Spirit’s character nor Scripture. They pray and calmly ask questions. In doing so, they discern that the message came from either personal emotion or anxiety rather than divine inspiration.

• Meaning

  The gift of tongues is one of the more debated spiritual gifts because it involves two distinct expressions. In Scripture, it is described as the ability to speak either in the languages of men or the tongues of angels.

• The language of men:

  This refers to speaking in a real, intelligible language that the speaker has never learned. Acts 2:4-8 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them… each one heard their own language being spoken.” In this form, tongues serve as a sign of God’s power to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:22). For example, a person who speaks only English may suddenly minister in fluent Spanish or Swahili so that someone in the room understands the message. This expression is often accompanied by the gift of interpretation, ensuring the message is clear and edifying to all.

• The language of angels:

  This describes an unknown or heavenly language that only God understands.
  This type of tongues is often used in personal prayer and worship, when the believer’s spirit prays beyond the limits of human language. This type of tongues is often used in personal prayer and worship, when the believer’s spirit prays beyond the limits of human language. 1 Corinthians 14:2 says, “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” It represents a deep form of spiritual communion, where words are shaped more by emotion and divine connection than by human reasoning.

• Warnings and Considerations

  Because the Gift of Tongues is often confusing or misunderstood, here are some things to remember about this spiritual gift: 

1. Love and order above all:
   Paul reminds believers that love must be the foundation of every gift. Without love, tongues are just meaningless noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).

2. Interpretation is essential in public:
   In a public gathering, tongues should not be spoken aloud unless someone is present to interpret. Otherwise, the message benefits only the speaker.
   1 Corinthians 14:27-28 says, “If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”

3. Avoid spiritual pride:
   Paul cautions that not everyone will have the same gifts (1 Corinthians 12:29-30). Tongues are a gift, not a mark of higher faith or spirituality.

4. Be mindful of outsiders:
   Uninterpreted tongues can confuse or alienate unbelievers.
   1 Corinthians 14:23 says, “So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues… will they not say that you are out of your mind?”

5. Pursue prophecy above tongues:
   While tongues edify the individual, prophecy edifies the whole community.
   1 Corinthians 14:1, 5 says, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy… The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets.”

   The gift of tongues is a beautiful expression of the Spirit’s presence, sometimes used for public witness, other times for private prayer. Yet, Scripture reminds us to practice it with humility, order and love. Tongues are never meant to replace understanding or to elevate one believer above another, but to draw hearts closer to God in unity and reverence.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:10 , Acts 2:4

• Biblical Example

  The day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12) says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them… each one heard their own language being spoken.” This is a clear example of the “language of men.” The apostles spoke in real and known languages that they had never learned. Jews from across the Roman world heard them proclaim “the wonders of God” in their native tongues. This miraculous sign validated the arrival of the Holy Spirit and symbolized that the gospel was now for all nations, not just Israel.

• Real-Life Example

  You might be attending a small church gathering where everyone is worshipping, praying and ministering to one another. You enjoy the event but it is NOT in your native language. Suddenly, someone stands up and says they have a message to deliver from God to someone, and they speak a biblically-sound and encouraging message in YOUR native language. They have used their gift of tongues (language of men).

  You are experiencing a challenging time in your life and the emotions you are feeling go beyond what your words can even express. During your private time of prayer, you ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in prayer because you feel at a loss for words. You begin to pray in a language that is unknown, almost angelic sounding. It lifts your spirit, encourages you and emotionally regulates your system. You are practising the gift of tongues (language of angels).

• Meaning

  The gift of interpretation of tongues is the brother to the gift of tongues, as they go hand-in-hand. It is the Spirit-given ability to understand and communicate the meaning of a message spoken in tongues, both in the language of men and of angels. In Greek, it is called hermēneia glōssōn, meaning “translation/explanation,” and it ensures that the edification intended by the Spirit reaches the entire church. Paul instructs that anyone speaking in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret (1 Corinthians 14:13) and emphasizes that, in public gatherings, an interpreter must be present so the message encourages, and comforts the congregation (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). Without interpretation, tongues only benefit the speaker. Like all spiritual gifts, the gift of interpretation should be exercised in love, humility and alignment with Scripture, serving the community rather than personal glory, and allowing God’s message to move clearly and powerfully through His people.

• In Scripture

  1 Corinthians 12:10 , 14:27-28

• Biblical Example

  In 1 Corinthians 14:26-28, Paul describes a church gathering where multiple people might speak in tongues: “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up… If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.” From this verse, we can assume that interpretation is actively taking place. While the text does not share a complete example of the gift being exercised, it presents the gift of interpretation in action within early church worship and also emphasizes the importance of edifying the body of Christ.

• Real-Life Example

  You are in a church gathering and someone either speaks in a language you do not know or in a language that is not of man (language of angels), and someone else immediately starts interpreting the spoken message so that everyone can understand or those who need to hear the message (if it is in a language only few understand).

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are God’s way of partnering with humanity to bring heaven’s power into everyday life. These gifts are not meant to elevate individuals but to serve others and glorify God. When combined with the fruits of the Spirit, they create a life that is both grounded in love and overflowing with divine power.