“…to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:10, NKJV.

A basic definition of each spiritual gift we will study today…

Miracles – God intervening and superseding over the course of nature in order to accomplish and confirm His purpose and will. (Acts 5:12; 14:3; Romans 15:19; 2Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:4)

Prophecy – God supernaturally revealing information either personally or corporately for the purpose of giving His guidance and direction. (Acts 15:32; 1Corinthians 12:28; 14:29; Ephesians 4:11; 1Thesalonians 5:20; 1Timothy 1:18)

Tongues – God enabling a believer to pray according to the secrets of his heart. (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6; 1Corinthians 12:10; 14:39)

Interpretation of Tongues – God translating the message of a believer’s tongue for the purpose of edification of other believers and the glorification Himself. (1Corinthians 12:10,30; 14:5)

Below is a more in-depth study of one of the gifts we will cover today (Taken from David Guzik’s commentary) for your further study…

Discerning of Spirits: The ability to tell the difference between true and false doctrine, and between what is of the Holy Spirit and what isn’t (Acts 8:18-23 & 16:16-18). Satan appears as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He deceives with a false, tempting message (Genesis 2:16-3:5). There can be lying spirits in the mouths of prophets (1 Kings 22:21-23 & 2 Chronicles 18:20-22). Satan can speak right after God speaks (Matthew 16:23). Sometimes people who seem to say the right things are really from the devil (Acts 13:6-12 & 16:16-18). It is important to test the word of anyone who claims to speak from God (1 John 4:1-3). Satan can work deceiving miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 & Revelation 13:11-14). The devil will try to infiltrate the church with false teachers (Jude 4 & 2 Peter 2:1-2). How we need the gift of discernment in the church today!

My prayer for you as your pastor is that as you continue to study the Word of God at home and in your small groups you would grow spiritually to the point of not just “knowing” but “doing” the will of God. The bible was not just written so we can “know” spiritual things, but so that we might “live” a truly spiritual life.

 Pastor Mike