Christians with Superpowers
As a kid I used to think that having superpowers would be the coolest thing. Most boys imagine themselves flying like Superman, or having a sixth sense like Spider-Man. It turns out that most Christians do have powers, but they are called Spiritual Gifts. I honestly did not know about this until I took the class “Discovering Your Gifts” at Moody Church. These spiritual gifts are wisdom, healing, leadership, prophecy, wisdom, discernment, faith, teaching, miracles, word of knowledge, interpretation, and mercy---just to name a few of the 23 that are described in the Bible by the Apostle Paul and others.
After completing several assessments I discovered I had up to five gifts/powers! I have the spiritual gifts of discernment, word of knowledge, mercy, faith and creativity. The description of each is as follows---
Discernment: To distinguish between truth and error. Differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong. Christians who have this gift are able to identify deception. They can recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message or interpretation. They are also able to sense the presence of evil. (Ooooh! This is probably the coolest.)
Word of Knowledge: Brings the truth to the body through a revelation or biblical insight. Christians who have this gift are able to search the Scriptures for insight, understanding and truth. They gain knowledge that is not attained by natural observation or means. They are inquisitive and spiritually sensitive.
Mercy: To cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or in need, having compassion that is moved to action. Christians who have this gift concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people.
Faith: Act on God’s promise with confidence and unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill his purpose. These Christians go forward when others will not. They ask God for what is needed and trust him for his provision.
Creativity: Ability to communicate God’s truth in a variety of art forms.
I tend to believe these choices are true of me because I would have wanted to have the gift of healing, or performing miracles--but the assessments did not score these high enough. Additionally I did not know or want the gifts of mercy or creativity---but they showed up very high on the independent assessments made by three people who know me.
After completing several assessments I discovered I had up to five gifts/powers! I have the spiritual gifts of discernment, word of knowledge, mercy, faith and creativity. The description of each is as follows---
Discernment: To distinguish between truth and error. Differentiating between good and evil, right and wrong. Christians who have this gift are able to identify deception. They can recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message or interpretation. They are also able to sense the presence of evil. (Ooooh! This is probably the coolest.)
Word of Knowledge: Brings the truth to the body through a revelation or biblical insight. Christians who have this gift are able to search the Scriptures for insight, understanding and truth. They gain knowledge that is not attained by natural observation or means. They are inquisitive and spiritually sensitive.
Mercy: To cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or in need, having compassion that is moved to action. Christians who have this gift concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people.
Faith: Act on God’s promise with confidence and unwavering belief in God’s ability to fulfill his purpose. These Christians go forward when others will not. They ask God for what is needed and trust him for his provision.
Creativity: Ability to communicate God’s truth in a variety of art forms.
I tend to believe these choices are true of me because I would have wanted to have the gift of healing, or performing miracles--but the assessments did not score these high enough. Additionally I did not know or want the gifts of mercy or creativity---but they showed up very high on the independent assessments made by three people who know me.
Several points the teacher made clear was that these gifts are given to Christians after they receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. They do not manifest themselves before conversion. They are also meant to glorify God and not ourselves. So after all, I do have my own spider-sense! That means that no one should try to pass any wool over my eyes. What do you think?
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