Does your love of the Lord’s truth drive you to pray long and hard for wisdom, and knowledge, and discernment…
WISDOM: James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
KNOWLEDGE: Psalm 119:66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
DISCERNMENT: Hebrews 5:14 but solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
…so you can then pray for God to show you your spiritual gifts?
The Apostle Paul speaks of the gifts in Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 14:1-5…earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up…
Paul encourages prophesy, but be warned! Without wisdom and knowledge and discernment a person might convince themselves that they have the gift of prophecy, when in fact they do not. Woe to them who do not yet believe they do, for the gift of prophecy is a heady one that the Lord reserves for the humble and obedient, because prophecy (pridefully obtained) can quickly lead to downfall.
Paul talks about speaking in tongues; a beautiful and marvelous treasure if there is an interpreter present. For without one the person speaking in tongues is within themselves and talking only to God; again a beautiful and marvelous thing. With an interpreter, though, everyone is richly blessed!
Paul combines prophesy, correctly done, with tongues, correctly interpreted, as benefiting the Church. Both without correctness only benefits the individual. The spiritual gifts are to be shared with the Church to benefit all. Super important stuff.
So pray. Earnestly seek knowledge, wisdom, and discernment to obtain your spiritual gift(s). Do this daily so you can serve according to God’s will, because Godly servants are a blessing and very much needed during these difficult times.
(Side Note: My friend JAP interprets tongues. She is the most humble and obedient Godly servant I’ve ever met…and experiencing tongues interpreted is knee-bending overwhelming! Interestingly, speaking to her after she’s interpreted, she tells me she never knows what she said. God uses His interpretation gift to JAP strictly to edify His Church.)
Amen!