Gifts of the Holy Spirit
September 25, 2025
Yesterday, I published on this platform an essay of the first steps for the walk as a Bible Believing Born Again Christian, focusing specifically on the announced endowments given with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Just before I did, I realized that that old serpent, the devil, would immediately start taking potshots at those dynamics…
I realized I needed to explain that dynamic event further. So, here’s what I felt I needed to say to contend with the devil’s tricks…
First, of course, is the Bible context:
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. — 1 Corinthians 12:4–11,NIV.
A very foundational principle to remember is that the Holy Spirit will never ever contradict the Scriptures. So read the Bible. Familiarize your mind with the whole Bible — especially the New Testament.
Realize the first deception in the Bible is the devil posing a question to Eve, “Did God really say…”
Another foundational dynamic is that Biblical faith is not a “pie in the sky” pursuit. A person’s relationship with God needs to be experiential, meeting Him on His terms, and having two-way conversations with Him through this very Holy Spirit. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. — John 4:24, NIV.
Still, however, my emphasis and your focus here should be that Christianity is to be experienced and experienced in this meat and potatoes world, not in a fantasy apart from real life.
The late Rex Humbard used to give altar calls, prefacing them with the question, “Do you know that you know that you know you are saved?” Asking that are you are thoroughly convinced you have become a changed person inside, and been made right with God.
Are you sure?
Alan Jackson — Blessed Assurance (Live)
Nevertheless, my other emphasis is a warning that there are many deceptions and false teachings throughout the world today, as it has always been. Very cleverly devised, they can imitate, confuse, even panic people, perhaps even causing a stampede away from Jesus.
Sadly, even Born Again Christians can be led astray.
Having a group who are solid with the dynamics of the presence of the Holy Spirit with the “different kinds of gifts, service, and working, but it is the same God at work,” and “to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Therefore, if there are no real results, no one is edified or encouraged or built up in both their faith and their walk with God, then maybe it is not the moving of the Holy Spirit.
What I am trying to get to here is the reality of the existence of counterfeits. Just like printing fake money, it takes some learning, skill, and a keen eye to tell the difference between a real twenty dollar bill and its counterfeit.
Speaking in tongues is probably the most faked and the most strained example.
My wife and I have both experienced Baptism in the Holy Spirit whose gifts have operated in our lives in various ways.
When we don’t know exactly how to pray, the Spirit intervenes using language unknown to us and its effects were unknown to us until later. For example, when someone we know was in a dire situation and as she learned later, the person was suddenly saved from it at the same time Patty was praying in that unknown language.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
One time, early on in my faithwalk, I was in a meeting with a small group of fellow young Believers, and two people were speaking in tongues, and for the first time quite spontaneously, I recited to them some “thus saith the Lord” Scripture, which they received with joy.
Never knowing their particular need or having any idea of the spiritual food they needed, “that manifestation of the Spirit was given for the common good.”
Throughout my years in my faithwalk, I have had the privilege to have witnessed the uplifting operation of the gifts as almost a common and everyday event: Jesus promised, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” — Matthew 18:20, NASB.
How fortunate my life has been since surrendering my life to Jesus!
Katy Nichole — “I Found Jesus” (Official Lyric Visualizer)
Chris Tomlin — I Lift My Hands
Anne Wilson — My Jesus (Official Music Video)
Join us won’t you?
Brian Ortize // Way Maker // Official Lyric Video
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace… — Hebrews 13:8&9, NIV.
