Habits for Life | Gifts vs Talents

What’s the difference between Gifts VS Talents?

TALENTS

Depend on Natural Power

Given by God

Instruct, Inspire, Entertain on a Natural Level

Given at Birth

Common Grace of the Spirit

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Depend on Supernatural Power

Given by God

Instruct, Inspire, Build Up the Saints to Service Natural Supernatural

Given at New Birth

Special Grace of the Spirit

The spiritual gifts are received not developed, often unexpected . You don't need to be trained for it, you are already equipped.

The Holy Spirit will use your natural talents, too.

You may have musical, artistic, or linguistic talent, and the Holy Spirit can use those talents, even though they are not spiritual skills. Your natural abilities can inspire and provoke, but they cannot transform like your spiritual gifts.

Perhaps God gave you the gift of healing, and your vocation is medicine. Perfect! God loves to take your natural and put His “super” on it.

Our natural skills can complement our spiritual grace, but it doesn’t always confirm it.

If the gift does not reveal Jesus, it’s a talent.

Is the talent to teach a natural skill or a spiritual gift?

For the non-believer, it’s just a talent. For the believer, the Spirit can intensify the natural talent with supernatural grace.

Romans 12:6–8 NIV

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives someone a spiritual gift where they have no natural ability.

Maybe you were born with a stutter or suffer from extreme anxiety, and the Holy Spirit will give you the gift of preaching.

It’s supernatural! Why would God do this? A few reasons!

First, God loves to take the small things and confound the wise.

1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Second, so we don’t depend purely on our natural ability. Instead, we can diligently develop our faith to move in our spiritual gifts and dependency on the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Jeremiah 9:23–24 NIV

23 This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, 24 but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.

Do you feel like you don’t have anything to offer God?

Do you lack talents?

Do you feel like a “nobody” in a world of “somebodies”?

1 Corinthians 1:26–31 NIV

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

God’s not done with your life!

You are exactly who He chose. He is not shocked, disappointed, or disillusioned with your life, and as long as you are on the Earth, He has a plan.

He has never had any illusions about you, so how could He be disillusioned? Listen, you are among many friends! Spiritual heroes who’ve experienced similar things like you.

Look at this list:

Abraham was old.

Elijah was suicidal.

Joseph was abused.

Job went bankrupt.

Moses had a speech problem.

Gideon was afraid.

Samson was a womanizer.

Rahab was a prostitute.

The Samaritan woman was divorced (five times).

Noah was a drunk.

Jeremiah was young.

Jacob was a cheater.

David was a murderer.

Jonah ran from God.

Naomi was a widow.

Peter denied Christ three times.

Martha worried about everything.

Zacchaeus was small and money-hungry.

The disciples fell asleep while praying.

Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians before becoming one.

Think you are not good enough for God to use in mighty ways? Think again.

Let’s take a look in the first 3 gifts the revelation gifts

They include “knowing” something and operating in a prophetic flow.

Here’s a simple way to understand the difference between these three gifts.

A gift of Supernatural Wisdom is a word for the future.

A gift of Supernatural Knowledge is a word for the present.

A gift of Supernatural Discernment is a word to reveal the unseen source.

Whats a gift of wisdom?

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NIV

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 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. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Paul highlights NINE spiritual gifts in this passage. He mentions other gifts in Romans 12 and Ephesians 4, but these were the primary gifts operating in the vast majority of the Body of Christ during that time.

It’s the same for today!

These nine are the most predominantly used gifts in the Five fold Ministry (e.g. Ephesians 4: Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, and Evangelists) and the entire community of believers.

Most healthy churches will function in these primary gifts.

The first gift Paul lists in 1 Corinthians 12 is the spiritual gift of wisdom; often called a word of wisdom.

“The Spirit gives to one the gift of the word of wisdom.”

‘“Word” is the Greek word logos, and it describes a word.

It is not a whole message, but a fragmentary message.

The word “wisdom” in Greek is sophia, which describes insight or special insight not naturally known.

When these words are joined to form the phrase “word of wisdom,” it describes a fragment of special insight not naturally known.”

A word of wisdom is not the same as using natural wisdom.

I like using the phrase supernatural wisdom to help us differentiate the two. Natural wisdom uses our intellect, experience, and sound judgment to answer a pressing need, question, or situation.

It’s technical in nature. Natural wisdom is great, but it’s not the same as supernatural wisdom.

Supernatural wisdom is predictive in nature and future based. A word of wisdom is supernaturally revealed, delivers direction to a pressing need, question, or situation.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPERNATURAL WISDOM

Predicts, anticipates, and is future based.

God’s wisdom in a specific situation.

Supernaturally revealed.

Delivers an answer to a pressing question.

Delivers direction to a pressing need.

Provides insight into future events not known in the natural world.

Words of wisdom are strictly exclusive and predictive.

Fragments of insight but not the complete picture.

Supernatural wisdom points to God’s omniscience.

God knows all things!

A Word of wisdom can answer a present question, solve a pressing issue, or even open up the future to you! When you see a glimpse of your destiny through the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s supernatural wisdom. God has prepared your future already! God can provide you with access to what you don’t know! The ability to resolve the present or see into the future is so powerful! The benefit of supernatural wisdom is for every believer. You have tomorrow’s answers TODAY, giving you a future advantage!

What’s a gift of Knowledge?

1 Corinthians 12:8 NIV

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

The second is a word of knowledge, and the third is a gift of discernment

All three of these gifts come from a revelation and a prophetic flow. They are Heaven’s intelligence!

The word of knowledge is best described as supernatural knowledge.

IF the gift of supernatural wisdom is a word for the future, the gift of supernatural knowledge is a word for the present.

The Greek word “knowledge” is gnosis, which means knowledge. Both words joined the phrase “word of knowledge.”

Describing a fragment of special knowledge not naturally known. Essentially, the “word of knowledge” is the ability to supernaturally know facts and details that one could never know naturally.

“When a “word of knowledge” is given to a believer by the Holy Spirit, it is often imparted to illuminate listeners to God’s intimate, personal involvement in the facts and details of a specific situation or of a person’s life so that His purpose can be fulfilled in that situation or in that individual’s life.” - Rick Renner

In John 4:5-30, Jesus has a “word of knowledge.” (If you have time, read it!) Jesus was at the well in Samaria, and he met a woman who came to draw water.

He begins a conversation with her. Having never met her before, Jesus instantly communicates specific facts and details about her life that could only be revealed supernaturally.

Let’s jump in at verse 15, where Jesus, having just told the Samaritan woman about a well that never runs dry, is about to deliver supernatural knowledge.

John 4:15–17 NIV

15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.

Jesus has a Word of knowledge about her!

He tests the supernatural wisdom with a question, perhaps to see if she’s open. She is! Immediately Jesus communicates unknown facts about her life.

The word of knowledge took her from distraction to destiny!

Jesus received supernatural intelligence and this gave Him the ability to identify her greatest need.

The Holy Spirit handed Jesus the information she needed to hear that proved His authenticity.

What happens after Jesus delivers supernatural wisdom? Her tone changes immediately.

Radically running back to town saying,

“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did….”

Her words were not entirely true. Jesus didn’t have to tell the woman every detail about her life.

He didn’t systematically go through each fact, robotically providing provable information.

The Holy Spirit imparted just enough details of her specific situation to illuminate God’s intimate and personal involvement.

He spoke to the thing that mattered most, the piece that would prove His reality. When you realize God actually sees you, it breaks you!

How many people in our lives feel ignored, overlooked, or passed over?

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUPERNATURAL KNOWLEDGE

Provable, accurate and present-based

God’s knowledge in a specific situation

Supernaturally revealed    

Reveals God’s investment in every aspect of our lives, even the most minor details Touches the need for identity and belonging    

Exposes the truth and a path of deliverance if needed    

Provides knowledge not known by everyone but known in the natural world

It’s very factual

Points to God’s omniscience

What’s a gift of Discernment?

1 Corinthians 12:10 NIV

10 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.

The gift of discernment! Is one of the most needed gifts in the church at this very moment -

Supernatural Discernment is the third and final gift in the category to “KNOW” something.”

The advantage of supernatural discernment is the ability to understand the unseen source.

Remember, the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and discernment come from revelation and prophetic flow.

As we read in the last chapter, they are Heaven’s intelligence!

Note: We’re studying Paul’s list out of order for the sake of learning and remembering these nine gifts.

The good news is God doesn’t have an order of importance for the gifts of the Spirit, so we’re safe!

Hebrews 4:12 NIV

12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

If you don’t use the gift of discernment, you open your life up to chaos, confusion, and catastrophe. The book of Hebrews teaches us there are different sources in life.

The Word of God helps us know the difference between them. “penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit.”

Next Week we will star with

The gift of Prophecy

The gift of Tongues

The gift of interpretation

Witch is part of the inspiration gifts

Discovering & Activating My Spiritual Gifts: A 15-Day Bible Study to Help you Identify and Understand your Unique Spiritual Gifts Havilah Cunnington.