GIFTS AND CHARACTER

InSpireD

KNOW THIS BEFORE YOU GET ANOINTED

You Determine The Degree of Success

You have the sole responsibility of discovering your spiritual gifts and developing them. In this matter, you are the Captain of the Boat of your destiny. All believers are gifted and many have similar gifts but the difference in the level of success achievable can be tracked to the ability to maximise spiritual gifts with the foundation of godliness.

God does not place a limit on the degree of greatness achievable by any christian, rather the effective use of your gifting does.  Some become great with their gifts while some don’t do so well.

How To Get A Spiritual Gift

Spiritual gifts can be discovered through various means. 

✓ The Holy Spirit can reveal them to you.

✓  You may see these gifts in manifestation in other believers and realize you have the same and through earnest desire , get the same gift.

✓  You can also get them by impartation:  

✓ One of the surest way of accessing a gift of the Spirit is through several exposures to such gift in manifestation

Testimonies

I know of a sister, who as a new convert got exposed to the books of Watchman Nee, a prolific Chinese Christian writer. She bought most of his books and coveted this unique writing anointing.  Presently, inspirational writing is one of her prominent gifts.  

Also, I know a sister who worked as an administrator in an orphanage,  Any time, one of the kids was down with a particular ailment, she always desired she had the healing anointing to pray for their healing to alleviate their suffering. 

Many years after she stopped working in  the orphanage, she realized the healing anointing for that particular ailment flows through her hands easily. In the kingdom, the desire of a man’s heart will determine to a large extend what such gets from God. 

You Can Be Gifted And Remain a Spiritual Babe

I want to state categorically, that a man gifting is not  necessary a true reflection of the state of his relationship and walk with God. Usually, the most anointed may not necessary be the most spiritual. We place unnecessary expectations on believers who are highly anointed and expect perfection from them.  Hence you are quick to condemn their mistakes and error because you expected a perfection equivalent to the degree of the anointing they manifest. Some followers stop praying for their leaders and place unnecessary high stardard on them, believing they can never fall. By God's grace, our Leaders will always stand tall and strong.

Recent happenings in the Body of Christ  has proved the above statement as the truth. . A man/woman who is highly gifted and anointed does not mean such is a Spirit - full Christian who  operates under a Spirit -controlled temperament. Being anointed and been influenced  by the Holy Spirit are two separate phenomenon.

Character Perfection Is Not Needed For The Anointing

Please understand that am not saying, you must be perfect to be used of God and l am not also saying it’s a sin for an anointed man to have flaws and weaknesses. But I want to emphasis that just as we yearn for the gifts and anointing of the Spirit, we must ensure that we work on our character.  For spiritual gifting can get you to the top but it takes godly  character  to keep you in the Presence of the God who anointed you. 

 ✓ Any speck of flaw.you don't deal with today , could become a log of weaknesses that will deal with your glorious destiny.

I cite the example of an American Judge; who was nominated for the post of a  Judge in the Supreme Court. But the flaws in his character almost stopped his enthronement. Just as it is in the secular, so it is in the spiritual. Sons are recognized by their fruits and not just by demonstration of power. .Our Lord Jesus said  you shall know them by their fruits. Matt 7:21

"Not all who sound religious are really godly people. They may refer to me as Lord, but still won't get to heaven. For the decisive question is whether they obey my Father in heaven. at the judgement seat many will tell me, Lord, Lord, we told others about you and used your name to cast out devil and to do other great miracles…

The gifting of a believer in Christ is not equal to his maturity in spiritual matter or personal character development. The purpose of this writing is to emphasize the need for caution. 

Don’t get carried away by a man’s gifting and demonstration of power. We have a lot of so called miracle workers who prophesy by Baal and perform miracles by the power of Beelzebub, so you must always put on your discerning glasses. 

Also, dont be blinded by your own gittings at the expense of your character. while beauty can be a strong attraction for marriage partner,  it is godly  character and knowledge that sustains marriage relationship. Proverbs 31:30 supports this.

Charm can fool you.and beauty can trick you but a woman who respects the LORD should be praised and a faithful man who can find?

Though you are gifted, don't be blinded by it, work on your character and learn to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit. 

Hephzibah Abigail