Vocal Gifts
Given as the Holy Spirit Wills
As we’ve said in our previous lessons it is important to always remember these 9 gifts of the spirit are released or expressed through believers as the Holy Spirit decides and determines. No person can just decide on their own to use or manifest one of these gifts. It is only as the Holy Spirit wills. God uses these gifts to help people and to help build the church in very supernatural ways.
3 Vocal Gifts of the Spirit
We have already done a lesson on the 3 Revelation Gifts and a Lesson on the 3 Power Gifts. Here are links to each of those lessons. Click here – for Power Gifts. Click here – for Revelation Gifts. Today we are covering the 3 Vocal Gifts. Prophecy, Interpretation of tongues, and Different kinds of tongues.
Different kinds of tongues.
Speaking in different kinds of tongues is a supernatural utterance in an unknown tongue. This gift enables a person to speak in languages they’ve never learned or understand. This gift has nothing to do with the ability or training of a person. It is a miracle of the Holy Spirit.
Often this gift is referred to as “speaking in tongues” which creates confusion and misunderstanding among many because there are different ways speaking in tongues is manifested. While the gift of different kinds of tongues (one of the 9 spiritual gifts) is speaking in tongues it is NOT the same as when a person who has been baptized WITH the Holy Spirit speaks in tongues during a time of prayer, devotion, or ministry.
This manifestation or use of speaking in tongues is available at any time whenever a believer wants to pray in the Spirit. The purpose of this kind of speaking in tongues is to; 1) Magnify God (Acts 10:45-46), 2) Edify ourselves (1Cor. 14:4; Jude 20), 3) to supernaturally speak to God, (1Cor. 14:2,14), and 4) for Spiritual refreshing (Is. 28:11-12).
The spiritual gift of “Different kinds of tongues” on the other hand is only manifested when the Holy Spirit decides and it must be used in conjunction with the gift of interpretation of tongues. The purpose of this gift when coupled with the interpretation of tongues is for edification, exhortation, and comfort – (equals the gift ofprophecy) (1Cor. 14:3)
Interpretation of Tongues
The interpretation of tongues is a supernatural explanation and clarification of that which has been spoken through the gift of different kinds of tongues. It is not a translation, but rather an interpretation.
The purpose of the gift of interpretation of tongues is to help the church (the people) understand what was said in the unknown tongue and thus bring comfort, encouragement, and edification to the people. Again interpretation of tongues and different kinds of tongues should and need to operate together.
Prophecy
Don’t confuse the spiritual gift of prophecy with the motivational gift of prophecy as listed in Romans 12:6 or with the office of prophet which is one of the ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4:11. Even though the word prophecy and or the word prophet is used in all three instances they don’t mean the same thing.
The spiritual gift of prophecy is to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in a way that edifies, encourages, and or comforts the person or people being spoken to. 1 Corinthians 14:3 very clearly tells us this, “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.”
Gift of Prophecy is NOT Predicting the Future
The spiritual gift of prophecy is NOT predicting the future and it is not preaching. Preaching is the proclaiming or announcing the good news. Every believer is called to preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15) The gift of prophecy is only manifested at the will of Holy Spirit. Again the gift for prophecy is not predicting the future it is to help edify the church and to exhort and comfort the believer. As explained earlier the gift of different kind of tongues and interpretation of tongues serves the same purpose as the spiritual gift of prophesy.
Manifestation of the Gifts Should Exalt Jesus
These 3 vocal gifts along with the 3 power gifts and the 3 revelation gifts all are supernatural manifestations. They are to help make ministry more effective and they will always exalt Jesus and lift up His Lordship. They are not to attract attention to some person, but rather to Christ.
Earnestly Desire the Gifts
We need and should have a sound and accurate understanding of these gifts. Paul warns us “not to be ignorant” about them. (1Corinthians 12:1) We are encouraged to “earnestly desire” these gifts. (1Corinthians 14:1). It’s funny how instead much of the church is ignorant about the gifts and tend to avoid them rather that desire them.
I pray this and the other lessons on the gifts will help you have a better understanding and put a desire in you for the gifts to operate through you as the spirit wills.