What is the relationship between spiritual gifts, natural talents, and the Holy Spirit?
Spiritual gifts are distinct from natural talents. While talents are related to physical birth, spiritual gifts are related to spiritual birth and are supernatural in nature (1 Cor. 1:26–29; 2:12–14). The gifts of the Spirit are different from 'the fruit of the Spirit' (Gal. 5:22–23), with the presence of a gift indicating the indwelling of the Spirit, but the presence of fruit evidencing the filling of the Spirit. Spiritual gifts can be imitated, whereas the fruit of the Spirit cannot. The Corinthians exhibited every spiritual gift (1 Cor. 1:7) and emphasized the exercise of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12–14), yet were carnal (1 Cor. 3:1). Pursuing the fruit is far better than pursuing the gift, as where the fruit exists, the gift will surely function. Paul calls this 'a still more excellent way' (1 Cor. 12:31). There are twenty different categories of spiritual gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4.
Source: The Basics The Basics — Spiritual gifts (canonical doctrine) · Read this lesson in the book →
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See also
- What is the biblical teaching on being a hero of faith?Same lesson · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about judging in the Christian life?Same lesson · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about small things and their significance in God's plan?Same lesson · The Basics
- What does the Bible teach about mentality as a soul strength and soul kink?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What is self-consciousness according to the Bible?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
- What does the Bible teach about God's discipline of His children?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion
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