Smith Wigglesworth on Spiritual Gifts

1. Spiritual Gifts Are Diverse and Empowered by the Holy Spirit

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant."

Divine Distribution of Gifts. Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to believers for the purpose of building up the church and advancing God's kingdom. These gifts are not based on human merit but on God's grace and purpose.

Types of Spiritual Gifts:

• Word of wisdom
• Word of knowledge
• Faith
• Gifts of healing
• Prophecy
• Discerning of spirits
• Speaking in tongues
• Interpretation of tongues

Purposeful Empowerment. Each gift is strategically given to equip believers for specific ministry tasks. The Holy Spirit chooses how to distribute these gifts, ensuring that the body of Christ functions effectively and glorifies God.

2. Love Is the Foundation of Spiritual Manifestations

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal."

Love Supersedes Gifts. Spiritual gifts without love are meaningless and ineffective. The apostle Paul emphasizes that genuine love is the essential foundation for any spiritual manifestation.

Characteristics of Spiritual Love:

• Patient
• Kind
• Not envious
• Not boastful
• Not proud
• Not self-seeking
• Not easily angered
• Keeps no record of wrongs

Transformative Power. True spiritual love transforms gifts from mere performances into powerful, life-changing demonstrations of God's character and purpose.

3. Discernment Protects Against Spiritual Deception

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God."

Spiritual Vigilance. Discernment is a critical spiritual gift that helps believers distinguish between divine inspiration and satanic deception. It requires spiritual sensitivity and a deep understanding of God's Word.

Testing Spiritual Sources:

• Examine the source's confession of Jesus Christ
• Evaluate the fruit of the message
• Seek Holy Spirit's guidance
• Maintain humility
• Avoid judgment, seek understanding

Protection from Deception. Discernment prevents believers from being led astray by false prophets, misleading teachings, and spiritual counterfeits.

4. Tongues and Interpretation Serve a Divine Purpose

"For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries."

Spiritual Communication. Tongues are a supernatural language that enables direct communication with God, transcending human linguistic limitations.

Purposes of Tongues:

• Personal spiritual edification
• Prophetic revelation
• Intercession
• Spiritual warfare
• Demonstration of Holy Spirit's power

Interpretive Function. The gift of interpretation provides understanding and corporate edification when tongues are spoken in a congregational setting.

5. Faith Transcends Human Limitations

"The faith of Christ never wavers. When you have His faith, the thing is finished."

Supernatural Belief. Authentic faith goes beyond human reasoning and circumstances, drawing power directly from God's promises and character.

Faith Characteristics:

• Sees beyond natural circumstances
• Believes before seeing manifestation
• Rests in God's sovereignty
• Overcomes fear
• Produces miraculous results

Transformative Power. Faith enables believers to access supernatural resources and experience God's intervention in seemingly impossible situations.

6. Healing Comes Through Compassion and Spiritual Power

"Healing power flows from a heart of compassion and divine authority."

Holistic Healing. Divine healing involves more than physical restoration; it encompasses emotional, spiritual, and relational wholeness.

Healing Principles:

• Requires faith
• Manifests through compassion
• Confronts spiritual oppression
• Depends on Holy Spirit's power
• Glorifies God

Ministerial Approach. Effective healing ministry combines spiritual authority, genuine compassion, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading.

7. Prophecy Reveals God's Heart and Intention

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Prophetic Revelation. Prophecy is more than prediction; it's a divine communication that reveals God's heart, purpose, and current work.

Prophetic Dimensions:

• Personal testimony
• Spiritual encouragement
• Corporate guidance
• Revealing divine mysteries
• Bringing spiritual transformation

Spiritual Edification. Prophecy serves to build up, comfort, and exhort believers, providing direct insight into God's intentions.

8. Personal Transformation Requires Complete Surrender

"To be filled with the Spirit, you must be emptied of self."

Spiritual Emptying. True spiritual growth happens when believers completely surrender their own agendas, desires, and limitations to God's purposes.

Surrender Processes:

• Dying to self
• Embracing brokenness
• Cultivating humility
• Pursuing holiness
• Remaining teachable

Divine Empowerment. Surrender creates space for God's transformative power to work unhindered in a believer's life.

9. The Holy Spirit Guides and Empowers Believers

"The Holy Spirit has all power and all language."

Divine Guidance. The Holy Spirit provides supernatural wisdom, direction, and empowerment for believers navigating life's challenges.

Spirit-Led Living:

• Continuous spiritual filling
• Responsive to divine promptings
• Embracing spiritual gifts
• Walking in spiritual authority
• Maintaining intimate communion

Supernatural Enablement. The Holy Spirit equips believers with power beyond human capability to fulfill God's purposes.

10. Spiritual Warfare Requires Spiritual Weapons

"He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Spiritual Battle Strategy. Effective spiritual warfare involves recognizing and confronting spiritual opposition through divine power and authority.

Warfare Principles:

• Recognize spiritual forces
• Use biblical authority
• Maintain spiritual purity
• Rely on God's power
• Operate in love and compassion

Victorious Living. Believers can overcome spiritual challenges by staying connected to God and operating in His delegated authority.

Last updated: January 3, 2025