Gifts and experience

[Porpoise]

So when we become Christian, we're each given at least one spiritual gift. But do we have the ability to use it right away? Or does it take time and experience to be learned and developed?

Ever since I became Christian I've had to learn to discern spirits, recognize the occult, and uncover deception. I've so far twice had to test a spirit using 1 John 4:1-3 to determine if it was from God. I have also encountered what I think was false prophecy in one of the churches I went to.

Do my experiences mean I have the gift of discernment and I'm in the process of developing it, being trained by experience? Or are these just experiences which are unrelated to my spiritual gift? If I am having to learn discernment through experience, does that mean I lack discernment and don't have the gift?

 

[URA]

Not sure if I can answer; take some quiet time with God about this one.

 

[Emli]

So when we become Christian, we're each given at least one spiritual gift. But do we have the ability to use it right away? Or does it take time and experience to be learned and developed?

Ever since I became Christian I've had to learn to discern spirits, recognize the occult, and uncover deception. I've so far twice had to test a spirit using 1 John 4:1-3 to determine if it was from God. I have also encountered what I think was false prophecy in one of the churches I went to.

Do my experiences mean I have the gift of discernment and I'm in the process of developing it, being trained by experience? Or are these just experiences which are unrelated to my spiritual gift? If I am having to learn discernment through experience, does that mean I lack discernment and don't have the gift?

The gift of discerning of spirits was the first gift that God gave me as well, and He had me using it a lot after I understood what was happening. And it wasn't always easy, because God sends trials when He wants to teach us. He allowed a lot of deception to come into my life, so I could learn from it. It was small things at first, then it got more difficult. But I learned how to use the gift, and I also learned how it works spiritually. The fact that you have to learn from experience does not mean that it isn't a gift.

All gifts come from the Holy Spirit, and it is Him working in us, co-operating with us, in His leading of course, as we follow Him. So He gifts us as we are maturing in Him, and equips us for what He gives us to do. Look at it as a part of your walk with Him, and not as a supernatural power that He has given you apart from Him. If it's discernment that comes from God, it will always be Him working in you, the Holy Spirit revealing truth to you. And it takes time to grow in Christ.

When we test the spirits, we use Scripture, so we have to know Scripture first, which comes from not only reading, but applying it to our lives, as the Holy Spirit opens our eyes from the experiences and trials we face. You won't understand everything all at once, trust me, it takes time. God will show you what your gift is, what it isn't, what He wants you to do, and what He doesn't want you to do. That comes from wisdom, which He also gives you from experience, from praying, from studying, from walking with Him. Don't rush it or excpect too much. Focus more on getting to know God than on what He wants to use you for, making Christ your focus in life and His Word your foundation for everything. God will lead you from there.

 

[Richard T]

I do think you will be able to use your gifts right way, especially if you speak in tongues for edification. Still, I think it will take practice and knowledge to more fully learn and operate in your gifts. I base this on the gift of prophecy, that Romans 12:6 (KJV) 6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;" As you grow in grace, you will grow in your faith and gifts. Sorry, I do not know much about your specific gift, though every believer has to have some level of discernment and the growth of it. Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Your gift goes beyond this, though I think the maturity and the other things I have mentioned are some of the principles of all spiritual gifts

 

[Greg J.]

So when we become Christian, we're each given at least one spiritual gift. But do we have the ability to use it right away? Or does it take time and experience to be learned and developed?

Ever since I became Christian I've had to learn to discern spirits, recognize the occult, and uncover deception. I've so far twice had to test a spirit using 1 John 4:1-3 to determine if it was from God. I have also encountered what I think was false prophecy in one of the churches I went to.

Do my experiences mean I have the gift of discernment and I'm in the process of developing it, being trained by experience? Or are these just experiences which are unrelated to my spiritual gift? If I am having to learn discernment through experience, does that mean I lack discernment and don't have the gift?

It really depends on the person and how God wants to handle it. There isn't one answer for everyone. The Holy Spirit can be doing it all through you from the start, or you may need to learn it slowly. It can take a very long time in some cases. Your best bet is to not be trying to learn it all on your own. Regularly check in with someone who has some breadth and depth of knowledge about spiritual gift, especially the ones you think you have. Be sure to do a thorough Bible study on it. Be sure to be relying on God for it. The point at which you think you understand it and can handle it, God will throw a wrench your way to remind you that you need him to be able to take every breath that you take.