What makes an ability spiritual?

[rennamo]

Hi!
I have often wondered what makes an ability a spiritual gift. What is actually the definition of spiritual gift? If, for instance, someone says they have the ability to interpret dreams, how do you know that it is real, and not just something they make up?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Genesis 40:8Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

8 And they said to him, We have dreamed dreams, and there is no one to interpret them. And Joseph said to them, Do not interpretations belong to God?


Genesis 41:15-16Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it; and I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream and interpret it.

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, It is not in me; God [not I] will give Pharaoh a [favorable] answer of peace.
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

 

[tturt]

And often Yahweh uses a mouthpiece
Gen 41:25 "And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.:" He continues about the meaning of the dreams. "And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:"

Spiritual gifts help enable us to serve others and they're beyond natural abilities. These manifestations of The Spirit require communication from Yahweh. Some spiritual gifts are stated in I Cor 12:8-10, I Peter 4, and Rom 12:6-8. As believers, we have at least one spiritual gift ("But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." I Cor 12:7). We know that every man is referring to believers because this is addressed to "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren..." I Cor 12:1

How Yahweh uses us is an important aspect of our purpose in life. There are spiritual gift inventories online that might be useful. Of course, pray and asks Yahweh how He wants to use us.

Think there's a learning period for each gift such as the school of prophets with Elijah and Elisha (II Kings 2) and those who returned to Yeshua "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name"...."Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10 People progress at different rates while we're learning. Though I don't think we'll ever get to the point where we're not learning.

As far as if it's true or something that they just made it up, has it happened? Bearing in mind that the time frame may differ than what we expect.

 

[Biblicist]

Hi!
I have often wondered what makes an ability a spiritual gift. What is actually the definition of spiritual gift? If, for instance, someone says they have the ability to interpret dreams, how do you know that it is real, and not just something they make up?

As for interpreting dreams, when it comes to the New Testament this is not actually an activity of the Holy Spirit, where we have no mention of anyone being able to interpret dreams. The Scriptures certainly speak of those who will be given dreams and visions but I could not imagine a situation where they needed to go and ask someone for any interpretation; don't forget, a dream or a vision occurs when the Father wants to communicate something to an individual, where its meaning would be made clear.

When it comes to a good definition of our English 'spiritual gift', this is surprisingly not a term that Paul or any other writer has employed, where the term has come about due to the need of the Biblical translators of old to try and convey what they thought that Paul meant when he used the two Greek words charisma and pneumatikos in particular; most translations will also insert the word gift within a sentence from time to time in an "attempt" to try and clarify what is being said; this can easily be checked using an online Greek Interlinear such as www.biblehub.com/interlinear.

 

[tturt]

Examples of New Testament dreams and interpretation:
-Joseph (Mary's husband) had a dream and was given instructions and
-Pilate's wife "When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him." Matt 27:19 There are probably more.
In these two examples the dreamer knew that their dream was from Yahweh and understood their interpretation - what they were about.

As far as asking for help interpreting dreams, there are several examples from the OT.

Since Yahweh gives dreams and visions then He will provide their purpose. Plus The Holy Spirit has a dominant role in dreams and visions.
"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: " Acts 2:17

 

[JCFantasy23]

Dreams are interesting, complex things. When growing up I had a reoccurring horrible dream for about 10 years. Sometimes the dream would leave me alone for a few weeks, but sometimes it was bad enough to be almost every night. I talked to a doctor about it, and they told me that there was a theory that if I could find out what the dream meant, it would leave since the message was understood. This actually ended up working, even though I didn't think it would. I researched the symbolism in the dream (it was always the same), and then I saw the definition in a book it hit me clearly that it was the right meaning. It matched something that had been going on in my life for a long time, but that I didn't know enough about (a form of abuse). Once I saw the meaning, it became clear to me, I got a chill, and never had the dream again.

So not all dreams are clear messages you'll get right away. I think there are different kinds.

 

[Greg J.]

A Spiritual gift is one where the person is not doing "the thing," but God is. Pray for discernment to know when something is from God or not. Over time (usually a long time), you can learn to recognize when it is from God every time (when he wants you to know). Discerning correctly is less of an immediate concern when God does something that a human can't do (e.g., supernatural healing).

For example, for interpreting a dream that was from God, unless God does it, it is merely an effort at human psychology (unless God is speaking through them). Pray for the interpretation (perhaps with prayer support).