Spiritual Gifts Spotlight: The Gifts of the Head

We have continued our study of Spiritual Gifts and this past week our focus was on the 3 gifts of the head. If you would like to join a study group or purchase the book, please contact the church office at 815-962-6061, or contact beccca via e-mail.

Three of the spiritual gifts are somewhat located in the head. These are the gifts that guide the function of the body of Christ. They are the gifts that provide the voice of reason, share wisdom, or even create new ideas out of seemingly nowhere. Without these gifts, the church might lack direction, or worse yet might head in the wrong direction.

These gifts of the head are: Knowledge, Discernment, and Wisdom.

The Gift of Discernment. This the gift that helps define and clarify what is "truth". This is a special gift that helps determine if something is truly from "God" or from another, less reliable, source. This gift is best used to recognize the true motives behind actions and communications.

The characteristics of this gift are:

• Has a natural "phoniness" meter: can detect authenticity in words or actions.


• Often has insight that a particular message or activity is inspired by God.


• Can sense when speakers or actions are prompted by the Holy Spirit"


• Deeply sensitive and "tuned in."


• Is able to see the motivations behind actions or words.


• Is very insightful: can always "see more" than the average person.


• Might be considered a "human lie detector"


• Feels called by God to share when things seem "wrong"

The Gift of Wisdom. Wisdom does not always come with age. Some of our youngest members are very wise. This gift is able to see all sides of an issue and provide clarity and illumination. This gift is important because it often speaks out when others are no longer speaking or listening. The characteristics of this gift are:

• Is often asked for advice when direction is needed


• Can bring clarity to others when they are unsure of a course of action.


• Has insight into God’s will in any given situation.


• Understands a deeper meaning and can apply it in situations.


• Understands God’s truth and can insightfully apply it to every day life.


• Can see multiple sides of an issue and feel the way God might be nudging a group to go.


• Gives sound advice.


• Understands the "root" of the situation.

The Gift of Knowledge. This gift is not just someone who is "smart" but rather someone who has a special ability to gather, analyze and disseminate information in such a way as to uplift the whole body of Christ. This is not "book smarts" but rather "God Smarts." The characteristics of this gift are:

• Is often aware of situations or events without receiving communication.


• Can sometimes sense within others things which they might be trying to hide.


• Able to see options that others might not see.


• Often "just knows" something.


• Can tell others things about themselves that have not been previously revealed.


• Able to focus on a problem even before others realize it’s there.


• Able to gather and retain vast amounts of information.


• Feels inspired by God in knowing.