The gifts of the Holy Spirit

We see the gifts of the Holy Spirit working throughout the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 12-14 the gifts are described.
1 Corinthians 12 - this describes the gifts.
1 Corinthians 13 - love is the foundation and motivation for the gifts.
1 Corinthians 14 - this chapter describes prophecy and tongues.

To be of service to another, you need the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God does not want you to be ignorant in this. He desires to work through everyone with the gifts of the Spirit. Once you reach out for this and step out in this, God will not leave you ashamed. You will see as you step out that miracles and signs will follow.

God can show you the future for another person but also for your own life. He can make known to you what ailments and diseases someone has, or that someone has a particular need. God can show in advance who you will marry, or what plan He has for your life. He longs to work through you with His Spirit.

1 Cor 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that you were pagans, drawn away to dumb idols. Thus you allowed yourselves to be carried away. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is an accursed one.
Nor can anyone say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There is variety of
gifts of grace, but it is the same Spirit. 5 There is variety of ministries, and it is
same Lord. 6 There is variety of workings, but it is the same God who works all things in all. 7 To each, however, is given the revelation of the Spirit unto what is profitable to another. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit a word of wisdom, and to another word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; 9 and to another faith, by the same Spirit, and to another grace gifts of healings, by the same Spirit; 10 and to another workings of powers, and to another prophecy, and to another discerning of spirits, and to another all kinds of tongues, and to another interpretation of tongues. 11 However, all these things work one and the same Spirit, Who distributes to each one individually as He wills.

The 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. A word of wisdom,
2. Word of knowledge,
3. Faith,
4. Graces of healings,
5. Workings of forces,
6. Prophecy,
7. Distinguishing spirits,
8. All kinds of languages,
9. And explanation of languages.

The gifts of the Spirit can be divided into three categories. There are revelatory gifts and these make something known, the power gifts set something free, they do something. Then the vocal gifts, these gifts say something.

Here is an overview of the three categories.

1. Revelations: These gifts reveal something.
   • A word of wisdom
   • A word of knowledge
   • Distinction of spirits
2. Power gifts: These gifts do something.
   • Gifts of healings
   • Workings of forces
   • Faith
3. Vocal gifts: These gifts say something.
   • Prophecy
   • All kinds of languages
   • Explanation of languages

Below is a brief explanation of the 9 gifts

The gifts work together, they flow into each other

Although they are nine different gifts, they are strongly linked. Often several gifts are at work at the same time. The gift of faith and workings of powers work together. Tongues and translation of tongues always work together. Often, knowledge and wisdom are both needed to achieve a good result. Moreover, the gifts stimulate each other. So you can receive a word of knowledge about someone's illness, and from that in turn minister healing.

What is the best gift

1 Cor 12:31 So strive for the best gifts of grace.

What is the best gift? The gift you need for your ministry/at that time. God has a calling for every believer, and with your task will come a certain gift.
You can function in all the gifts when needed, you will start to discover that there are certain gifts you function in more easily and need more often. The gifts that you don't really have to put the effort into are the grace gifts that are on your life.

It is about which gifts are best to fulfil your calling. If there is a calling of prophet on your life you need the gift of prophecy.
If you are called for deliverance, you need discernment of spirits. This gift is to fulfil your calling.