Believing Brings Power: Activate The Gifts of The Spirit

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)

When it comes to believing in signs and wonders there are many divisions. Jesus said that we would “receive power when the Holy Ghost comes upon you” (Acts1:8). I don’t want to discuss the divisions I want all that Jesus said we could have. If Jesus said I can have power, then I want it.

Paul also told us to “desire spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 14:1). What are these spiritual gifts? They are the same gifts that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Many times, I was told to seek the Giver but not the gifts. I do agree with the statement although not fully because Paul tells us to desire them. It is okay to ask God for the gifts of the Spirit.

One thing I have noticed is that the gifts of the Spirit come by believing in faith. We must step out and use them. We are often waiting for God to sovereignly take control of us to use us in the gifts. However, God wants us aware of His Presence. As we keep our eyes on Him, He begins to show us new things. The power of God, signs, wonders and the supernatural can be a normal part of our Christian life.

Would you like to go on a journey with me? For years I have desired more of the gifts in my life. I want God to use me in all the gifts. In every service or place that I am in I seek the awareness of God’s Presence and what He might want to do. This is most important.

Here are some things I am learning:

1. Believing causes you to act.

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:17, 18

If you only have a mental belief in these things nothing will happen. I do not understand how people can believe that God could heal the sick through them, yet they are unwilling to pray for anyone and much less lay hands on them. If we believe we will act on these verses. You cannot believe and do nothing.

Who are the believers that will see these signs? Jesus gave us the answer in the first part of the previous verse. He who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16). After coming to faith in Jesus our next step is baptism. We are qualified for baptism the moment we believe. The same with the gifts of the Spirit. The moment we believe we have them.

In fact, everything in the Spirit is given to us by faith. If I believe what the Bible says than it is mine. This is a powerful truth. We receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit by faith. We speak in tongues through faith. Therefore, how do you think signs will follow us? You are right! Through faith. If I want the power of God to operate in my life, I must first believe I have it.

2. Believing changes the way we speak

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak. 2 Corinthians 4:13

When you believe any talk of doubt will stop. You will not say “if it be your will.” You simply declare what you believe. The power of God works through us as we believe. Confidence begins to rise on the inside of you.

Have you ever met a man or woman of faith? Have you noticed many times they speak differently than you? They carry a confidence. Sometimes it is because they have seen the power of God work through their life many times. Have you ever asked yourself, how did they get there?

The way to see the power of God in your life with signs and wonders following is through believing God at His Word. If God said it then it must be true. If it is true, it will work. Therefore, we just need to step out in faith.

3. You cannot fake Believing

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16

This story shows us the problem with trying to fake what we believe. These people tried to imitate Paul. Consequently, it did not go well for them. Unfortunately, I have found that these verses have caused many people to be fearful when it comes to the gifts of the Spirit.

People are afraid that if they misuse the gifts they will be punished or if they make the slightest mistake they are doomed. However, these verses are showing us people who did not believe in Jesus. They tried to use the Name of Jesus whom Paul preaches. Therefore, they did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Consequently, you must know Jesus to move in the gifts.

Conclusion:

Do not be afraid! Choose to believe today. If you want God to give you the ability to use His gifts, then you need to put yourself in an opportunity for them to be useful. Since you never pray for the sick, you will never see them recover. If you do not believe you can speak in tongues, you never will.

Yes, we must seek the Giver, but the giver gives good gifts. He invites you to desire those gifts. Step out in faith and use those gifts God has given you.

Steven Stoffelsen

Author of Trusting God’s Timing

Founder of House of Refuge Street Ministries