Spirit Equipped for Spiritual Service Part VI

Romans 12:1-8

God calls, equips and empowers the church for its ministry. We continue our review of the seven basic motivational gifts and look at characteristics of the Gifts of the Spirit as expressed in a believer, how they may serve in the Body of Christ and problems that might occur when the gift is misused or abused.

Mercy - Jude 20-23
The motivation to identify with and comfort those who are in mental and emotional distress. 

SPIRIT-LED Characteristics of Mercy

1. Those with the Gift of Mercy Feel the Emotional Atmosphere Around an individual or Group.

2. Those with the Gift of Mercy Are More Concerned With Mental Distress than Physical Distress.

3. Those with the Gift of Mercy Are Sensitive to Words That Could Be Judgmental or Harmful.

4. Those with the Gift of Mercy Connect with Those Who are Sensitive to Others and May Harden Their Spirits Toward Those Who Are Insensitive.

5. Those with the Gift of Mercy Sense Emotional Genuineness and are Easily Hurt by Insensitive People.

6. Those with the Gift of Mercy Value Closeness and Quality Time Together.

7. Those with the Gift of Mercy Tend to Avoid Firmness Until They See the Benefits Involved.

Common Misunderstandings of the Gift of Mercy

1. A lack of firmness can seem weak and indecisive to others.

2. Sensitivity to feelings can seem like an over dependence on emotion rather than reason.

3. Their emphasis on emotional needs can be dangerously misunderstood by those of the opposite sex.

4. When reacting to hurtful words about others, they may appear to be taking the opposing side.

5. When defending others who are being judged unfairly (without personal knowledge) they may seem to lack convictions.

NON-SPIRIT-LED Characteristics the Gift of Mercy

1. In the spirit, they understand the value of pain; out of the Spirit they may seek to remove pain rather than find its benefits.  Pain is valuable.

2. Out of the Spirit, the gift of mercy could actually interfere with God's work in some situations. The merciful should always exercise spiritual discernment.

3. A Spirit-led sense of fairness becomes a failure to confront unrighteousness when out of the Spirit

4. Out of the Spirit, Gentleness becomes harshness; deference becomes rudeness; meekness becomes anger.

Giving - Matthew 6:3-4
Motivation: To give to a tangible need.

SPIRIT-LED Characteristics of the Gift of Giving

1. Those with the Gift of Giving are Able to Identify Resources.

2. Those with the Gift of Giving Exercise Personal Thriftiness.

3. Those with the Gift of Giving Desire to Feel a Part of God’s Work.

4. Those with the Gift of Giving Recognize Money as a Tool Not a Possession.

5. Those with the Gift of Giving Desire to Give High Quality.

6. Those with the Gift of Giving Trust the Gift is An Answer to Prayer.

7. Those with the Gift of Giving Desire to Give Secretly and Without Pressured Appeals.

8. Those with the Gift of Giving are Concerned that Giving may Corrupt.

9. Those with the Gift of Giving Motivate Others to Give.

10. Those with the Gift of Giving See Financial Needs that Others Overlook.

Common Misunderstandings of the Gift of Giving

1. Givers pay attention to finances, so they may be misjudged as materialistic.

2. They make sure their gifts are used properly, so they may seem to be trying to control the work or the worker.

3. As they encourage others to give, they may seem overbearing, though their own lack of response to pressure may seem like a lack of generosity.

4. Givers are frugal, which could be misinterpreted as stinginess or insensitivity to their friends' desires.

NON-SPIRIT-LED Characteristics the Gift of Giving

1. Godly givers are grateful people, but in the carnal life this trait becomes pride.

2. Thriftiness gives way to extravagance, resourcefulness vanishes, and wastefulness takes it place.

3. The contentment of giving becomes a covetous discontent.

4. These believers are cautious when living in the Spirit but rash when walking in the flesh.