The Gifts of the Spirit and the Characteristics of Those Who Have Them

Book excerpt: As a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, it was my sworn duty to guide, teach, and protect those who served in subordinate positions. In this role, it was critical to provide clear and concise information so that those who trusted my leadership would not be ignorant to the mission or threats. The apostle Paul gives a clear warning to Christian believers pertaining to the gifts of the Spirit: "I would not have you be ignorant." His first-century warning is quite relevant in this twenty-first century, where doctrinal literacy is lacking and knowledge of the Holy Ghost obtained through the Word of God and experience has been replaced with choreographed programs. Without clear and concise teaching, the warrior in Christ is left with a butter knife rather than a sword to cut through the traditions, customs, and church politics that leave a believer paralyzed in ignorance. The Gifts of the Spirit and the Characteristics of Those Who Have Them is a book written to be a field infantry manual for the believer that is clear and concise. It provides the believer with definitions of the gifts of the Spirit and examples of how they operated both in the first-century church and this present age. Lastly, this book will provide the believer with the information needed to examine oneself and answer the question "What gift do I have?" This is done by describing the effect the gift has on a believer's character and behavior while operating in and out of the church.