The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. They are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ but are found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. We receive them when we are infused with sanctifying grace which we receive twice, once during baptism, and once during confirmation. I chose this topic because the Holy Spirit lives inside us and guides the actions of those who desire His presence. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to step outside his comfort zone to do extraordinary acts of faith for God. Being filled with the Spirit involves transforming our minds to the mind of Christ as we engage in spiritual activities. walking in the guidance of the Holy Spirit leads to a sense of peace and joy, as we partner with God in His glorious plans. Violating our conscience through acts of disobedience lead to a loss of filling by the Holy Spirit, which takes away our joy and peace. Although God will not take the Holy Spirit away from a disciple of Jesus Christ, the continual practice of sin and a lack of spiritual activities will lead to a life that is no different than the life of a non-believer. Blasphemy against any other member of the Holy Trinity can be forgiven, although blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to perform acts of faith greater than their own physical capabilities. Through understanding this, I have learned that
1. Wisdom
Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit, because it is the perfection of the theological virtue of faith. Through wisdom, we come to value properly those things which we believe through faith. The truths of Christian belief are more important than the things of this world, and wisdom helps us to order our relationship to the created world properly, loving Creation for the sake of God, rather than for its own sake.
2. Understanding
Understanding is the second gift of the Holy Spirit.
The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are enumerated in Isaiah 11:2-3. They are present in their fullness in Jesus Christ but are found in all Christians who are in a state of grace. We receive them when we are infused with sanctifying grace which we receive twice, once during baptism, and once during confirmation. I chose this topic because the Holy Spirit lives inside us and guides the actions of those who desire His presence. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to step outside his comfort zone to do extraordinary acts of faith for God. Being filled with the Spirit involves transforming our minds to the mind of Christ as we engage in spiritual activities. walking in the guidance of the Holy Spirit leads to a sense of peace and joy, as we partner with God in His glorious plans. Violating our conscience through acts of disobedience lead to a loss of filling by the Holy Spirit, which takes away our joy and peace. Although God will not take the Holy Spirit away from a disciple of Jesus Christ, the continual practice of sin and a lack of spiritual activities will lead to a life that is no different than the life of a non-believer. Blasphemy against any other member of the Holy Trinity can be forgiven, although blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. The Holy Spirit empowers the believer to perform acts of faith greater than their own physical capabilities. Through understanding this, I have learned that
1. Wisdom
Wisdom is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit, because it is the perfection of the theological virtue of faith. Through wisdom, we come to value properly those things which we believe through faith. The truths of Christian belief are more important than the things of this world, and wisdom helps us to order our relationship to the created world properly, loving Creation for the sake of God, rather than for its own sake.
2. Understanding
Understanding is the second gift of the Holy Spirit.