Acts 2:4

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 12:10

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Today, I may shoot a 78 or even a 74, but tomorrow’s score could be a 86 or 94. Just as all amateur golfers, I desire consistency whether it be good or bad. It’s the same result whenever I pull out my 3 wood. The ball could go 240 yards toward the intended target or I could top the ball and it go 130. The odds are 50/50 which isn’t very good if your living depended upon it.

Professional or highly skilled golfers will have these “misses” on a rare occasion, but in general, they have the ability to strike a golf ball in consistent and proper manner. They have a God-given talent. These are gifts and talents from above. Therefore, no matter how much we play or practice, we are never going to attain this level whether it be playing golf or singing a song.

I don’t intend for this writing to cause offense, but to only generate thought. In Acts, the disciples “spoke in tongues” after receiving the Holy Spirit. Most accept this “tongue” as a different language which was easily interpreted by those native to which it was spoken. However, the “tongue” spoke about in 1 Corinthians was deemed to be a spiritual gift as was the interpretation.

We serve a sovereign God, meaning He can do whatever whenever to whomever He pleases and be just. Thus, if God wants to bestow a missionary with the temporary ability to speak in the language of a country to serve His purpose, He could do it. This would not be a gift, however , as it was only a temporary bestowment. The disciples at different times were give the ability to heal, but this power was not permanent. They were not able to heal on command on a consistent basis.

Gifts, on the other hand, are consistent. If you have a musical gift to play the guitar or piano, you don’t wake up one morning with the inability to play. If you have been given the gift or talent to teach a Sunday School class, there are some Sundays you might not feel like it, but you still have the ability. Similar, professional athletes perform their craft on a consistent basis and usually on command. They each may have off-nights, but yet still would be able to dominate the amateur on these “bad days.”

Thank God for our spiritual gifts! These bestowments are to be used in His name to promote the gospel, and enlighten a dark world fascinated with worthless self-promotion. The music and sport industries are full of one-hit wonders. These are singers or teams who had that ” one good run” and find victory. Believers are consistently promised this success through Jesus Christ. He was and will always be the greatest gift! God’s gifts and talents are never given to confuse – they are to clear up any turmoil or distraction. With all of the confusion and strife in our society today, what is missing?