Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;
if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully
Charles Stanley has written a powerful book entitled, Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts published by Nelson Impact. If you have not yet deciphered your own personal motivational gift, I would exhort you to follow my posts as I summarize Dr. Stanley's study from the In Touch Series. Dr. Stanley says, "I believe two things will happen as you truly understand who you are in Christ Jesus - and what your identity is within the Body of Christ. First, I believe you are going to be excited about your identity and the ways in which God desires to use you. Second, I believe you are going to be challenged to develop your gift and employ it to the best of your ability."
The person with the gift of exhortation has a desire to help others grow. They encourage others, whether in a large or small group, or one-on-one. If they see where an individual is erring, they will admonish them to repent and move forward. The author of this blog is an exhorter!
Motivational Gift of Exhortation
The Apostle Paul had the gift of exhortation
Growth and maturity.
Exhort—urge, advise, warn earnestly, press, impel to action.
Therapist, psychology, counseling
General Characteristics:
1. Motivated to urge people to full grow spiritually.
God gives them insight to see an individual's full potential; then they come back to the beginning and help them to develop.
2. Has ability to see root problem in others (not judging). God has deposited discernment; they have no problem going right to the root. Will let you vent only for a short time.
3. Wants to prescribe steps of action (because God has deposited this basic Biblical principle in them). Usually very open in terms of their heart and life.
4. Can turn any problems into great things:
a. Are problem solvers;
b. Know good will come from pruning and cutting
5. Strong desire to meet face-to-face. Doesn’t like letters and telephone because they like to see the body language and cannot read it remotely.
6. Great desire to gain spiritual insight and awareness in their life. God takes them through many things to broaden their awareness.
7. A great desire to bring harmony between peoples and groups. They know that this breeds growth.
Ways people with motivational gift of exhortation are misunderstood:
1. Oversimplification of steps from A to Z;
2. They urge people to follow their words; others don’t like their confidence.
3. People without the gift think these people do not evangelize (believe they must walk the walk and that is the testimony)
4. Use scripture for personal application because they can personalize it; it does apply
5. People feel like they are “just a project”
Walking in the Spirit
Wise, great quality of knowing where they are in Spirit
Tremendous discernment and can penetrate into heart in loving way
Operate in faith
Use discretion in communicating
Overwhelming love; Very sensitive
Creative, Enthusiastic; Ignite others
Walking in the Flesh
Natural instincts take over
Judgmental
Operate out of assumption/presumption
Say anything; Simpleminded
Say anything; Simpleminded
Selfish; Indifferent
Negative; Underachievers
Apathetic
