Definition

Amplification and Guides

Danger or Abuse

Prophet: Proclaiming Truth

The motivation to identify and reveal righteous or unrighteous motives or actions by presenting God’s Truth

To be persuasive in speech.  To bring to light things previously concealed.  To reveal the secrets of men’s hearts; causing them to fall down and worship God. (1 Cor. 14:25)

One who proclaims must: Have love without hypocrisy; Despise that which is evil; grasp that which is good.

• Being proud of his persuasive speech.
• Becoming more dependent on his ability to speak than the power of the Holy Spirit to convict and reveal truth.
• May judge too quickly or too harshly.
• Sharp-tongued.
• Little patience for those who don’t grasp the truth or concept he is trying to convey.

Serving

The motivation to demonstrate love by meeting practical needs.

Able to detect personal needs.

To overlook personal discomfort in order to meet these needs.

A server must: have genuine affection for others; demonstrate brotherly responsibility; be willing to let others have the credit; a spirit of sacrifice.

• Being proud of good deeds.
• Being brash or premature in meeting the needs of others before they realize their needs.
• Over-emphasizing practical needs to the neglect of basic spiritual needs.
• Being proud of his sensitivity to others.

Teaching: Clarifying Truth

The motivation to search out and validate truth that has been presented. 

To engage in research and detailed study in order to validate truth.  A digging out of facts and accumulation of knowledge.

A teacher must: Be diligent in the details of his work; fervent in spirit; do his work as unto the Lord.

• Pride in knowledge.

• Boasting of the knowledge that he has accumulated.
• Concentrating on details of information rather than communicating basic life principles.
• Being more concerned about the research than the response of his students.
• Believing he can discern spiritual truth by reason rather than revelation.

Exhortation: An encourager

The motivation to stimulate the faith of others.

To call to the side to urge one to pursue a course of conduct or action.  Personal counseling to encourage spiritual growth.

An exhorter must: Rejoice in hope; be patient with slow progress; be persistent in prayer.

• Boasting of personal results.
• Becoming discouraged with lack of progress.
• Motivating others for selfish gain.
• Spending too much time with those who want only temporary relief.

Giver

The motivation to discern the financial needs of the members of the Body.

Sensitive to the needs of others.  Looks for the opportunity to encourage others by giving to their needs.  Joy when his gift meets a specific need of a person.

A giver must:  Rule his own house well; be submitted to and guided by the Holy Spirit in his giving.

• Using money to control others
• Pride in ability to accumulate finances.
• Others may look to him, instead of the Lord, to meet needs.
• Using finances to gain recognition in the church.

Ruler: An administrator

The motivation to organize the efforts of others in order to achieve a common goal.

Ability to turn chaos into order; Can identify the gifting of others and guide them to be effective; Is most joyful when the organizational challenge is the greatest.

A ruler must:  Be fervent in the spirit; Keep moving to new challenges; Always be focused on a goal or vision.

• Pride in knowing that his gift is foundational.
• Delegating to avoid his share of work.
• Because of being focused some may think he is too narrow-minded.

Shower of Mercy

The motivation to discern the heart position of other members of the Body of Christ.

Ability to be sensitive to the emotional position of others.  Willing to put another’s 

A Shower of Mercy must:

Be active in intercession, praying for others.  Be dedicated to Loving the brethren and to helping them whenever possible.  Be sincere.

• Pride in sensitivity.
• Rushing to the aid of someone when the Lord has not said to.
• Avoidance of firmness even when the Lord directs.
• Their sensitivity to God’s timing may be considered to be procrastination.
• Being judgmental instead of exhibiting compassion