Old Dog V
Field Of Talent
Bob Neumann
Unlike the concept of TRAINING, Talent is more dependent on the HOLY SPIRIT as we flow and function in the GIFTS and the FRUITS of the SPIRIT. While all of ABBA’S children have been given all the GIFTS, few servants actually flow in POWER with all of the GIFTS. More interesting is the reality that no one who does flow in a specific GIFT flows all the time, or to the same degree each time he ministers.
Most of us notice the ‘difference’ each time we move in THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Call it a different “feel” or “flavor”, but we do notice.
There are many ”prophetic people” who move frequently in “WORDS”…..”WORDS of ENCOURAGEMENT, WORDS OF EDIFICATION, WORDS OF COMFORT” yet have never moved in any other gift. This affects how they view others who give “WORDS of PROPHECY” that might fall into the category of “WORDS OF ADMONISHMENT .… WORDS OF CORRECTION”.
There are many who think of a “WORD OF KNOWLEDGE” as referring only to the area of “MIRACLES AND HEALINGS”. Yet there have been times where THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT has given HIS VESSEL intimate knowledge about the person being ministered to, whether to confirm to the person it can only be GOD, or to confront someone who desires to deny the fact.
While the “WORD OF WISDOM” tends to be less confrontational than that of “KNOWLEDGE” it can be quite overpowering to those who have not seen it in operation. Like a musician that practices upon an instrument, we are ‘given’ a talent for….but it improves with practice. Anything we may endeavor can improve to some degree with practice. Regrettably, those who have no ‘talent’ will improve their “performance” to some degree if they practice long and hard. The only problem is in the area of proficiency.
Training and determination cannot replace talent, but they can substitute for it.
The problem in the ‘church’ is that we have promoted ”style” and called it ‘talent’. Likewise we have acknowledged ‘talent’ and not demanded virtuosity. Excellency was ignored because we idolized and elevated the GIFT. Performance became all important as long as it fit our expectations. In each scenario GOD gets short changed. THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT can not be trusted to stay in our definition of order, so let’s restrict the ‘flow’ and limit the “GIFTS”.
For this and other reasons there is not an abundance of Talents functioning in THE BODY. Those who have ‘learned’ from THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT and are ‘talented/anointed’ have become so over time and practice. THE GIFTS OF THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT which HE chooses to use through us often require our sensitivity. THE GIFTS always require our obedience.
The ‘anointing’ by which THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT moves provides depth, resolution, and clarity to that aspect of VISION we call PERCEPTION. I have substituted the term “TALENT” for the more readily accepted term “ANOINTING” because it is grossly overused for anything of/or pertaining to THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT. Often it is used without the secondary aspect of accountability. So by referring to “TALENT” I am giving reference to the parable of the “TALENTS” and the tragedy of the single talent that was buried. With this we move to the….
Up Next: Field Of Perception