Spiritual Gifts or Spiritual Grifts?

When Gifts Divide Instead of Build: A Call to Spiritual Maturity and Discernment

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 4

Recently, during a Bible study session, we reflected on Ephesians 4, particularly focusing on how Christ apportioned gifts to His church.

  • Ephesians 4:7 reminds us that to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

  • Verses 11-16 outline the gifts given: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

The Purpose of These Gifts:

  1. To equip God’s people for works of service.

  2. So that the body of Christ may be built up.

  3. Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God.

  4. That we may become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The ultimate goal is that we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow into maturity, reflecting Christ, our Head.

A Critical Question
A question was posed during the study session:
How should we, as believers and members of the body of Christ, respond when:

  1. Instead of using their gifts to equip God’s people for service, leaders/individuals display personal motives contrary to God’s purpose?

  2. Instead of building up the body, they foster distractions and invented divisions, creating mistrust, disharmony, and ultimately spiritual malnourishment?

  3. Rather than leading believers into maturity and fullness in Christ, they contribute to spiritual stagnation, leaving the body fragmented and immature?

Responses from the Study Group
Several insights were shared which I agree with. They  include:

  • Pray for such individuals (Ephesians 4:2 — “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”)

  • Recognize that growth takes time, and some individuals step out prematurely — before undergoing proper tutelage, pruning, and shaping.

  • A reminder to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), bringing correction with gentleness and humility.

  • Emphasize guarding against false teachings and remaining anchored in the purpose Christ intended — unity, maturity, and the building up of His body.

  • Above all, keep the focus on Christ, not individuals or their gifts.

Further Revelation
Following the study, I continued to seek the Lord on this matter and I was inspired to consider two critical insights:

1. God’s Love Includes Chastening

Hebrews 12:6 reminds us that “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.” This tells us that correction, when given in love is not condemnation, but an expression of God’s love and commitment to our growth.

2. Distinguishing the Source of the Gift

Not all gifts manifested in ministry originate from Christ. Some come from other sources.

  • Category A — Gifts that do not come from God:
    These are individuals who manifest abilities or powers that may appear spiritual, but they are not apportioned by Christ. Examples include the slave girl with a spirit of divination in Acts 16:16-18 and the warning of false apostles in 2 Corinthians 11:14.
    Response: 1 John 4:1-6 teaches us to test every spirit, discern the source, whether it is truly of God or of the spirit of antichrist. Hebrews 12:4 also reminds us that spiritual discernment and resistance to deception may even require sacrificial struggle.

  • Category B — Gifts given by God but corrupted by misuse:
    These are individuals who were indeed called and gifted by Christ, but they have misapplied or corrupted their gifts for self-serving purposes.

Response:

  • Ephesians 4:2 reminds us to respond with humility, gentleness, and patience.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 emphasizes that each builder’s work will be tested by fire — there is accountability.

  • Isaiah 14:12-15 reveals how God dealt with Lucifer, who corrupted his own beauty and wisdom, turning against God’s purpose.

  • Finally, Revelation 20:7-15 shows us that God will ultimately bring judgment upon every misuse of divine grace.

Our Practical Response as Believers
With this understanding, our response must include:

  1. Prayer and Intercession — Standing in the gap for those who misuse their gifts, while asking God to expose and remove counterfeits.

  2. Discernment and Testing of Spirits — Not every spiritual manifestation is from God. We must be vigilant and discerning.

  3. Loving Correction — Speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), restoring gently those who have stumbled (Galatians 6:1).

  4. Holding Fast to Sound Doctrine — Grounding ourselves in the Word, so we are not tossed about by every wind of teaching.

  5. Personal Accountability — Ensuring that we ourselves are faithful stewards of whatever grace God has given us.

Closing Thought
Ephesians 4 paints a picture of a healthy, thriving church—each part doing its work, joined and held together by every supporting ligament. But this only happens when gifts serve the body instead of serving egos.

Ultimately, the health of the body depends on every joint supplying what it should (Ephesians 4:16). This can only happen when every gift functions in alignment with Christ’s purpose — not personal agendas, fleshly ambitions, or manipulative schemes.

If we want to see a church that grows strong, healthy, and mature, we must guard the gifts—praying, discerning, speaking truth in love, and always keeping Christ at the center.

As we pray, discern, and speak the truth in love, may we preserve the unity of the Spirit and press toward the full maturity that reflects Christ.

Prayer 

Lord, we thank You for the gifts You have given to Your church. We repent where we have misused them, whether by selfish ambition, fear, or ignorance. Purify our hearts. Align our motives with Yours. Expose deception where needed. Give us discernment to distinguish between what is of You and what is not. May every gift in Your church equip, build, and mature Your people into the full stature of Christ. Teach us to pray, discern, correct and speak the truth in love, correct with humility, and protect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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