Building Spiritual Habits - Part 4: The Seven Gifts

Building Spiritual Habits  - Part 4

St. Augustine prayed,

“Help me to grow in the four Cardinal Virtues, Your Seven Gifts and Your Twelve Fruits.”

Two weeks ago, we dove into the deep pool of God’s intention and purpose. Realizing that God designed our bodies and our spirits for the same purpose, we recognize that our own habits are set against us. Utilizing a prayer written by St. Augustine and asking God for help attaining the four Cardinal Virtues, Seven Gifts and Twelve Fruits, we began our journey.

Last week we swam through the Cardinal Virtues, what they are, and why they are important–neccessary for us to grow spiritually. Today we wade into the Seven Gifts.

The Seven Gifts that St. Augustine is speaking of comes from Isaiah 11:1-3:

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord (godliness)—and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears;

In this passage, Isaiah refers to seven spiritual powers that would be given to the Messiah to help fulfil his mission. In the original Hebrew text, Isaiah listed six gifts of the Spirit but mentioned the gift of the fear of the Lord twice. When this passage was translated into ancient Greek, the scribes used two different words for “fear of the Lord.” The first time they translated it “godliness” and the second time, more literally, as “fear of the Lord.” This is why Christian tradition speaks of seven gifts rather than six.

In chapters 32:15; 42:1; 44:3; 59:21; and 61:1, Isaiah says that this same Spirit of the Lord would also be poured out on the people who recognize and worship God. As the church grew, this list became a cornerstone of Baptismal proclamation and Confirmation as the visible means for people to receive the Holy Spirit.

That being said, there is also a separate list of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, which is based on St. Paul’s letter First to the Corinthians:

To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues (12:8-10)

The best way to understand these two lists is as St. Augustine drew this distinction: the seven gifts listed in Isaiah are received by all Christians and the nine listed by Paul are given to particular individuals for the good of the Church. 

In this way we understand that St. Augustine was acknowledging the already present gifts of the Holy Spirit bestowed on every believer. This is very important as so often people question their “value” or sanctity based on the second list. If they have not received one of the nine gifts, are they really beloved, saved, good?

The answer to this question must begin with the acknowledgement of the already present seven gifts.
You must grow into the reality that as you have recognized Jesus as the Messiah and pledged yourself to Him, you have received the Holy Spirit. Growing into this truth leads to the deepening of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, godliness--and fear of the Lord already received and makes possible the reception of particular gifts.  

What must you do to grow into the profound truth that the Holy Spirit is living in you? How MUST you change your world view to honor God for your faith and to know the Messiah as the center of your life? A more detailed explanation of these gifts will guide you as you lean on them to grow in them.

1- Gift of Wisdom: This gift detaches us from the world, relegates the events and concerns of the world to God. Wisdom makes us relish and love only the things of heaven, and to interpret all the things of this world through heavenly sight. It helps us, for example, to understand and live the glorious fact that God is our Father, and we are His children. You are a child of God and as God’s child will live out the example and instruction we learn from him.

2- Gift of Understanding: This gift helps us to grasp the truths of religion as far as is necessary. To understand and live the value of prayer, love, faith, hope, the Trinity, the Father, Jesus, the Spirit, the brothers, the creatures of God, the snares of the devil. Upon this gift, we understand our place in God’s plan and live our lives.

3- The gift of Counsel: This gift is the supernatural grace that helps us make sound judgments and wise decisions, particularly in moral and spiritual matters. It enables us to discern God's will and choose actions that lead to holiness and salvation.

4- The gift of Fortitude or Power: This gift gives us power and courage to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that arise in the practice of our devotion. We are able to fight the world, the devil, and most especially the bad inclinations of our own flesh with the power of God.

5- The gift of Knowledge: This is the spiritual gift that enables a believer to understand and apply spiritual truths, often related to the Bible and the Gospel, in a way that is insightful and helpful to others. 

6- The gift of Piety (Godliness): Inspires us with a tender and filial confidence in God, and makes us joyfully embrace with love all that pertains to His service, the liturgy, the sacraments, and the prayers.

7- The gift of Fear of the Lord:  This is a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and holiness. It's a gift that motivates a person to avoid sin and attachment to worldly things out of love and reverence for God. It's a filial fear, similar to a child's fear of disappointing a loving parent, rather than a servile fear of punishment. 

Ask God’s help to live into the gifts you have already received. Ask the Father to direct your mind and heart as you see better Spiritual Habits.

Prayerfully,
​
Fr. Bill+ ​